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RSS feedsThe chain to the desk has been taken off. We're free to work wherever we go, giving more freedom to the way we work. Mobile phones make sure that we've got a data connection away from the nearest BT phone jack.
But, while the obvious mobile platform may be the laptop, it's not the only option, and in many cases is just a bloated, heavy way of sending and receiving emails. For this test we've got 10 products. The range covers PDAs, mobile phones/PDA combos and ultra portable laptops. There's something in here for whatever mobile job you want.
All devices were tested for connectivity using a Nokia 6210e and Orange HSCSD Sim card (www.orange.co.uk). This choice was because HSCSD is the fastest connection method that's readily supported by mobile devices. GPRS still doesn't have generic support, and made it unsuitable for this test.
Trium Mondo
The Trium Mondo is the first PocketPC/phone on the market. With GPRS built in, it sounds like a good idea. But, while the concept is good, the actual delivery needs some work.
First, it's very difficult to use as a phone. It takes ages for the unit to register the Sim when it's first turned on. Even when that's done it's difficult to use the stylus to type in or look up a telephone number. This is because the interface is a graphical representation of a standard phone.
There's an options menu where phone settings are defined, and a names and address book. But, while this interface works well with the limited interface of a mobile, PocketPC is capable of so much more. It would have made sense to change the phone interface to match that of a standard PocketPC application. But, all of these comments are only true when the unit wants to work. We've had the situation where we had to keep taking the battery in and out of device just to get it to recognise the Sim.
As a PDA, it has trouble with speed. Opening multiple applications brings the unit to a grinding halt. Repeat visits to task manager have to be paid in order to kill running applications so that the device is usable. On top of that, there's no Compact Flash or SmartMedia slot for upgrades, such as more memory (there's only 16Mb on board) or a Bluetooth adapter. We've been told that Trium is currently working on this.
To be fair, once the unit finds the Sim correctly and you remember to close down applications, it's not actually that bad. Standard Microsoft synchronisation software is provided inside the box, which keeps data on the PDA up to date with a desktop machine. Set up of internet and email accounts is very easy.
The integrated approach means that there's no need to play around with IrDA settings on the device and phone. And there's no need to delicately balance it while trying to get line of site to a mobile. Instead a couple of clicks had us on the web and sending email. The only problem with this is that the lack of a keyboard makes long data entry a chore.
However, the stylus-only entry format keeps the unit size down: 139.5 x 84 x 19mm and 200g. This means that while there's a hands free kit available it's possible to use the unit in the same way as a traditional phone. It has a standby mode, where the display turns off, but the phone is still capable of receiving calls. When a call comes in the display turns on and the selected ring tone sounds.
Unfortunately, battery life isn't very good. It will discharge over a couple of days and, in standby mode, there's no visual indication of battery life. After a while the unit gets quite cumbersome. We feel as though we'd want a separate phone to carry around and use outside of work.
Product Info - Trium Mondo
Build Quality: 3/5
Features: 3/5
Performance: 2/5
Value for Money: 2/5
Overall: 2/5
Nokia 9210 Communicator
The 9210 is Nokia's second stab at creating a PDA/phone combo, but this time the job's been done a lot better. The unit is now considerably smaller, dispelling the image of Dom Jolly once and for all. Measuring 158 x 56 x 27mm and weighing 244g, it can be used quite comfortably as a normal phone.
This is helped by the clever design. The front looks just like a big standard Nokia, with the standard LCD display and phone options. However, the phone folds open to reveal a colour screen and keyboard. This is the Symbian Epoc-based part of the phone, and a good job's been done. The screen is very clear and the keyboard, while a little fiddly, is useable for large data entry tasks.
The screen isn't a touch one, so all navigation functions are performed through a combination of the cursor pad and the four context-sensitive soft-buttons running down the right-hand side of the screen.
In addition, the menu buttons are used to jump to categorised applications. These include contacts, calendar, office, internet and messaging. Each category is fully packed with the applications that you're likely to need on the move. For example, office includes a word processor and spreadsheet, and messaging includes SMS, fax and email applications.
The messaging applications integrate directly with the phone, and are capable of reading contact information from either the Sim card or internal memory. This makes it very easy to send emails or SMS text. Opera is used for web browsing and you needn't worry about slow download speeds.
The Communicator supports HSCSD for connections of up to 43.2Kbps, but you'll have to be on Orange as this is the only network that supports the technology. Currently, the unit doesn't support GPRS, but we wouldn't be surprised if this came out as an upgrade later on.
