Re: Pocket PC and Palm Compared

nekrophage wrote:

> This article presents several glaring inaccuracies:
>
> -2. OS looks better, more modern, than PalmOS. Support for Clear Type.
>
> This is subjective; many find the Palm interface more attractive.
> Support for anti-aliasing can be obtained with 3rd-party utilities
> (FontSmoother).
>
> -3. It has good support for the Exchange server that most businesses
> care about.
>
> I don't know how well it works, but Versamail also supports Exchange.

Depends on what you want to do with Exchange--it does more than just
mail--it provides central management of just about everything that is a
standard feature of Palm Desktop and adds some bells and whistles such as
shared calendars--it also allows an organization to back all that stuff up
in one shot.

However, it is fully integrated with Outlook and hotsynching with Outlook
provides as much Exchange support as I've ever needed in a PDA (I also have
cell phone, desk phone, and smart wristwatch support that way).

There are also direct synchronization solutions from OneBridge and
Intellisync, and most Palms that can access the Web can access Exchange
Server directly via the Web interface.

> -9. Runs on faster XScale hardware than PalmOS usually.
>
> This is debatable, as PocketPC is often thought to be more sluggish
> than Palm.
>
> -11. Apps use the full 320x240 resolution (instead of the 160x160 that
> most PalmOS apps use and double-pixel at 320x320)
>
> Almost all Palm apps run at the full 320x320; some Palms even have
> 320x480 screens.
>
> -11. Better office format compliancy, MS Office is usually bundled with
> the PDA
>
> All recent PalmOne PDAs come with Documents To Go, which is actually
> just as good as MS Office (check at CNET.com)
>
> -15. Able to install/run apps from flash addon cards and built-in
> storage
>
> Last time I checked, my Tungsten E (which is now several years old)
> could run apps from the SD card...

Ditto my NX-70.

> -17. More PocketPC devices include a microphone for voice notes.

Maybe "more" do but whether this is an advantage depends on your
environment. Some businesses do not want employees walking around with
recording devices in their pockets. In any case my NX-70 has no problem
recording voice, still pictures, or video.

> 18.
> Supports resolutions up to VGA and there are already at least 5 devices
> shipped with it.
>
> Most PocketPC devices have a 320x240 screen; most Palm devices have a
> 320x320 screen... Also, support for VGA is not built into the OS on
> most of these devices.
>
> -2. Most apps run at 160x160, even if the screen is capable of 320x320
> or more (they double-pixel).
>
> That's just wrong; ALL the apps I use run at 320x320 properly.
>
> -5. PalmOS doesn't let you install applications on built-in storage or
> flash cards, at least not without third party, nasty, hacks. Only data
> can be installed on flash cards
>
> False.
>
> -9. Hey PalmOS, the mid-90s called, they want their UI and fonts back
>
> I agree that native Palm fonts aren't great, but they can be changed
> easily enough (FontSmoother again). As for an ugly UI... Am I the only
> one who hates that nauseating shade of turquoise they put on buttons?
>
> -10. Doesn't use memory as efficiently as PPC does.
>
> While the dynamic memory system on PocketPC might be better (I don't
> really know), Palm apps are about twice as memory-efficient...
>
> Looks like the writer of that wasn't exactly up-to-date...
>
> I rest my case.
>
> (please feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made)

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
.