Not long ago, there would have been little, if any, comparison between a PDA (personal data assistant) and a laptop, but in the world of computer gear, the range between the two has narrowed, as the technology in both has increased. While there are still distinct differences between the two formats, knowing which one will fit your needs is not always so clear-cut.
I thought I wanted a laptop, but once I made the purchase, I realized that I rarely used most of it capabilities. I was attracted to the thought of having my work available to carry with me wherever my travels may take me. I did not realize how cumbersome a laptop could be. When I finally broke down and purchased a Dell Axim, I finally found what I had been searching for when I initially purchased the laptop. It fits in my bag, is compatible with my desktop and Microsoft Word, plays the occasional MP3, and even allows me to create slideshows of my photography.
While a laptop has advantages over a PDA such as being able to accept a CD or DVD to access files, music, even movies, depending on your particular model, many handhelds now also double as MP3 players and can play movies downloaded to them from your computer. However, you still have the disadvantage of the small screen size of a PDA in comparison to a laptop. Try to think of how you intend to use one or the other to help you define what it is you are actually wanting.
Second Computer
If your interest lies more in line with a second computer, a laptop can now take the challenge on and win. Anything you can do on a desktop can now potentially be accomplished on a laptop, depending on the model you choose. A PDA cannot compete with your desktop, though it can work with it. While tasks such as note taking are suitable for the smaller sized screens, creating a detailed spreadsheet can be near impossible.