In a departure from Sony's regular Clié design ethos of slim and lightweight, the NZ90 is both large and heavy. At 293 g its weight will be apparent whether you carry the NZ90 in a bag or pocket. It's tall for a PDA, and there is a bulge on its back which accommodates both the camera and the docking cradle connector. However, the NZ90 is an exceptionally powerful Palm OS-based PDA.

There is no doubting the capabilities of the NZ90; the camera, which has a flash and a lens cover, both of which are unique in the PDA world, can snap at a range of resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 and even capture video at 160 x 112. Its two-megapixel capability can't deliver the quality of a dedicated digital camera, but it is pretty good. The vast array of software provided by Sony includes tools for managing images, listening to music, infra red controlling TVs and other devices, and taking voice notes. Bluetooth is built in. There are both Compact Flash and Memory Stick slots, with which to augment the 16 MB of RAM, but only 11 MB of which is actually available.

The docking cradle is somewhat irritating. It folds so as to be more portable, and stands sturdily enough when opened out, which is good, but the docking process is fiddly thanks to the awkward position of the connector. There may also be an issue for PDA novices with all the buttons that range around the sides of the hardware. Although great for gizmo fans, these can be confusing. They definitely go against the "Zen of Palm" (the "keep it simple" ethos that underpins the operating system and much of Palm's own take on hardware). The swivel screen can hide or leave revealed a tiny keypad suitable for tapping out memos or short notes.

The NZ90 shows what can be done with the PDA format. Whether you want all the features, can manage the size and weight, and have a budget large enough to afford them, is another matter. --Sandra Vogel

What to Buy for Business, July-03
Worth Watching.

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