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Affordable PDAs for starving students

Bonnie Cha
Associate editor

PDAs are great gadgets for school. In one compact device, you can keep track of your class schedule and activities, organize the contact information of all your new friends, take notes, or play Solitaire during boring lectures (OK, we don't really advise this last one). But as a student, you're not exactly rolling in money. Don't worry, there are affordable options out there. These four PDAs all cost $250 or less and have the credits you need to get the job done. Read our reviews to see which one you should slip into your backpack.

More resources

Editors' top PDAs

Handhelds buying guide

New PDA reviews

Back to school guide

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Product name	Palm Tungsten E2	HP iPaq Pocket PC rz1710	312 MHz Axim X30 Handheld with 1-Year Next Business Day Advanced Exchange Service and 1-Year Tech Support	Palm Zire 31 Handheld

Review date	April 12, 2005	July 25, 2004	May 17, 2004	April 27, 2004

Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained)	7.5 Very good	6.7 Good	CNET editor's take	6.6 Good

Buying choices	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...

Product videos	Watch video	Watch video		Watch video

Review summary	The Palm Tungsten E2 delivers the sleek and affordable combination of productivity and entertainment in a package that should satisfy mobile professionals and consumers alike.	With a combination of a small form factor and great performance, the HP iPaq Pocket PC rz1710 is a solid entry-level PDA.	CNET editor's take	The entry-level Palm Zire 31 should have users singing a happy tune with an affordable price tag, added memory, a fast processor, and MP3 playback.

Product series	N/A	See all products in this series	N/A	N/A

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Basic Specs
Built-in devices	Display	Speaker , Display	Display	Display

OS provided	Palm OS Garnet 5.4	Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition	Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition	Palm OS 5.2.8

RAM installed size	32 MB	32 MB	32 MB	16 MB

Clock speed	200 MHz	203 MHz	312 MHz	200 MHz

Input device type	Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen	Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen	Jog wheel , Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen	Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen

Wireless connectivity	IrDA , Bluetooth	IrDA	IrDA	IrDA

Connectivity device(s) included	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Docking cradle

Mfr estimated battery life	Info unavailable	7 hour(s)	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Weight	4.7 oz	4.2 oz	4.7 oz	4.1 oz

Color support	16-bit (64K colors)	16-bit (64K colors)	16-bit (64K colors)	16-bit (64K colors)


Product name	Palm Tungsten E2	HP iPaq Pocket PC rz1710	312 MHz Axim X30 Handheld with 1-Year Next Business Day Advanced Exchange Service and 1-Year Tech Support	Palm Zire 31 Handheld

Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications

Price range	Check latest prices $579 from 1 store	Check latest prices $299 from 1 store	This product is no longer available. Click here for the Dell Axim X50 series.	Email me when this product is available