Sharp ZQ-800PC

Sharp's ZQ-800PC organiser is an attempt at a more flexible system than the company's low-cost devices. It offers pen-based input, desktop synchronisation and downloadable applications.

The interface is Sharp's own; navigation is done with a four-way scroll wheel, plus Esc, Enter and Menu buttons.

It's easy enough to get to grips with, but nothing special. You can't switch from one task to another as swiftly as with Palm OS, for example.

Text entry is by tapping on a printed Qwerty keyboard below the display, with numbers and other characters displayed on screen. The screen itself has a backlight, but really isn't that impressive. We found entering information a little cumbersome: after tapping Save, it took a couple of seconds to store information, and another couple to return to the address screen, for example. Compared to Palm or Pocket PC, that's very slow.

The desktop software lets you enter information directly to the organiser, but you'd be better off using Outlook.

Another disappointment is the attachment support, trumpeted on the packaging for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, .pdf and HTML.

But it extends only to the text of those documents, so if you wanted to carry around a .pdf of the London Tube map, you're out of luck.

While this device does its job, it seems slow and less flexible compared to similarly priced Palm OS devices. Look at it if the idea of Graffiti doesn't appeal, otherwise try Palm's new Zire.

SPECS

• 7MB of Ram
• 1.5MB of Rom
• Sharp OS
• 50 x 50mm screen, 160 x 160 resolution backlit monochrome
• 108g
• 68 x 14 x 108mm (w x d x h)
• PC sync for Outlook software
• Serial connection to PC

DETAILS

Price: £100 (£85 ex VAT)

Contact: Sharp 0800 138 8879