Personal Digital Assistants

An Introduction
Other than the fact that they are incredibly cool-looking in a Star Trekish-way, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are electronic equivalents of the venerable Filofaxes combined with a personal secretary, with their much greater versatility, power and expandability. These days, PDAs also perform a multitude of functions from image storage and display to spreadsheets to playing games and MP3s or even video. Of course, the PDAs originally built came with only some basic uses in mind. Those basic functions included: Note-taking Event and task scheduling Contact management via sortable address and telephone book with instant search Basic database and spreadsheet entry/editing Transfer of all entered data to desktop computers Calculator The inclusion of color and audio elements on the latest PDAs (especially those with CPUs above the 100MHz range), however, has increased the list of functions to include multimedia (playback of sounds, movie clips, presentations, voice dictation) and authoring, interpersonal presentations and even MP3 playback. 

Of course these functions will vary between PDAs of different brands and models. Current PDAs have increased processing power and storage and are capable of such tasks. However, these multimedia PDAs still cannot match the hardware power of notebooks in terms of power and functionality. Furthermore, the growing herds of palmtop users, coupled with ready availability and decreasing cost of ownership have made PDAs more common than ever. This is obvious in the plethora of handheld PCs which have emerged since Palm took the industry by storm. With all the different hardware and operating systems out in the market now, choosing which one to buy can be quite a handful, to say the least. Storing contact addresses and phone numbers only: If you need just a basic organizer or telephone book and do not thrive on owning the latest, hottest gadget in town, 18all.com recommends that you just get a simple digital/electronic diary, or even one of the cheap, dot-matrix display palmtops. There is no need for extravagance especially when your requirements do not justify the cost. 

The outlay will be in the region of RM80 to RM400, depending on what exactly you choose. And for those who are planning to get a mobile phone, many of the latest models already incorporate a digital diary, to-do lists, and time management functions, such as the Motorola P1088, Nokia 7110 and Ericsson R380 -- if these are sufficient for your needs, your quest for better time and contact management ends here! The most processing power regardless of portability: If maximum power and flexibility are all that you desire, and you are not bothered by cost or bulkiness, mini-notebooks will satisfy your every desire. This is especially so if your work requires more sophisticated programs because you will not be able to find it in any current PDA or Handheld PC line-up. Due to the miniaturization requirements of micro notebooks, expect to pay RM9,000 to RM16,000 for a powerful notebook of this category. Models from Sony's VAIO series, Toshiba's Portege series, are examples of this category. Do much more than contact management, especially discovering new things to do on a small computing device: Ah, so you want to be a palm pilot! Then this is when you will need a PDA - exactly which platform will depend on exactly what you value most. Most PDAs will be designed for the budget conscious people who still require a certain degree of computing power wherever they go, whether it's keeping track of appointments and contacts or running some applications to manage finances pr to relieve boredom on long commutes. 

The main characteristics of most Palm devices, depending on model, are: light weight monochrome displays moderate amounts of memory (8MB) medium processing power zippy performance in simple tasks ready availability of a wide range of free software and affordable shareware limited software power and maximum range of accessories to enable new functionalities like printing, digital photography, etc. At the highest end of the Palm spectrum, you can pay for a color-enabled Palm IIIc - a souped-up Palm III with 8MB of memory and a so-so color display at a price approaching that of PocketPCs. There's also the monochromed Palm Vx and IBM Workpad C3. The Workpad now comes with 8MB of RAM, a generous 6MB more than the previous 2MB. Palm prices range from about RM1,299 to RM1,599. The main characteristics of most Windows CE devices, depending on model, are: heavier weight but Palm-like form factor crisp color displays with hundreds or thousands of colors high amounts of memory (up to 32MB onboard more with flash memory add-ons) relatively high processing power (133MHz or higher) for a wider range of capabilities than Palm devices more powerful software to take advantage of all that processing power acceptable software execution speed and great potential for adapting to data-intensive tasks in a wide range of environments. Prices range run much higher than the Palms, anywhere from RM1,350 to RM3,000 and above. 

