Category: Portables
Portable computing is the theme in this question and answer area. If you are looking for info on desktop computers, peripherals or other technologies, please consult our sections on those topics at TheTechnoZone.com or www.pcbuyersguide.com.
We welcome your questions on portable computers and related issues.
What to Buy?
Q: What can we get...
Handheld PCs are great to have around -- but there's not always easy to find in local stores, in these days of minimal inventory and ever-changing technologies. So, where can you get your hands on one of these units in Vancouver?
It's not hard to find local stock on Palm IIIc, the first Palm Pilot with a color screen. But the company still hasn't...
New handheld units from Palm spinoff
Handspring, Inc. on Sept. 14th launched Visor, the first in a new family of expandable handheld computers. In a separate announcement, Handspring also introduced its Springboard platform, calling it "a breakthrough technology that brings ultimate simplicity to software and hardware expansion."...
Microsoft takes on Palm
Quote Unquote:
"IDC estimates that, by 2003, Palm will hold a 60 percent share of the handheld market. Microsoft, it predicts, will have gained a 40 percent market share with its Pocket PC operating system (not counting embedded Windows CE applications)."
The Pocket PC is Microsoft's third attempt at a...
Palm OS-based handhelds have captured an estimated 76 percent of the market. Here's why.
The Palm is what Apple's Newton should have been.
Product: Palm III (the IIIe was discontinued Aug. 7, 2000 in favour of the m100)
From: Palm Computing (www.palm.com)
Price: US$149 and up.
Pros: Easy synchronization of data with desktop PC or Mac. Palm III...
Quote Unquote:
"There are multiple standards in Canada. Manufacturers have to decide which standard they want to use. They essentially have to place their bets on one set of standards. In these early days of wireless data, this makes it seem risky to bring a device like the WA3050 to Canada."
...
User interface issues and Hardware Differences
Quote Unquote
"IDC estimates that, by 2003, Palm will hold a 60 percent share of the handheld market. Microsoft, it predicts, will have gained a 40 percent market share with its Pocket PC operating system (not counting embedded Windows CE applications)."
The Pocket PC
There is a long...
Video editing with the VAIO is easy and, for the most part, elegant
"This is the sort of simplicity and elegance we expect to see from Apple... the Sony PictureBook is the most elegant and hassle-free portable video editing device we've ever tested."
Digital Video Made Simple
We try to present a balanced view of the ongoing "...
Mini PC runs Windows CE
The HP Jornada 720
Specs: http://www.hp.com/jornada/
Price: US$999
As we wrote in our review of the HP Jornada 540 elsewhere in this section, HP's designers are really beginning to understand what makes a successful handheld PC. This unit is such a vast improvement over first-generation devices such as the Casio Cassiopeia...
Handhelds and Phones
3G - or third generation -- wireless phones and IP-enabled handheld computing devices are a category of product you'll be hearing and seeing a lot more of over the next few years. Note, however, that some systems claiming to be 3G are actually more correctly termed "2.5G."
The first challenge for true 3G...
Sony products aren't cheap, but they sure have the features. Consider the feature-set of the company's US$2999.88 (C$4799.99) XG700 portable:
Notable Features of the XG-700
750MHz Intel Pentium III with SpeedStep technology.
20GB hard drive
128MB SDRAM (expandable to 256MB)
14.1" XGA TFT screen
iLink (FireWire) and USB
8x DVD-ROM and 20x CD-...
PC Companion
The HP Jornada 540
Specs: http://www.hp.com/jornada/
Everything about the Jornada PC companion says "deluxe." The case is stylish, the manufacturing solid and the colour display is definitely a lot nicer to look at than a grayscale screen. It's also a highly functional unit, with a built-in audio recorder, headphone jack (...
The screen on Palm's latest colour handheld is the subject of some controversy.
Product: Palm m505 (the m500, a monochrome version weighing in at 4.2 oz., is available for US$329)
From: Palm Computing (www.palm.com)
Sync to: Windows 2000/98/ME and Macintosh computers.
Price: US$449 (about C$800).
Pros: Thin 3.2" x 4.5" x 0.5"...
Choosing the right portable computer
How to buy a laptop/notebook/portable...
Portable computers are increasingly important for presenters, traveling sales reps, consultants and many other categories of overworked people. In this article, we'll look at the key features to look for, identify some of the caveats to watch out for and pick a few...
The HP Jornada 565
Home page: http://www.hp.com/jornada/
Specs and Photo: http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/hardware/devices/jornada560_spe...
Hardware: Pocket PC 2002, Intel StrongARM 206MHZ processor, 32MB RAM, 32MB flash ROM, 3.5" reflective screen, CompactFlash-slot Type I, IrDA-port, Li-Polymer battery, USB cradle.
Included...