The only slight disappointment is that the only GSM bands supported are 900 and 1800. While this is fine for Europe, it does render the Communicator useless in the US.
Instead, a 1900 capable phone - the Motorola Timeport or Ericsson T39 - would have to be taken as well, and the Communicator connected to it via an IrDA port. This is the only option, as there's no expansion port capable of taking a Bluetooth adapter.
Storage is provided by a combination of the 4Mb onboard memory and the memory card slot. By default the unit is shipped with a 16Mb card, but it's a simple job to replace it. Synchronising this data is performed through the provided software, but network management has to be performed through a separate management package.
Currently we'd rate the 9210 as the best phone/PDA crossover. It's just the right size and is easy to use both as a phone and PDA. However, similar comments go for this as the Trium Mondo: we wouldn't want to carry it around all the time, just for work situations.
Product Info - Nokia 9210 Communicator
Build Quality: 4/5
Features: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Palm m505
The m505 is Palm's top of the range model and was designed to replace the Series V. Externally it looks exactly like its predecessor, which is no bad thing. The brushed metal casing looks stylish and is very hard wearing. Measuring 106 x 78 x 12mm, it's small enough to fit in a pocket and carry around all day.
The real changes come internally. First, the monochrome screen has been replaced with a colour one. While capable of displaying 65,000 colours it's nowhere near the same quality as those found on either the Jornada or iPAQ. Colour representation is far from vivid and graphics are highly pixellated. It all feels kind of pointless, as it doesn't improve the usability of the device. However, there's also the cheaper m500 available, which is the same machine but with a monochrome display.
A more worthy addition is the expansion card slot, which takes cards just 2.1mm thick. This slot can be used to increase storage on the device, but Palm is using it for alternative purposes. A Bluetooth adapter is due out next year.
Internal storage doesn't look particularly impressive, as the M505 only has 8Mb of Ram. But this isn't as restrictive as it sounds; the applications are smaller than their Microsoft counterparts and, as the Palm isn't trying to be a multimedia tool as well, 8Mb will suit most people.
Of the applications supplied, Palm now fully recognises the internet so there's no need to buy the mobile internet kit as with the Series V. This means that you get an internet standards-based mail application, which will also synchronise - via the HotSync application - with your desktop. In the series V there were two mail applications: one for internet mail and one for synchronisation, which was very annoying.
The one thing missing is a proper web browser. Palm only supplies web clipping, where a specific application for each website has to be loaded onto the device. It saves on bandwidth by storing the interface locally, but it's less flexible than a browser.
We can't fault the interface. A stylus is used for navigation and data entry via the graffiti system. This uses special keystrokes to represent characters, and is surprisingly easy to get used to.
There's also an optional fold-up keyboard, which the Palm slots into. It's full-sized but, because of the angle the Palm sits at, it's only suitable for use on flat surfaces such as a table.
Palm has done a good job with the operating system, and there's no need to shut down applications. This means that switching between applications doesn't slow the device down and there's no need to go into a task manager as with PocketPC. Security on the device is generally poor out of the box. The password protection system isn't particularly tough, and third-party software should be installed. Third-party management software is also needed for global management.
As a pure and simple device, the Palm excels. It's affordable, lightweight and has all of the tools to stay connected when out of the office. Application and hardware support is very good, so you can't go too far wrong with this PDA.
Product Info - Palm m505
Build Quality: 5/5
Features: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Compaq iPAQ H3660
The latest iPAQ from Compaq certainly oozes style, and the sculptured metal case is tough enough to be lugged around all day. It differs from its HP Jornada rival by not having a protective flap to cover the screen. Instead a mock leather case is provided, which has a reinforced front to protect the screen.
This is a good thing, as the 240x320 resolution TFT screen is excellent on this model. The picture is sharp, and is viewable under most lighting conditions.
As with other PocketPC devices the screen is touch sensitive. A stylus, spring loaded in the rear of the device, is used to navigate through the interface. As it's PocketPC, the interface is the same on the iPAQ as for any competing device. There are also the same applications: pocket Outlook, Word and Excel. Data entry is again through the stylus.
This can either be through a soft-keyboard on screen, or through a Palm clone graffiti-style entry. It's easy enough to get used to, but large amounts of data entry soon gets annoying.
The only thing that Compaq has done differently in regards to interaction is changing the function of the four keys on the device. Each key launches a specific application. On the iPAQ these are email, calendar, contacts and the task manager.
