The next generation... (Compaq Aero 8000)

Member Name: fjpickett

Product:	Compaq Aero 8000
Date:	25/10/00 (172 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, easy to use, great display

Disadvantages: A bit big for the pocket

Although this is classified here as a PDA, it might be considered a baby laptop. The difference is that it has no disc drives, and the operating system (Windows CE) and applications are all in ROM. This is both good and bad, or to put it another way, there's no such thing as a free lunch. If, like me, you get fed up with waiting for Windows to boot and programs to load, you'll love the fact that both operations are virtually instant. You shut down by closing the lid, and boot up the same way. Windows CE includes 'pocket' versions of Word and Excel, and this one comes with Access and Powerpoint as well. In fact, you can run a Powerpoint slideshow directly from the Aero to an external display or projector, as it has the necessary output, which is common enough in a laptop, but unheard of in a PDA.

The downside is that there isn't any real mass storage, but few will have this as their only computer, and if you've got an ordinary PC back at base, all you have to do is link the two with the supplied cable and transfer any files you've written. If your PC is new enough to have an IRDA (infra-red) link, you might even be able to dispense with the piece of wire, although I think this is really intended to communicate with external devices such as printers, mobile phones or another Windows CE device. The Aero also has slots for more memory (up to 64Mb), a PCMCIA card and a Smart Card, which can be used for security purposes.

What sets it apart from pocketable PDA's is its size, and this, more than anything else, will determine its appeal. It really isn't much smaller than a notebook computer (although it is a lot slimmer and lighter) but this is simply because it has a proper 800x600 display and a full-size keyboard. Both of these are a joy to use. The display, which is made by Sharp, is just plain wonderful, and I was staggered to learn that it is a DSTN, rather than TFT, type. This is for power consumption reasons, bu
t you would never know. If you do much typing or spreadsheet work, this is reason enough to buy it, especially if you use Word or Excel back at the office. Did I mention that it has a 56k modem built in too? It comes with a version of Internet Explorer, so you can plug straight into a phone socket and surf the 'net without any speed or screen compromises.

Whether you'll actually want to spend £500 on one is debatable. This is a lot for a PDA, but not for the functionality it offers, which is much more like a notebook. Indeed, it's better than a notebook in some respects, as it takes no time to boot or load applications, makes no noise (even the keyboard is quiet) and has a decent battery life of 6-7 hours. You have to download your work regularly if you use it to create files (although for corporate users who just want to calculate mortgage rates or insurance premiums, that won't be an issue) and the Microsoft programs installed are 'lite' versions of their desktop counterparts. This isn't necessarily a disadvantage, as it makes them both easier to drive and harder to crash.

My overall verdict is that if it is the sort of thing you want, you'll love it. If you want something to go in your pocket, however, buy a Palm.

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