AlphaSmart Dana
by Charles Stross

The Dana is somewhere between a PDA and a notebook PC. You can save or load RTF files, which are compatible with Microsoft Word. AlphaWord is a modified version of WordSmith, the award-winning word processor for PalmOS, and has the basic feature set you expect. AlphaSmart also includes PrintBoy, a printer driver system for PalmOS to allow you to print documents directly from the Dana, and FineType for font management, allowing Windows TrueType fonts to be converted into a format that PalmOS software such as AlphaWord can display and print.

There are one or two rough edges. PalmOS programs use a pre-specified screen size and many of the applications we tried hovered in a box in the middle of the screen. The Dana could also benefit from a screen cover to protect the recessed display from scratches. But these are minor quibbles. With its light weight, enormous battery life and low cost, the Dana is likely to generate a fanatical following among people who need a keyboard on the move. There is simply no substitute - the wide screen and full-sized keyboard make all the difference.

If your requirements are limited to typing text, you can do so for dozens of hours from battery power. The Dana takes things a step further. It not only incorporates a larger, backlit screen, but a handheld computer with the Palm operating system too.

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