The Palm m125 is similar to the Palm m100 and m105 in its shape and classic, powerful Palm organizer functions. But it also offers several features that elevate it above the other two models--a memory card expansion slot, bonus software, and compatibility with peripherals for i705 and m500 series models.

The curved base of the Palm m125 fits snugly and comfortably in the palm of your hand. It features a protective cover that flips up and is flexible at the end--a nice touch to prevent damage if you scrape it against anything while opening. It also has a window on the cover that lets you check the time by pressing the button that pokes through.

Like other Palm handhelds the Palm m125 doesn't have a keyboard. Instead, you write shorthand-like strokes on the special writing area at the bottom of the backlit grayscale screen, which the m125 recognizes as letters. You can also tap with the stylus to type letters using an onscreen keyboard, as well as open menus and select icons. (For more keying power, you might consider the optional Palm portable keyboard.)

The Palm operating system (OS) is very efficient, so the 8 MB memory is enough to store a lot of data and quite a few applications, too. If you want to add more applications or content, you have two choices. First, you can find applications and e-books on the Web, download them to your desktop or laptop hard drive, and synchronize the data using the USB HotSync cradle, which attaches to the Palm universal connector at the base of the handheld. It's the same connector as on the m500 and m505 and Palm has promised to support it for three years, so there should be plenty of peripherals available.

Your other option is to use the expansion slot on the side of the handheld, which accepts Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards. Palm offers a number of expansion cards with content (such as e-books and Lonely Planet travel guides), applications (the PalmPak language translator, for example), and games. You can also store applications and content on memory cards (such as those from Viking or SanDisk) without sacrificing any of the Palm m125's 8 MB memory.

The Palm m125 comes with Palm OS 4.0, which has new e-mail and Web browsing software, and enables you to send SMS (Short Message Service). You can use infrared to connect to your cell phone for a wireless connection, or add an optional modem to connect to a standard phone line.

In addition to the standard built-in utilities and the Palm Desktop application (for both Windows and Mac), you get extra software including an e-book reader, Documents To Go (for viewing and editing Word and Excel documents), and AvantGo (which downloads Web content, such as news from BBC or the latest soccer scores).

For a budget PDA, the small, light Palm m125 has some nice design touches, is loaded with software extras, and can be customized with thousands of available Palm OS applications. It may not be the most powerful PDA on the market, but its expansion capabilities certainly kick it up a notch. --Mary Branscombe and Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Expansion card slot for SD and MMC memory cards
• Lots of bonus software, including Documents To Go and Mobile Internet Kit software
• USB universal connector ready for lots of peripherals

Cons:

• Not as thin as the Palm m500 series

Stay on top of your world with the Palm i705 handheld, combining secure wireless e-mail and Internet connectivity with all the classic information management features you expect from Palm. Send and automatically receive your business and personal e-mail with end-to-end security on your Palm i705 handheld (Palm.Net service required). Choose how you will be instantly notified of incoming messages, even if the handheld is turned off, with Palm's customized instant notification. Easily create, edit and view Word and Excel compatible documents as well as view and share PowerPoint presentations (Windows only) right on your handheld!Get more options than ever with Palm's built-in dual expansion. Back-up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm Expansion Card Slot. The Palm Expansion Card Slot supports MultiMediaCard and SD expansion cards - postage-stamp sized cards that allow you to access important information without sacrificing memory. Add a hardware peripheral, such as a keyboard, GPS device, or cradle with the Palm Universal Connector located at the base of your handheld. The Palm i705 handheld is the wireless connectivity solution for the mobile world.

Welcome to the world of possibilities. The expandable, Internet-capable Palm m505 handheld can be easily customized to grow along with your needs. An innovative expansion slot makes it simple to increase memory, back up data, and add new applications without sacrificing memory space. Use the Palm Universal Connector to add a portable keyboard, camera, or wireless modem. And 65,000-color support displays your information in vibrant color on a high-contrast screen.With an elegant design based on the award-winning Palm V handheld, the Palm m505 handheld packs a lot of power into its compact package. It includes new mobile connectivity software that lets you access the Internet and send e-mail through a modem or data-enabled cell phone. And bundled productivity and business software helps you keep important information at your fingertips when you're on the go.

HP iPAQ h4150 Pocket PC packs integrated wireless capabilities with Bluetooth technology and WiFi (WLAN 802.11b) into the thinnest and lightest iPAQ design to date. Loaded with features, it's designed for flexibility and productivity at a very affordable price.

