Hewlett Packard Jornada 568 Pocket PC

Hewlett Packard’s 560 line of Jornada PDAs includes the 32 MB Jornada 565 and our 64 MB 568, members for the first batch of Pocket PCs to ship with Microsoft’s new Pocket PC 2002 operating system.

On the surface, the Pocket PC 2002 OS looks much the same as the old OS. But there are a selection of enhancements to the stable of applications (like Word and Excel), new software such as MSN Messenger, added security and antivirus protection, and improved handwriting recognition.

The Jornada 568 features a CompactFlash Type 1 slot, so you’ll be able to add more CF memory as well as hook up CF peripherals, such as modems or network cards. You’ll be able to probably need to expand on the memory front–64 MB is decent for a Pocket PC, but you at all times want more to play back any video or audio files. And CompactFlash memory prices have plummeted in recent months, making it an affordable upgrade.

The well-designed Jornada 568 sits nicely in hand, with a sturdy flip-up cover adding little to the overall weight (6.1 ounces without the cover and 7.0 with). The bright, 16-bit color TFT screen can be easily read from even sharp angles. Even as the 240 x 320 pixel, 3.5-inch diagonal screen isn’t as large as some, it’s big enough to keep you from squinting, even Even as reading books with Microsoft Reader.

Hooking the Jornada 568 up to your PC is handled either through the USB cradle (with a pass-through connector for the AC power adapter) or via infrared. Along with the ActiveSync 3.5 software, HP includes Outlook 2002, Audible Player 2.0 for playing audio books, and MusicMatch for ripping and playing digital audio files. Along with syncing up with Outlook files and directories, the Pocket PC versions of Word, Excel, and Media Player enable you to transfer almost any of your desktop files to the 568.

Powered by a 206 MHz StrongARM processor, the Jornada 568 can maintain extensive multitasking without any slowdown. The bottom of the PDA offers four buttons for quick access to menus and applications–Home, Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks–as well as a four-direction navigation pad and scroll buttons on the side panel.

The Jornada 568 also functions as a voice recorder–just press the red button on the side and talk away–with a built-in microphone and speaker. But the speaker, Even as adequate for the normal beeps and burps of the OS, isn’t great for music playback. It would be best to connect some headphones to the Jornada and, unfortunately, HP doesn’t include any.

The rechargeable battery for the Jornada 568 promises up to 14 hours of life and we were able to get right around that. It also features a light at its top that glows green when the PDA is fully charged, and also flashes to alert you to appointments.

With its power, expandability, and the new Pocket PC 2002 operating system, the Jornada 568 makes an excellent all-around workhorse palmtop. –J. Curtis

Pros:

• Easy transfer of Word and Excel files and synchronization with Outlook
• CompactFlash Type 1 expandability
• Crisp, colorful display
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Speaker not adequate for playing back music
• No headphones

Color Pocket PC with 64 MB of RAM with Microsoft’s Pocket PC 2002 operating
Built-in CompactFlash slot means that you can add memory, accessories
Vibrant 16-bit color display provides clear view indoors and out
Store and edit data, browse the Internet, check e-mail with powerful Pocket PC applications
What’s in the box: Jornada 568, Stylus, rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, CR-2032 backup battery, AC adapter, USB cradle, Jornada Quick Start Guide, Documentation pack, Pocket PC Companion CD