New technology may open up an exciting world of possibilities, but it can also open up your wallet and stretch your patience. I just looked at the first issue of this magazine, published in the fall of 1997 under the name Handheld PC Magazine. Hewlett-Packard was selling its 320LX Palmtop PC for $699. For that you got a handheld device with a marginally useable keyboard, the still-buggy Windows CE 1.0 operating system, and a set of not-so-robust applications.
Fortunately, all technology matures. As it does, it becomes more reliable and less expensive. In this issue we review seven of the latest Pocket PCs, six of which incorporate Intel's new XScale processor, which is able to dynamically adjust its speed to conserve power. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the new Pocket PCs are the two new Axim X5s from Dell, priced at $200 and $300 after rebate. These are full-featured Pocket PCs with plenty of power and memory, and two expansion card slots (SD and CF). I would not have been surprised to see Dell price these devices at $400 and $500 respectively. HP, ViewSonic, and Toshiba also have Pocket PCs in the $300-$350 price range. Suddenly, Pocket PCs are a lot more attractive to price conscious buyers.
Some worry that the trend towards lower-priced Pocket PCs will make them less profitable for manufacturers and discourage innovation. At least for now, that's not true. Also reviewed in this issue is HP's new iPAQ h5450 Pocket PC, a $700 machine with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, and a unique fingerprint security feature. As long as consumer and business users demand and are willing to pay for advanced features, we'll see devices like the h5450.
We review three other devices, a multimedia powerhouse call the Razor Zayo A600, the Toshiba Genio e550G Pocket PC, and the Toshiba 2032. The 2032 is a Pocket PC with built-in phone, marketed by Sprint PCS.
As packed as it is with Pocket PC reviews, there's a lot more in this issue, including lots of great games, applications that will help you stay fit, a review of a service that boosts the RAM on your Pocket PC, and more. Check out our table of contents, read on, and enjoy!
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