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Palmtop Porridge

Entrepreneur, July, 2000 by Jill Amadio

This Palm Pilots too small, this laptop's too big--but a Jupiter is juuuuuuust right.

Lugging a heavy laptop on business trips can be quite a nuisance, especially if all you need to do is draft a few documents, conduct some research online and pick up e-mail. Or maybe you'd prefer a small device for taking notes during meetings instead of taking up table space with a standard portable.

At one time, we all thought we needed all our desktop data with us at all times--and occasionally we do. However, as portable notebooks have become more complex, many of us now realize that all we really require is a small, lightweight device to hold the documents we type, record dictation and keep us in touch with employees and customers via e-mail.

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A Jupiter notebook fits these requirements nicely. (At one time, the term "Jupiter" was used to differentiate small, light portables from the Windows CE-based palm-sized PCs that were their predecessors. Nowadays, Jupiter devices are usually referred to as handheld PCs or PC companions.) Considerably larger than palm-sized PDAs, Jupiter notebooks can accommodate bigger, brighter displays and let you type comfortably on Chiclet-sized keys. And because handheld PCs operate on the power-conscious Windows CE operating system without a hard drive, they can run for hours on a single battery charge. Another advantage is that they're instant-on: There's no boot-up wait time, and you're transported back to where you left off when you last used it as soon as you press the "on" button. Convenient is their middle name.

Because they run the not-quite fully equipped pocket versions of standard desktop Windows applications with all the goods stored in volatile RAM and ROM, handheld PCs are intended as traveling "companions"--limited-use machines with limited memory and storage. No worries, though: Windows CE software is designed to synchronize with desktop PC software via serial cables or docking cradles. Once back in the office, simply connect the device to your main computer and exchange data just as you would with a Palm Pilot. With both computers connected, the latest work done on either machine automatically appears on both.

THE LOWDOWN

These small computers carry a surprising variety of programs in addition to built-in modems. Common applications for Jupiters include Microsoft Pocket versions of Access, Clock, Internet Explorer, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. Hewlett-Packard's HP Jornada 680 manages your phone book and cell phone with TrioPhone Manager 2.0, views e-mail attachments in multiple formats with Inso Outside and manages personal finances with Quicken. Compaq's Aero 8000 includes the Audible Content Player for playing digital audio files downloaded from www.audible.com, while IBM's WorkPad z50 adds its own IBM Global Network Dialer.

NEC MobilePro 780's bonus applications include ArcSoft cePhoto, a digital photo editor, and a Status LED to keep you informed of battery power and remind you of scheduled appointments via a flashing amber light. Another program included is Microsoft Streets, a mapping and routing application to help you find your way over 6.3 million miles of U.S. and Canadian streets and highways. Not too shabby for a little computer sans hard drive that weighs a little less than 2 pounds.

Another alternative is Psion's Series 7. It uses its own operating system spreadsheet, time manager and contacts database but is compatible with Windows 95/98 and NT and can synchronize information with a network. A snappy blue-leather covering sets it apart from the pack.

Although Windows CE comes pre-loaded in ROM in most handheld PCs, additional software must be installed on your desktop using a CD-ROM disk. Because PC companions have no CD-ROM drive, the operating software uses your laptop or desktop's CD-ROM drive. Additional storage can be added using CompactFlash cards, and most Jupiter handhelds have slots for PC cards. Compaq's PC Pro includes a Smart-Card, similar to a CompactFlash card. PC cards can use up power pretty quickly, so manufacturers recommend using AC power when you've got a PC card in the slot.

One feature that sets some of these devices apart from standard notebooks is their touch-sensitive screens that use a stylus to activate functions and move the cursor. NEC's MobilePro 780 emits reassuring clicks while you use the stylus to let you know it's working. A few handheld PCs even provide a standard touchpad, too. And if you prefer to dictate rather than type memos, most handheld PCs come with voice recorders--but don't expect high-quality audio. Just remember to have plenty of battery power before you begin.

In terms of weight, Windows CE-based Jupiter devices average less than 2 pounds. The screens measure about half the size of a typical notebook display--and at 10 diagonal inches, Compaq's Aero 8000 Handheld PC Pro has the largest on the market. Displays can be adjusted for brightness, and most darken to a sleep mode to save energy.

Business Services Industry

Palmtop Porridge

Entrepreneur, July, 2000 by Jill Amadio

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