Using the device gave us no problems at all. The processor gives the unit a fast feel but be warned: unlike Palm devices the more applications that are running, the slower the unit will get. An application should be shut down when you leave it. However, we noticed this a lot less than with the Trium, which painfully crawled along at points.
Expansion of the device has its good and bad points. First, there's no onboard Compact Flash (CF) slot. Instead, there's an expansion slot that clips on the back. This slot takes expansion packs, which currently include PC Card, CF and dual Bluetooth/CF adapters. With a CF expansion pack in place more memory can be added to the machine, although the 64Mb installed by default should be enough for most applications and data storage.
Synchronisation with a PC is provided by the included software, which facilitates the standard job of backing up all data on the handheld. However, data can be copied to and from the unit after it is mounted as a drive on a PC. This is an easy way of sharing documents.
Size isn't a problem as the iPAQ measures just 130 x 83.5 x 15.9mm. Management of the unit is best performed centrally but, as with other products on review, this is only possible with the addition of third-party software.
Product Info - Compaq iPAQ H3660
Build Quality: 4/5
Features: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Hewlett Packard Jornada 568
The 568 is HP's palm-style PocketPC. It competes directly with the Compaq iPAQ, although we weren't as impressed with it. It's a similar size and weight - 132 x 76.5 x 17.2mm and 173g - but doesn't feel as tough.
A plastic flip-top cover protects the screen for transportation, and opens up like a communicator in Star Trek. But the plastic hinges don't feel very strong and it can only be a matter of time before they break off. The angle that it sits at means that you have to be careful not to block the IrDA port.
Operation of the device is the same as for other PocketPC devices. A stylus that slots in the back of the machine is used in conjunction with the touch screen for navigation and data entry. However, we didn't find the screen as good on the HP as the Compaq. The iPAQ's screen was more vibrant and the text slightly clearer.
For mass text entry you might want to consider getting the foldaway keyboard. This is the same as the one available for the Palm and could negate the need for a laptop in some situations.
HP goes someway in redeeming itself with the additional software that it installs on the device, the most useful of which is the backup function. This allows all of the data on the device to be copied onto a CF card. In the event that a PC or network is not close by, this option is the next best thing. There's also a task switcher included that makes it easier to switch between running applications. This is something that is sadly missing from most PocketPC PDAs, especially when running tasks that take up valuable resources.
A lot of the other tools are of a consumer nature. For example, there's an MP3 application so that the Jornada can become a portable player. The screen can even be turned off in this mode, so that battery power isn't wasted while music is playing.
Of course, the more you use the unit the more storage you'll want. HP packs 64Mb into this model, but there's a Type II CF slot in the back. This can either be used for something like an IBM microdrive, or a Bluetooth adapter. Unlike the Compaq jacket system, this means that you're limited to one kind of expansion. Connection to a computer is through the supplied USB cradle. This is used to synchronise the information on the Jornada with a PC. The cradle also doubles as the power charger.
With slightly flimsy hardware, a more expensive price tag and limited expansion, it makes the iPAQ a generally better choice if you want PocketPC.
Product Info - HP Jornada 568
Build Quality: 3/5
Features: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
HP Jornada 720
The Jornada 720 is a PocketPC with a keyboard. However, despite being newer than the Psion Series 5, the keyboard is smaller than on the sadly discontinued product. On top of that, it's actually a bigger unit overall, measuring 189 x 95 x 34mm and weighing 510g.
And the poor quality screen doesn't help matters. The standard LCD is grainy to look at and doesn't have a very good viewing angle. The lighting across the screen gives an uneven appearance, so there's always a dark patch in the corner of your eye.
But it's not all bad, as the unit is well specified. Being the size it is, there's room on board for a Type II PC Card slot and a Type I CF slot. This is located under a trap door under the rear of the machine. While this does make it unusable for items such as CF modems, it shouldn't be a problem as the 720 has a built in 56Kbps modem. If all of this still isn't enough, then the IrDA and USB ports should more than compensate.
The operating system used on this machine is also easier to get to grips with than on handheld devices. Visually it resembles the Windows 9x interface, complete with desktop and start menu.
The standard PocketPC applications are installed including Pocket Outlook, Word and Excel. In addition, the 720 also has Pocket Access and PowerPoint. Each one of these applications has file formats compatible with the desktop equivalent.
Web connectivity is provided via Internet Explorer. Setting this up to use an internet account couldn't be easier, as the dialogue boxes resemble those used in IE for desktops. It's just a matter of entering the telephone number, username and password, and then picking the connection method - onboard modem or IrDA port.
