Cases and styli
Accidents happen, and it's always good to be prepared, which is why a protective case is a must. After all, it only makes sense that you would want to take care of your investment. You can choose from a number of options--hard or soft, designer or budget--but no matter what the style, a carrying case will keep your handheld and its screen safe from rough treatment. And it wouldn't hurt to pick up a few extra styli. Many models also feature retractable pens so that you can get more use out of your handheld.

The beauty of the Bellagio Universal Case ($40) is that it fits most of today's PDAs and gives you room to carry your other personal belongings. For example, there are two holders for memory cards; four slots to hold credit cards, a driver's license, and the like; and a zipper pouch for tucking away other valuables.

If you're always losing your tiny PDA stylus, it might be time to upgrade to something a little more substantial and functional. As the name would imply, the $30 Cross Matrix Multifunction Pen is a versatile instrument that works as a pen, a highlighter, and a stylus. The round, cigarlike pen is available in silver, blue, or red, and it features a replaceable and refillable holder on the top of the pen so that you can swap out ink cartridges.