Palm-Style PDA Doubles Up on Expansion

HandEra makes all the right moves in the Palm OS industry's dizzy dance of bigger, brighter screens, faster processors, and different sizes and expansion features.

By adding two standardized expansion features--a CompactFlash slot and a smaller Secure Digital slot--on its $350 HandEra 330 handheld computer, HandEra (formerly TRG Products) one-ups its competition. Palm's latest devices, the M500 and M505, include a single MultiMediaCard expansion slot, and Handspring's Visor accepts only proprietary expansion modules. But HandEra does take a step backward by using the older, thick Palm III case.

That's a relatively minor shortcoming, and HandEra compensates with a fast 33-MHz processor and a 240-by-320 screen that has 25 percent more viewable area and three times more pixels (for better resolution and visibility) than its competitors. Unlike other Palm devices, the HandEra 330 bases its Graffiti handwriting area on software, so you can hide it when you need more screen real estate for display. Screen rotation allows users to view spreadsheets, e-books, or other apps in landscape format. You also get a larger selection of fonts; enhanced backlighting; and visible inking graffiti, which lets you see your handwriting strokes as you write (unlike with other Palm devices).

On the shipping unit I tested, a left-side scroll-wheel button made for effortless, one-handed selection of apps, addresses, and other items. I even operated the convenient integrated voice recorder with one hand. An included app allows quick backup to memory cards and rapid uploading of apps to the device's 8MB of internal RAM or 2MB of internal flash memory.

The HandEra 330 runs on four AAA batteries (twice as many as most Palm devices use). Based on my testing, you can expect to go four to six weeks between changes.

SUMMARY

HandEra 330 PRO: Palm device with dual expansion ports; bigger, brighter screen. CON: Bulky Palm III-style case. VALUE: Standardized expansion options good for those using a PDA for more than basic PIM functions. List price: $350 HandEra 515/252-7522 www.handera.com