Sony Clie PEG NZ90

At a few pence short of £600, you have every right to expect a special handheld computer. Sony would no doubt claim it has delivered one too and in one sense, it's correct - the NZ90 is feature packed, though at the expense of portability and to some extent, usability too.

The hardware is both large and heavy. Its weight will be apparent whether you carry the NZ90 in a bag or a pocket. It is taller than any other handheld we've seen and there is an ungainly bulge on its back which accommodates both the camera and the docking cradle connector.

The docking cradle is irritating. It folds so as to be more portable and stands sturdily when opened out but the docking process remains fiddly thanks to the awkward position of the connector.

There is no doubting the capabilities of the NZ90, though. The camera has a flash and a lens cover - both of which are unique in the handheld world - and can snap at a range of resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 and even capture video at 160 x 112. Its two megapixel capability can't deliver the quality a dedicated digital camera can but it's still a cut above every other handheld-based camera we've seen. The vast array of software provided by Sony includes tools for managing images, listening to music, infrared control of TVs and other devices, and taking voice notes. Bluetooth is built in. There are both Compact Flash and Memory Stick slots with which to augment the 16Mb of memory, of which only 11Mb is actually available.

We're undecided about all the buttons that range around the sides of the hardware. Gizmo fans will love them but they could easily bewilder less experienced users. They definitely go against Palm's 'keep it simple' ethos, which underpins the operating system and much of Palm's own hardware. The swivel screen can hide or leave revealed a tiny keypad suitable for tapping out memos or short notes.

The NZ90 shows what can be done with the handheld format. Whether you want all the features on offer, can manage the weight and have a budget large enough to afford them is another matter.

Contact: Sony 0870 542 4424
www.clieplaza.com