PDA Champions 2004

M

y PDA website has been up and running for a complete year. Over the year, I’ve had the opportunity of playing, no sorry, reviewing a large number of devices. Sure, I first fiddled with them at the back end of 2003, but now’s the time to discuss the champion devices.

The Biggest Surprise

This award goes to the device that was much more than I was expecting. And I’m giving it to the Palm IIIc. The IIIc gets the award because of the winning combination of a useful screen, superb battery longevity, and few compromises compared to the Palm III. Yes, it is slightly bigger and heavier and the screen update can feel a little bit sluggish, but the screen is superb.

Most Useful Device

This is a tough one. A useful device is one that covers all of the bases and, importantly, is portable enough to be with me almost all of the time.

The winner is the Tungsten W, with a close second to the Palm m515 and Orange SPV E200. The Tungsten W has the m515’s functionality in conjunction with the SPV’s telephone capabilities, wrapped up with superb battery longevity. It is bulky, but it lasts for a very long time on a charge even with heavy usage. It’s only serious weakness is the lack of a Bluetooth radio.

Most Impressive Device

The Tungsten T3 wins this award, but note that I’ve not yet had a proper play with any PalmOS devices with built-in GPS functionality nor with the Tungsten C.

The T3’s superb screen, fast processor and ample internal memory in conjunction with better-than-I-was-expecting battery longevity, a surprisingly compact form factor and a Bluetooth radio.

Just behind I’m placing the Tungsten W. This one device has almost everything covered, and what you don’t have you can add fairly easily (namely GPS and WiFi).