So, with the right device and the right set of programs, anyone can become an organised PDA-empowered individual. An unseen battle is being waged over your shirt pocket. In the palm-sized world of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), the line in the sand has been drawn between the Palm Pilot (and its Palm OS) and Microsoft with Windows CE. The first thing one needs to do is to cut through all the hype and decide what you want the PDA to do. Most people want a PDA that is easy to use, reliable and, most importantly, had the right form factor. Anything that didn't fit in a jacket pocket or a purse didn't make it in the finicky consumer market. 3Com's Palm wiped out the first-generation competition by getting a couple of things right. 3Com also proved that ease of use was more important than ease of learning. Millions of people went along with the fact that it was easier to learn how to write for the PDA than to have the PDA learn how they wrote. It synced easily with a computer, so data transfer was always reliable. 

And 3Com made it an easy platform to develop for, so legions of programmers/users/fans wrote a huge number of cool software for it, from medical references to 3D adventure games. Recently, Windows CE seems to have reinvented itself and the second-generation CE devices are threatening Palm's market dominance. While CE devices clearly do lots more than Palm devices, but are they the better choice for that precious purse or pocket of yours? Before you whip out your credit card and buy the device with the most features, look over the following checklist to make sure the PDA you want will do everything you need it to. After all, a PDA can be an expensive investment. The last thing you want is for it to end up at the bottom of the "really-cool-things-that-served-no-real-purpose" drawer. Size: If it doesn't fit in the pocket, don't write the check. Weight: Sister to size (mentioned above). If it stretches the pocket to the point of tearing, leave it like the brick that it is. Battery Life: A PDA is something you'll want to use every day without worrying about it. One of the reason for Palm's dominance was that it could go a month without having to change batteries. Extra Software: The new slate of PDAs do more than just organize your life. Many of the new devices have a ton of software that lets you play games, view video clips and listen to MP3s. Ease of Sync/Software Loading: The ability to easily back your data up, download software, and sync with your PC is extremely important. Does the device use the old fashioned, slow-as-snails parallel port or the much faster USB port? 

What else can it do: After all the previous criteria are met, and ONLY then, look at what else the device can do for you. Maybe you need to be able to view color pictures, maybe you need to be able to listen to MP3s, and maybe you need to be able to send and check e-mail on the road. In general, the Windows CE devices have many more features, but they don't do the basics as well. The Windows CE devices are much more expandable and have several features that aren't standard in any of the Palm machines. All of them can act as audio recorders, and most of them can play back MP3 audio (although only the Jornada comes with the software needed to do so directly; the rest make you go shopping, despite what the boxes imply). Many of them are in color, and all have variants of CompactFlash slots.

 Unfortunately, even with the 65k colors, the quality of the LCDs on these devices is relatively poor, so they're not good substitutes for just viewing pictures directly from digital cameras yet. Some of the new CE devices are even able to play back video clips, touting themselves as true multimedia machines in the palm of your hand. But the price that all the color machines have to pay for all their multimedia functionality is size. Only Compaq's Aero 1520 is in the same class with the Palm machines in terms of comfortable size, and none are even close when it comes to battery life. The two platforms treat RAM very differently, as well. While on one hand Palm devices function perfectly well using between 1MB to 8MB of RAM, all CE devices require a minimum of 16MB and can be upgraded further using the latest CompactFlash. All the units, with the exception of HandSpring's Visor, connect to your computer via the serial port. The Visor uses the much faster USB port. All the systems come with software that can sync with a number of applications, though Microsoft Outlook seems to be the default and best supported. None of the Windows CE devices support the Mac, and the Palm VII requires an external add-on pack. 

The Visor supports both Mac and Windows directly, although only System 8.1 or above. Still Not Ready For Prime Time To drive applications on the CE side, processor speed is definitely a major issue and the Mhz are constantly flying higher. Palm devices never list the speed of the processor, but in our experience, speed on a Palm device has never been an issue. The Palms install, update and sync with nary a problem. Think before you choose what you want. A handheld PC's operating system determines not only what you see onscreen, but also how you interact with the device and what kind of services you can get from it. To help you decide which OS you want on your new handheld, here's a 18all.com breakdown of the three dominant operating systems -- Palm, Windows CE, and EPOC -- plus an example of a device that uses that OS to get you started. What to expect: For many users, handheld computing is synonymous with a Palm computer. According to International Data Corp., various Palm models account for roughly 80 percent of all handheld sales. What's the secret of the Palm's success? The operating system is simple to use and easily upgradable.

