Keyboard PDAs

The Bottom Line: The Sony Mylo Communicator 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, but the Wi-Fi handheld will have a hard time competing with the similarly priced and better featured iPhones, Sidekicks, and Helio Oceans of the cellular world.

Specs: 1 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 5.2 in x 0.8 in x 2.6 in, Stylus, Keyboard

The Bottom Line: The Sony Mylo Communicator 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, but the Wi-Fi handheld will have a hard time competing with the similarly priced and better featured iPhones, Sidekicks, and Helio Oceans of the cellular world.

Specs: 1 GB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 5.2 in x 0.8 in x 2.6 in, Stylus, Keyboard

The Bottom Line: Only built-in Wi-Fi is missing from Sony's otherwise fully loaded, clamshell-style CLIE UX40 PDA.

Specs: Palm OS 5.2, 40 MB, Sony 123 MHzHandheld Engine CXD2230GA, IrDA, Bluetooth, 4.1 in x 0.7 in x 3.5 in, Stylus, Jog Dial, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: Though we wish it had built-in wireless connectivity, the versatile NX73 is a less expensive, slightly improved version of the highly rated NX70.

Specs: Palm OS 5.0, 16 MB, Intel 200 MHzXScale PXA263, IrDA, 2.9 in x 0.9 in x 5.3 in, Stylus

The Bottom Line: Audiophiles may be dissuaded by the lack of an MP3 player and stereo sound, but business users will fall for the Tungsten C's blazing performance.

Specs: Palm OS 5.2.1, 64 MB, Intel 400 MHzXScale PXA255, IrDA, IEEE 802.11b, 3.1 in x 0.7 in x 4.8 in, Stylus, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: By boosting its speed, adding memory, and smoothing out software kinks, the Zaurus SL-5600 Linux handheld offers a challenge to Pocket PCs and Palms.

Specs: Trolltech Qtopia, 32 MB, Intel 400 MHzXScale PXA250, IrDA, 2.9 in x 0.9 in x 5.4 in, Stylus, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: If you don't want to spend big bucks on a swivel-screen CLIE, this is next best thing--and it's more compact.

Specs: Palm OS 5.0, 16 MB, 200 MHz, IrDA, Bluetooth, 2.9 in x 0.5 in x 5 in, Stylus, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: This gadget lover's dream does so much that we wish it did just a little more--particularly considering its size and price.

Specs: Palm OS 5.0, 16 MB, Intel 200 MHzXScale PXA250, IrDA, Bluetooth, 3 in x 0.9 in x 5.6 in, Stylus, Jog Dial, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: The NX70V is arguably the fastest, slickest, and most functional Palm-based handheld, but it's a lot to carry.

Specs: Palm OS 5.0, 16 MB DRAM, Intel 200 MHzXScale PXA250, IrDA, 2.8 in x 0.9 in x 5.4 in, Stylus, Keyboard, Touch-screen

The Bottom Line: This feature-rich model puts a whole new spin on what you can do with a Palm OS PDA but carries a pretty steep price tag.

Specs: Palm OS 4.1, 16 MB DRAM, Motorola 66 MHzMC68SZ328, IrDA, 2.9 in x 0.7 in x 5.5 in, Stylus, Jog Dial, Keyboard, Touch-screen, Remote control