Sign up for newsletter

March 15, 2002

Getting a Handle on Handhelds

By Carol S. Holzberg, Ph.D.

Last month we explored how pioneering schools are integrating handheld computers into the curriculum. What we found is that these devices offer several benefits as educational tools. They're powerful enough to offer real-time data capture and display, with options for note-taking, e-mail, and Web access. They can be used in concert with a wide selection of accessories, including digital cameras and science probes. They're small enough to fit into a child's hand, and lightweight enough to accompany students wherever they go. And they're much less expensive than their desktop or laptop counterparts.

Most handheld computers run on either a Windows-based (Pocket PC) or Palm-based (Palm OS) operating system. Windows-based Pocket PC systems, manufactured by companies such as Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, come with scaled-down versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet Explorer, and offer powerful features such as active matrix color displays that make it easy to see the screen from many angles and in dim lighting conditions. The latest models, bundled with Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 software, cost $500 and up.

While Pocket PCs are certainly worth considering (we will be reviewing Pocket PC devices in future issues, starting with the HP Jornada 565), entry-level Palm-OS based systems are a good choice if you're looking for a basic handheld computer that can support real-time data collection, simple math calculations, and basic productivity tools.

The four "starter" units reviewed here, ranging from $150 to $300, have much in common. All have a 33-MHz processor and 8MB of memory, a sufficient amount to support word processing and spreadsheet applications students might use. In addition, they all have monochrome display screens that users can tap on with a stylus to enter information. Finally, these devices connect easily to a computer via a bundled cable or docking station. What set these models apart, for the most part, are their physical design, battery life, and expandability. Here, we take a closer look.

Visor Neo and Visor Edge (Handspring)

Visor Edge

The Neo and Edge offer many of the features users have come to expect in handheld computers: support for a wide array of applications, including personal organization tools, plus enough memory to handle a variety of classroom-based projects. While the Neo may offer fewer user conveniences than the Edge, educators looking for expandability will find it in both devices.

Both the Neo and Edge are outfitted with Palm OS 3 (unfortunately, not the latest version of the Palm OS). During installation, you decide whether to use the Palm Desktop personal information management software included or Microsoft Outlook if the latter application is already installed on your desktop. To HotSync or synchronize data between handheld and desktop so that changes made on the handheld or the desktop are updated on both platforms, simply place the unit in the USB cradle and run the HotSync Manager software.

Users can enter data by tapping an on-screen keyboard with a stylus, or by using the built-in Graffiti writing system that "translates" input into text. Other input options include plugging in an external keyboard or transferring documents created on your desktop computer via the HotSync function. An IR (infrared) port located on the side of the handheld, behind the small dark plastic shield, lets users beam data and documents to other IR port-equipped Palm-compatible or Pocket PC handhelds and IR-ready PCs at a distance of roughly 4 inches to 39 inches. You can send e-mail from the units using an optional expansion modem or wireless telecommunications device, or transfer e-mail from your desktop e-mail application via HotSync.

Visor Neo

The $199 Neo, Handspring's entry-level model, sports a stylish translucent plastic case that comes in red, blue, or black. A detachable plastic lid protects the unit's display screen when the unit is not in use. (Unfortunately, once detached, the cover is easy to misplace.) What makes the Neo especially versatile is the Springboard expansion slot, which allows users to add over 50 accessories, including digital cameras and science probes. The Neo's Springboard slot is built in-simply slide out the expansion lid cover and snap in an expansion module accessory.

At $249, the pricier Edge offers a few key improvements over the Neo. It features a slim, sleek look in metallic shades of silver, blue, and red, plus a flip-top hinged protective screen display cover that remains attached to the unit during use so it can't be misplaced. Unlike the Neo, which uses non-rechargeable AAA batteries, the Edge uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can be charged via the USB cradle. (It takes about 90 minutes to charge a fully drained battery.) In addition, the Edge's monochrome display screen is slightly easier to see in dimly lit conditions than the Neo's screen. It has a brighter backlight, offering better contrast; but using the backlight for extended periods of time greatly diminishes battery power.

