The basic mobile

The vast majority of business users simply require a mobile phone that does the basics, like talk and text. However, even budget mobiles now come with a basic camera, a colour display and a wide selection of messaging solutions (SMS, EMS, MMS and even email) as standard. Most basic mobiles are relatively compact and easily pocketable, with a small screen and a conventional keypad.

Users should look for a strong battery life and a phone that can withstand the knocks. Basic mobiles come in three form factors: candybar (pictured), clamshell and slider.

Often called a PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant, the tablet-style smartphone is essentially a mini handheld computer, which can make calls, send texts and emails, show business presentations and access the full-blown internet. Some people choose these as pocket alternatives to laptop computers.

These devices are larger than conventional smartphones and feature large displays and stylus-operated touch-screens. Many also now feature slide-down QWERTY keyboards, which are hidden behind the device's display.

All of these devices are capable of accessing a variety of email accounts, and make excellent personal organisers. As with smartphones, these devices can feature Palm, Symbian and Microsoft operating systems. Each of the operators now offers a branded version of one of these sophisticated devices.

Smartphones are essentially sophisticated mobiles, capable of synchronising contacts, diary, tasks and emails with a PC, running specialist software applications, providing access to your email accounts and browsing the internet, as well as performing the basics like voice calls.

Smartphones occasionally offer full QWERTY keyboards and touch-screen displays and are great pocket organisers. They also feature essential multimedia features such as cameras, video cameras and digital music players. Smartphones tend to be a little larger than basic mobile phones because they usually boast a larger display and have to accommodate a larger battery to cope with the extra functionality on offer.

When people talk about a smartphone having a Palm, Symbian or Microsoft operating system (OS), they are referring to the menu system by which you navigate the phone's features.