Microsoft announced its first major upgrade to Pocket PC last month, but the software giant's hardware partners had to wait until today to reveal their new product offerings. All the first-round players--HP, Compaq, and Casio--are here, along with newcomer Toshiba. But while there may be more choices to come, one thing you're sure to notice is that these offerings are more similar than they are different, including their higher price tags (which start closer to AU$1500 than AU$1200). This is partly because Microsoft has imposed more stringent hardware requirements (all devices must use an ARM-based processor and flash ROM, for example) and partly because the manufacturers were forced to deliver all the features that made Compaq's H3600-series iPaqs so popular. But with such similar hardware specs, it'll be easier for you to add third-party software to a new Pocket PC. In the past, owners had to contend with different versions of software for different devices.
Only HP was able to deliver a final production unit in time for us to write a full review. But we got a sneak peek at the other new models and will serve up our first impressions here. In the coming weeks, we'll deliver full reviews of all the new Pocket PC handhelds.
Check out our review of the Pocket PC 2002 operating system, then take a look at the first handhelds to use the new software.
| Product | Review | |||
| Compaq iPaq 3760 | Read First Take | |||
| Compaq iPaq 3850 | Read First Take | |||
| HP Jornada 565 | Read Review | |||
| Toshiba Pocket PC e570 | Read First Take | |||
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Localised by Aaron Roberts Producer Reviews
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