The personal digital assistant (PDA) and associated PDA accessories have become ubiquitous business tools, especially for those closely involved in IT jobs. PDAs carry relatively powerful microprocessors, built-in memory and enough storage capability to handle word processing and e-mail software applications. Without any PDA accessories, the basic PDA functions include calendar, directory, notes, calculator, alarm and track list. 

PDA accessories can convert your PDA into a more powerful and sophisticated tool. For instance, if you plan to get a Wi-Fi enabled PDA as your main computing device, you may want to consider PDA accessories such as a wireless keyboard for attachment to your PDA. These PDA accessories work with most PDA models and employ universal infrared technology, which is a built-in capability in most PDAs. You can just fold up these PDA accessories; they are lightweight and do not add that much of a load to your PDA.

You will also need an ample supply of PDA accessories such as batteries, especially if you are using AAA alkaline batteries in your PDA. Manufacturers may claim that these PDA accessories have a lifespan of 45 hours, but that is true only for very limited use, such as 5 minutes of data search for every hour it is on. If you use the PDA backlight display, the life of these PDA accessories falls about twenty-two percent. 

If your PDA makes use of an AC adapter and rechargeable lithium-ion battery as its power source, you may as well have a spare of these PDA accessories. Compared to the AAA alkaline batteries where you need to replace the PDA accessories frequently, rechargeable batteries give you full power in more reliable amounts. The PDA accessories—the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries—provide you at least two hours of continuous use before you need to recharge the PDA accessories.

You may also want to consider PDA accessories such as a cradle. Cradles as PDA accessories allow your unit to get connected to a desktop PC via other PDA accessories, the standard serial cables or USB cables. You just have to place the PDA on these PDA accessories and you can automatically synchronize your PDA files with the corresponding desktop PC files at the press of a button.

Among the most useful of PDA accessories is the alternative cable, which is really an infrared (IR) connection. If you have an IR-enabled unit, you are no longer limited to synchronizing files with a desktop PC at the touch of a button; you can also use the IR beam to transmit business cards and other types of data to IR-enabled PDAs with similar PDA accessories.

The stylus, one of the indispensable PDA accessories, is a pointer that helps you select the mode and the software that can access the PDA’s built-in keyboard or calculator. You simply tap your choice with this type of PDA accessories to enable a function. These PDA accessories may include LED beams powerful enough to illuminate your reading material.

If you need to backup your PDA files, you may want to get PDA accessories like the stamp-sized flash memory cards. These PDA accessories are so light that they only weigh about a couple of grams. Reliable dealers of these types of PDA accessories normally offer a five-year warranty.

Other PDA accessories that may interest you are screen protectors which preserve the surface of your PDA screen from accidental scratches. Choose screen-related PDA accessories that are smooth (without bubbles) and will not interfere while you use the stylus. Although you may think that you do not really need this type of PDA accessories, remember that if you want to resell your PDA unit with scratches you will not get a higher value.