7. Put To The Test: The PDA Benchmark

For the first time, THG has used the PDA benchmark of our cooperation partner PC Professionell to rate the performance and battery life for each of the devices. The benchmark derives the performance score from three factors that are relevant to the power of a pocket PC and that are the smallest common denominators of all three devices: CPU performance, 2D graphics performance and data throughput.

CPU Performance: Integer, Floating-Point And Heap Management

The Pocket PC Benchmark calculates CPU speed using two different algorithms. One measures how swiftly the processor performs integer commands; the other, floating-point commands. Dynamic memory management performance (heap) is determined using a third algorithm.

CPU Performance: Integer Arithmetic

The algorithm used in this test is based on the sieve algorithm. This algorithm, also known as the "Sieve of Erastothenes," calculates prime numbers. This gives you insight on how quickly the CPU can perform random access commands for the main memory. The calculated value specifies how long the PDA needs to calculate the prime numbers.

With its CPU Turbo mode, the MyPal A600 managed to stay several steps ahead of the competition in this discipline.

CPU Performance: Floating-Point Arithmetic

This section of the benchmark calculates a mathematical formula using a constant series of random numbers. The benchmark measures how long the calculation lasts.

The MyPal A600 scores higher than the Pocket Loox in this test, as well. The slower clock on the Yakumo Alpha's StrongARM CPU forces it to take the booby prize.