 The lightweight Palm units fit comfortably into a shirt pocket. The batteries run for weeks at a time. The applications have a consistent look and feel. And thousands of public-domain and shareware programs are available online. Palm's least expensive model, the Palm IIIe, has 2MB of memory. The Palm IIIx bumps up the memory to 4MB, improves the clarity of the screen, and adds a memory-upgrade slot, while the Palm IIIex has 8MB and the improved screen, but no memory-upgrade slot. Billed as the smallest full-function color handheld, the 6.8-ounce Palm IIIc sells features a 256-color screen, 8MB of memory, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. (The other Palm III models use two AAA batteries.) If you need something even thinner and sleeker than the Palm III, check out the 4-ounce Palm V. This model has 2MB of memory and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. If you need more memory in the Palm V form factor, consider an 8MB Palm Vx. The Palm has proved successful in part because of its simple operating system, but it hasn't provided many options for hardware expansion. Founded by two of the Palm's original inventors, Handspring offers several competitively priced-and expandable-Palm clones, the Visor series. 

The Springboard expansion slot opens up the Visor platform for such add-ons as modems, wireless network cards, backup memory modules, Bluetooth communications modules, MP3 players, GPS modules, digital audio recorders, universal remote controls, cordless phones, and scanning pens. A module can include its own software, which is automatically installed when the module is plugged in and uninstalled when the module is removed. Handspring's three models all have the Springboard slot. The Visor Solo doesn't include a synchronization cradle, so it works best in an office environment, where cradles can be shared. The Visor includes the cradle and, like the Visor Solo, has 2MB of memory. Available in four additional colors, the Visor Deluxe comes with a cradle, 8MB of memory, and a leather case. All three models have a built-in microphone that connects internally to the slot. Other Palm-compatible handhelds include IBM's WorkPad Companion and TRG's TRGpro. The WorkPad Companion resembles a Palm III and is available with either 2MB or 4MB of memory. The TRGPro also resembles a Palm III, but it packs 8MB and a CompactFlash slot. You could use the slot for a modem, an Ethernet card, a bar-code reader, or more memory. 

Sony has also licensed the Palm OS, but isn't expected to ship its compatible product until later this year.Palm devices have traditionally concentrated on providing basic personal-information-management applications, but the latest Palm products carry more storage, and some include Internet access (Palm VII). What to expect: The Palm platform is too limited for some users. They want programs that more closely resemble their desktop applications and more memory to store larger documents or databases, along with color, sound, and animation. That's the performance gap Microsoft is hoping to fill with Windows CE. Windows CE devices currently come in three categories. A Palm-size PC (P/PC) is roughly the same size as a Palm model, except it's usually a little thicker and heavier. Like the Palm, it doesn't have a keyboard. The second category, the traditional handheld PC (H/PC), has a clamshell design, a small keyboard, and a larger screen than the Palm. 

The third category, the Jupiter-class handheld PC (H/PC Pro), is almost as big as a notebook. It typically has a nearly full-size keyboard, a large color screen, and standard notebook connectors, such as a serial, parallel, and USB port. Many H/PC and H/PC Pro models include a modem, and many P/PC models support multimedia files. All offer hardware expansion and synchronization with Microsoft Office. Within each category, however, you'll find significant differences. For example, Compaq's Aero 1530 Palm-size PC weighs just 5.2 ounces and is half an inch thick. It has a 16-shade gray-scale screen and gets 14 hours from its lithium-ion battery. By contrast, Hewlett-Packard's Jornada 430se Palm-size PC is heavier (8.8 ounces) and thicker (nine-tenths of an inch), and it gets only 7 hours from its lithium-ion battery. What does it offer in return? The 430se has a 16-bit color screen, MP3 playback, a built-in voice recorder, and the ability to display digital photos. Casio's Cassiopeia E-105 has similar features as well as video playback. Not everyone needs or wants multimedia support, but if you plan to use your handheld for entertainment as well as business, it might be worth the added weight, higher price, and reduced battery life. If you're looking for a handheld that has a keyboard and still fits in your coat pocket, consider an H/PC. 

With limited Web browsing and about 6 to 8 hours of battery life, it can replace a notebook in many situations. Sharp's Mobilon HC-4600A has a 256-color backlit 6.5-inch screen, 16MB of memory, a built-in voice recorder, a 33.6Kbps modem, and a nickel metal-hydride battery pack. Hewlett-Packard's Jornada 690 has a 16-bit-color backlit 6.5-inch screen, as well as 32MB of memory, a 56Kbps modem, and a lithium-ion battery pack. What to expect: It's easy to get caught up in the media hype and think of the handheld wars as a battle between the Palm and Windows CE platforms. However, several other devices may better suit your needs. Psion's Revo uses a modified clamshell design that arches the unit to a more ergonomic angle. Like other Psion handhelds, it unfolds to present a large screen and roomy keyboard with little else to get in the way. The Revo features a 16-shade gray-scale display, 8MB of memory, a 53-key keyboard with 12.5mm key pitch, and a 14-hour battery life-all in a 7-ounce package. 

