The Palm m125 PDA has all the classic information management systems that have made Palm a synonym for handheld, such as the Date Book, Address Book, To-Do List, and Memo Pad. But every handheld has these applications. What makes the m125 PDA a winner is its versatility.

For instance, you can work on your handheld applications on your computer, entering and modifying data with the Palm desktop software. And transferring data between your handheld and your computer is a snap with the HotSync cradle. (Those of you who use Outlook will especially love the ability to synchronize data with Outlook.) With the File Link feature, you can even import Address Book and Memo Pad information from external files such as a company phone list.

Thanks to the expansion card slot, you can insert MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital cards to add additional memory or software, making it easy to add other powerful applications. And the m125 PDA comes with extra add-on software, including web connectivity and messaging software, that will give you the ability to download material from the Web, access your Internet mail, display pictures and short video clips, and view and edit MS Word and Excel documents.

Plus, this Palm PDA passed my "out-of-the-box" utility test with flying colors. When you buy a device, you should be able to pick it up and use it without having to take a course first or spend hours trying to get it to work. All the software and accompanying devices such as the HotSync cradle were easy to install and worked flawlessly. Even the graffiti writing was easy to use; it took me only 20 minutes to learn the system and start writing.

On the con side, I found the size of the m125 PDA's screen and working surface small in comparison to other handhelds. It may be fine once you get used to it, but I found that this interfered with data entry and using the applications on the handheld, and I can't imagine comfortably reading e-books on a screen this size.

Still, the Palm m125 will do a lot more for you than just serve as a portable address book, and has the potential to really improve your productivity.