The Palm Vx and Palm V are two handheld devices from 3Com Corp. These notepads of the '90s fit in the palm of your hand and are about 400 times more expensive than their ruled paper versions.

Like the other Palm models, the Palm Vx and Palm V are battery-powered organizers that allow text input through the use of a stylus -- that is, a pen-shaped stick.

This is achieved by learning Graffiti, a modified script that the machine recognizes. This is the genius of the device. You adapt your handwriting to it and it meets you halfway.

Learning Graffiti takes some practice, but rudimentary text input is achievable with about half an hour of practice. You can learn to write 20 words a minute or more by learning the alphabet and practicing every day for a couple of weeks.

The devices come with a built-in address book, to-do list and note pad as well as a scheduler. All these functions are accessible by tapping icons on the screen or by using the one-touch buttons on the front of the unit.

Other free programs can be downloaded from a myriad of Web sites. Commercial software packages are also available.

Like their predecessors, the Palm V and Vx come with a cradle that attaches to a Windows computer through a serial port, which most computers have. A $9.95 US Palm MacPac is necessary to optimize Palm compatibility with Apple computers, though the software that comes in the kit is also available as a free download. Note to iMac and USB users: A $39.95 US PalmConnect USB kit is necessary to connect the device to a USB port.

A one-button HotSync function on the cradle triggers a swap of data between the computer and the hand-held device. This allows data backup and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook or the included desktop organizer software. This is also the way new programs are loaded onto the hand-held device.

E-mail can be read and responded to on the V series devices and through a HotSync data transfer can be immediately sent by your computer's mail program. This feature is not supported on the Mac.

An add-on modem that allows you to e-mail directly from the V series devices is also available.

The Palm V comes with 2 Mb of memory, while the Palm Vx comes with 8 Mb. The Palm Vx has a faster chip than the V model and synchronizes faster when in the HotSync cradle.

Unlike the grey-cased Palm III and Palm IIIx, the Palm Vx and Palm V come in a sleek brushed aluminum case, which is thinner and smaller. It's designed for technology buffs who want to be seen to have some style.

The most overlooked feature is the infrared beamer device that allow Palm users to swap wireless business cards or zap a hastily-scrawled note to an infrared-enabled printer. It is useless if there are no other Palm users around but is a fabulous feature if lots of people in the office have them. Palm owners can even beam software back and forth.

Probably the nicest feature of the V series is the new lithium-ion battery. It charges when it's in the cradle and lasts for a week or more of moderate use. Of course, use of the beamer and backlit screen drains the battery much more quickly.

Speaking of the screen, the V series has a new, improved, anti-glare screen, which is truly better than the screens on earlier models, but the back-lit feature is a step back. Earlier models lit the background. The V series lights the letters, which makes viewing the display very difficult in half-light and not very pleasing in the dark. This is a big design flaw.

These devices will help organized people stay organized, but won't help people who are organizationally challenged. The high price keeps them out of the realm of the budget minded. Thanks to the licensing deals that 3Com is signing with third party vendors, however, expect a plethora of devices with the palm-operating system on board to hit the market in 2000.

Reviewer's rating: 4.5 / 5

Comments: Sleek device with intuitive features and great battery technology. But please fix that back-lit screen.