Handtops vs PDAs
Many of you are probably already somewhat familiar with PDAs; small handheld devices, primarily aimed at doing Personal Information Management (PIM). While the most powerful PDAs, either Palm, Pocket PC, or Zaurus, support additional storage and have programs that allow some functionality similar to desktop word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs, PDA users quickly discover two things: First, PDAs use different processors and run a different operating system than desktops, so desktop software won't run on a PDA. While there is some relatively sophisticated software written for high-end PDAs, it's always less functional than the desktop counterparts to accommodate the slower processors and smaller resources of the PDA. In addition, there will always be programs that are readily available for desktop systems that simply don't exist for PDAs. This is because developers can't or won't take the time and trouble to write stripped-down versions of their software, recompiled for the PDA operating systems and processors. Second, PDAs are designed to be used as an accessory to a desktop system. The assumption is that you will use the desktop to do important, resource-intensive functions. Some of the "omissions" may surprise you. For instance, PDA programs are not designed with printing in mind. They assume you will transfer the documents to your desktop to print them.
Since some people still want the benefits of complete portability, but can't put up with the limitations of PDA operating systems and hardware, some companies have produced small-format "handtop" computers. These computers use processors that can process the same code at desktop and laptop systems and run the same operating systems. While there are still some limitations imposed by the size, handtops have essentially the same hardware as their larger laptop brethren. In other words, unlike PDAs, handtops can use the same software and many of the same peripherals (those with USB, Firewire, Ethernet, WiFi, or Bluetooth connectivity) that you would use on a desktop or laptop. Since handtops process the same code as their larger counterparts, they also don't require the specially-written drivers and other support software that PDAs do. Also, because they include much of the same hardware as laptops, handtops are much more able to support external displays and other media devices.
For simplicity's sake, here is a fairly complete, listing of the strengths of PDAs compared to the strengths of handtops:
PDA Strengths:
- PDAs are smaller and more pocketable.
- PDAs cost significantly less.
(A high-end PDA costs less the half the cost of current handtop prices.)
- PDAs use less power, thus last longer between recharges.
- PDA operating systems and programs are optimized for small screens.
- Programs can "wake up" a PDA on standby to display an alert.
- PDAs wake up from standby in 2 seconds or less.
(They are ready to use more quickly.)
Handtop Strengths:
- Handtops can use programs written for laptops and desktops
(off-the-shelf, without modifications). - Handtops can use wired and/or wireless peripherals designed for laptops and desktops
(without the need for specially-written drivers and support programs) - Handtops have larger storage and RAM capacities
(which make programs that use a lot, like browsers and work faster).
It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of handtops using the same software and drivers as desktops and laptops. Where developers have to specifically target their software to PDA platforms, they don't need to do anything for people to use them on handtops (although it helps when they consider the constraints of a smaller screen). Handtop users can take advantage of the huge variety of software and much of the hardware that exists for larger systems. When new software and hardware, or even updates of existing software, become available, it is always available to desktop/laptop (and thus handtop) systems well before they become available for use with PDAs (if, indeed that ever happens).
Two examples will suffice to demonstrate: First, take presentation hardware and software. Because the display technology in PDAs is radically different from laptops, PDAs require specialized hardware to allow them to do presentations. The hardware, at the very least, consists of a "frame buffer" to load the images for display and the connectors for external display. Because of the speed of PDA processors and their memory constraints, it takes some time for them to load the images into the frame buffers. As a result, the presentations are slower, when using a PDA, than when using a handtop, laptop, or desktop. Also because of the smaller memory and slower processor, presentation software for PDAs is also less capable than its larger-system counterparts. Transitions, animation, and audio capabilities suffer the most. Conversely, all current-model handtops include a connector for an external display and can use exactly the same software you use for laptop or desktop presentations. There is virtually no loss of presentation capabilities while using a handtop.
The second example I'll use is "productivity software," word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Many of you are probably using Microsoft Office or some work-alike. You could use exactly the same software on a handtop. Compare that to Palm and Zaurus devices that require a third-party set of programs to supply those functions (although many manufacturers include it with the units). Pocket PCs come with stripped-down versions of word processing and spreadsheet programs (but not a database). However, in all cases, many of the high-end functions are either missing or severely limited. For instance, the latest version of Pocket Word on the Pocket PC or Documents to Go on the Palm only barely support tables. There is no support for macros at all. On a handtop, because the documents are created with the same software, the documents are in exactly the same file formats as they would be in on a desktop. With PDAs, the software often uses a different format that requires a translation to use on a desktop. In some cases, formatting can be lost during the translation back and forth.
In the end, PDAs are right for some folks (those who value the portability and battery life over the full-functionality) and handtops are right for others. The one you choose will depend on how you rank each of the strengths of either platform.
The OQO Model 01 (shown left) sports a full version of Windows XP, running on an 800x480 pixel display. The display slides up to reveal a thumb-workable keyboard which includes a full numeric keypad, mouse buttons, and track-stick. The entire package is only 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, 0.9 inches thin (with the display covering the keyboard). It also includes Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless and Firewire and USB connectivity. It can even drive an external display. It's as powerful for many laptops, but it finally realized the possibility of carrying a full Windows machine in your pocket.
The VGN-UX50 is the first model released by Sony for the Japanese (and related) markets on April 6, 2006. Since the UX50 comes with the slower (1.06GHz vs 1.2GHz) processor and Japanese keyboard only, I waited until the end of June for the UX90. Both the UX50 and UX90 include a Compact Flash Type II slot for expansion and peripherals. You can order the UX90 with either a Japanese or English keyboard. One further difference between the UX50 and UX90 is that the UX50 comes with the docking cradle and the UX90 comes with a built-in stand. You can buy the docking cradle as an option, but you can't buy the stand. The UX90 is what Sony refers to as a "custom" model. That means you select which features your UX90 will have when you place your order. Current UX90 choices include a 1.06GHz Pentium M, a 1.06GHz Core Solo, or a 1.2GHz Core Solo processor, a 20GB or 30GB hard disk or, shortly, a 16GB Solid State disk, and Japanese or English keyboard. One further aspect of the UX90 series is that it comes with a lot less "junk ware" pre-installed than the other models. 
The third model, the VGN-UX180/P is sold by Sony for the United States market, starting on July 5, 2006. It uses the Intel Core Solo U1400 (running at 1.2GHz) like the UX90, but, instead of the Compact Flash slot, the UX180 has an 