The PEG-UX40, a new Clie handheld from Sony, is a personal entertainment communicator. It is extremely portable, at 6 oz. (including stylus), and features a Bluetooth interface. The high-resolution TFT Color Display (480 x 320 dots, 65,536 colors) has swivel screen design. The automatic data back-up feature backs up data to non-volatile memory (16MB). There is a dedicated internal media memory (29MB) for storing multimedia content. Other features include a built-in 310K pixels CMOS rotating camera with 3x digital Zoom (JPEG, 640 x 480 resolution), built-in QWERTY-layout with a wide-pitch keyboard with backlight, video recording (MPEG-4 compatible, 30 fps, 160 x 112), and playback. There are also dedicated application buttons for launching the Web Browser, Mail and Date Book Applications, and an integrated memory stick slot (compatible with memory stick pro media). Other features include: *Center Jog Dial Navigator with Back Button. *Built-in Voice Recorder with Adjustable Recording Sensitivity (Built-in Monaural *Built-in Audio Player (Compatible with MP3 and ATRAC3 audio formats) *Polyphonic Audio Alert Feature. *Key Applications (CLIE Mail, World Alarm Clock, etc.) Pre-installed in the *Bundled with Decuma Input Handwriting Recognition Software (Decuma *Bundled with Picsel Viewer Software (Picsel Technologies, Ltd.) for Viewing *PowerPoint, PDF and HTML Files. *Rechargeable Lithium-ion Polymer Battery (Internal) Box Contents: Clie Handheld, Charger Cradle, USB Hot Sync Cable, AC Power Adapter, Hand Strap, Retractable Stylus, Installation CD-ROM, Instructional Manual, Graffiti2 Card, End User License Agreement

The Handspring Visor Deluxe is the first expandable handheld computer that lets you instantly turn an organizer into a digital camera, music player, or even a phone. It comes with 8 MB of RAM, so you have more than enough room to store all your data, plus a myriad of other programs and information. Plus, it features the amazing Springboard expansion slot, so you can snap in a wide range of hardware and software modules and turn your Visor into whatever you want it to be. Moreover, it is plug-and-play so there are no drivers to load. Just snap in a module and it works! It even comes in five great colors - ice, graphite, blue, orange, and green - so you are sure to find one that suits your style, personality, or mood.

The modern design of the newest SJ-Series CLI? handheld feels as good as it looks. The smooth, translucent cover protects the screen from dust and scratches, and flips easily out of the way for operation.The 66 MHz processor, high-resolution color screen, and built-in MP3 player are ideal for the latest multimedia applications. Get organized, listen to music, and play games, all with one stylish handheld. You can even view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files using Documents to Go - Standard Edition by DataViz, Inc.The Memory Stick media expansion slot provides virtually unlimited storage capability for your favorite applications. Plus, the Jog Dial navigator makes it easy to access most of your stored information using only one hand.The SJ33 comes with a variety of full-version and trial-version software so you can get maximum use and enjoyment out of your new CLI? handheld, plus the Palm OS software is compatible with hundreds of 3rd-party software applications available for download.

It's thin (only .50" wide). It's light (only 4.23 ounces) and it's bright with a clear and dazzling transreflective color display. The iPAQ h1910 Pocket PC offers a great combination of features and distinctive design that fits your lifestyle. It allows you the freedom to access essential personal information and entertainment at your convenience.Stay productive with Pocket versions of familiar applications including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Listen to your favorite MP3 or WMA music files, watch Windows Media videos and play games at your convenience. A removable battery provides capability for extended use while away from a power source. A SD memory card slot as standard is provided for transferring and storing music, pictures and more.

The PEG-UX50, a new Clie handheld from Sony, is a personal entertainment communicator. It is extremely portable, at 6 oz. (including stylus), and features integrated wireless LAN (802.11b) and Bluetooth interface. The high-resolution TFT Color Display (480 x 320 dots, 65,536 colors) has swivel screen design. The automatic data back-up feature backs up data to non-volatile memory (16MB). There is a dedicated internal media memory (29MB) for storing multimedia content. Other features include a built-in 310K pixels CMOS rotating camera with 3x digital Zoom (JPEG, 640 x 480 resolution), built-in QWERTY-layout with a wide-pitch keyboard with backlight, video recording (MPEG-4 compatible, 30 fps, 160 x 112), and playback. Other features include: *Dedicated Application Buttons for Launching Web Browser, Mail and Date Book Applications. *Integrated Memory Stick Slot. (Compatible with Memory Stick Pro Media) *Center Jog Dial Navigator with Back Button *Built-in Voice Recorder with Adjustable Recording Sensitivity (Built-in Monaural *Built-in Audio Player (Compatible with MP3 and ATRAC3 audio formats) *Polyphonic Audio Alert Feature *Key Applications (CLIE Mail, World Alarm Clock, etc.) Pre-installed in the ROM *Bundled with Decuma Input Handwriting Recognition Software (Decuma AB). *Bundled with Picsel Viewer Software (Picsel Technologies, Ltd.) for Viewing Native *PowerPoint, PDF and HTML Files *Rechargeable Lithium-ion Polymer Battery (Internal) Box Contents: Clie Handheld, Charger Cradle, USB Hot Sync Cable, AC Power Adapter, Hand strap, Retractable Stylus, Installation CD-ROM, Instructional Manual, Graffiti2 Card, End User License Agreement