Just a few years ago, a PC equipped with a 200MHz processor and 64MB of memory would have been considered high end. Even today, it will happily run most apps you care to throw at it. So, when you cons
Just a few years ago, a PC equipped with a 200MHz processor and 64MB of memory would have been considered high end. Even today, it will happily run most apps you care to throw at it. So, when you consider that PCs with this specification not to mention sound and networking capabilities can now fit in your pocket, its nothing short of amazing.
Given that so much development has gone into software for the PocketPC platform over the last year, culminating in the release of the 2002 operating system just a couple of months ago, its something of a surprise that the 206MHz Intel StrongARM processor is still the fastest available. Not that it isnt powerful enough applications still feel quick, and the new OS runs fine on
the hardware.
With all the new features of PocketPC 2002, PalmOS devices are starting to look rather simplistic. But Handsprings range, based on PalmOS, remains highly expandable thanks to its Springboard modules. Palm itself has released new models equipped with expansion slots, and we review the m125 and the flagship m505.
Psion, one of the original PDA manufacturers, has ceased all development of consumer devices, although the current range will still be available for some time. But, now that PocketPC devices have become increasingly common in business environments, its popularity looks set to continue with PocketPC 2002. It could well emerge as the preferred platform for mobile professionals, giving Microsoft dominance in yet another area of IT.
Labs Manager: Ashok Zaman
Staff Writer: David Kidd
Contributors: Valens Quinn, Tim Dean, Tim Danton, Jim Martin and Alyn Sparks.