Most analysts believe that the desktop computer is no longer a young, vibrant upstart, but a middle-aged, beer-bellied being that ought to start planning for its retirement. The future, they say, is based on the Internet and mobile computing.

Microsoft is hoping that its latest spin on Windows CE - baptised Pocket PC (reviewed issue 7, p100) - will be the dominant platform of the future, but for this to happen manufacturers need to build hardware to match. HP was first to market with a colour Windows CE palm-sized device, and now its beaten the rest with a Pocket PC as well. However, later offerings from Casio and Compaq put HPs Jornada 400 series firmly in the shade, so the company must make sure history doesnt repeat itself with the Jornada 545.

The first signs are positive. Instead of the unwieldy and awkward square lines of the Jornada 430se (reviewed in Road Warrior, issue 2, p10), the 545 is attractively thin and compact - the perfect size to fit into your pocket. Whats more, when you take it out of your pocket youre not faced with a lump of purple plastic but with understated grey metal. Not only does it look good, its well protected thanks to the removable hinged cover and a solidly constructed body, which add up to a rugged design. The only immediate drawback to HPs approach is that if you decide you dont need the covers added protection, youve got to find somewhere to put your pen, as this now slots into the inside of the cover itself.

Theres a longer-term drawback to HPs streamlined approach as well: by concentrating on making the Jornada 545 as compact as possible, its designers rejected the CompactFlash Type II card, preferring the slimmer Type I. The most obvious casualty is IBMs remarkable microdrive (reviewed issue 30, p97), which can pack an incredible 340Mb hard disk into the Type II format, with even bigger capacities expected in the future. However, even Type I CompactFlash cards are now reaching 128Mb, and these also have the advantage of non-mechanical components, so if you drop them theyre less likely to break.

When it comes to the consumer market, this decision may put the Jornada at a competitive disadvantage, as both the Casio Cassiopeia and Compaqs iPAQ Pocket PC support CompactFlash Type II cards. Unlike Casio and Compaq, however, HP is targeting the business user more than the everyday consumer, and is aiming to team up with third parties to provide complete solutions. Thanks to its rugged design, HPs password-protected security and Microsofts enhanced synchronisation procedure for setting Pocket PCs up on a network, theres certainly a compelling argument to choose the Jornada 545 over conventional solutions.

The Jornadas corporate nature is also a major justification behind choosing a CSTN screen rather than TFT. This has only one real advantage, namely its price. Its viewing angles cant match those of a TFT screen, and its also more difficult to read in bright sunshine, but HP uses 16-bit colour to help boost the image quality, and unless youre used to viewing a TFT screen youll be perfectly happy with the results.

HP sticks with the 32-bit, 133MHz Hitachi processor debuted in the HP Jornada 430se, which is the same speed as Casios Cassiopeia E-115 but no match for the 206MHz StrongARM chip Compaq opts for in its iPAQ. Weve yet to devise a benchmark for the Pocket PC OS, but for sheer speed the Compaq lives up to expectations, with the E-115 in second place and the Jornada 545 bringing up the rear. Unlike early Windows CE devices, however, the Jornada is quick to respond to commands, so isnt frustrating to use.

The 16Mb of RAM included with the Jornada 430se is unchanged in the 545, although HP is selling the 32Mb Jornada 548 for $1,299. In both the new Jornadas, the amount of ROM now stands at 16Mb, and there are several new programs included to justify this extra space. We covered Pocket Outlook, Media Player (for playing MP3 and Windows Media Audio files) and Microsoft Reader in our review of Pocket PC last month, and HP also pre-installs its own enhanced Settings applet and a useful Home menu. The latter provides customisable shortcut icons on screen to your favourite apps, similar to the PalmOS interface.

HP evidently values the Home program highly, as one of the four shortcut buttons on the Jornada is allocated to it. The other three provide quick access to Contacts, Calendar and Tasks, while a scrollable wheel and record button are located on the left-hand side of the machine. This simple, uncluttered interface should appeal to the mobile professional user, as should the solidly built cradle for synchronising. HP has learnt its lesson here, as the base is weighted down to make it extremely stable, whereas the Jornada 420s cradle rocked back when any pressure was applied.

This level of thought is typical of HPs new Jornada, and the end result is an impressive machine. Its current main rival is 3Coms Palm IIIc (reviewed issue 29, p98), and although HP cant match its $899 price tag or TFT screen, if you want a palm-sized PC for professional use rather than just a personal organiser, the Jornada is a more tempting proposition. However, the Compaq iPAQ is the outright winner for speed, so HP may soon find it will have to rely on corporate rather than consumer sales to retain market share.

Tim Danton