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They can build them better than before, which explains why
so many PDA users are shopping for a new gadget for Father's Day. In
fact, more HandStory staffers have upgraded their PDAs recently than
at any other time. This month the HandStory team reveals our
favorites among the new PDAs!
The HandStory team has selected eight PDAs as
our favorites. All units perform classic PDA functions of calendar,
to do lists, and address books; most include Office-compatible
software. Stand-out features include MP3 playback, GPS navigation,
and wireless data and voice capability. Two manufacturers, Palm and
Sony, each have two devices on the list. Read on for what we like,
and what we don't.
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- Overview: Palm OS 5, Graffiti 2, Real One Mobile Player
for MP3 and Real Audio files, Built-in Camera, image integration
with Palm Desktop, five-way navigator, an especially bright high
resolution screen
- What we like: Built-in Camera and Real One Mobile
Player in a "classic Palm" device
- How it could be better: Five-way navigator may be
over-sensitive for some users. Needs a protective screen cover.
Lacks office applications.
- Get it here: Palm Zire 71 Handheld
2. HP iPaq 1910
- Overview: "Pocket PC in a Palm body": 200 MHz, 64
MB Ram with 46 MB user-accessible, Graffiti 1 available
as Block Recognizer, 320x240 Color screen, SD and MMC card
slot, MP3 and Real Audio playback capable, removable battery,
Slim design, light weight.
- What we like best: Size is smaller than most Pocket
PC and Palm OS devices. "Design is sleek and cool, unlike the
typical bulky Pocket PC."
- How it could be better: Earphone jack is smaller than
standard. Needs a protective screen cover.
- Get it here: HP iPaq 1910 Pocket PC
Runners Up
The Runners Up include two Palm OS 5 devices, one with GPS and
one with wireless networking.
1. Garmin iQue 3600 PDA/GPS
- Overview: Palm OS 5, 32 MB of Ram, 200 MHz, built in
voice GPS, High-Res Plus (320x480 resolution) screen with virtual
writing area (Graffiti 2 expected), MP3 playback, voice recorder,
standard expansion through SD card slot and Palm Universal
Connector. Expected availability: July 1.
- What we like best: This GPS is comparable to the
units you've heard speaking directions out loud in automobiles,
but what we love most is that the GPS is included right alongside
virtually every other feature we ever wished for in a Palm.
- How it could be better: Mainly, we hate to wait
until July for our iQue. We are also unsure about the
compatibility of the virtual Grafitti area with Sony's
implementation.
- Pre-purchase it here: Garmin iQue 3600 PDA/GPS Handheld System
2. Palm Tungsten T
- Overview: Palm OS 5, 144 MHz processor with 16 MB of
Ram, Graffiti 2, high-resolution (320x320) color screen, MP3 and
Real Audio capable. Slide-open form factor, voice recorder, and
built in Bluetooth short-range wireless networking.
- What we like best: Small size. Five-way navigator.
- How it could be better: Brighter screen, make the LED
indicate when charging is finished, make the slider useful as well
as cool.
- Get it here: Palm Tungsten T Handheld
Honorable Mentions
Our Honorable Mentions run the gamut from classic Palm styling to
PDA-phone combinations.
1. Sony Clie SJ-33
- Overview:Palm OS 4.1, 66 MHz processor, Graffiti 1,
high-resolution (320x320) color screen, and built-in MP3 player.
Translucent cover to protect screen.
- What we like best: Great device for all users: "Robust
but not too expensive."
- How it could be better: Sony should sell more colors in
more places. Currently, the Orange Model is only available at
Sony's website.
- Get it here: Silver SJ-33 or Orange
SJ-33 (No Longer Available)
2. Sony Clie TG-50
- Overview: Palm OS 5, 200 MHz CPU and 16 MB RAM,
Graffiti 2, high-resolution (320x320) color screen, voice
recorder, MP3 playback, integrated Bluetooth short-range wireless
networking, Memory Stick expansion slot, and integrated keyboard.
- What we like best: "All new technologies in a sleek
design."
- How it could be better: Keyboard is good for beginners,
but we miss the Graffiti handwriting area.
- Get it here: Sony Clie PEG-TG50 Handheld
3. T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone
edition
- Overview: Pocket PC, 32 MB Ram, 206 MHz, 320x240 color
screen, Graffiti 1 available as Block Recognizer, Fully
integrated GSM phone and PDA with messaging and Internet, MP3 and
Real Audio playback capable, SD/MMC memory slot, and voice
recording.
- What we like best: Great access to data whether its
here or there, combined with an attractive gold-colored unit.
- How it could be better: Improve the phone use. Now, the
user either leaves finger- and cheek-prints on the screen by using
it as a normal phone, or must use an earpiece and stylus for
2-handed usage, with wires.
- More info: T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone edition
4. Kyocera Smart Phone 7135
- Overview: Palm OS 4.1, 33 MHz, 16 MB Palm OS PDA,
160x160 resolution color screen, Graffiti 1, fully integrated
CDMA mobile phone also provides wireless email and Web browsing.
Includes MP3 playback and an SD/MMC card slot.
- What we like best: Near-perfect convergence of
phone, PDA, and MP3 player in a single unit.
- How it could be better: Higher screen resolution or, at
minimum, state the current resolution on the Web site.
- More info: Kyocera 7135
Last Word
There are other good devices out there, such as the Sony
Clie NX series, the Handspring Communicators, and the Palm m515
and m130; these are simply the ones we like best at this time.
For the most part, we've picked Palm OS devices, such as
"Top Pick" Zire 71, which sports a camera and MP3 playback in
classic Palm form factor. Nevertheless, the other Top Pick, the HP
iPaq 1910, is a Pocket PC with a form factor reminiscent of the
much-loved Palm V.
Our conclusion? For PDA users looking for a new Palm OS or Pocket
PC device, this is the right time for an upgrade. Below, for
your convenience, is a generic link PDAs at Amazon. We welcome your
comments.
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