Visible in Any Light!

Compaq Aero 2100

Compaq joins the Palm-size PC market with a revolutionary new screen you can see just about anywhere.

The first thing you notice about the new Compaq Aero 2100 is its silver case. It strikes you as futuristic and even "Aero" dynamic. But the real advance in this color-screen Palm-size PC is its "high-reflective" Thin Film Transistor (HR-TFT) color screen. If you've ever tried to use a handheld device under less than optimal lighting conditions, you will really appreciate this new Aero. Turn it on outdoors, in bright sunlight, (say, in your car, or on the golf course), and the screen does not washout; in fact, it becomes more readable, and uses less battery power! If you do not have sufficient ambient light, a two-level "front light" will give you a picture as pretty as any portable device available today.

Easy-to-use design

The Aero 2100 measures 5.27" x 3.34" x .78" (13.4 x 8.5 x 2.0 cm), and weighs in at just under 11 ozs. The crisp touch-sensitive screen measures 4" diagonal, and has a resolution of 240 x 320 with 256 colors with a .24mm dot pitch. The processor is a 70MHz MIPS, while not the fastest in the market, is more than adequate for the normal functions of a Palm-size PC running Windows CE. The button layout is sensibly positioned; unintended voice recording and inadvertent application launches do not happen. The front panel has 5 buttons (4 programmable application buttons, and non-changeable combination On/Off, "front light" button. The left side panel has a jog/action wheel, and an application "exit" button that, when activated, will instantly take you to the previous screen. The indented left corner of the 2100 cleverly contains the voice recorder button. The physical configuration of this button makes inadvertent recordings nearly impossible. This button is also programmable with the included software. Since I rarely use the recording feature, I have programmed this button with a Grundle Software's "Palm Explorer" (from Grundle Software, www.grundlesoftware.com, see comments below and Screen 3).

The Aero has a built-in microphone that sits on the top front of the unit. There is also an earphone jack that accepts a standard mono earphone as well as the included combination earphone/microphone for private playback/recording. The type II CompactFlash Plus (CF+) card slot sits on the top center of the Aero and is ready to take on the newest CF+ modems (both wired and wireless), Motorola's soon to be released Flex 1-way pager card, storage cards, and "mini hard drives." The Aero 2100's CF slot is shielded, preventing wireless communication cards from distorting the display and disrupting the microprocessor. An IR port and spring loaded, locking stylus is also found on the top of the Aero.

The Aero 2100 does not have a built-in modem (nor does any color-screen Ps/PC, yet). But Compaq sells a 56k CompactFlash+ modem card as an option, and CF+ modems are available from a number of other manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you use the Compact slot for communications, you cannot use it for data storage. If you need extra data storage while using a modem, opt for the 16MB version of the Aero. You can even upgrade the 8 or 16MB Aero to 24MB of internal memory with a user-installable upgrade chip. A combination charging base-modem, like the one offered with the Nino 500, would be a welcomed addition.

PC Docking

The included docking cradle is hardwired with the PC sync cable. It also contains the DC jack for powering and charging your 2100. An optional configuration (Aero 2150) has an extra Lithium Ion battery, and a docking cradle that comes with an additional battery-charging slot.

Software: built-in and bundled

The Aero 2100 comes with the standard Microsoft Windows CE operating system and built-in Palm-size PC applications. These include Microsoft Pocket Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and InBox. Palm-size PCs also come with Notetaker, Mobile Channels (for viewing Web content), and various utilities and set-up apps. In addition, Compaq includes a CompactFlash backup/restore program.

Compaq also includes a CD ROM full of additional software you can install on your Aero, adding exciting functions and features to the 2100. The CD ROM includes the following titles:

Audible (see Screen 1) ­ an enhanced audio program from Audible.com (www. audible.com/compaq) turns the 2100 into an audio information and entertainment device. Thousands of audio books, business reports, magazines, and classic books are available for purchase to play on your Aero 2100. Audible even makes possible "on-demand" radio from Nightly Business Report, Car Talk, and other sources. The Aero's small speaker is one of the best on any Palm-size PC. I could hear voice memos and Audible books without difficulty, even when I was in my car in the middle of Houston traffic.

Screen 1: The Audible player lets you download and listen to audio books, reports, magazines, and more. Shown here is the Audible application screen on the Aero 2100 Palm-size PC.

Finance (VCA Systems, www.vca.de) ­ an expense manager that lets you capture monetary transactions and record deposits, withdrawals and planned expenses. You can record transactions using different currencies and upload data to Quicken or MS Money.

Cool Calc (Applian Technologies, www.applian.com) ­ adds multiple calculators to a PC Companion (see Screen 2). The program includes 2 scientific calculators, a currency converter, several financial calculators, and an option to create your own calculator with the functions you want. Programming the "new" calculators was not as easy as using the rest of Cool Calc's features. Fortunately, step-by-step documentation is included on the CD..

Screen 2: Cool Calc is eight calculators in one, and is available for the Palm-size and Handheld PCs. Shown here is Cool Calc's Time Value of Money calculator.

Available Compaq Accessories

Compaq offers the following accessories for the Aero. Deluxe Cradle (as described with the Aero 2150 above); additional Lithium-Ion batteries; 24MB Memory Expansion Module (an easy upgrade, but make sure you backup to your PC first!); Compaq 56k CompactFlash+ Modem card; 20MB and 40MB CompactFlash storage cards; Auto-Sync Cable for connecting to portables or for synchronizing to a second PC; Stylus 3-Pack; Automobile power adapter.

As I've mentioned, the Aero's screen is one of the best I have ever seen (or used). The included add-on audio software makes the 2100 a truly versatile device. I would like to have better documentation for the add-on software, and a built-in modem could have made this device nearly perfect. In spite of these minor shortcomings, this is one device that fills a need in a broad market. I won't leave home without it!

Third-Party Applications Improve Any Palm-size PC. In my opinion, all of the different manufacturers' Palm-sized PCs, including the Aero 2100 series, are missing some things and benefit from the addition of third-party software. I've found that Grundle Software makes several essential utilities that enhance the Palm-size PC's functionality, and make using it easier. Two programs I cannot live without are Palm Explorer and Fast Task, shareware programs available for under $15.00 each, and downloadable from Grundle's Website (www.grundle software.com).

Palm Explorer (see Screen 3) lets you maneuver through your files and folders much the same as the explorer found on other Windows operating systems (H/PC, 95, 98, NT). As mentioned earlier, I have reprogrammed my Task button so that it will instantly launch the Palm Explorer.

Screen 3: Palm Explorer adds an Explorer-type application to your Palm-size PC.

Fast Task solves the problem I call "program build-up." Many Palm-size PC applications don't let you exit the program. You just start the new application on top of the old one. Fast Task loads onto your task bar and gives you options to close individual programs or all opened programs. It also keeps a list of all opened program and allows for selective re-opening without re-launching the application.

Ed is Medical Editor of Handheld PC Magazine, a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist in Houston, Texas, and chief technology correspondent for OBGYN.NET (www.obgyn.net), a Web site for obstetricians, gynecologists, and related industry persons.