The Clio C-1050 is a Microsoft Windows CE-based handheld that can do much more than sit in your hands. It can swing around and lay in your lap, so you can take notes with the stylus, or it can pivot into an easel format, so you can use it to make presentations. One might even say that the Clio is schizophrenic.

What are the components that make the Clio so versatile and so useful? Besides having the luxury of "instant on" computing that you get with CE, the 9.4 inch, 640 x 480 pixel, 65K color DSTN display has a touch panel and a CCFT backlight for easy viewing in not-so-easy conditions. The touch panel is useful for when you use the Clio in tablet mode. A pivoting arm allows you to swing the display over the keyboard and use the stylus to access files, lists, and other features or take notes using the ParaGraph CalliGrapher handwriting recognition software.

Now, should you opt not to use the touch panel for data input and navigation, a 16.5mm center-to-center touch-type keyboard is also part of the Clio. Using the pivoting arm again, the keyboard can be rotated to set the device up like a notebook computer. Then you can adjust the screen to an angle that is comfortable for you to use and begin typing away.

But how about those times when you are in a meeting or with a client, and you want to show off a presentation or some charts and graphs? The Clio simply rotates again like an easel, so you can touch your way through the presentation. The 9.4 in screen will provide enough space for you to definitely get your point across.

As for communications and software, the Clio is pretty well-equipped. The Windows CE H/PC Professional Edition Software will run Pocket Outlook Professional, Pocket Office Professional, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Pocket Internet Explorer. Also included is Bsquare bFAX for sending and receiving faxes, bUSEFUL Backup, Citrix ICA Client, Vadem Viewfinder, print drivers, and an Internet connection wizard. Oh, yes, the Clio will connect to the Internet. A 56 K v.90 modem is built in.

The Clio's workday is about as long as yours, running for about 10 hours at a time on a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. It is fairly compact at 8.75 x 11.25 x 0.96 inches and weighs in at 3.2 lbs.

Pricing and Availability

The Clio C-1050 will run you about $999, but at this time it is out of stock with a back-order time of 4 to 6 weeks.

(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. )