POWER PLANNERS

If chaos reigns, will an electronic organiser help? Our expert tested smart models at both ends of the price range

ELECTRONIC organisers hold out the tantalising promise that a disorganised life can be transformed into one of calm and order: what a diary, calendar, address book and message pad cannot achieve, a device looking like a glorified calculator can. Of course, this comes at a price. While the cheapest models start at about pounds 30, at the upper end of the market they cost several hundred .

These more expensive models, it can be argued, are not really organisers at all, but palm-top computers. They have the usual "organiser" functions schedules, reminders to jog your memory, alarm calls to alert you to your next appointment. In addition, they have the software (though it may be more limited) that you'd expect to find on a laptop or PC, such as database, spreadsheet or word processor. The more expensive models also have bigger screens and more sophisticated capability to communicate with other computers.

We tested three organisers costing about pounds 90, and another three costing pounds 300 pounds 400 though you can expect to find discounts on these prices in the shops. Our expert tester was Adam Banks, editor of Computer Buyer magazine, aimed at the home and small business market. We asked him to take into account how convenient they are to use, their range of functions, and value for money.

*CASIO SF-5500B

128K bytes memory; 8cm x 14cm x 1.5cm; 4 lines x 16 character display; pounds 89.99

The functions of this Casio organiser include an expenses notebook, a phone directory, a "to do" list, a schedule, calendars to 2099 or back to 1901, a world time function, calculator and reminders of daily, monthly and yearly events. It can also give alarm calls. A protected area for storing secret notes must be accessed by a password. Data can be transferred to other Casio organisers, or, with additional data equipment, to a PC.

"Not particularly well constructed, with a glorified calculator feel," Adam Banks said. The keys were fiddly, and you couldn't fit much on screen: "You can't see the whole address entry sometimes, and there's no automatic word-wrapping."

The calculator keys are in the lid, making it tricky to use. The address book and telephone directory are "simple but adequate". The expenses function is "quite good", producing summaries in different categories. But you have to do six key presses in order to get a pounds sign. "It's usable," Adam concluded, "but expensive in view of what it offers."

*SHARP ZQ-4450 pounds 89.99

128K bytes memory; 14cm x 8cm x 1.8cm; 4 lines x 20 character display; pounds 89.99

This has similar functions to the Casio, including calendar, schedule, a "to do" list, phone directory, memo pad, expenses notes, world clock and so on. Adam Banks commented that the expenses facility was less flexible than the Casio's: it isn't possible to add up how much is spent according to category of expenditure. He liked the metric/imperial, currency and Farenheit/Centigrade conversion facility. "It feels like a calculator," he said, "but the keys in the lid are held in place better than on the Casio. The screen is too small, though it is readable and the contrast is OK. It is possible with this model to communicate data to other Sharp organisers, or with a cable and extra software, with a PC.

**TEXAS INSTRUMENTS PS-6800

128Kb memory; 8cm x 12.5cm x 1.5cm; 6 lines x 24 characters diplay; pounds 89.99

This organiser has many of the same functions as the Casio and Sharp ZQ-4450 and Casio SF-5500B. A connectivity kit (an extra pounds 39.99 including Windows software) links the organiser to a PC or laptop. Of the smaller electronic organisers, this was the one Adam Banks preferred. This was because of its larger screen, and, he added: "The styling is also better, with a nice grey curved case, and good graphics. It has no lower-case letters, but this seems a good idea since using them can be fiddly (as on the Casio and the Sharp) and I can't see they are necessary. The organiser feels faster to use, and entering the information is quicker. You also get more help, with help messages on screen. There's a big button marked 'Day Scan', which tells you what you're supposed to be doing today."

On the minus side, Adam pointed out that the number keys are not arranged in calculator fashion (they are in a horizontal line), which could be annoying. It is limited to only four alarm calls a day, and has no expenses function. Though there is a PC connecting kit, there is no facility for linking up with other similar organisers. "Scores less highly on functions,' said Adam, "but has a bigger screen and is nicer to use than its rivals."

***PSION SERIES 3A

2Mb memory; 16.5cm x 8.5cm x 2.2cm; 25 lines x 80 characters display; pounds 399.95

Adam Banks knew this model well already. "It was definitely the best one when it came out a year ago, but it is now looking a bit dated and overpriced." Unlike the other two more expensive models tested, it relies solely on use of a keyboard; with the other two you can write on the screen with a special pen, and your handwriting is converted into digital text. He still had a lot of good to say about it: it is nicely styled, the case has a textured surface, and it's not too big. "Though a little heavy, it is still pocketable." He also liked the big screen.

