11. HEWLETT PACKARD Jornada 565/568 - Good Ergonomics

Hewlett Packard Jornada 586.

Jornada users have had to make do with the slowest processors of all the Pocket PCs until now. The CPU used in the now rather obsolete Jornada 525 and 548 is manufactured by Hitachi and pokes along at 133 MHz. Hewlett-Packard has now made up for this shortcoming in the Jornada 565 and 568. The only difference between these two Pocket PCs is the amount of RAM that they have. The 565 has 32 MB RAM, while the 568 has 64 MB. There is also a price difference of about $50. The two Jornadas are the lightest models in the test, weighing in at only 173 g. The 565 costs $549, while the 568 retails for $599.

The HP models are equipped with a removable cover on the CF card slot so that they can also accommodate Extended CF cards.

Hewlett-Packard has added a slot for Type I CF cards, which is fitted with a removable cover so that you can also use wider CF cards (Extended Type 1). The ergonomic design of the Jornadas is acceptable. One of its main weaknesses is its low display luminosity - in this discipline, Hewlett-Packard barely produces 52.4 candelas per square meter. Yet another problem is the stylus, which is affixed so loosely to the Jornada's case that tipping the PDA ever so slightly to one side will cause the stylus to fall out. Despite this defect, the manufacturer does not supply a replacement stylus. The positive aspects of the Jornada more than make up for these weaknesses, though.

Hewlett-Packard is the only manufacturer that enables you to freely adjust the brightness of the displays. What's more, the contrast is above average. The integrated speakers produce a clear, albeit quiet sound. Hewlett-Packard is also the only manufacturer to furnish its Pocket PCs with an integrated display cover. The Jornadas come with a comprehensive software package that is not limited to just the standard programs for Pocket PCs. Buyers will also find applications that have been developed by Hewlett-Packard itself, such as the Jornada Task Switcher and Home Menu, which facilitate navigation. The retail package contains image viewers and other useful tools, too.