Mobile Data Hardware Options, Part 2

by Debbie Levitt

August 5, 2002 —

Unlike other devices, Palm accepts input in a variety of ways. I can
write "Graffiti", which is a standardized handwriting form, or I can
bring up an on-screen keyboard to tap. I can snap on the "mini
keyboard", which makes the unit look more like a Blackberry. Or as I'm
doing right now, I can attach the Palm to the Palm Portable Keyboard, a
full size real keyboard that folds to nearly the same size as the Palm
and only weighs 8 oz. To be fair though, I should mention that you can
get this same folding keyboard from ThinkOutside.com for many Pocket PC
devices.

My Palm syncs with Goldmine in seconds rather than the 15 minutes it
took with the old Windows CE device (though I don't know if this has
improved under the Pocket PC platform). This means that I have my
current calendar, contacts, and related notes always available to me
wherever I might be. Speaking of applications, the Palm OS has over
10,000 programs available; the Pocket PC has a few thousand while the
Blackberry features very few application options.

With this Palm, I feel like I am a better manager plus I'm not
completely chained to the office. I can run to a meeting, have access to
all of my important data, take notes, share documents, and keep in touch
with staff back at the office -- all from one device. Of course, this
can be your experience with any of the current PDA devices that allow
for an always-on wireless connection, but the Palm has proven most
beneficial from my experiences.

Does that mean the Palm is right for everybody? Clearly not, as some
people need the strong tie to corporate email that the Blackberry
provides or the multimedia experience of the Pocket PC . For example, if
you were really hoping to ditch your laptop and run PowerPoint slides
from a PDA, you need the Pocket PC.

Next week, more on PDAs!

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