Handhelds: PDAs for Typists

People who don't like using a stylus to enter data into a personal digital assistant will welcome the two latest entries in a growing pool of handhelds with BlackBerryesque thumb keyboards--the Sony Clie PEG-NR70V and the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500.

While both keyboards are relatively good, the Sony keyboard has the edge, as it is slightly larger and feels firmer. Still, though both are fine for entering addresses or short notes, you won't want to try writing a book on either.

The Sony device runs Palm OS 4.1 and has an innovative design. Much like the viewers on some camcorders, the screen can flip up and twist around 180 degrees. When the clamshell is open, you can hold it to view the screen while you're typing on the keyboard; or you can twist the screen around, close the unit, and write or tap on the screen just as you would with a conventional handheld.

A camera contained inside a small cylinder at the hinge takes pretty good photographs at a resolution of 320 by 240 (a cheaper version of the Sony, the PEG-NR70, doesn't include the camera).

The screen in my preproduction unit looked great in all lighting conditions; its software-based graffiti area vanishes when you run Sony's included software, so you can scribble on the full screen. Continuing a Clie tradition, the PEG-NR70V's 320-by-480 screen has six times the resolution of the 160-by-160 display typical of most Palm-based PDAs.

In contrast, my shipping Zaurus had a screen that was a bit murky as well as slightly brighter on the right-hand side, where the front light is located, than on the left.

To access the hidden keyboard, you slide the screen area away from the navigation button. The Zaurus runs a version of Linux, so you can't use Palm OS or Pocket PC software (though the PDA can run Java apps). Fortunately, it comes with Hancom's excellent spreadsheet, word processor, and presentation program, all of which are compatible with their counterparts in Microsoft Office. You also get an e-mail program and a Web browser for use with an optional wireless modem.

Both handhelds come equipped with headphone sockets and with software for playing digital audio; Sony also throws in a wired remote control for the music player, as well as a hold switch that turns off the screen, thus extending the battery life. Both devices, however, were a little finicky about playing back some MP3 files, especially those that were not encoded by the programs supplied with the PDAs.

Both of these models are stylish, full-featured devices for well-heeled users who like the new thumbpad keyboards, but the Sony is the overall winner: It has a better keyboard and a better screen, and it looks much cooler.

SUMMARY

Clié PEG-NR70V $599 Sony

SUMMARY

Zaurus SL-5500 $499 Sharp