[Timothy Rapson]

I think Toshiba has really nailed PDA design. One high end model with lots of RAM, fastest processor available, jog dial, and two slots. They could have the nicer screen of the Ipaq 3900 and a decent flip plastic cover as in the Jornadas, but as it is they can undercut Ipaq 3900 on price every time.

Model #2 is the smaller single slot model that cost far less and gets lost in a pocket. What they need for it to really succeed is a little less blockiness and perhaps that low power X-Scale to double battery life.

But, I think they are leading the way for PDA model categories. Palm set out these two *sizes* of PDAs (Toshiba added the right slots to the larger model) and I think the dual line Palms will be around for some time. I prefer the large for myself and eventually would buy one of the smaller ones for each of my family.

By December, Dell, Palm, Sharp, Sony, Zayo, and perhaps a dozen others may have a full set of these models (Sadly, it looks like Compaq is going to keep the lame expansion sleeve to get the dual slot models.)

I see, full Video, sound recording, optional Blue Tooth or WiFi, QVGA or so screens, 200 MZ ARMS, and 32-64 meg on each. The only real question is going to be which OS will win out. PPC, Palm, or Linux.

I still think Palm is the player to beat, because they will have the broadest price range from $99 OS 4 mono models to $600 Clies with full video camera function built in. Unless they really messed up the OS change, they are still in the pole position because of the variety and the feeling that most people have about Windows Desktop. By now, PPC would have had to reached 50% of market with at least one really super desireable model to be in position to unseat Palm OS anytime soon.

Or not. We will know January 2003 or so.

[Timothy Rapson]

I think Toshiba has really nailed PDA design. One high end model with lots of RAM, fastest processor available, jog dial, and two slots. They could have the nicer screen of the Ipaq 3900 and a decent flip plastic cover as in the Jornadas, but as it is they can undercut Ipaq 3900 on price every time.

Model #2 is the smaller single slot model that cost far less and gets lost in a pocket. What they need for it to really succeed is a little less blockiness and perhaps that low power X-Scale to double battery life.

But, I think they are leading the way for PDA model categories. Palm set out these two *sizes* of PDAs (Toshiba added the right slots to the larger model) and I think the dual line Palms will be around for some time. I prefer the large for myself and eventually would buy one of the smaller ones for each of my family.

By December, Dell, Palm, Sharp, Sony, Zayo, and perhaps a dozen others may have a full set of these models (Sadly, it looks like Compaq is going to keep the lame expansion sleeve to get the dual slot models.)

I see, full Video, sound recording, optional Blue Tooth or WiFi, QVGA or so screens, 200 MZ ARMS, and 32-64 meg on each. The only real question is going to be which OS will win out. PPC, Palm, or Linux.

I still think Palm is the player to beat, because they will have the broadest price range from $99 OS 4 mono models to $600 Clies with full video camera function built in. Unless they really messed up the OS change, they are still in the pole position because of the variety and the feeling that most people have about Windows Desktop. By now, PPC would have had to reached 50% of market with at least one really super desireable model to be in position to unseat Palm OS anytime soon.

Or not. We will know January 2003 or so.