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The big contenders, comparison between high end models.Jan 02 '03 (Updated Jan 03 '03) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Each PDA offer its own specialties, try it out in the store before you decide online.
Palm VS Windows CE Lets Compare two high-end models: Sony PEG-NX70V (from sonystyle.com) Onboard CPU: 200MHz processor Memory: 16 MB RAM ROM: 16 MB ROM Screen: 320 x 480 TFT color display with back lights Colors: 65,536 colors (16-bit) Battery: Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery (internal) Operating System: Palm OS® software v. 5.0 Expansion: Memory Stick slot Size: 5 1/2 (H) x 2 7/8 (W) x 11/16 (D) inches Weight: Approx. 8 oz. (including stylus) Price: $599.99 iPAQ 3955 (from hp.com) Onboard CPU: 400MHz Intel® XScale processor Memory: 64MB SDRAM for applications ROM: 32MB flash ROM Screen: 240x320 color Transflective TFT LCD Colors: 16-bit color (65,536 colors) Battery: lithium polymer rechargeable battery (1400 mAh) Operating System: Microsoft® Pocket PC Software 2002 Expansion: SD memory slot for internal expansion Size: 5.3" x 3.3" x 0.6" Weight: 6.5 oz. Price: $499.99 CPU: The iPAQ has a very fast CPU, making it able to multi-task (leaving several programs running in the background), which isnt available on the Palm OS. Memory: (and a bit about games) The iPAQ has way more memory compared to the Sony. But however, programs on Pocket PC are must larger in size, due to the larger graphics, more complex code...etc. Which brings me to compare popular games between the two PDAs. On the Pocket PC side, I tried out Need For Speed (on my Casio E115), while on the Palm side, I tried the most popular game on Palm Boulevard, "Blocks", which I beamed to PEG-NX70V through my Palm IIIc. Needless to say, Need For Speed was eye candy, while Blocks was just... bad and hard to play on the NX70 keyboard. As this being an update, I was suggested to check out other higher resolution games available to the Palm OS. Surely they looked less jagged and less blocky compared to the 160*160 palms, but I didnt notice much improvment the graphics were basically the same, the same old 2d flat looking pictures. I dont think I can make a fair rating between the game, Palm being 2D while PPC is mostly into sprite rendering. However, even though the games arent as graphically detailed as the Pocket PC, point and click games like BeBop was mighty fun. Unfortunately, the mini keyboard supplied with the PEG-NX70V was almost useless, buttons are too small i have to look up and down every time i try tying something. It would be good for people who cannot use graffiti, but I cant stand it. ROM: For new OS flashing... eh... insignificant Screen/Colors: Even though the PEG-NX70V has a higher resolution overall, which I noticed in the menu, but built in applications such as the calendar were just as blocky as those in previous palms whose resolution resided in 160*160. But I have to admit, the text on the Sony has improved greatly. The iPAQ resolution of 240*320 was standard for Pocket PC, which probably made it look less jagged, since programs were built for that resolution. Both devices have the same amount of color, so no comparison can be brought with that. Battery: (and a bit about music) Both uses internal Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable batteries, but i have to side with the PEG-NX70V this time, because Sony's batteries have been known to run well with music playing. However, the iPAQ has a built in speaker, and can play decent tunes without headphones, although it plays in mono, which might be inacceptable for some. Of course both devices have headphone slots. OS: (and a little about onboard programs) Pocket PC can play mp3s right out of the box because it has Windows Media Player built in. Palm OS does not, but requires "Audio Player" (Sony exclusive and provided) Pocket PC can play movies with Windows Media Player Palm OS cannot, it requires "Movie Player" (Another Sony Program, provided) Pocket PC can edit Microsoft Word and Excel documents right out of the box with Pocket Word and Excel Palm OS cannot, it requires "Documents To Go® - Standard Edition (DataViz, Inc.)" FREE in Sony's CD. I have to admit, the higher resolution on the Sony helps, to an extent. Pocket PC can view pictures using built in Internet Explorer Palm OS cannot, it requires the installation of "CLIÉ™ Album" (sony program, provided) Pocket PC cannot take pictures without a camera module. Palm OS cannot either, but the PEG-NX70V can. I do not want to furthur continue with software, since there are many programs that let the Palm successfuly do what it lacks, as pointed out to me; Project@Hand2, Bonzai, and DateBk5 are effective programs that might even surpass what Pocket PC offers onboard. Expansion: Both arent cheap to exapand with... Size/Dimensions: Close enough, I don't really care about size that much. Stability: Both PDAs are quite stable, I had to restart a few times on the device, probably due to a constant loading and deleting of software. However, I never had it crash or restart on me when I use built in ROM software. Well... there you have it, I find the Pocket PC more productive overall, but you might or might not agree. Its just advice.  |
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