Like the Neo, the Edge includes a Springboard expansion slot. The Edge's expansion slot is removable: detach the flip cover, then slide the clip-on Springboard expansion adapter into the slot at the back of the unit. You're now ready to snap in new hardware accessories such as a Card Access Thinmodem ($99) or software "modules" such as Franklin's Merriam-Webster Dictionary ($49.95).

m105 and m125 (Palm)

Palm m105

Like Handspring Visors, Palm devices are intended to extend rather than replace a desktop or laptop computer.

The m125 offers more versatility and expandability than the m105, but educators will find both devices have much to recommend them.

Both models feature touch-sensitive LCD screens that respond to the tap of a stylus. A cabled cradle transfers information to and from a computer. HotSync management software keeps information updated on both the handheld and the connected computer. The cable that comes with the Palm m105 connects to a PC serial port (USB and Macintosh Serial Cable adapters are sold separately). The Palm m125 connects to a PC or Macintosh USB port. An IR (infrared) port at the top of each device sends and receives information to and from any other IR-enabled Palm OS handheld.

The m105 and m125 have several identical features, including 8MB of memory; monochrome screens; four application buttons providing one-click access to Date Book, Address Book, Note Pad, and To Do List functions; plus two scroll buttons that allow you to move quickly through on-screen documents.

A writing area just below each unit's screen allows you to write letters, numbers, and punctuation with the stylus in Palm's Graffiti alphabet. Alternatively, you can work with an on-screen keyboard or use an optional keyboard attachment.

As with the Handspring devices, the Palm units' monochrome displays are difficult to read in dim lighting conditions. The Power On/Off button functions as a backlight when it's held down for more than two seconds, and is supposed to make the screen easier to see in low light, but it doesn't help much. Another small quibble: both the m105 and m125 display screens are smaller than the Visors, so characters seem more cramped.

The m105 comes with Palm Desktop 3.1.1 (Windows) and 2.6.1 (Macintosh). The m125 bundles Palm Desktop 4.01 (Windows) and 2.63 (Macintosh). To use your device with Windows XP, you must download Desktop 4.01 from the Palm Web site. Palm Desktop allows you to manage data on a Macintosh or Windows computer as well as on the Palm handheld. You cannot upgrade the Palm OS version that comes preinstalled on either handheld, since neither device has an upgradeable flash ROM (Read Only Memory) chip.

Palm m105

At $149, the Palm m105 provides a basic handheld computing experience at a reasonable price. However, the $249 m125 offers much more versatility. For one, the m125's HotSync cradle can also be used as a battery charger, eliminating the need to have a constant supply of batteries on hand (the m105 uses non-rechargeable AAA batteries). In addition, the unit sports an expansion card slot that accommodates either a MultiMediaCard or a Secure Digital card. Thanks to this expansion slot, you can insert a card that will add up to 64MB of memory and back-up data. The unit's Universal Connector System for hardware add-on modules provides a standard way to connect add-on devices. The m125 also comes with DataViz Documents to Go Professional Edition software for viewing and editing Word, Excel, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and other text documents. Both teachers and students alike will find Documents to Go a valuable addition to Palm's software arsenal because it supports popular desktop computing applications.

Documents to Go is available to Palm m105 users as part of the optional Palm Mobile Mentor Software collection. Even Palm m125 users might want to purchase this software because it includes several other useful applications. For example, Palm Mobile Mentor Student Edition ($39.95) features a variety of math, language arts, and organization tools such as ImagiWorks' ImagiMath calculator and equation solver, DDH Software's Thesaurus/SpellCheck, and Palm Reader for viewing e-books. A Teacher Edition ($39.95) includes Documents to Go, plus a calculator, mobile database, thesaurus/spelling checker, an e-book reader, and a utility that makes e-books.

Carol S. Holzberg, Ph.D, is an anthropologist, educational technology specialist, and computer journalist.

Editor's note: T&L's staff and editors evaluate only those products we can endorse for educational use. Web site reviews are based on content and tools that are available and accurate at the date of publication.

We'd like to thank Apple Computer and Gateway for loaning us the equipment to perform in-house evaluations.

Read other articles from the March Issue

Send a letter to the Editor in response to this article.