Which is right for You?

Sub-notebook
Compaq Aero 8000 H/PC Pro

Small, half-screen
Hewlett-Packard
Jornada 690 H/PC Pro 

Pen-entry,
color-screen
Casio Cassiopeia E-115 Pocket PC

Microsoft now uses the term "Windows Powered" to refer collectively to small, ultra-portable computing devices using the Windows CE operating system and built-in Microsoft "Pocket" applications. These devices include the new Pocket PC, its predecessor the Palm-size PC, and a class of small devices with keyboards known as the Handheld PC and H/PC Pro.

Selecting the appropriate Windows Powered device depends on the work you want to accomplish and how you intend on using the device. Are you away from your desk and desktop PC a lot? When you are, do you simply want to access important information, or do you plan to work on documents and enter a lot of data? What's your "size tolerance?"

This article looks at the Pocket PC (pen-entry devices without keyboards) and the Handheld PC Professional Edition (larger devices with keyboards). I'll abbreviate these P/PC and H/PC. A summary of the available Windows Powered devices can be found in our "At A Glance" section on page 54.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. How much data do I need to enter?

H/PCs have varying sizes of keyboards, but most are near full-size and therefore better suited for text and data entry. If you plan on writing memos, letters and reports, or reading and responding to a lot of e-mail, the H/PC is a better choice.

P/PCs are pen-entry devices without a keyboard but with built-in character recognition. Inbox works fine for reading e-mail and for writing short replies. The P/PCs built-in Notes application is great for jotting down brief notes, sketching diagrams, and making brief voice recordings. And the new Pocket Word and Excel applications let you view and edit documents. The P/PC is much less suitable for extensive data entry and document creation. However, external keyboards are becoming available to make this easier.

2. How much will I use it to view data?

H/PCs have larger screens that are easier to read and more suitable for extended work on documents. The larger color screens are also much better for browsing the Web.

P/PCs have smaller screens suited to simple data viewing and limited data entry. Color displays are better for visibility, but they also decrease battery life.

3. How much computing power do I need?

H/PCs have more raw computing power than the P/PCs. On average they have faster processors, more internal RAM and ROM memory, and greater input/output capability. More software applications are written for the H/PCs and these applications tend to be more sophisticated than P/PC applications.

P/PCs have less raw computing power but simpler applications. Whether or not you need this extra power and sophistication depends on how you intend to use it.

4. How much extra data will I need to store?

Some, but not all H/PCs have more internal RAM than the P/PCs. This means you can store more data internally on them. In addition, there are more external data storage options for the H/PCs, which tend to have both a CompactFlash and a PC Card expansion slot.

P/PCs can add file storage capability with relatively inexpensive CompactFlash storage. In addition, IBM has just released its MicroDrive, a tiny 340MB hard drive that slips into the CompactFlash slot of any H/PC or P/PC.

5. How long will I use it on batteries?