Maybe HP is pulling back a bit on its R&D budget with the recent economic downturn, but at least the developers were able to eek out the Jornada 720 Handheld PC before that happened. A mobile, connected device, the 720 will keep you current with everything you need while you're on the go, including emails, documents, and presentations.

Weighing 1.1 pounds, it's considerably lighter than a laptop, but a bit more hefty than a Pocket PC. Even so, when you get to actually type on a keyboard instead of hunt-and-peck with a stylus, you'll gladly carry around those few extra ounces.

This device runs the Windows for Handheld PC 2000 operating system, so you can be certain it will come with a full suite of Microsoft software, and indeed it does. You'll be able to work in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Media Player for Handheld PC, and PowerPoint, and you can browse with Internet Explorer 4.01 or check email with Pocket Outlook. Then you'll be able to sync all of that work you do away from the office with your desktop computer using ActiveSync 3.1, but keep in mind you'll also have about 32 MB SDRAM to save your files.

If you want to get connected to a variety of things, you should definitely look at this device. Input/output features include a PC Card Type II slot, a CompactFlash Type I card slot, a Smart Card reader card slot, an RS232 serial port, an IrDA port, and a RJ11 modem port. An internal v.90 56K modem is included in the 720.

Processing power is generated by a 206 MHz 32-bit StrongARM SA1110 processor. Your work will be displayed on the 6.5 in color 640 x 240 color LCD, and the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery will drain in about 9 hours.

Pricing and Availability

The HP Jornada 720 is currently available for $999.

(For access to more than 4,500 other hands-on product reviews on all variety of wired and wireless appliance and consumer devices, go to the iAppliance Web Portal Page. )