We Compare...The HP 200LX, 360LX & 620LX Palmtop PCs

Hewlett-Packard's new entries in the Windows CE handheld market are the 360LX and 620LX Palmtop PCs. Both use the Windows CE 2.0 operating system and both are larger and heavier than the 200LX. Although you can still fit the 620LX in a coat pocket, it's now a bit of a squeeze.
 
 

Palmtop PC

 Size

 Weight (with batteries)

 200LX

6.3 x 3.4 x 1 in (16 x 8.64 x 2.54 cm)

 11 oz

 360LX

 7.2 x 3.67 x 1.1 in (18.3 x 9.4 x 2.9 cm)

 15.6 oz

 620LX

 7.8 x 4.1 x 1.4 in (17.8 x 10.4 x 3.6 cm)

 20.6 oz
 
 

CPU and Memory

 On paper, the newer Palmtop PCs look more powerful, with faster processors and larger amounts of internal RAM. But they are running a more complex operating system and applications. These more powerful processors don't necessarily mean faster operation. For example, the 620LX is powered by a 75 MHz processor, while the 200LX's processor runs at about 8MHz. But many 200LX users who have compared the two say that they can access information faster on the 200LX.
 
 

Palmtop PC

 CPU Speed

 RAM Memory

 ROM Memory

 200LX

 8 MHz

 2-4 MB

 3MB

 360LX

 60 Mhz

 8 MB

 10 MB

 620LX

 75 Mhz

 16 MB

 10 MB
 
 

Additional hardware features and battery life

 Both of the new Palmtop PCs have a standard PC Card slot, a CompactFlash slot, and IrDA-compliant infrared port and a serial port. The 200LX comes with a standard PC Card slot, an IrDA infrared port and a serial port. The 620LX comes with a backlit color screen, which is easy to read and looks nice, but drains the batteries quickly. The 360LX has a monochrome screen and has a better battery life, but it is still considerably less than the battery life of a 200LX.
 
 

Palmtop PC

 Battery life (hrs of continuous use)

 200LX

 25-40 hrs (lithium batteries)

 360LX

 10-15 hrs (NiMH rechargeables)

 620LX

 5-7 hrs (Lithium-ion battery pack)
 
 

Operating system and software

The 360LX and 620LX both run v. 2.0 of the Windows CE operating system, and come with the standard Windows CE applications, including Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Contacts and Tasks), Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket PowerPoint, World Clock, Calculator (basic), Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Windows Explorer, Inbox, various setup utilities, Solitaire.

 The 200LX runs the MS-DOS 5.0 operating system and comes with an Application Manager and standard PIM applications, including Appointment Book and PhoneBook. In addition, the 200LX has the following applications built-in: Memo, NoteTaker, Database, Pocket Quicken, Lotus 123, HP Calc, cc:Mail, Filer, World Time System Macros DataComm, LapLink Remote, Stopwatch, and a setup utility.

 Synchronization

 The 360LX and 620LX come with a connectivity cable and Windows CE Services, a desktop PC program that lets you connect to and synchronize with Outlook and a desktop PC, as well as transfer files back and fourth and convert them. Third-party solutions are available to synchronize with other desktop PIM programs.

 The 200LX has an optional connectivity pack that includes a connectivity cable and software that lets you transfer files back and fourth between your 200LX and desktop PC. Third-party synchronization solutions are available for the 200LX.

Price

 HP 620LX Palmtop PC - $889

 HP 360LX Palmtop PC - $599

 HP 200LX Palmtop PC (2MB RAM) - $495

 HP 200LX Palmtop PC (4 MB RAM) - $595