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Looking for slimmed-down handheld computers, with lots of functions, that fit in your Pocket? Then consider the Pocket PC (PPC) such as the “hp PDA”. An hp PDA, like all PPCs, uses the Windows CE or Windows Mobile operating system, which is a cut down version of the Microsoft Windows Operating system used by most PCs today. Windows CE or Mobile comes preloaded on all PPC handheld computers, so if you are after a lot of features, and have used (or can use) the Windows PC operating system, the learning curve for a Pocket PC is small.
When you purchase Pocket PC, like a hp PDA, the operating system contains the following Pocket applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer and Notepad. There is even a Windows Media Player. Pocket PC handheld computers have a slimmed-down application of the PC based software and with Outlook you are able to synchronize emails and the Outlook calendar and tasks. PPCs use MS ActiveSync to synchronize applications between your PPC and your PC desktop.
The following lists the features of a Pocket PC:
- A Pocket PC can play MP3s, movies and sound applications. They also have a voice recorder built in.
- For entering keystrokes, the PPC has handwriting recognition software or you can use an on screen keyboard to tap in letters.
- PPCs have one SD (Secure Digital) card slot that can be used from memory cards. Some PPCs have a CompactFlash Card slot that can be used for Ethernet cards, CF modems and WiFi.
- PPCs come with 32, 64 or more MB of RAM, which is usually ample for most users, unless they want to do a lot multimedia functions. A Pocket PC also has 16-48 Megs of ROM, which stores the Windows CE or Windows Mobile operating system. An hp PDA, like an iPAQ, can have upwards of 128 MB of RAM.
- Pocket handheld computers also come with an IrDA 1.2 infrared port, built in speaker and microphone, a stereo headphone jack and a syncing cradle.
Compared to Palm Pilots, the PPC can place a fairly high demand on the battery, but the battery life for handheld computers will vary depending on the intensity of work being done. Multimedia applications and games will reduce the battery power even further. With a typical hp PDA the battery life should last between 3 and 6 hours on one charge. Later models have the ability to easily swap in and out replacement batteries.
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