Zire 71
The first unit to look at is the Zire 71; it has all the standard features of past Palm Pilots. You can keep phone numbers and addresses on hand, write to-do lists, and take notes in meetings. It has added a new joystick-like 5-way navigator that gives you quick, one-handed access to your information. A digital camera, when you need a quick picture, is the big addition to this device. If you want to capture a moment in time, simply slide your handheld open to expose the protected, hidden camera, then point, shoot and you have a digital picture to share with friends, family or business associates. Unlike older Palms you can take your favorite MP3s, video clips and audio books with you wherever you go. You simply move your music and video files from your desktop to your handheld.

The high-resolution color screen is a nice addition and displays images, graphics nicely. Like most Handhelds today the Zire 71 has a rechargeable battery. This unit has an ARM processor and the speed is noticeable. Plus, 16MB of memory, not a great amount if you are going to take a lot of pictures but you do have the memory card slot for expansion.

Some Highlights
Built-in Hidden Camera — Point and shoot for instant digital pictures. One slide reveals the camera.

High-resolution Display
320x320 transflective TFT color screen your games and video clips will look great on this new ultra-sharp screen.

Stereo Headphone Jack
Plug in headphones to listen to audio files and MP3s.Headphones not included. Expansion card required, sold separately.

5-Way Navigator
Push up, down, left, right and center to select. Designed for one-handed navigation.

Photos Button
Easy access to your digital albums.Expansion cards sold separately.

Writing Area
Enter data quickly using your stylus and Graffiti® 2 writing software.

The Specifications
Size/Weight

• Height: 4.5 in. closed, 5.3 in. open.
• Width: 2.9 in.
• Thickness: .67 in. main body. Slightly thicker in 5-way navigator area.
• Weight: 5.3 oz. (handheld + stylus)

Integrated Camera

• Output Image Format: JPEG
• Available Resolutions: 640x480, 320x240, 160x120 (VGA)
• Minimum Illumination: 5 lux at 640x480, 10 lux at 320x240, 20 lux at 160x120
• Also features auto exposure and automatic white balance control.

Screen-16-Bit, 320x320 transflective TFT color display with brightness controls. Supports 65,536 colors.

Processor-Texas Instruments OMAP310 Processor (ARM); 144MHz

Operating System-Palm OS 5.2.1

Stereo Headphone Jack — Accepts standard 3.5mm stereo headphone plug. Headphones not included.

Expansion Card Slot —  Supports MultiMediaCard, SD and SDIO expansion cards, sold separately.

Battery Type — Rechargeable Lithium Polymer 900mAh battery

Palm Expansion Slot —  Add extra memory, or other accessories with the SD I/O slot.

Palm Universal Connector — Add hardware like a portable keyboard that supports the universal connector

Synchronization with Desktop — Palm Desktop 4.1 for Windows and Mac. Chapura’s PocketMirror for synchronization with Microsoft Outlook.

Flexible Storage Capacity — Highly efficient operating system w/ 4MB of masked ROM and 16MB of SDRAM

Tungsten C 
The second Palm unit to look at is the Tungsten C. It also has all the standard features of all Palm Pilots. You can keep phone numbers and addresses on hand, write to-do lists, and take notes in meetings. This PDA happens to be the most powerful Palm handheld to date.

With the built in WI-FI you can get connected at home, the office or in the growing number of hotel, cafe and airport Hotspots with this wireless technology and download your e-mail or browse Websites. The fast XScale Intel processor, a built-in keyboard, Web browser, and auto-get e-mail software are great for people on the go.

Some Highlights
Memory
This Palm unit has the most memory of any Palm 64MB RAM

Ultra-Sharp Display
320x320 transflective TFT color screen one of the best displays in any Palm.

Microsoft Office Compatability
Slip your office into your pocket. Create and edit important Word, Excel and Windows-compatible PowerPoint files on the go — and send them as attachments from wherever you have Wi-Fi access.

Customizable
Turn your handheld into your dream machine by adding optional peripherals like a full-size keyboard or digital camera. Add any of the thousands of software applications, from expense trackers and financial calculators to travel guides and games (sold separately).

Remote Access
Use the gowing number of HotSpot Services to connect to you your existing network or check your POP 3 E-mail.

Size and Weight - 4.8" x 3.07" x .65"; 6.3 oz.

Memory - 64MB (51MB actual storage capacity)

Operating System - Palm OS® 5.2.1

Processor - 400MHz Intel® PXA255 Processor with Intel® XScale Technology

Screen - 16-bit, 320x320 transflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors.

Battery - 1500mAh Rechargeable Lithium Ion/Polymer

Palm Expansion Slot - Add extra memory, or other accessories with the SD I/O slot.

Palm Universal Connector - Add hardware like a portable keyboard that supports the universal connector.

Built-in Keyboard - Quickly type and respond to e-mails and easily enter information.

5-way Navigator Button - Access information with just one hand.

Mobile Radio - Wi-Fi Certified 802.11b Radio

Hands-free Headset Jack — Accepts Palm Tungsten W and C Hands-free Headset for audio playback (sold separately), 2.5mm connector.

Notification - Vibration, Audio, LED Notification

Desktop systems and requirements
For both these new palms, you will need a PC running Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000/Me/XP (Windows NT, 2000 and XP require admin rights to install. Windows NT and systems without USB ports, require the Palm HotSync Cradle-Serial or Mac OS X, version 10.1.2 or higher.

If you are in the market for a PDA or just want to upgrade please give these models a look. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.