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Editors' Top Handhelds
updated December 9, 2004
 
Bonnie Cha, Associate Editor
  Hundreds of PDA manufacturers promise to save your poor disorganized, disconnected soul. We've assembled a list of the top handhelds on the market--from multifunctional Palm-based PDAs to basic Pocket PCs, from bargain-basement deals to flashy bank-busters. Clean up your life with one of these star products. -- Bonnie Cha, Associate Editor
 
Handhelds  |  Pocket PCs  |  Palms  |  Smart phones

Shopping by brand? According to CNET editors, here are this category's major players.
Asus  |  Dell  |  HP  |  palmOne  |  RIM  |  Sony  |  Toshiba
 
Handhelds
Handhelds Editors' rating Price Summary
HP iPaq Pocket PC H4350 Editors' Choice
Released: 10/13/2003
8.6 out of 10 8.6
Very good
$449-$499
from 3 stores
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It's longer than your average Pocket PC, but its integrated keyboard and higher-capacity battery make the H4350 a top choice for heavy Wi-Fi users.
Specs: Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 , Keyboard , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Intel 400 MHzPXA255 , 64 MB
 

palmOne Treo 600 (CDMA) Editors' Choice

8.6 out of 10 8.6
Very good
$349-$559
from 5 stores
Check latest prices
 
Handspring's parting shot, the Treo 600, is one of the better blends of phone and PDA that we've seen to date.
Specs: Palm OS 5.2.1 , Keyboard , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , Texas Instruments 144 MHz , 32 MB
 

Sony CLIÉ PEG-UX50 Editors' Choice
Released: 09/15/2003
8.6 out of 10 8.6
Very good
$398-$409
from 4 stores
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The handheld meets the laptop in Sony's fully loaded, clamshell-style CLIE UX-50 PDA.
Specs: Palm OS 5.2 , Keyboard , Jog Dial , Stylus , Touch-screen , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Sony 123 MHzHandheld Engine CXD2230GA , 40 MB
 

Garmin iQue 3600 Editors' Choice
Released: 07/01/2003
8.2 out of 10 8.2
Very good
$415-$549
from 21 stores
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Despite its poor battery life, this Garmin is a powerful PDA and an accomplished GPS device.
Specs: Palm OS 5.0 , Stylus , Touch-screen , Scroll button , IrDA , Motorola 150 MHz , 32 MB
 

Dell Axim X30 Editors' Choice
Released: 05/18/2004
8.1 out of 10 8.1
Very good
$349
from 2 stores
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Hold on to your handheld--the X30's fast processor runs away with strong performance and the latest OS to make for a powerful Pocket PC.
Specs: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Intel 624 MHz , 64 MB
 

Tapwave Zodiac2 (128MB)

8.0 out of 10 8.0
Very good
$312-$363
from 7 stores
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The Zodiac is a slick multimedia Palm and portable gaming device, but its success will depend on its game library.
Specs: Palm OS 5.2T , Stylus , Touch-screen , Bluetooth , Motorola 200 MHz , 128 MB
 

HP iPaq Pocket PC H2210 Editors' Choice
Released: 06/23/2003
8.0 out of 10 8.0
Very good
$367-$434
from 9 stores
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In the middle of HP’s 2003 iPaq line, the dual-expansion H2210 will hit the sweet spot for many Pocket PC buyers.
Specs: Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 Premium , Stylus , Touch-screen , Bluetooth , Intel 400 MHz , 64 MB
 

palmOne Tungsten T3 Editors' Choice
Released: 10/01/2003
8.0 out of 10 8.0
Very good
$289-$349
from 9 stores
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The Palm Tungsten T3 combines powerful business and multimedia features with a Schwarzenegger-size screen.
Specs: Palm OS 5.2.1 , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , Bluetooth , Intel 400 MHz , 64 MB
 

HP iPaq hx2750


$503-$549
from 25 stores
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Specs: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Intel 634 MHzXscale , 128 MB
 

HP iPaq Pocket PC h6315
Released: 07/26/2004
7.9 out of 10 7.9
Good
$478-$748
from 36 stores
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While bulky, the iPaq h6315 offers strong performance and plenty of high-end features for professionals looking for an all-in-one device.
Specs: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition , Keyboard , Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button , IrDA , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Texas Instruments 200 MHzOMAP1510 , 64 MB
 

HP iPaq Pocket PC hx4700
Released: 07/26/2004
7.9 out of 10 7.9
Good
$569-$708
from 24 stores
Check latest prices
 
The hx4700 offers powerful features and solid performance for on-the-go professionals--just be prepared to pay a hefty price.
Specs: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition , Touchpad , Stylus , Touch-screen , IrDA , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth , Intel 624 MHzXscale , 64 MB