If you're pondering a PDA purchase, take a quick peek at our purchaser's guide to the pocket OS scene.
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. The two dominant handheld OSes are Palm and Pocket PC. Although Psion devices running the Symbian OS (formerly known as EPOC) are no longer available, some folks still swear by it and it's still possible to find these devices if you look hard enough. To help you decide which OS you want on your next handheld, here's a breakdown of the three operating systems. With the exception of Pocket PC devices running Linux, you can't change the OS of your PDA, so choosing carefully at the start will save frustration further down the track.
Palm OS
What to expect:
Palm devices have traditionally concentrated on providing basic personal-information-management applications. The latest Palm products, however, carry more storage, expansion capabilities and with the right add-ons, you can even have Internet access.
Palms are becoming a cornucopia of treats, with each new model adding something else to the mix while staying true to the original intuitive format. Palm OS handhelds don't have keyboards, but the interface is simple and friendly to use, and the exchange of information between PC and handheld is done with the touch of a button. The Palm OS is also elegantly designed which makes it easy to install and use a full fleet of applications, from finance software to games. It is compatible with Windows 95/98/NT and Macs, so you needn't worry about cross-platform syncing. Buyers considering Sony's Clie should note that while it runs the Palm OS it won't work with Windows 95, and that Macintosh users will need additional software to sync properly.
Minimum Specs:
Storage: 8MB
Other: Speedy connection for desktop synchronization; backlit display
Sony Clie T615C/G
Palm m515
Palm m130
Pocket PC 2002
What to expect:
Microsoft has taken a totally different approach to handhelds by packing powerful applications such as Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and Pocket Internet Explorer into a portable device.
With the release of the Pocket PC 2002 OS, these Microsoft-powered devices have improved by leaps and bounds since their WinCE days. If you expect to be using documents on both your PC and your PDA, this OS offers many advantages. Plus, these devices have built-in MP3 players and color screens to keep things lively and fun. Pocket PCs now also have the ability to accept beamed contacts and memos from Palm devices, and recognize text input using Block Recognizer which is similar to Palm's Graffiti. These features are there to make it easier for Palm users looking to swtich to Pocket PCs. However, Pocket PC handhelds require a lot more RAM than other PDAs, especially if you want to listen to MP3s.
Minimum Specs:
Storage: 32MB
Other: USB connection for desktop synchronization; expansion slot
Toshiba e310
Compaq iPaq H3870
Casio Cassiopeia E-200
Symbian OS
What to expect:
Developed for Psion handheld devices, this operating system is robust enough for different users.
Formerly known as EPOC, this OS is found in Psion's Revo, as well as in smart phones from Nokia, Ericsson, and others. Although Psion handhelds are no longer manufactured, you can still find this handheld if you look hard enough. An active Web community also exist to provide support for Psion users. All Psion handhelds come with a keyboard and include the Symbian OS--a highly intuitive interface that's compatible with Windows 95/98/NT. The Symbian OS can synchronize with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Organizer schedules, while the Psion Web site offers dozens of other proprietary applications, including software for the Mac.
Minimum Specs:
Storage: 8MB
Other: Infrared port; keyboard
3%
2%