On the minus side, the lid snaps into only one position, which left the screen a little too flat. Its functions resembled general purpose software rather than being specifically designed for an organiser, Adam thought. "You get a general purpose database, not set up for names and addresses."

The Psion also has a wordprocessing package, which Adam liked, with a spell-checking feature but the spreadsheet, he said, was very basic. "It was like a package from five or six years ago and I would want to transfer data to a PC instead." It has a schedule, but no expenses function. You can record messages into it, like a dictaphone. It will even dial telephone numbers for you and, with extra equipment, send faxes and access the Internet. You can print out documents if you buy the right link.

But the unique reason for buying a Psion, said Adam, is all the extra software you can buy for it. This includes a package which translates over 28,000 words into five languages, a phrase book, a wine guide and games. A 1Mb version can also be bought for pounds 333.95, which Adam thought would be adequate for most functions but insufficient if you intended to make lots of voice recordings.

*****HEWLETT PACKARD OMNIGO 100

1Mb memory; 15.3cm x 9.5cm x 2.6cm; 240 x 240 pixels display; pounds 299

This brand-new computer, to be launched on 15 October, was Adam Banks's top choice. He found it incredibly easy to use because, as well as a keyboard, it has a touch pen which is pointed at items to operate functions. "It makes a big difference just being able to point at the screen."

As an alternative to the keyboard, the screen can be folded back so it becomes a notepad. The organiser can convert this handwritten information into computer text and store it, or store it as an actual facsimile of your handwriting.

Judging by Adam Banks's reaction, Hewlett Packard seems to have cracked the problem of making a computer which really can recognise handwriting unlike Apple, whose Newton, an early computer that claimed to do this, was a flop.

The Omnigo 100, says Adam, is a big improvement. While the Apple Newton had to learn to recognise the individual's handwriting, with the Hewlett Packard you have to learn to write in a way the computer will recognise. "Someone who has used the Apple Newton told me the machine takes six months to learn your handwriting," said Adam. "It takes only 20 minutes for me to learn how to use this."

The only glitch was that the machine didn't seem to recognise punctuation marks, mistaking them for letters or numerals. Adam also felt it would have been useful if, when used as a notebook, the keyboard could be operated at the same time. It's worth noting that you can't send faxes and it doesn't have a wordprocessing package.

The Hewlett Packard has all the usual functions, including a quite advanced finance module, allowing you, for example, to work out the loan rate, and a good calculator. Another bonus was the anti-reflective screen. Not so good were the keys on the keyboard, which were small and fiddly. Though Adam thought all the computers were too expensive, he said this was good value for money cheaper and better value than the Psion (unless you were going to use all its extra software). Best of all, this model is fun to play with and unless an organiser is enjoyable, it won't be used.

****SHARP ZAURUS ZE-5000 PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR

1Mb memory; 17cm x 10cm x 2.5cm; 14 lines x 54 characters display; pounds 399.99

This organiser uses both a keyboard and a touch pen. The pen is used to write notes and draw, as well as to operate functions by pointing at the screen. It does not, however, turn handwriting into text as the Hewlett Packard Omnigo does. Adam Banks liked the screen: "It is massive, which is really great." The screen seems better arranged to display information than the shorter but wider Psion screen and, as the lid is hinged less firmly, can be moved to any position. But it is not anti-reflective which is "quite annoying".

A useful feature is "Scrapbook", which lets you draw diagrams or flow- charts, combined with graphics showing building, railways and so on useful for drawing up maps to show clients how to reach you. These could be printed out or faxed.

The manufacturer's main selling point is that this model can be used extensively for communications sending and receiving electronic mail, and sending faxes. It can network with up to 20 other Zaurus users useful for a fleet of sales reps, though not for individuals who, like Adam Banks, do not have anyone else with a Zaurus to talk to.

Adam was impressed by the built-in facility to transmit data using infra red simply point it at another Zaurus, press a button, and the information is beamed across. Again, he was unable to test this in practice. This model won his approval for its styling: "It is less plasticky than some. It feels solid, and could probably be knocked about without minding too much." He criticised it, though, because it doesn't have an integrated spreadsheet (you have to buy it as an extra).

STOCKISTS Psion 3a Series: available from Dixons, WH Smith and Boots; Hewlett Packard: Dixons; Casio: telephone 0181-208 0948 for local stockists; Sharp: telephone 0800 262 958 for local stockists; Texas Instruments: WH Smith, or by mail order from Viking Direct (0800 424 444).