Palm OS devices remain the PDA of choice for most people, as the sales figures continue to show. They have evolved from overpriced gadgets with minimal amounts of memory into indispensable tools for professionals, students, and anyone else with a busy schedule. Despite the increases in speed and memory, along with ever-slimming form factors, it's the Palm's simplicity of operation that has cemented its position as the most popular PDA. Touchscreen technology, the easy-to-learn Graffiti text input system, and a no-frills interface that is easy to navigate all have contributed immensely to the Palm's success. They also help make it a great, if limited, platform for gaming.

	Palm OS 4.0 keyboard

Operating System
Gamers need to pay attention to the version of the Palm OS that their device uses, and they should consider buying a unit that lets them upgrade the OS. New devices from Palm Inc. generally come with the latest version of the OS (currently version 4.0), and since Palm owns the operating system, the ROMs in their devices can be upgraded as new versions are released (a process called "flashing"). Companies--such as Handspring, Sony, and HandEra--that license the OS can't use the latest version, and most can't be flashed with upgrades. Even some products from Palm Inc., such as the m100 and IIIe, are not flashable, and in those cases, you're stuck with the OS you get. This generally isn't a problem, but it can be when new games are released--ones that run only on a later Palm OS version than the one that your device has.

Processors
Not long ago, the Palm OS software was so simplistic that processor speed didn't really matter, but times are changing. More available storage memory has spurred developers to create larger, more complicated programs that don't run well on the older, slower processors. The latest games with support for color are especially demanding, and a faster processor can make games much more enjoyable. Right now, the processor of choice is the 33MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ, which is found in modern units such as the Palm M505, Handspring Visor Prism and Edge, and HandEra 330.

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Multimedia
Palm devices really fall flat in the audiovisual department. Sound is especially bad, as their internal speakers are capable of making only annoying beeps and chirps. Few Palm OS devices have color displays, and those that exist aren't as crisp as the displays on the best Pocket PCs. These limitations certainly haven't stopped developers from creating fun games for the Palm--there are now thousands of freeware, shareware, and commercial downloads all over the Internet. Just don't expect graphically complex games that dazzle as much as the best game titles available for more-robust Pocket PCs.

Storage
We've already established that Palm users will have no trouble finding great games, but they will have a tough time finding a place to put them. Even older Palm OS devices can run practically any game currently available for that operating system, but those units--and some budget modern devices, like the Palm m100--are equipped with only 2MB of storage memory. Nearly all modern Palm OS units have a more reasonable 8MB of storage memory, and many come with expansion slots that let users augment the built-in RAM with removable memory cards. Sony's CLIÉ products have a Memory Stick slot and come with one 8MB stick, and most Visors are equipped with Handspring's trademark Springboard slot, which accepts memory expansion modules. The HandEra 330 has all the bases covered--it comes with separate Compact Flash and SD/MMC memory card slots.

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Buying Tips
If you're buying a Palm OS device to play games on, make sure that the screen can display at least 16 shades of gray instead of four or consider a model with a 16-bit color display, like the Handspring Prism. Not many games available today support color, but most games in development now will take advantage of the technology. Consider buying one that has an expansion slot of some sort--one that accepts add-on memory cards or disks so that you can keep your options open. 8MB of memory should keep casual gamers satisfied, but power users who want to keep plenty of games close at hand will want 16MB or more.

Also think about getting a snap-on joystick peripheral. WorldWide Widget Works (www.palmgamepad.com) sells its GamePad--a device with a joypad and four buttons that attaches to the bottom of nearly any Palm OS device aside from Handspring Visors--for $20. Visor owners can look into something like Handspring's own $40 GameFace peripheral, which snaps onto the front of a Visor and uses a plastic joypad overlay to press the buttons on the front of the case. It isn't as good a solution as the GamePad, but it works much better than pressing the buttons separately.