PDA

Information Storage: Most PDAs can store at least three years of calendar information. You can also create and edit hundred of notes and to-do lists. Nearly twice as many PDA as paper users say their planners contain their "whole life."

Safekeeping: With just a few clicks, your PDA and computer "Sync" with each other, transferring information from computer to PDA or vice versa. If you lose your PDA, you will have a backup on your computer or on a disc.

Expandability: Chart your workouts, store recipes for easy supermarket shopping, search for local restaurants, or get maps and directions by downloading any one of thousands of software programs available, many of them free.

Writing Ease: It's not easy or fast to write or tap information with a stylus. You have to master Graffiti writing or use the on-screen or built-in keyboard.

Reminders: Most PDAs can remind you of an upcoming event (via an alarm or a message) — from five minutes ahead (for a meeting) to five days (for a birthday).

Visibility/Eyestrain: A PDA can leave you bleary-eyed or reaching for your granny glasses if you're opthalmologically challenged.

Portability: A battery-loaded PDA typically weighs four to eight ounces and can easily slip into a pocket for a shopping trip.

Personal Attraction: PDAs are sleek, slim, and cool. Fans love their functionality.

Paper

Information Storage: Minimal. It's happened to most people who use a paper planner: You reach the groaning point, when adding one more entry to the R section requires either spilling over into S or buying more inserts.

Safekeeping: Misplace your planner and there's no backup waiting for you, unless you've recently photocopied all the pages or logged your address list into a computer file.

Expandability: Most planners allow you to add pages, such as maps, birthday logs, expense reports, travel information, credit-card logs, and to-do lists. But there is a limit to how many extra pages you can fit.

Writing Ease: No stylus, no Graffiti to master, and no fingers fumbling with a keyboard smaller than a credit card.

Reminders: Paper planners don't have alarms, which may be a pro or a con.

Visibility/Eyestrain: One page of the smallest paper planner is bigger than the largest handheld screen.

Portability: Leather-bound paper planners — especially when stuffed with lists, cards, and notes — can weigh in at a pound or more. Few are truly pocket-size.

Personal Attraction: Two-thirds of survey respondents say "putting pen to paper" is their favorite thing about planners.