If you're looking for something about as small as a Palm, but don't want to give up the keyboard, the Revo is well worth a look. Psion's Series 5mx raises the weight a little (12.5 ounces) but has a 16-shade gray- scale display, 16MB of memory, and a CompactFlash slot. It uses two AA batteries and typically gets 40 hours of battery life. Psion's subnotebook-size Series 7 jumps to 2.5 pounds. The Series 7 features a nearly full-size keyboard, an 8.4-inch 256-color screen, 16MB of memory, a Type II PC Card slot, and an 8.5-hour lithium-ion battery. All three use Psion's EPOC operating system. If small size is especially important, take a look at Xircom's Rex 5001. Formerly sold by Franklin Electronic Publishers, the 1.4-ounce Rex is a limited-function handheld computer squeezed into a Type II PC Card. It synchronizes with its own desktop PIM program or with several commercial PIMs, including Microsoft Outlook. You can input text with its tiny cursor keys, but you have to find and select each character-a time-consuming and tiring process. Think of the Rex as a small window on your personal data that can be carried in your pocket. With other handhelds, you have to decide if it's worth the inconvenience to carry the device with you. With the Rex, you'll forget you have it until you need a phone number. Only you can decide how large and complicated your handheld should be. Do you want it to replace your notebook in some situations, or do you want it to supplement your notebook or desktop? With handhelds taking on many of the functions associated with other devices, such as MP3 playback, voice recording, and wireless communications, you should think about how many devices you would be willing to carry. Would you prefer to have a larger device that serves several functions reasonably well, or would you prefer to carry several smaller devices optimized for specific tasks? In the end, you may decide that you're willing to spend more for a handheld if it can eliminate one or more electronic devices. 

Compaq iPAQ H3600

Handheld organisers, ranging from your ancient Casio to the ultra-modern Palm Vx, have been around for a while now. But what's been missing till now has been a plam-sized mobile device that takes on some if not all of the qualities of a desktop PC. The Compaq iPAQ H3600 Series Pocket PC is not your typical handheld organiser. Compaq says they have designed the iPAQ Pocket PC from the ground up to give customers the Internet, data, content and access to their business and personal lives at any given time, in any given place. Our first few encounters with Win CE/Pocket PC devices left us uninspired - mainly because of their high price and less-than-stellar performance. However, after testing Compaq's first foray into the world of Pocket PCs, we're convinced that this OS has real potential. 

This shiny, silver speed demon has a great screen and some thoughtful extras that make it much easier to use than other Pocket PCs. One of the major flaws in the Pocket PC OS is that applications can't easily be turned off. The operating system is supposed to shut down applications as needed in order to keep the device moving quickly. However, all of the Pocket PCs we've tried, including the iPaq, slow to a crawl after opening just a few apps. To combat this problem, Compaq includes a dedicated button, dubbed the QMenu, that allows you to turn off applications quickly and easily; this keeps the iPaq speeding right along. And the iPaq is fast. Its processor runs at a brisk 206 MHz, about 70 MHz faster than the HP Jornada 545 or the Casio Cassiopeia E-115. The difference is remarkable, especially when you have several applications running. We found that switching between Pocket Excel and Notes was effortless and menus popped up as fast as we could use them. This brawny machine is a beauty, too. 

Rather than being backlit like other color LCDs, the iPaq instead has small lights around its edge, which reflect off the screen and make it brilliantly bright, even when outdoors in direct sunlight. However, the screen doesn't display as many colors as the Cassiopeia E-115, so the subtle shading in images is lost. The iPaq comes sheathed in a sleek, silver case that is comparable in size to a Palm IIIe, although the iPaq is slightly heavier. The control pad located below the screen is good for scrolling and controlling video games, such as Pac-Man. A small speaker is hidden under the pad. However, its output is pretty shrill; if you want to listen to MP3s, you'd be better off plugging in a pair of headphones. The one thing missing from the iPaq is a slot for a CompactFlash card, but since it already comes with 32MB of built-in RAM, most users should have enough memory as it is.

