PDA prizefight: Palm OS 5 v Windows Mobile 2003
Published: 26 Feb 2004
Round 1: Ease of use
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If the contest were to end after just the first round, the winner would be the Palm OS, by a technical knock-out. We informally surveyed a range of PDA users -- technology editors, first-timers, and hard-core enthusiasts who own models based on both platforms -- and the consensus was clear. The Palm OS is easier to use, we were told, while Windows Mobile models are complicated and confusing. |
And we agree. Neither OS is particularly difficult to master, but there's no question the Windows Mobile learning curve is steeper. That's ironic, given Microsoft's attempt to make it familiar to Windows users, right down to the Start button. But Windows doesn't work as well shoehorned into a handheld, as it often requires extra effort to accomplish simple tasks.
Take launching programs, for example. The Palm OS places all program icons on its main applications screen, with each little more than a tap away. Windows Mobile requires you to hit the Start button, just like in desktop Windows, and tap Programs. Only then can you look for the application you're after. Want to return from a sub-folder to the main Programs window? You have to tap a tiny OK icon in the corner of the screen. Want to get from there to the main Today screen? This time, you tap an X in the same corner. If this sounds confusing and unintuitive, it is.
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Full Talkback thread
25 comments
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Nice try to award Palm OS 5 as the winner! I disag... JED -
First of all, the difficulty you describe in openi... Steve Hall
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At a time when PDAs are used for more than just ha... Anonymous
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I have used to both the Pocket PC and Palm systems... Anonymous
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In using both the pocket PC and Palm for a long ti... Bill Ayers
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I used the Palm OS for six years and loved it. I... Paul Alandt
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I disagree as well with the direction this article... Anonymous
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Actually, they *did* compare the two fairly a... Verne Arase -
absolutely agree with the article. being a user of... David T
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The PDA market is losing out to smartphones. It wo... shekhar
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Given a choice, I will opt for Palm just simply I... Michael Lee
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i think pocket pc is better than palm os ,especial... hock lam lee
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You seem to be comparing the Pocket PC out of the... Peter Freeth
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I notice reading previous comments that opini... Denis
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If you want a paper weight, or at least to blow so... James E. Freedle II
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I recently purchased a PDA. Before doing doing tha... Nightz
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Windows Explorer makes Windows Mobile the winner i... Erik
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I was genuinely pleased with my Palm PDA - Sony Cl... Anonymous
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Not only does this article not compare like with l... Anon
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I think the article is rather good, no favorites a... Marijan Franovic
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After looking carefully at current PDAs I bought a... Duncan Corps
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Its been 2 years since the day i had my first PDA... strayato hirzaki
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And this is not an OS comparison I think. What abo... Michael Elfial
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I owned an IPAQ for a year and it was replaced 3 t... Monty Green
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hmm i'm stuck, i have had my IPAQ 1940 for ne... Anonymous