This interface is used in exactly the same way as on a desktop computer. The 32Mb of onboard memory can be browsed for files in the same way that you'd browse a hard disk, making it very easy to organise any information that you've got stored on the PDA.
Getting this information from the unit to a desktop is done through the provided Microsoft synchronisation software. It automatically synchronises the Pocket Outlook information with the desktop equivalent and backs up all files. The software can also be used to remotely browse files on the unit and perform drag and drop file actions. Centralised management, as for other devices in this test, has to be performed through third-party software.
This is the same for security. The default password protection system isn't very reliable and encryption should really be installed on these devices as standard.
The size of the device and the price will be off-putting to a lot of people, especially when faced with a poor LCD screen and tiny keyboard. This lets down an otherwise feature packed and expandable device.
Product Info - HP Jornada 720
Build Quality: 2/5
Features: 4/5
Performance: 3/5
Value for Money: 2/5
Overall: 3/5
Psion NetBook
Psion may have dropped its PDAs but it has kept the best product in the line, the NetBook. Aimed at corporations, it's either a large PDA or small laptop depending on your view. Measuring 235 x 182 x 37mm and weighing 2.5lbs, the device is big enough to hold a 7.7" display and large keyboard, yet portable enough to fit in a small bag.
The sturdy clamshell casing opens to reveal the screen, which sits at a perfect viewing angle when using the keyboard. The keyboard is very impressive and suitable for writing a lot of text.
As this is a Psion the NetBook runs the Symbian Epoc operating system, which is the same as on the Nokia Communicator. However, on the netBook the crisp display is also touch sensitive and a large stylus is used to navigate through the menus.
As with the communicator, the NetBook has contact and diary facilities, as well as a word processor and spreadsheet for serious work. The large screen and keyboard make working on this device a lot easier than on the communicator. Connectivity to the outside world is through the email application and the Opera web browser.
This is standards compliant and has a fully blown Java virtual machine, so all web pages should be displayed properly. The set up of internet and email accounts is just a matter of following the wizard through the steps.
Dial-up connections are either through a mobile phone and the IrDA port, or by buying a Psion 56Kbps modem to put in the Type II PC Card slot. At the moment there's no method of adding Bluetooth capabilities to the device.
In addition to the PC Card slot, there's a Type II CF slot. We were provided with a 16Mb card, but you can also install an IBM MicroDrive if you want more storage than this. This is, of course, on top of the 32Mb of standard Ram, which can be upgraded to 64Mb if you prefer.
With a realistic battery life approaching eight hours, this is really an amazing mobile tool. It doesn't have the application flexibility of a laptop, but standard web browsing, email and word processing mean its top of the bunch.
Product Info - Psion NetBook
Build Quality: 4/5
Features: 4/5
Performance: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Compaq N400c
The N400c is a good example of what a mobile notebook should be like. Measuring just 22 x 266 x 242mm and weighing 1.58kg it's easy to carry around and small enough to fit in any bag. There's no need to lug around multiple cases just to carry everything.
But the small size doesn't mean that it misses out on any features. The keyboard is full sized and can be used for large data entry tasks, and control of the icon is through a track-point.
The 12.1" TFT screen gives a clear picture at a resolution of 1024x768. The magnesium alloy case ensures that the screen is protected and doesn't flex when the lid is touched.
In situations where you need to present, there's a VGA port on the side. Connectivity is all provided inside the case. Onboard are a 56Kbps modem, Fast Ethernet network adapter, IrDA, and two USB ports. An optional wireless module can clip onto the case, which leaves the Type II PC Card slot free for other expansions such as Bluetooth.
Internally a low voltage Intel Pentium III processor - 700MHz or 850MHz versions available - with SpeedStep technology powers the machine. SpeedStep slows the processor's clock speed down as power starts to run out in order to save on juice. Storage is provided by a 20Gb hard disk.
In this state the onboard battery will give around 2.5 hours of power, but an external battery pack can be added to bring this up to five hours. Of course this depends on usage and the number of power saving options turned on. For space and weight saving reasons there are no floppy or CD drives provided.
Instead these are made available in a clip-on expansion pack. This has two drive bays which can either be used to house external media drives or additional batteries. However, we wouldn't recommend the batteries, as carrying the expansion pack around as well kind of defeats the point of having an ultra-portable notebook.
The best use for this pack is as a docking station back in the office. It has its own USB, power and VGA ports, as well as providing PS2 keyboard and mouse connections. If you decide that the N400c is going to be your sole work machine, then the expansion pack is a necessity.
