Handheld Computer Selection Details

Handheld Details

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CK60

SnapNType

Tungsten™ C

To date, we have tested the six handhelds shown in the table below:

	OS	Scan	SIP	Resolve IP	Pop-up Pwd	Focus	Suffix
Motorola MC50	2003	Int		R		R	R
Motorola MC55	6.1	Int		R		R	R
Intermec 750A	2003	Int		R		R	R
HP iPAQ hx2790	5.0	SDIO	R			R	R
Palm LifeDrive	5.4	SDIO	R		R
Palm T\|X	5.4	SDIO	R		R

All of these devices use Wi-Fi® and can be secured with WEP keys.

2003 - Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003
5.0 - Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
5.4 - Palm 5.4 (Garnet)
6.1 - Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1

Scan

Int - Internal scanners. Imaging scanners are a bit more difficult to master than laser scanners, but imaging scanners can read 2D as well as 1D. Scanning ranges vary widely.
SDIO - The Socket SDSC 3E barcode scanner (which we purchased for $157) can be mounted in a PDA's SDIO slot. The HP iPAQ hx2790 has a button on its side which can be pressed for scanning. One of the Palms' four primary buttons must be programmed as the scan button. The 3E has a range of about six to twelve inches depending upon the quality of the barcode.

SIP Software Input Panel. Actually, all these devices have a SIP which can occupy up to 50% of the screen. If the device has a keypad, the SIP becomes optional and frees the screen space for more valuable purposes. A SnapNType keypad (pictured on left) may be purchased for the Dell Axim X51.
Resolve IP All devices could resolve http://www.google.com; however, the devices receiving a check could also call the local router to resolve the local server's name to its IP address. The other devices had to supply the actual IP address in the URL - a minor nuisance.
Pop-up PWD Most devices display asterisks when you type in the password. Palm does not actually display the password in the clear. Instead, it shows the field as "Unassigned". When the field receives focus a pop-up requests the entry in the clear. However, when you enter the password, the pop-up disappears and the field changes to "Assigned".
Focus None of the devices respond to the ASP.NET Focus server control; however, the devices receiving a check do respond to the JavaScript Focus. You have to use the stylus to set focus on the other devices.
Suffix All devices allow you to specify a default prefix or suffix to append to the barcode when it is scanned. The Palms actually pass the suffix, but do not execute it. In other words, if you specify a tab as suffix to the MC55, it will tab to the next field. The Palms will pass the tab into the field but do not tab to the next field. So at minimum, you have to use the stylus to position to the next field; but if there is no command key on the screen, you have trouble getting off the screen. We had to use combinations of the 5-way navigator to exit the screen.

The hx2790 retails for $499 and the MC50 for about $1,000 with laser scanner. A Palm® LifeDrive retails for $399 and the T|X for $299. A Palm® Tungsten™ C retails for $399 but has been on the market a while, so you may be able to pick up a new one off the internet for around $350. Dell Axim X51 handhelds list anywhere from $224 to $499 depending upon CPU speed.

Before you buy one of these alternatives ask yourself, "What if I drop it on that concrete floor out in the warehouse?". The Intermec CN3 and Symbol MC70 featured on our Home page are ruggedized alternatives. Both communicate on cellular as well as Wi-Fi® bands so they can double as barcode readers and cell phones (of the devices we have tested, only the 750A, MC50 and MC55 are ruggedized). Both the CN3 and MC70 have integral barcode scanners and have passed drop tests of four feet onto concrete. But the prices are in the $1,800 to $2,200 range. If you decide to buy one of these, be cautious about what comes "in the box". Because they are more industrial-strength, you may see more variety in cradles, battery chargers, charging cables, batteries, etc. The most common example would be a four-battery charger for each handheld used in a 24-hour operation so that each shift can start with a fresh battery. These accessories may be priced separately and a combination of accessories may cost as much as the unit.

Security
Since any laptop equipped with Wi-Fi® can access your wireless network, you may want to restrict access. The standard we test is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). You secure the network with a unique five or thirteen character code. Some devices accept a WEP key as characters and others require the characters' hexadecimal equivalents. You probably want to restrict your codes to hexadecimals that represent actual characters because some devices cannot work with hexadecimals that do not represent actual characters. The safe approach is to devise a code in terms of characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, etc.) and then translate the code into hexadecimal, if required. More elaborate security standards are available, but make sure that both your wireless router and handheld devices support whatever standard you decide to adopt.

Flexibility
In some cases, the buying decision may actually be driven by the availability of accessories.

Barcode Scanner Integral barcode scanners are usually used for close work. If your work requires reading at a longer range, some devices offer scanners you can attach to a device which come in a variety of reading ranges.
Pistol Grip For close scanning, you may be surprised at how much a scan handle enhances efficiency. Some devices come with an integral handle while others offer them as bolt-on accessories.
Batteries and Chargers Be sure to get enough batteries and charging slots to support the planned device use.
Mounts If you need to install the device in a stationary or vehicle mount, pay particular attention to how easily the device attaches/detaches. Vehicle mount decisions are usually made in conjunction with tethered barcode scanner decisions.