 If you want to add other features, Compaq is peddling a line of sleeves that slip over the iPaq, including one with a slot for a CompactFlash card and another for a PC Card. We're not fans of the accessory-sleeve idea because it adds to the cost and mars an otherwise sleek design. But big corporations may be attracted by the PC Card sleeve, since they'll be able to keep using the cards they purchased for their fleets of notebooks, and this is the only handheld that currently offers this feature. We still think the iPaq's price is a little too much to spend on a handheld, but HP and Casio are charging anywhere from RM200 to RM400 more than that for their Pocket PCs with 32MB of memory. Whereas, as of October 2000, it is on sale at Compaq's outlet for RM1999. However, the launch will be late October 2000 because of shortage of Strongarm Chips and some minor dust display problem. So, with its sharp, silver looks and butt-kicking performance, the iPaq is the way to go.

Casio Cassiopeia EM500
Only the dark blue version will be available here although the EM-500 is also available in blue, green, red, strawberry and yellow. (The dark blue version was chosen because it is more neutral and it is suitable for both corporate as well as personal use.) Perhaps the most important consideration when considering which Pocket PC to buy is the form factor. The EM-500 is about the same size as a Jornada 545, but the 545 has an integrated hard cover. It is slightly smaller than its big brother, the EM-115 (which many have commented looks like a brick). The form factor is important because a Pocket PC is meant to accompany you everywhere. It is not a good idea to leave one in the car because the manual warns that the unit can be damaged by high heat. The EM-500 is pretty portable on its own, without a cover.

 However, the neoprene-like cover incorporates hard cardboard backing to protect the unit in transport, and so the unit cum cover is pretty bulky. In our opinion, the Jornada 540 series still wins the form factor stakes, followed by the iPAQ and EM-500 with the E-115 bringing up the rear. Each of the Pocket PCs has its compromises. The Jornada 540 series incorporates an inferior (but thinner) CSTN screen. The Jornada has a CompactFlash slot, lacking in the iPAQ and EM-500, whereas the E-115 has both a Type 1 and a Type 2 CompactFlash slot. So, to decide who wins the form factor stakes, we have to look a little more closely at our exact requirements, since all the Pocket PCs have been very cleverly positioned within their respective niches. Strong points What are the strong suits of the EM-500? 

The most impressive thing about the EM-500 is the 240 X 320 pixel TFT colour LCD screen, capable of displaying 65,536 colours. It's streets ahead of the Jornada's screen. One look at the EM-500's screen and I almost regretted buying the Jornada 545! The Jornada's screen is beautiful indoors or in dim light, but in my office (and especially early in the morning), I can never seem to get the display of the 548 bright enough. No such problem with the EM-500's screen. It was plenty bright. I never had to put the brightness setting at maximum because it was great in all indoor situations. Not only was the brightness good, but the contrast and the 65,536 colours were much better than the Jornada! JPEGs and GIFs looked as they were meant to look, 16-bit is definitely much better than 12-bit! 

Do you want to hear something really impressive? We downloaded an MPEG trailer into the unit, and it played beautifully! So, not only is the screen fast but the processor is up to the task of playing full motion video. Of course, do not try this without the optional 32MB MultiMediaCard. MultiMediaCard The MultiMediaCard should be available when EM-500 launches in early September and is expected to cost about RM500 (USD132). We strongly recommend that you buy the MultiMediaCard if you are considering the EM-500 especially if you want to use it as an MP3 player. Each song takes up 1 to 2.5 MB depending on compression quality. So, these Casio guys are pretty clever. The EM-500 is positioned as a 'cool' unit with enough memory (even with the 32MB MultiMediaCard) for games and 15 - 20 songs whereas you will need to get the E-115 for multimedia and the ability to store hundreds of songs (with the IBM microdrive).

 So you either buy the smaller memory restricted unit or you buy the brick-like full blown unit with the even better screen and even more memory! Clever, that! Let's move on to processor speed. Again, the EM-500 blew away the Jornada. While there is always a slight pause between applications with the 548, the EM-500 switches applications effortlessly. I was really impressed! Come on, it can even play full motion video movie trailers! So, multi-tasking and gaming is really no problem. I haven't tried the iPAQ yet, and I can live with the Jornada, so I am really pleased with the EM-500. The EM-500 comes with the usual suite of Pocket PC applications, mainly Pocket Outlook, Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. There are also some Casio in-house applications, namely a M/A/B and a M/C. Fast syncing... Syncing is faster with the EM-500 than with the Jornada 545. Subjectively, I would say that it is at least 50% faster. 

