When the first Pocket PCs were introduced in April of 2000, only three companies partnered with Microsoft to manufacture the device. By the end of 2002, over 20 will have versions of the new Pocket PC 2002. This success is great, but with so many available, it's becoming more and more difficult to find the one that's right for you.

A good place to start is with the Pocket PC manufacturers that were around in April of 2000. They've been there and done that. They've had the chance to design, manufacture, and market a Pocket PC; take feedback from end users; and improve the design for the new Pocket PC 2002. One of the most improved devices I've seen is the new Casio Cassiopeia E-200 Pocket PC 2002. Casio has entered the 2002 competition with what I feel is the best, most versatile Pocket PC I've seen so far.

Small, sleek, with lots of power

The E-200 is one of the smallest and lightest Pocket PCs available. Its cool and sleek silver design fits very comfortably in your hand. Despite its small size, it still manages to contain a built-in Type II CompactFlash card slot and a Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard slot. But if you need the versatility of a full-sized PC Card slot, Casio offers an optional "PC Card Unit," a slip-on sled that includes a PC Card slot, extended battery, and USB host port. (MSRP $149.99, see Screen 1) The PC Card slot lets you use wireless connectivity cards (using CDPD, GSM, CDMA and LAN connectivity via 802.11b technology.), storage cards, and other PC Card devices.

Screen 1 (above): Casio offers an optional "PC Card Unit," a slip-on sled that includes a PC Card slot, extended battery, and USB host port.

USB host capability

The Casio E-200 is the first Pocket PC to include industry standard USB host capability. The battery/PC Card sled, and the standard sync/charging cradle each have a USB host port. Casio also offers a small USB host adaptor that plugs into the bottom of the E-200 and lets you access USB peripherals without the sled or cradle. (MSRP $29.99, see Screen 2).

Screen 2 (above): Casio also offers a small USB host adaptor that plugs into the bottom of the E-200 and lets you access USB peripherals without the sled or cradle.

This new feature promises to give the Casio E-200 incredible expandability. For example, E-200 users will be able to access devices such as printers, keyboards, digital cameras, Zip drives, large hard drives, and even portable DVD players. You'll be able to print documents and input large amounts of text using a keyboard. In fact, I am actually writing this review using Microsoft's new USB Office XP Keyboard connected to the E-200 via its charging cradle! You can also retrieve documents and databases from mass storage devices, and even hold video conferences from your Pocket PC. Casio tells me that drivers for all of these peripherals are in the works, though not available as this issue went to the printer. Keep checking Casio's Web site (www.casio.com) for future developments in USB connectivity with the Casio E-200.

Bright screen, great battery life, and more!

The screen on the Casio E-200 Pocket PC is crisp, bright, and easily viewable indoors and out. At its brightest setting, it easily has the best display I have seen on any Pocket PC.

The E-200 has a removable, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and a small removable backup battery. As mentioned, the optional slip-on sled includes an additional rechargeable battery that extends the battery life of the Pocket PC. Casio estimates the battery life of an E-200 with sled to be approximately 12 hours. (Actual battery life will vary depending on software and peripherals used.) The Casio E-200 is powered by the Intel StrongARM SA-1110 processor and uses IntelStrataFlash memory. It has 64 Mb of RAM standard and 32 Mb of flashROM.