Palm, PocketPC, or laptop PC? (Part II)

Assuming you've read Part I or otherwise come to the conclusion that a handheld-based system is going to work better for you than a laptop-based one, the next decision is what kind of PDAs are best for your purposes. In this article we'll look at the most important decision you'll make: Palm OS versus PocketPC.

Why just Palm or PocketPC?

OK, I should hasten to add that there are other handheld software platforms to consider besides Palm and PocketPC. Research in Motion's Blackberry PDAs are excellent business machines and excel at pushing data such as emails out over a wireless connection (i.e. the email notifies you that it's available, rather than you having to check to see if something is there). Good Technology has a similar product now that has attracted some attention, the G100, which operates, like a Blackberry, in conjunction with a proprietary wireless service. And there are also various mobile-phone-oriented operating systems that provide many features of a PDA.

The reason I will focus on Palm and PocketPC is that among the market leaders, these are the platforms that offer all of the following:

• An open platform on which you can install software--including custom software specifically for your needs. (Good's technology does not support installation of software, as doesn't the majority of cellphones on the market, Symbian being a notable exception)
• A large variety of software applications to choose from and sizeable developer communities producing more all the time. (Palm OS is far-and-away the front-runner here, with PocketPC starting to reduce that ground and the others lagging far behind)
• A focus on synchronization of data with existing computer systems.(Palm OS was built from the ground up with PC synchronization in mind, and PocketPC has the advantage of being made by the company the produces the world's most popular PC operating system)

Other OS platforms may excel in handling email or voice communication, but they fall short in one or more of the areas just listed. If these factors aren't that important to you, don't rule out the other options. But for the remainder of the article I will assume that you consider these to be important factors for your purposes.

Palm OS or PocketPC, then

... Stay tuned! ...

David Beers
Pikesoft Mobile Computing