When thinking about the type of handheld to buy, you need to think about what you will be doing with it. Will it merely be a device to organize contacts and activities? Will you need e-mail and Internet access? Will you want to use it to connect to a corporate LAN? Before you can choose among the three main handheld categories listed below, you must first assess your needs. Handheld capabilities run the gamut from general PIM functions to specialized computing tasks. All handhelds, including electronic organizers, let you manage your appointments, contacts, memos, notes, and tasks. You'll even be able to synchronize your data with a conventional PC and a Web-based service. Some handhelds, such as Palm OS-, Windows CE- and Symbian EPOC-based devices, support PC-based tasks, enabling you to view, edit, transport, and print documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations. Some models will go so far as to entertain you, letting you listen to audio books and music, read electronic books, view images and video clips, or play games. If you have specific needs, such as bar code reading, digital imagery, location-based wireless services, navigation, or rugged environments, you'll probably turn to a proprietary device. What you should keep in mind is that not all devices can do all things right out of the box. For example, in most cases, if you want e-mail and Internet access, or maybe even wireless connectivity, you'll have to turn to third-party providers—as long as your device supports these capabilities. The more features you want, the more you'll pay.