Okay, here is the bad part. The unit only comes with one USB cable, unlike the 545 which generously provides both a USB and a serial cable. So, you need a USB capable PC if you want to use the EM-500. The cradle itself is no work of art unlike the rather elegant 545 cradle. The EM-500's cradle feels a tad light and plasticky compared to the solid black heft of the Jornada cradle. But hey, hopefully your unit won't spend too long in the cradle! Let's look at the storage media for the EM-500. It only comes with one MultiMediaCard slot which is basically only available in 16MB or 32MB. So, if you are planning to use your existing CompactFlash Card (or CompactFlash Modem), forget it. The only saving grace is that MMC memory is cheaper to make than CompactFlash memory, so maybe it'll be cheaper one day! 

Whether anyone comes up with anything else (other than memory) to chuck into the MultiMediaCard slot is open to question. Battery life is a rather generous six hours. The groovy thing about the EM-500 is that it has a back-up battery so you can swap the main battery with a spare. Great for those long airplane trips, car rides, train journeys, etc. A spare main battery is likely to cost RM200 (USD53) and will be available once the unit launches. Of course, battery life will be reduced by about 20% if you use your EM-500 as an MP3 player. The EM-500 weighs 218 grams, subjectively it feels light and weighs about 70% of the weight of a 545. If we were to allocate the Jornada 545 a '6'out of 10, we would probably give the EM-500 a '6' out of 10 as well. Why? First of all, the wonderful screen is offset by the lack of a CompactFlash slot and integrated cover. You definitely want to use a cover when you are carrying the unit around. 

The screen on these babies are just too fragile and is the device's most expensive component. Also, in the form factor stakes, the EM-500 loses out. The limited memory also pulls the unit down compared to the 545. Okay, the 545 has a below average (for a PocketPC) screen, but it is expandable (memory wise and accessories wise), while the EM-500 has only an MMC slot onboard. Where the EM-500 wins out is in processor speed and applications. It can be used with multimedia applications which the 545 is not equipped to handle properly. Cassiopeia EM 500 POcket PC (Blue) Special report by 18all.com correspondent Sean Lim. Better apps out there... As for third party applications, third party PIMs are available on the web and they have their respective pros and cons so which one you choose is large a matter of personal preference. The Casio applications are okay, but you can get better ones on the web. Third party software for Pocket PCs is still scarce in comparison with the other PDA (Palm, WinCE, etc.) platforms. 

We can use the five S's to assess all Pocket PCs, namely Size, Speed, Screen, Stability and Software. Software refers to both that supplied by the manufacturer as well as third party software. If you're looking for software for the Pocket PC, go to Cnet or Tucows . Make sure you download the MIPs version for use with the EM-500.In conclusion, would I buy the EM-500? Yes, if I need a Pocket PC right now AND I will use my Pocket PC mainly as a PIM and for gaming. However, if Size and memory (to store e-mails, music, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets) is a priority, I would buy the Jornada 545. I don't really need the multimedia capability of the E-115, and anyway it is too big for me to lug around. But if you can wait, the iPAQ should be launched locally in late October, so you might be able to get one by the end of the year!

PalmVx

  3Com's new Palm Vx looks and feels identical to its predecessor, the Palm V but comes packed with an unprecedented 8MB of RAM for storage -- that's an eye-opening 6MB more than the Palm V! As if that's not enough, the Palm Vx also comes with the latest version of the Palm OS, which offers significant performance and functionality improvements. If you can afford it, we think this organizer is well worth the extra money. Like the Palm V, the 5.1-ounce Palm Vx is smaller and sleeker than the Palm III series models. The Palm Vx has all of the same features and functionality of the Palm V, including four programmable application buttons, a backlit display, an infrared port, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The included docking cradle serves as both a battery charger and a conduit for synchronizing with a PC. The major improvement over the Palm V is the jump in RAM from 2MB to 8MB. 

