There is not an easy answer for this question.  You should determine your needs and then pick the handheld computing device that best suits those needs.  A handy comparison chart on Palm^® devices is located at http://www.palmone.com.

1.  Determine what you want to spend - Since most of us live on a budget, how much you want to spend becomes one of the biggest factors in determining which handheld device you should buy.  Prices for handhelds start at $99 and go up to $500.  If you want a good device that meets most people's needs, expect to spend $200 to $300.

2.  Determine the features that are most important to you - Do you want a color screen or monochrome? A color screen is easier to read in most lighting conditions than monochrome, but it's more expensive.  Do you want a slim handheld or is size not important?  The slimmer devices are easier to fit into your pocket and may be more comfortable to hold.  How much memory should the device have?  All the devices except the low end models come with at least 8 megabytes of memory.  Do you want an expansion slot?  An expansion slot allows you to add more memory or other functions (everything from a phone to camera) to the device.  Should the device be upgradeable?  Most devices, except the low end Palm Computing devices and Handspring Visors, come with Flash ROM.  Flash ROM means it's possible to upgrade the device to the latest OS.  However, in most cases, new features require new hardware, so having Flash ROM is not necessarily the most important.

3.  See how the devices look and feel - Like anything you carry around, you should like how it looks and feels.  And of course, people react differently to the different styles of handhelds.  The best way to see them is to go to a store like Best Buy, CompUSA, Office Depot or Staples that have handheld devices for sale and see them for yourself.

4.  Make sure the handheld can connect to your desktop or laptop computer - Most handheld devices come with USB cradles so your computer must have a free USB port.  If your computer is less than two or three years old, it most likely has USB ports.  Most companies sell cradles with serial cables and there are USB to serial adapters available, but that will add $30-40 to your total cost.

5.  Find the best price - By now, you probably have a good idea of which handheld you want.  Shop around at different stores and web sites to find the best price.  Many stores are running sales and bundle deals on handhelds.  You may find a better price for educational purposes at http://www.palm.com/promotions/vpp_ed_sum02/

Overview of Palm^® Models

m105 

m500 

Classic Organizer Functionality

• Stores thousands of addresses, years of appointments, hundreds of to do items, notes memos, with even more room for add-on applications
• Long battery life on just two AAA batteries

Stylish and Lightweight

• Crisp, clear monochrome display for easy readability indoors and outdoors
• Built-in Dual Expansion lets you: Back up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm^® Expansion Card Slot which supports MultiMediaCard and SD cards, sold separately, add peripherals, such as modems, keyboards and GPS receivers with the Palm^® Universal Connector
• View and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files

m125 

m515

Start Here and Expand Your Options

• Built-in Dual Expansion lets you: Back up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm^® Expansion Card Slot which supports MultiMediaCard and SD cards, sold separately, add peripherals, such as modems, keyboards and GPS receivers with the Palm^® Universal Connector
• Rechargeable batteries

Stylish, Powerful, in Brilliant Color

• Brilliant color screen with support for more than 65,000 colors, backlighting and maximum viewing control
• Built-in Dual Expansion lets you: Back up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm^® Expansion Card Slot which supports MultiMediaCard and SD cards, sold separately, add peripherals, such as modems, keyboards and GPS receivers with the Palm^® Universal Connector
• View and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files
• 16MB of memory

m130 

i705

Expand Your Options in Vivid Color

• Bright color screen supporting more than 65,000 colors
• Built-in Dual Expansion lets you: Back up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm^® Expansion Card Slot which supports MultiMediaCard and SD cards, sold separately, add peripherals, such as modems, keyboards and GPS receivers with the Palm^® Universal Connector
• Rechargeable batteries

Wireless Internet

• Stay in touch while you're on the go by exchanging e-mail messages, browsing the Web and instant messaging colleagues without an external modem
• Supported by Palm.Net^® wireless service: nationwide coverage and no roaming charges for either a monthly unlimited flat rate or metered price plan
• Built-in Dual Expansion lets you: Back up and add additional memory and applications with the Palm^® Expansion Card Slot which supports MultiMediaCard and SD cards, sold separately, add peripherals, such as modems, keyboards and GPS receivers with the Palm^® Universal Connector

Currently Available Handhelds

Company	Device Name	Price	Description
Palm®	Palm i705	$399	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, SD Slot, Wireless
Palm®	Palm m515	$399	33Mhz, 16MB, 65k Color, Rechargable Battery, SD Slot, Slim
Palm®	Palm m500	$199	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, SD Slot, Slim
Palm®	Palm m130	$269	33Mhz, 8MB, 65k Color, Rechargable Battery, SD Slot
Palm®	Palm m125	$169	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, SD Slot
Palm®	Palm m105	$99	16Mhz, 8MB, Mono
Handspring	Treo 270	$499	33Mhz, 16MB, 4k Color, Rechargable Battery, Built-in Keyboard, Phone
Handspring	Treo 180	$399	33Mhz, 16MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, Built-in Keyboard, Phone
Handspring	Treo 180g	$399	33Mhz, 16MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, Phone
Handspring	Treo 90	$299	33Mhz, 16MB, 4k Color, Rechargable Battery, SD Slot
Handspring	Visor Pro	$199	33Mhz, 16MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, Springboard Slot
Handspring	Visor Neo	$169	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, Springboard Slot
Handspring	Visor Prism	Dis	33Mhz, 8MB, 65k Colors, Rechargable Battery, Springboard Slot
Handspring	Visor Edge	Dis	33Mhz, 8MB, Mono, Rechargable Battery, Springboard Slot, Slim
Sony	NR70V CLIE	$599	66Mhz, 16MB, 65k Color, HiRes, Rechargable Battery, MS Slot, MP3, Virtual Graffiti Area, Camera, Flip
Sony	NR70 CLIE	$499	66Mhz, 16MB, 65k Color, HiRes, Rechargable Battery, MS Slot, MP3, Virtual Graffiti Area, Flip
Sony	PEG-T665C CLIE	$399	66Mhz, 16MB, 65k Color, HiRes, Rechargable Battery, MS Slot, IR Fx, MP3, Slim
Sony	PEG-T615C CLIE	$299	33Mhz, 16MB, 65k Color, HiRes, Rechargable Battery, MS Slot, IR Fx, Slim
Sony	PEG-SL10 CLIE	$149	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, HiRes, MS Slot, IR Fx
Sony	PEG-S360 CLIE	$179	33Mhz, 16MB, Adv Mono, Rechargable Battery, MS Slot
HandEra	HandEra 330	$299	33Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, HiRes, Virtual Graffiti Area, SD & CF Slot
HandEra	TRGpro	$219	16Mhz, 8MB, Adv Mono, CF Slot