Acer n30

Pocket PCs are typically bulkier and heavier than other kinds of handheld computer, such as the Palm series. Advances in processor technology and case design are now paying off, though, and Acer's n30 is a svelte and attractive, but deceptively powerful, handheld.

It contains a 266MHz processor, which is not among the fastest in the range, but is more than capable of handling all the standard applications. These include Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Internet Explorer, as well as third-party applications, of which there are many.

The handheld has come a long way since the days when the devices were primarily digital diaries. This one will synchronise with Microsoft Outlook (not Outlook Express) as standard, and make sure that your mail, contacts, notes, task list and calendar are up to date on both desktop and pocket computer.

The 64Mb of memory included in the n30 can be configured to reflect your needs. If you want to reserve most of it for file storage, and only a little for applications, it's easily done from the Settings program.

It also comes with a version of Windows Media Player, as well as a picture viewer, which makes it a cheaper, better-specified alternative to the new dedicated portable media players. If you use it that way, you may have to add some memory using an SD card (a 512Mb card costs around £100), as 64Mb will only take you so far.

The 320 x 240 resolution touch-sensitive screen is sharp and clear, and entering text with the supplied stylus is easy once you've got the hang of it.

The USB cable it uses for charging the battery and talking to the PC also acts as a USB host adapter, so you can plug in a USB flash drive or even a portable hard disk if you don't mind carrying the cable around.

The distinguishing feature of the n30 is its support for Bluetooth, the standard for communicating between nearby devices, so it can synchronise wirelessly to a Bluetooth-enabled PC or, usefully, make use of your mobile phone to access the internet.

Not all phones offer this feature, and it would be worth contacting your network operator to find out what call package and phone would suit you best if you wanted to do this. It can be a little tricky to set up a Bluetooth connection with the various security options, but the n30 managed to set up connections with both our test phone and test PC, allowing us to transfer files.

It's also extremely useful to be able to access the internet (through Pocket Internet Explorer, which is supplied with the n30) on the move, rather than the cut-down Wap phone version.

Contact: Acer 01753 699200
www.acer.co.uk

Also consider:
PalmOne Zire 31. £130. Basic but functional, this will appeal to anyone who doesn't need bells and whistles.