There are some big wins with today's models:
- They synchronize easily with a desktop.
- If you lose yours you have a backup (unlike paper).
- Handwriting recognition is accurate and fast.
- Your information is always with you.
- They're relatively inexpensive.
- Data can be entered on the palmtop, on your desktop, or beamed
between palmtops.
The biggest factor in choosing a palmtop or other device is "Does
it fit my life style?". Some people are either at home or work,
have a desktop at both, and are never on the road. Others travel
constantly and are tired of carrying a laptop.
Some considerations in selecting a palmtop (formerly called PDAs or
Portable Digital Assistants) or other palm-sized device are:
- How much do you want to spend?
- What features do you want?
- Are you likely to abuse it?
- Are you on the road a lot?
- Will it replace a laptop or other palm-sized devices?
- Do you feel Microsoft will win again, like Mac vs Windows?
Palmtops can, of course, remind you of phone numbers, errands to run,
or appointments. They can also help you remember where you are in a
project, capture deep thoughts, prioritize tasks, and generally avoid
piles of paper notes.
Most palmtops have these common features: handwriting
recognition, a stylus, an infrared port, and built-in PIM (Personal
Information Manager) functions like Outlook's Contacts, Calendar, To-do
lists, and Notes. Some also have a color screen, expansion slot,
digital voice recorder, email and wireless capability, etc.
A weakness of palmtops is that all manufacturers are going with different expansion
slots. Of course, this is currently true of removable memory
devices for digital cameras and other portable consumer electronics as
well. Expect a small number of formats to survive the next couple
years.
There are 3 major palmtop platforms: PalmOS,
PocketPC, and Psion.
CNET
and Shopnow.com can help you find the
best prices, but you won't find big discounts.
CNET
and ZDNet also have shopping hints.
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