| Trying to decide on a PDA? The first choice that | | | | recharges. |
| you'll have to make is whether to go with a Palm | | | | - Palm systems, are in our opinion, slightly easier |
| OS system or a Pocket PC (Windows CE) | | | | to use. Pocket PCs use a cut-down version of the |
| system: | | | | standard Windows interface, which while powerful, |
| - Palm systems run an operating system called | | | | can offer too many confusing options. |
| "Palm OS". | | | | - Palm systems have a simple and foolproof |
| - Pocket PC systems run "Windows CE". This | | | | backup/restore feature which is triggered |
| looks and operates a lot like the more familiar | | | | automatically whenever you sync to your main |
| versions of Microsoft Windows that you use on | | | | PC. Pocket PCs don't automatically backup, so you |
| your desktop or laptop PC. Windows CE is not | | | | need to remember to pick the option. |
| identical to the larger versions of Windows, and | | | | And here are some reasons to choose a Pocket |
| generally does not run the same software, but it | | | | PC: |
| does interoperate well with other Microsoft | | | | - Pocket PCs integrate better with Microsoft |
| programs. | | | | Word and Excel. They can read your existing files, |
| Some features are a dead heat between Palm | | | | and it's easy to transfer them across. Palm OS |
| systems and Pocket PCs: | | | | doesn't have built-in support for Word or Excel, |
| - Both Palm systems and Pocket PCs can do | | | | but there are third party programs available, at |
| contact management, calendaring and to-do-lists. | | | | extra cost, that can do the job. |
| - Both Palm and Pocket PCs can do reasonable | | | | - Pocket PCs integrate with Microsoft Outlook. |
| handwriting recognition. In either case, it can take | | | | Again, for Palm systems you need extra |
| a small amount of getting used to. | | | | software, although in some cases this extra |
| - Both Palm and Pocket PCs have models available | | | | software may be bundled with your Palm PDA. |
| with digital cameras. | | | | - Pocket PCs often have a wider range of WiFi |
| - Some models of both Palm and Pocket PCs | | | | and other connectivity options. Of course, you'll |
| support music, multimedia and MP3 (MP3 is | | | | need to check the specs of the individual PDAs |
| supported pretty much on all models). You'll need | | | | that you're considering. |
| to check the specs of individual models to see | | | | Conclusions: |
| exactly what features they offer. | | | | Of course, your opinion may differ, but for what |
| - Internet connectivity is available for most Palm | | | | it's worth, here's how I'd decide: |
| and Pocket PCs. | | | | - I would choose Palm if I wanted a simple |
| Here are some reasons to choose Palm: | | | | low-end PDA. |
| - Palm systems are usually cheaper. This is | | | | - If I wanted more power and connectivity |
| because Palm OS devices often have less | | | | options, I'd look at both Palm and Pocket PC |
| memory and a slower processor. They can get | | | | systems. |
| away with this, without you noticing, because | | | | - If there was any special line-of-business |
| Palm OS is highly optimized to run on low-end | | | | software that I needed to run, and it was only |
| hardware. | | | | available on one or the other of Palm OS and |
| - Palm systems are often lighter and smaller than | | | | Windows CE (Pocket PC), of course that would |
| Pocket PCs. Of course, that isn't always the case, | | | | dictate my choice. |
| so you need to check the specs on individual | | | | - As always, I'd carefully check the specs of any |
| models when making comparisons. | | | | individual machines that I was considering. There |
| - Palm systems, especially those with slower | | | | are good (and some not so good) models |
| processors, often will run longer between battery | | | | available, of both Palm and Pocket PC. |