Q: Should I get a PC Card modem or an external one?

A: PC Card modems have a cleaner cable setup, uses same power supply as HP 100/200, and are smaller than external modems. External modems let you run a modem and have a memory card in the Palmtop at the same time. This leaves you more room to store incoming messages. It also doesn't drain HP 100/200LX batteries, as PC Card modems do.

While a pocket modem typically draws power from a battery or from an AC power supply, a PC Card modem draws all power from the Palmtop. Most PC Card modems are designed to work on larger machines with plenty of battery power. There are stories of PC Card modems draining Palmtop batteries very quickly. This drain can occur whether the modem is in use or not. One way around this is to use an AC adapter on the Palmtop while your PC Card modem is inserted.