We start by looking at the Zire 21. This is an update to the original Zire. The unit has stayed basically the same with some improvements on the speed and memory. Since this is more of an entry level unit, Palm has left out a few things that you may want to consider when buying a handheld. The most notable is the lack of back lighting on the devices. If you need to read your handheld in a low light or no-light area than this is not the device for you. The other is the lack of hard button; you only have two buttons on the front of the unit as opposed to the standard 4 buttons. These buttons are used for quick navigation to the built in applications. This unit uses the standard navigation buttons, two buttons to move up and down the screen, as the older Palm units. This two button layout is not as versatile as the new 5-way navigation buttons that come with the higher end Palm units. The 5-way navigation button allows for better one-handed navigation. The following are some of the important specifications and features of the Zire 21. These are not all the features and specifications, for a complete list please go to www.palm.com.

 Zire 21 handheld

• Graffiti Writing Area - The new Palms now use the new Graffiti 2 software. This allows you to write anywhere on the screen and use natural handwriting, not the old Palm Graffiti alphabet.
• Infrared Port - Allows you to "Beam" information and applications to other handhelds.
• Size/Weight - 4.4 x 2.9 x 0.6 in. / 3.8 oz.
• HotSync Cable – Standard Mini-USB connector and HotSync cable, not a docking station.
• Screen -160x160 pixel display, 4-bit grayscale
• Processor - 126 MHz TI OMAP 311 ARM processor
• Included Applications - Address Book, Date Book, World Clock, To Do List, Memo Pad, Expense, Note Pad and Calculator. Additional software included: Handmark PDA Money, MobileDB and Magic Dogs, powerOne Calculator, Palm™ Reader.
• Synchronization with Desktop - Ships with Palm Desktop software for Windows and Mac and PocketMirror by Chapura, which synchronizes with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).
• Operating System - Palm OS Software v5.2.1
• Memory - 8MB
• Battery - Rechargeable lithium ion battery

Tungsten E handheld
Then we have the new mid level Palm Tungsten E. With this unit they went back to the design of the most popular Palm, the Palm V family. The unit is small and versatile enough for the busy professionals that need more than a basic unit, but does not need the features of the higher end units. This should be a very popular device for Palm. Here are some of the important specifications and features. These are not all the features and specifications; for a complete list please go to www.palm.com.

• Palm Expansion Slot - Palm has now standardized on the expansion slot at the bottom of the palm devices. This unit continues by using the same standard slot. Many manufactures have developed add-on devices to use this slot.
• Graffiti Writing Area – The new Palms now use the new Graffiti 2 software. This allows you to write anywhere on the screen and use natural handwriting, not the old Palm Graffiti alphabet.
• Infrared Port - Allows you to "Beam" information and applications to other handhelds as well as sync with computers that have an infrared port.
• Operating system - Palm OS 5.2.1
• Processor - 126MHz Texas Instruments OMAP 311 ARM Processor
• Battery - 840mAh Rechargeable Lithium Ion/Polymer battery
• Screen - 16-bit, 320x320 transflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors
• Memory - 32MB (28.3MB actual storage capacity)
• Palm expansion slot - Supports SD, SDIO and MultiMediaCard Cards.
• 5-way navigator button - Access information with just one hand
• Stereo headphone jack - Accepts standard stereo headphones for audio playback (sold separately).

 Tungsten T3 handheld
The Tungsten T3 handheld is Palm's first device that supports a high resolution color screen in landscape, as well as the typical portrait mode. This is the most innovative part of the T3. One of the major complaints is the size of the Palm screens. Palm says that the T3 screen display is 50 percent larger than on any previous Palm branded device. The ability to view data in landscape mode makes this Palm one of the most versatile handhelds for viewing data. The Bluetooth(TM) setup is fast and easy to enable. This is great for owners of Bluetooth(TM) cell phones. Here are some of the important specifications and features of the T3. These are not all the features and specifications, for a complete list please go to www.palm.com.

• Stretch display - 320x480 color Transflective TFT display with portrait and landscape support.
• Operating system - palm os 5.2.1
• Processor - 400Mhz Intel xscale
• Built-in bluetooth technology - communicate wirelessly and share information with nearby bluetooth devices via integrated bluetooth.
• Battery - rechargeable 900mah lithium polymer battery.
• Built-in microphone - record notes with the built in recorder
• Memory - 64MB (52MB actual storage capacity)
• Palm expansion slot - supports sd, sdio and multimediacard cards.
• 5-way navigator button - access information with just one hand
• Built-in speaker & stereo headphone jack - listen to tunes, games, videos or voice recordings with built-in mono speaker or stereo headphones with standard 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• Notification - vibration, sound and led notification.

With the handheld market moving as fast as ever it leaves a lot of choices to contend with. If you are considering a new Palm OS handheld take a look at these three. I am sure one will meet your personal requirements.