Palm Z22

The Palm Z22 has a great colour screen, together with word and number recognition software at the bottom of the screen.

This is so easy to use. Forget the hidden keyboard and learn how to write directly on the word and number section - it takes time but it's worth it.

I personally have the Z22 synchronised with my PC, so if the battery does run out (or if you have forgotten to charge it) you just re-synchronise and you lose nothing.

The charger is easy to use (not like the HP PDA's with charger insertion problems).

It has a diary, mail, notes, memo's, infrared connection, reminders and tasks etc., but there is no bluetooth or Wifi.

If you forget to charge it for three days you may lose everything, so make sure you synchronise it with your PC.

This is a very cheap PDA, mainly for people starting off, so if you are buying a PDA for yourself and you are on a budget, this is the one.

In a way I love the little Palm Z22 as it's so easy to carry around with me. Not sure though if I am happy enough to bin my Filofax. For me time-keeping and note-taking is also a personal thing which I like to do in my handwriting - a Palm is not the same although there are applications around that can work with your handwriting. From a no-more-paper point of view certainly a big plus but there will be always paperwork that I need to carry with me (which fits perfectly into my Filofax). The Palm Z22 has convinced me for travelling or holidays (where the battery will be tested as I do not like to take the charget with me).

Right know, I use both at the same time to find out which is the best solution for me. Most likely I will end up with a combination of both.

Pure frustration in using this Palm Z22 PDA. The Keyboard option very often fails to respond and is extremely slow to enter details. Power indicator will highlight battery as 3/4 full and then just close down until a full recharge (usually just when you need it). In 8 months I've had it I've had to reset my Palm 4 times; I'd have binned mine if it hadn't had packed up for good.

Palm also will not offer a replacement or fix it as 8 months is outside their guarantee period (not sure how legal this is). So If you buy a Palm product and its fails after 6 months you're on your own. Given Palm's policy of not giving a standard 12 months guarantee choose a brand that cares about the consumer and offers you the very basic protection. Palm owners, my fingers are crossed for you.