If you think notebook computers have yet to catch on, spend some time at the airport. Once, it was fun to see if anyone else carried a laptop, but now it's hard to avoid being jostled by someone's overstuffed Targus bag. Laptops have enabled people to free themselves from the desktop, work on the road, and stay connected via email and the Web from nearly any location.

However, even a compact laptop weighs heavy on the shoulders when you're carrying it all day at a trade show or switching planes in a large airport where your gate is always as far away as possible. An increasing number of people in search of a lighter alternative are wondering if it's possible to leave the laptop at home and just carry a Pocket PC.

The verdict? Yes, it's possible to replace your laptop with a Pocket PC, but you'll have to tolerate a smaller screen size in trade for added portability.

Getting your input
If you're serious about leaving the laptop at home, definitely consider a keyboard for your handheld. Though the Pocket PC's Transcriber handwriting recognition feature is excellent, there's a limit to how much you can write before your hand cramps up, not to mention the drastic decline in accuracy that probably results when you try to write quickly. As an alternative, there are attachable keyboards available for the Pocket PC.

KeySync Keyboard
The KeySync Keyboard is a standard layout keyboard compatible with the Casio Cassiopeia, Compaq Aero, and the HP Jornada. It uses a mechanical keyswitch system for a "real keyboard" feel. You can take a look at it in Figure A.

FIGURE A


The KeySync Keyboard connects with the serial cable from a standard cradle or travel cable. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The KeySync Keyboard has a 62 key layout and serial port connectivity, and it uses three AAA batteries. It measures ten inches in length, four inches wide, and an inch high. It's designed for travel purposes, but as you can see by those measurements, it could be somewhat bulky. If that's an issue, check out this next keyboard.