November 1, 1997
There are infrequent times in our limited lives when a product is released that actually makes the work we do and the lives we lead easier and more productive.
Modern Dilemma
Some believe the dilemma of Modern Man is the failure of Science and Technology to replace the death of the Old God. Well, the IBM WorkPad (a re-skinned PalmPilot) is an example of the sort of technology that proves God is in the details, but He also now lives in the palm of your hand.
Over A Million and Growing!
There are over a million PalmPilots and WorkPads in the world and that kind of marketplace muscle is example enough that these handhelds are easy to use, workable, and fun.
Re-Skinned
Since the PalmPilot has been out for quite some time now, this review will focus on the IBM WorkPad, the OEM version of the 3COM PalmPilot Pro. The IBM version has a black case, the IBM logo, the WorkPad brand and a red power button.
HandHelds
Before we begin with the critique of the WorkPad, let me inform you that I'm a gadget nut from way back and I like to manage my life in the tiniest implements possible. My first computer was a Kaypro 2x and I got on the handheld bandwagon early.
Psion & Newton
I have a Psion 3a that I like very much. The Psion 3a is a very nice machine, but the screen is difficult to read and it's pretty heavy and rather slow.
I was the second consumer in the world to get the original Newton when it first came out. I reviewed the Newton and rooted for it heavy and hard on CompuServe. Apple loved my Newton messages so much that they read one of them at their debut party for the Apple Newton. The Newton, while a spectacular idea, lacked the power and grace of easy handwriting recognition in its original state.
WorkPad Wonder
At six ounces, the WorkPad is light and at 4.7" tall and 3.2" wide, it is easy to handle as well. With Graffiti (a glyph-based handwriting program), built into the Operating System, getting "handwritten" information into the WorkPad is quick and simple. The backlight is bright and makes the LCD easy to read. Here's what you get when you buy a WorkPad:
While we're at it, let's take a gander at the gory tech specs, too:
Model
8602-10U
Size
4.7"x3.2"x0.7"
Weight
6 oz
Storage Capacity
1MB Approx. 4,000 addresses, 4 years of appointments (approx. 2,400), 750 to-do items, 750 memos, 100 e-mail messages
Works With These E-Mail Systems
Lotus cc:Mail v. 7.0, 6.0 and 2.5, MS Outlook `97, MS Exchange 4.0, Windows Messaging 4.0, Eudora Pro and Light 3.0.1
Bundled Apps
Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Expense, E-Mail,Calculator
More Stuff
Find Command, Phone Lookup, Memory Application, Security System
Customizing
The WorkPad is what you make of it and I use mine to seamlessly integrate my desktop life in Outlook 97 into my mobile existence on the streets of New York. The WorkPad actually fits in a shirt pocket and it is really quite fast at burning through hundreds of records during a Find. I use my WorkPad as a Thesaurus, a Brain Manager, Calendar, Note Taker, Address book, Game Center, Idea Box and Script Writer.
I cannot imagine life without my WorkPad, for with the WorkPad in my life, I can find what I'm thinking, what I thought and what I dream. I like the fact that the WorkPad doesn't have a keyboard (I can call up a virtual keyboard for "typing" if I need to) -- a physical keyboard is wasted space when you want to have information alive at your fingertips.
Third Party Developers
There's a lot of great software out there from third party developers and I'll be taking a look at the best of what's out in detail there right here in the new Go Inside WorkPad & PalmPilot subsection of HANDHELDS in the days and months to come.
We'll explore Hacks and other tweaks you can easily HotSync and install and we'll bang on stand alone commercial products that will make your WorkPad live even more fun and productive. Some of the programs that have conduits ready to use for synching your desktop data to the WorkPad include:
HotSync
Installing programs and updating your other data is very easy. Plop your WorkPad into its cradle, hit the HotSync button and everything is quickly and easily updated or installed. Truly simple. Easily seamless. A delight to use.
Internet Ready
The WorkPad is ready for the Internet which means you can slam on the Net via third party applications like Web Browsers, news readers and other applications that demand the TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP is built-in.
E-Mail
With the built-in software, you can get email and TCP/IP connections anywhere if you snap on the optional modem. You can download your email from your PC and read the messages on your WorkPad. You can read and write email on your WorkPad and sent it out on the Internet while pulling your new email down off the Net.
Secure
The WorkPad uses password protection so your data, thoughts, and hopes will be secured from prying eyes.
Network
With Network HotSync software and the optional modem, you can get dial-up connection to a LAN or network and check and compose email.
Future WorkPads?
I hope the future will hold a WorkPad with much more memory, a bundled modem, a color TFT screen, longer battery life, a better Find feature and a more robust calendar with enhanced views.
The present form factor is fine. The speaker on my WorkPad is VERY LOUD which is quite rare, I'm told. A better speaker in the next generation will help bring an even more robust aural affectation to what is already a sight for sore eyes cradled in the palm of your hand.
Conclusion
The WorkPad is a "can't miss, must have" handheld. The WorkPad will cost you around $300 on the street. For more information visit here.