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Types of Palmtops
Home » Handheld Electronics » Palmtops » Types of PalmtopsPalmtops have changed significantly from their first introduction to the world. Today's palmtops have more RAM, more room for storage, are slim and lightweight, and can perform a variety of multimedia functions. Most have an average of 8MB of RAM and can connect to computers through a USB port. The memory capacity and functions vary from brand to brand.
The very first palmtop was simply called "Palm". When these devices were introduced, they were grayscale handheld organizers. Today, Palm has many different organizers on the market, including some with color screens. Most have between 2MB and 8MB of RAM and up to 8 MB of internal memory. They operate with the Palm operating system. Some Palms are compatible with both PCs and Macs, and others are compatible only with PCs. Accessories for the Palm include an attachable full-size keyboard for data entry and Back Flip for e-mail access. Palms operate with regular alkaline batteries.
The Pocket PC is a new advancement in the world of Palmtops. The term Pocket PC was coined by Casio, who currently manufactures them in a variety of colors. Pocket PCs operate with Windows CE, which offer limited versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Money. They come with 16MB of RAM and a 150MHz processor. Most Pocket PCs also have a slot for Multimedia cards with up to 64 MB of storage. They run on rechargeable Lithium batteries and connect with PCs with a USB port.
Handspring palmtops are similar to Palms in that they use the Palm operating system and have the ability to file share with other Palms. They have all the basic features of Palms, but with some added functionality. Handsprings can be turned into digital cameras or GPS units. They can connect to both PCs and Macs with a USB interface. Handsprings are available in various colors with grayscale LCD screens and operate with 2 AAA batteries.
There are several other types of Palmtop devices as well. The iPaq is manufactured by Compaq and comes with 32MB of RAM and a 206MHz processor. It also comes with pocket versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer, and Windows Media Player. They are equipped with an iPaq modem and are able to connect to PCs with a USB or Serial port. Another type of Palmtop is the Sony Clie. Clies come with up to 8MB of RAM, a neat jog control wheel, and are memory-stick compatible. The Sony Clie works on the Palm operating system and uses touch-screen interface. The Clie also works with Windows 98/2000/Me on the PC.
For those who don't need all the function of a palmtop, but want a personal organizer, there are several handheld devices available that come with a built-in keypad for data entry. These devices can store addresses and phone numbers and other types of information just like a palmtop. Personal organizers are usually less expensive than palmtops and are made by Psion, Rolodex, Casio, Sharp, Seiko, Royal, and Xircom, among other manufacturers.
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