Compaq installs some custom software for management of the machine. The Knowledge Centre is probably the most useful, as it links into a support archive. The other application is used to view hardware and software information on the device. It gives a more detailed view than Sysinfo and can be accessed remotely.
As a lightweight, but powerful computer the N400 excels. It's rugged enough to be thrown about with your luggage, but won't break your back when you carry it all the time.
Product Info - Compaq N400c
Build Quality: 4/5
Features: 4/5
Performance: 3/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
Sharp Muramasa PC-UM10
The Muramasa is everything a mobile computer should be: light, compact and including all you need built in. It's amazing to look at, as it only measures 282 x 232 x 16.6mm and weighs 1.3Kg.
But inside this tiny form factor is a 20Gb hard drive, 128Mb of Ram and an ultra-low voltage mobile Pentium III 600MHz. There's certainly enough power for the operating system of choice, which is Windows 2000.
The display is a 12.1" black TFT screen which reduces glare and improves the quality of the colour, and it really does work. Even more impressive is the keyboard. Opening the laptop raises the keyboard out of the casing, which gives better travel on key presses. Without a doubt, this is the best keyboard that we've ever used on a notebook. The on-screen pointer is controlled through a surprisingly good glide panel.
Sharp doesn't provide any software with the unit outside of Windows 2000, so management, security and office applications will all have to be provided after the laptop has been bought.
Connectivity is all onboard, with both Fast Ethernet and a 56Kb modem residing inside the case. This is rounded off with a USB port and a Type II PC Card slot. There are no legacy ports on the device, including the surprising lack of an IrDA port. Connection to a mobile phone would have to be made either via a Bluetooth adapter or a serial connection to the I/O port.
The I/O port is also used to connect to the supplied docking strip which houses the parallel, serial, VGA and dual USB ports. And, if you really must, it's small enough to stick in a bag and carry around as well.
With the size of the device it's obvious that there's no room on board for floppy or CDRom drives. Instead, these are provided as optional extras and connect via USB.
By keeping these devices off the unit the battery life has been extended. It now reaches around three hours, depending on the workload. This is impressive for a slim-line battery pack and beats other laptops hands down. This slim-line design may give the impression that the Muramasa is going to be delicate to carry, but it isn't.
Sharp has made sure that the unit is tough enough to be carried around all the time. The chassis is made from aluminium, and the case from magnesium. This makes it lightweight, but extremely tough.
This all shows other companies how to make decent, truly portable laptops. Everything that doesn't need to be carried around has been stripped off and made an external option, leaving the bare guts that you need to work. This is easily the best mobile notebook on the market.
Product Info - Sharp Muramasa PC-UM10
Build Quality: 5/5
Features: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Conclusion
This test has covered a lot of different products and the ultimate choice will come down to application. For example, if a specific Windows-based application is needed for work, then a notebook is the only choice. But within that limit there are three products that stood out above the rest. We've decided to give out one Editor's Choice award and two Recommended awards.
The Editor's Choice award goes to Sharp and the Muramasa. It's an amazing work of engineering and highly portable as well. It's got enough power to run any work-related applications, and the battery life to cope with life on the road.
Our first Recommended award goes to Psion for the netBook. This product perfectly demonstrates how the simple premise of a PDA can be applied to create a machine that can beat notebooks for simple tasks. If all your job requires is access to email, the web and word processing, then the netBook is a cheaper, better solution than a notebook.
Our second Recommended award goes to Palm for the m505. If your users just need basic access to email and a method of organising their day, then the Palm is the best product for this job. It's cheaper than its PocketPC based rivals, because of its focus on doing one job.
Management and security
vnunet.com's sister publication Network News will be covering the issue of managing mobile devices early next year, but until then here are some tips. Mobile devices are notoriously difficult to secure, and very easy to steal. But if you've got sensitive documents on a machine then the last thing you want is to lose them. For this reason encryption should be used to secure all data.
If the device goes missing, then at least the data can't be stolen. But don't count on the default security options that you get with mobile devices, as they're not actually very good.
Management is the other big issue, as these devices can be walked past the company firewall and typically have a low visibility profile. Our advice is to get some third-party software, such as that provided by PumaTech, and dictate the applications that will be installed on each device. Make sure that you put all of this information in your security policy, and remember to treat mobile devices in exactly the same way as anything else on the network.
See also:
A truly large colour screen and a practical keyboard make this the perfect device for the business user. 02 Jan 2002All Mobile Communications
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