Faster access
Okay, admit it. Right behind fast cars come fast computers. You don't really need that one gigahertz processor to play Solitaire, but…

The word on the street is that Windows CE 3.0 is two to three times faster than version 2.X. This is a significant increase, making for a much snappier device. Again, this increase in speed is predominantly necessary for those involved in time sensitive activities, such as adding contacts on the fly, processing digital photographs, etc. Remember to be honest here and separate what you want from what you need.

Now, take a deep breath and check No if you're not tasking your current system and check Yes if you're involved in processor intensive work. And that doesn't include showing off the latest Star Wars trailers to all your Palm device-carrying friends.

Easier-to-use interface
This one is kind of tricky, as I haven't yet had much hands-on time with a Pocket PC. Based on my limited exposure, I can't yet say for sure that the interface truly is easier. I found it strange that after having used a Windows CE device for nearly two years, picking up a new Pocket PC wasn't completely intuitive. There's still a learning curve, but with its built-in explorer and better memory management, it's certainly easier than purchasing a lot of add-on programs and learning each one individually. As a Windows CE user, the learning curve should be negligible. Mark down a Yes on this one unless you find learning a new interface to be a daunting prospect.

Pocket applications
The Pocket PC comes with Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, and Pocket Excel. These miniature versions of their desktop counterparts allow you to move files back and forth between your Pocket PC and Desktop PC with only a few formatting issues with which to concern yourself.

In most of the press releases I've read, the compelling reason to want Pocket Word and Pocket Excel is that you can open attachments in these formats, make a few minor revisions, and send them back to the home office or the originator. That's a really smart feature, and one that I regard highly. However, unless you've got a cellular connection or regularly use a modem, this function may not be very important to you.

On another note, Pocket Internet Explorer allows you to access Web pages, either downloaded or live on the Internet. It also has a feature that allows you to shrink a page down so that the entire page fits on a single screen. It also supports AvantGo channels. These are awesome features, but again, unless you've got a wireless connection or use a modem on a regular basis, these features may not be necessary.

For wireless and modem users, select Yes. If you rarely surf the Internet from your device or rarely use it for email, select No.

Smaller hardware
Unless you're comfortable with the size of your device, select Yes. Making these devices more pocketable is a definite plus. If you're fine lugging around the device you already own, put a No on this one.

Microsoft Transcriber
Microsoft Transcriber is a program that takes your handwriting and converts it into text. It requires very little training because it incorporates fuzzy logic in its conversion process. Print or write, it doesn't matter; Microsoft Transcriber takes your input and understands.