                                HP 100LX
                                Palmtop

                             by Tony Curro

An interesting piece of equipment recently crossed my desktop. Actually,
it was too small for that, but rather crossed my palm. I am referring to
the excellent palmtop computer released by Hewlett Packard, the 100LX. A
while back HP came out with their first palmtop the 95LX. This was, and
still is a good computer, but the 100LX has other features including a
better screen display. The 100LX offers an 80x25 character display with
a zoom feature that, like a desktop PC, allows users to view an entire
document page. The system is compatible with off-the-shelf business and
communications PC software due to the enhanced color graphics
(CGA)-compatible display, such as Quicken from Intuit. It is powered by
a 80C186 CPU running at 7.91MHz.

The HP 100LX is the first handheld device to ship with cc:Mail for
palmtop computers. It has infrared capabilities for easy file transfers
between other 100LXs, and even the 95LX. The HP 100LX weighs 11 ounces,
measures 6.3 x 3.4 x1.0 inches -- about the size of a checkbook -- and
fits easily into a pocket. The palmtop is powered by two ordinary
AA-size alkaline batteries for up to two months of daily use. Using
FlashDisk or modem will drain battery life faster. It is recommended
that you remove these devices when the unit is powered off. A backup
lithium battery protects stored data even if the primary batteries have
expired, ensuring data safety and giving the user ample time to change
the batteries. The HP 100LX also supports rechargeable batteries, and an
optional AC adapter (SRP $39.95). After five minutes of inactivity, the
HP 100LX shuts down, saving the CPU state and memory contents and
keeping the real-time clock going, but otherwise removing power from
most other system components.

The keyboard is full sized, includes a keypad, and even us with large
fingers can press one key at a time. You have F-keys across the top,
arrow keys, and numeric keys on right. There are several differences
between operation of this computer and a desktop model. The 100LX has a
function (Fn) key for this like PgUp, PgDn, Cut, Copy, etc. So if you
normally press CTRL-PgUp, you would have to press CTRL-FN-PgUp. You get
used to this very quickly. The numeric keys, when you activate the shift
key, give you the single quotation, double quotation, colon, etc., just
like above the number keys on you keyboard. There are caps lock, and a
menu key to activate the menu from the built-in programs (of which more
later). The ALT key will also bring down the menus.

With 2MB of read-only-memory (ROM)--executable versions of Lotus 1-2-3
and MS-DOS 5.0, nearly all the HP 100LX's 1MB of built-in RAM is
available to the user for program work space and file storage. If more
is needed, a RAM/ROM card slot conforming to PCMCIA and JEIDA standards
enables the 100LX to store data on removable media with optional memory
cards. It also allows users to expand the HP 100LX's functionality by
adding third-party software applications.

Below the F-keys is a row of blue keys. These keys provide one touch
access to many of the built-in programs. Some, like accessing DOS,
require a 2 key press, CTRL-123. This means you press the CTRL key and
the blue key for Lotus 1-2-3. All key options are in the menu. You have
the option of having either icons or a scrollable text list of available
programs.

The HP 100LX has seven built-in one key programs, and 16 built-in
programs overall. Programs included are: Filer, cc:Mail, Appointment
Book, Phone Book, Memo, Lotus 1-2-3, HP Calculator, DOS, World Time,
Database, System Setup, Data Communications, Stopwatch, System Macros,
Note Taker, and Appointment Manager.

System Setup allows you to tailor the 100LX for various uses. You can
increase the amount of usable DOS, which reduces the disk space. But,
these options can be changed only if a program requires them. I was
running an external program that needed the memory and, after its use I
returned to the system default. When making changes, there is a default
option, that will always return you factory defaults. You can allocate
up to 369K for applications. All the internal programs work with the
default settings, and you can switch between several without the need to
close the previous application. The HP 100LX will restore you screen as
it was when powered down. If you left your phonebook on screen when you
shut the unit off, it will appear on screen in the same state when you
turn it back on.

Along with the infrared capability and PCMCIA slot, the 100LX features a
serial port that can be used  with the optional Connectivity Pack. The
Connectivity Pack (HP F1021A, SRP $119.95) offers a convenient way to
share information between the HP 100LX and other PCs. It includes
PC-to-palmtop file transfer software, DOS redirector software and a
serial cable along with PC versions of the appointment book, phonebook,
memo editor, filer and calculator. Users can create phone lists,
schedules and memos on the PC and then transfer them to the palmtop and
vice versa. Phone lists and appointments updated remotely can be merged
with the corresponding data maintained independently on the office PC.

The Connectivity Pack's DOS redirector software allows other PCs to
treat the HP 100LX as a virtual disk drive. Worksheets, memos and other
information contained in the 100LX are treated as disk files and can be
manipulated with regular DOS commands. It includes a translation utility
that allows all leading PC organizer software products, like Borland
SidekKick  to easily convert to compatible formats. You can even connect
to you desktop modem, printer, etc., using the supplied cable and
connectors of the Connectivity Pack.

Almost anything that can be run in CGA mode in DOS will run on the HP
100LX. The only considerations are disk space and memory. The first is
not a problem with an add-on memory of FlashDisk card. As I mentioned I
was able to allocate 369K of memory for applications. This should be
enough for most programs. I recently downloaded two CGA games that play
very well on the palmtop.

I am very pleased with the product, and have purchased one for personal
use. I find myself with idle time when I am not near my desktop. Now I
can write reviews, and play games (!) anywhere. I have done quite a bit
of writing while riding on public transportation. One problem I
encountered was getting so involved in writing that I almost missed my
stop. If you are on the go you must look into the HP 100LX. It is a
great way to get work done, and to keep on top of information.


Product Information

HP 100LX Palmtop

SRP -- $749.

Hewlett Packard
3000 Hanover St
Palo Alto, CA 94304
800-443-1254
