🚀 go-pugleaf

I had a long term loan of a Newton 110, but found I never got good enough 
at its idea of handwriting to be comfortable using it. HWR was also far 
too slow for me.  It is now off on long term loan to someone else, and I'll 
be interested in seeing how they make out with it.  However it did seem really
nice on "tick the box" applications.  If you could operate it for all you 
want by selecting items from lists, it worked well (our application was a 
diet tracking tool for a medical application).  Other problems.  Too large to
fit in a pocket, so although I carried it in my bag, it always seemed to 
be at home, or on the desk, rather than with me.

Had a Sharp PC3100 (MS-Dos).  About the same size as the Newton, but a 
clearer display.  The PIM provided was incredibly slow.  Works fine if 
you don't mind finding and installing obscure old DOS programs to get 
round the ones provided.  I used that from 1992 to 1995.  Great keyboard, 
but still too large to carry wherever you went.  And not everyone cares to 
replace command.com with 4Dos and other utilities to get the software 
they want.  Good battery life also.

Bought a HP OmniGo 100 (mail order) and found its applications were 
very well thought out.  I didn't have much trouble using HWR with Grafitti 
(although I never did get fast with it), but preferred the keyboard.  
However although the Grafitti input was pretty much instant, all the 
applications seemed to take too long to start up, and most seemed really 
slow to work.  But mainly, I couldn't read the display.  Your eyesight 
may vary.  Anyone want to buy an OmniGo (only used one set of batteries)?

Can't stand the keyboard on the HP200LX.  I've walked into a store at 
least three times intending to buy one, tried out the keyboard yet 
again. And walked out without it.  Lots of people like the keyboard 
(or at least, they buy the thing).

At the moment I'm using a Psion 3a (but remember the improved 3c 
is due out 1st November).  Fewer keys than the HP in about the same 
area.  Lighter.  Great battery life (40-80 hours).  Very nice internal 
applications, especially the Agenda and Word. The Data application needs 
an upgrade (too limited - fixed in 3c).  Nice programming language 
included.  Lots of freeware and shareware on the net.  Fast and 
responsive multitasking.  Disadvantages are custom memory modules 
which are costly, limited file size in most applications (64k) 
except the database, and costly custom cables.  It is still the best 
thought out palmtop of the half dozen I've really used at length.

Your mileage may vary.  Try to get use of each one you seriously consider 
for say, a week, and try to use it instead of paper for the entire 
week.  Only then are you likely to be able to make an informed decision.
--
eric@zen.maths.uts.edu.au        Eric Lindsay, School of Mathematical Sciences
Don't take life too seriously.   University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
It is only temporary.            +61 2 330 2254 office +61 2 330 2248 fax
World SF Con - Australia in 1999 http://www.maths.uts.edu.au/staff/eric/ain99