Palm Computer
Perhaps most fascinating feature of this PDA is the capability of writing programs to run on this. There are programmable PDAs in the market, but they are fairly expensive compared to the Sharp Wizard. The Wizard can store up to ten such user programs of 32Kb (max) each. If your program is 10Kb, it still occupies the same amount of memory 32Kb, as it is designed in 32kb slots. It should have been nice the whole 320Kb is given with independent lengths of programs to share (320Kb one program or 10 of 32Kb). There are lots of such programs written by Wizard users available in the Internet for free. These programs are ranging from simple games to complex spreadsheets, and personnel accounting programs. Wizard can be even program to surf the Internet or to access a mailbox with its limited features. But it does not have a built-in modem (must use a big external modem or connect to a PC to do the communication). Software development tools available for 3rd party developers free of charge.

Conclution
The Sharp Wizard should not be underestimated when it comes to what this nifty handheld can do. Quite obviously, it doesn't have the domination that the Palm Pilot has, but nevertheless it is as capable as the Palm Pilot. When it comes to features, the two products are different in their own ways--bottom line, however, is that both are great tools that can get you organized.

First off, the Wizard has a more attractive price: $100, with a PC-link cable and DayTimer software included. Depending on what your preference of data input would be, there is no doubt in my mind that the keyboard of the Wizard expedites the data entry process as opposed to a stylus-oriented device. It eliminates the possibility of damage to the screen, and even losing a stylus.

A huge plus about this organizer is its display: the contrast is crisp, the view is wide, and the backlight provides excellent luminescence. Writing small documents in the Memo look much at ease with the wide display (and, not to mention, the Memo, as well as all data entry applications, has word wrapping capability, eliminating the countless number of times of pressing the return key.) Additionally, the screen font can be toggled between two sizes: standard (which is small) and large.

Although there are innumerable positives to this handheld, there are still negatives. The silver color of the casing is merely spray paint on white plastic. The daytimer software is quite lame (hopefully there are better organizer packages out there than can sync up to this handheld). Also, the sync speed between the organizer and PC is slow, BUT bearable. Also, this is not an instrument you would want to carry in your pocket (definitely not your shirt pocket) since it is too big in size. It is advised that a case be purchased for this organizer. However, if you plan to buy the original carrying case for this organizer, it will cost $30.00 from Sharp. I find a camera carrying case sufficient for this handheld.

Below is a listing of GOODs and BADs. In the end, this is still a powerful organizer. Overall, if you're practical and your looking for an organizer to hold your information, as well as provide beneficial features found in other models, yet keeping a more attractive price tag, the Sharp Wizard should be an option to look at.

GOODs Easy to type with Keyboard Easy to read Large Display Expandable with Downloadable Programs Backlight Flash memory need no Backup battery Takes 2 AA batteries Sufficient Memory Low Price (Less than $100) Includes PC Cable & DayTimer Software Password Protection

BADs Spray-painted plastic case No support for recurring schedules at all. Slow sync speed DayTimer 2000 is Lame Too, big to fit in a pocket Hardly any Technical Support/Info from Sharp for third party Programmers.