If you're counting pennies, you can get the US$360 Jornada 325, the cheapest Pocket PC available. Unfortunately, so many corners have been cut, the thing might as well be a sphere. The 256-color screen is pale; the PC connection cable uses a slow serial connection (not the much more convenient USB); and incredibly, there's no slot for the stylus.
Of course, a freshly unpacked Pocket PC can't talk to a Macintosh, but a Mac connection kit will soon be available from DoctorCE.com. That's not the only way the lines between Palms and Pocket PC's are beginning to blur. Already, some Pocket PC's are starting to sink into the traditional Palm price range; the grayscale iPaq costs US$300. If you want a Palm with a big, Pocket PC-like rectangular screen and a built-in voice recorder, you can get a HandEra 330.
Soon enough, you'll be able to choose your own spot on the simplicity-features spectrum within either camp; after that, life's other questions will seem like a piece of cake.
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