How I Lost 25 Pounds in 15 Minutes!

When I analyzed the tasks I needed to perform on my trip, I realized that my trusty Pocket PC and a few well-chosen accessories could perform all the tasks I would need on this four-day business trip. I could leave my laptop behind, shed 25 unnecessary pounds, and not have to worry about stowing the bag in overhead storage and lugging it around with me.

I was all packed and ready to head to the airport last week when I realized that I might not need to take my laptop and all its attendant peripherals stuffed in a corpulent bag on wheels. When I analyzed the tasks I needed to perform on my trip, I realized that my trusty Pocket PC and a few well-chosen accessories could perform all the tasks I would need on this four-day business trip. I could leave my laptop behind, shed 25 unnecessary pounds, and not have to worry about stowing the bag in overhead storage and lugging it around with me.

This is not always the case. Sometimes I need more power than my Pocket PC can provide. Sometimes I need to run PC applications, download maps from a PC, and view data on a larger screen. But much of the time, especially on the shorter trips, the Pocket PC and a few well-chosen accessories are more than sufficient to perform the activities I require. These can include processing e-mail, talking on the phone, browsing the Internet for information, connecting with a home base computer, finding my way around an unfamiliar city, and occasionally giving presentations. If your requirements are similar, you can probably leave the laptop behind and get by very nicely with your Pocket PC. You may feel a little insecure without your laptop the first time you try this. But once you identify and acquire the necessary software and accessories and give it a try, you'll do just fine.

Make data input easier

If you have to take notes, answer e-mail, compose a report, write an article or even a novel, you can do it all on your Pocket PC. No, I am not advocating tapping out your documents letter by letter. What I suggest is that you invest in a Bluetooth wireless universal keyboard. There are two very good candidates for your consideration.

The Stowaway Bluetooth Wireless keyboard works with any Bluetooth-enabled Pocket PC.

Stowaway Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard from Think Outside (http://www.thinkoutside.com): This near full-sized keyboard folds up into a package slightly larger than a Pocket PC and weighs about seven ounces. The extended keyboard includes a detachable stand that accommodates the Pocket PC in landscape or portrait orientation. The keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries, conserving the PDA battery. The 51-key QWERTY keyboard places keys in four compact rows, which means that almost all the keys serve double and triple duty with the help of two function keys. In addition, it has an embedded keypad for numerical input. There are ten programmable keys for calling up the Pocket PC applications. The keys are full size and comfortable to use.

The keyboard costs $150 and is available directly from Think Outside. Dell offers the same keyboard with their name on it. Be certain that you get the most recent drivers for your unit. Until I got the proper driver, I had difficulty getting the keyboard and my Dell Axim X50v to pair. The keyboard will also work with some Bluetooth-enabled Smartphones.