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PALM VERSUS POCKET PC

The main division amongst palmtop computers is between those using the Palm operating system and those using Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system.

Palm system devices:

• Offer excellent basic functionality as personal information managers
• Have a long battery life
• Have a larger installed base and enjoy more third-party software
• Are typically lighter and more compact
• Are cheaper, but not as relatively cheap as they used to be
• Mostly have monochrome screens

Pocket PC devices:

• Provide closer integration with Microsoft Office programs, including the ability to create formatted Word documents
• Have higher resolution and clearer screens
• Are gaining market share
• Are faster and can run programs which are more memory-demanding
• Mostly have colour screens

I switched from Palm to Pocket PC because of screen resolution and clarity, although I prefer the Palm OS. I suspects that thousands of others switched for the same reason. It is unlikely that we will ever switch back. Palm has lost an historic opportunity in this regard and the Pocket PC looks destined to dominate the market.

RIK - 31 July 2001