The Palm Vx currently has the most RAM of any Palm organizer, surpassing the Palm IIIx by 4MB but tying with the popular Handspring Visor Deluxe. Although the 2MB of the original Palm V is sufficient for casual users, the Palm Vx's extra storage offers users the freedom to download third-party applications with reckless abandon, while leaving plenty of room for important contact information. According to 3Com, the Palm Vx can store approximately 10,000 addresses; 3,000 appointments; 3,000 to-do items; 3,000 memos; and 400 emails. 3Com added something else to make downloading easier: the latest update of the Palm OS, version 3.3. The major improvements in this iteration are faster data transfer via the docking station and expanded infrared functionality. The new OS enables the docking station to connect with a PC at 115,200 bps, making synchronization that much faster than the previous version's max of 57,600 bps. 

3Com also chose to embrace fully infrared communication with new support for the IrDA's IrCOMM standard. This means that the Palm Vx can communicate wirelessly with any other IrCOMM-compatible devices, including notebook computers and cell phones. The Palm Vx provides the usability and style that we liked in the Palm V, in addition to the storage capacity that we thought the older model lacked. The Palm IIIx may still be the best bargain in Palm organizers, but for power users who want the sleekest device, this is the Palm organizer to get. Last year Palm sent the beautifully designed Palm V up against clunky-looking Windows CE units like the HP Jornada 430. So what if the Jornada 430 had a nice color screen and the Palm V only had a monochrome one? The Palm was deemed cooler where it counts most: the marketplace.

HP Jornada 545

  This year, HP came out with a refit called the Jornada 545, HP's first Pocket PC and the first Pocket PC to hit stores. What you get in the 545 is a Windows-powered PDA. Yes, like the Palm V, the metallic-blue 545 beckons to be touched, checked out, and fiddled with. Is it as good as it looks? That'll depend on how much you're impressed by functionality. The 545, with its nicely revamped Windows CE operating system (now called Pocket PC), can do many of the things your Windows computer can do, including play digital music, display Web pages, multimedia content, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. It even runs halfway decent games and displays electronic books in readable type. 

But if you're someone who's just looking for a beefed-up electronic organizer in which to store contacts and the details of your agenda, and the Jornada's features don't get you excited, chances are you'll balk at the Jornada's 545's price tag and mutter, "Who needs all that stuff?" When people were shown all the "stuff" that's in the HP 545, there were generally two reactions. Someone would either say, "Who needs all that, are you really going to use it?" or "Wow, that's cool, let me play around with this for while." Either way you look at it, the thing's loaded. The real highlights are the full suite of Pocket Office applications, which now includes Pocket Internet Explorer, plus Reader (for viewing electronic books) and Windows Media Player (for listening to MP3 and WMA files). From the bottom of the list, Pocket Streets, Transcriber (a really solid handwriting-recognition program), and Image Expert (digital-image viewer), were found to be the most useful applications. Bottom line: If you're in the "who-needs-all-that-stuff" category, you're probably a candidate for an entry-level PalmPilot. 

But if you're looking for a mini computer, there's tons of "stuff" to tinker with here. Note: HP is also making a Jornada 548. The main difference between the two models is that the 548 comes with 32MB of internal memory as opposed to 16MB. 18all.com will offer the 548 for sale when it is available in Malaysia. Features Microsoft Pocket PC operating system 16MB of internal memory 240 x 320 pixel LCD, 16-bit; 65,536 colors 133 MHz processor rechargeable lithium-ion battery (8 hours of battery life) CompactFlash card slot USB cradle/serial cradle stereo headphone jack built-in microphone and speaker earbud-style headphones included worldwide auto-voltage AC adapter removable metal screen cover 5.2 x 3.1 x 0.6 inches (HWD) 9.0 ounces with lid; 7.85 oz without lid Sneak peek Palm m100 Handheld SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Aug. 7, 2000 - As part of a series of announcements today introducing its new fall product line, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) premiered the stylish, versatile and low-cost Palm™ m100 handheld computer. 

Palm m100

The Palm m100 handheld features a small, durable, modern design which enables use of interchangeable fashion faceplates, as well as a full line of accessories and peripherals for further customization. It includes a new Note Pad application that captures handwritten notes, a clock application and a new HotSync cable for connecting and sharing data between a desktop computer and the handheld. The m100 handheld debuts worldwide today at an estimated street price of $149, the company's lowest introductory price point to date. Third-party companies such as Kodak, Northstar Systems and Singapore Shinei Sangyo Pte Ltd. have also announced support of the Palm m100 handheld through snap-on cameras, backup modules, MP3 players and modems. "Consumers love to personalize, and the new m100 faceplates give people lots of room to show their style, make a statement and customize their handheld," said Byron Connell, vice president, Consumer Markets Group at Palm. 

"Plus, the ability to scribble notes, maps and drawings and then store them on a handheld is a great addition to our traditional data input through the on-screen keyboard or Graffiti. And true to the Palm experience people have come to expect, the m100 is fun, flexible and very simple to use." New, User-Friendly Features and Applications The Palm m100 handheld lets users customize and personalize their handheld through colorful faceplates that snap on and off. The Palm m100 ships with a black faceplate, with optional faceplates available in Silver Mist, Blue Mist, Green Mist, Pacific Blue and Ruby Pearl at an estimated street price of $19.95 each. In addition, the Palm m100 handheld includes a new Note Pad application that allows users to jot down quick "sticky-notes" in their own handwriting on the screen. 

These notes can be linked to alarms that alert the user to important times and dates; transcribed into other applications; or synchronized directly to a new corresponding Note Pad application running in Palm Desktop software for Windows and Macintosh users. The m100 handheld uses Palm OS® 3.5 software and includes Palm's familiar Date Book, Address Book, To-do List, Memo Pad and infrared beaming applications. The Palm m100 handheld is compatible with all Palm OS applications and includes 2MB of memory for additional applications and data storage. The Palm m100 handheld's protective flip cover includes an access button and see-through window for its new Clock application. At one touch, the button will display the current time through the window, and holding it down will activate the Palm m100 handheld's backlight.

 When the handheld is on, the clock is accessible from any application through a new silkscreen icon located in the upper-left corner of the Graffiti writing area. The new Clock application also features travel-alarm capabilities, including louder, longer alert sounds and snooze capability. The new HotSync cable included with the Palm m100 handheld supports the one-button synchronization design of the Palm product family, while increasing its portability. A Palm m100 HotSync cradle is available separately for an estimated street price of $29.95. Sneak peek Palm m100 Handheld Accessories Palm also is launching a full line of accessories and peripherals for users to further customize the Palm m100 handheld. Users can replace the protective flip cover included with the product with one of several cases, including Slim Leather and Leather Flip cases from Palm (ESP of $24.95 each). Zip cases also are available from Dooney & Bourke and Franklin Covey, as well as the popular PalmGlove™ neoprene case from BodyGlove. A Palm m100 handheld compatible version of the popular folding Palm Portable Keyboard is available for an ESP of $99. As with all other Palm products, further hardware expansion options will be available from Palm third-party hardware developers who today number more than 1,000. Palm is also pleased to announce additional third-party peripheral support of the m100 handheld from companies such as Kodak, Northstar Systems and Singapore Shinei Sangyo Pte Ltd. 

"Since the launch of PalmPix, it has been exciting to see how our relationship with Palm, Inc. has allowed Palm users to take and share digital pictures," Philip Gerskovich, Kodak vice president and chief operating officer, Digital and Applied Imaging. "We will continue to support the Palm OS platform and the new m100 by developing new applications that let consumers have more fun with their handhelds." "MemorySafe enables mobile m100 users to back-up and access data instantly, on demand without connecting to a computer," says Declan O'Mahoney, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Northstar Systems, Inc. "MemorySafe eliminates the risk of losing important data stored on the m100. Now users can protect their m100 database while away from their home or office as simply as saving files to a disk." 

"We are delighted to develop a modem and MP3 solution for the Palm m100 handheld," said T. Nakagaki, chairman of Singapore Shinei Sangyo Group of Companies. "We are confident that these will be valuable add-on peripherals for the entry-level buyer and great additions to the Palm economy." Worldwide Availability The m100 handheld includes a dual-platform PC and Macintosh CD-ROM with desktop software. Macintosh users can request a serial connector directly from the Palm web site. The PalmConnect USB Kit is available for users who prefer USB capabilities, and will be sold separately for $39.95. The Palm m100 handheld will be sold worldwide, shipping in -- English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese.

  For more information on the Palm m100 handheld or other products announced as part of Palm's fall line today, please visit www.palm.com Classic Functions: Date Book Address Book To Do List Memo Pad Infrared (for beaming) Design Note Pad Color Face Plates Clock At-A-Glance Extras: AvantGo's Web Channel Manager Link to Microsoft Outlook included Storage Capacity 2 MB of Memory