Relative newcomers on the PDA scene, Pocket PCs are the svelte cousins of earlier Windows CE handhelds. They use a special version of the Windows CE operating system, referred to as Windows CE 3.0 or the Pocket PC OS. When searching for downloads for your Pocket PC, don't download Windows CE versions of products unless specifically instructed to, as those products are an entirely different subspecies of PDA--one that we unfortunately do not have the space to cover.

	A Pocket PC from Casio

Pocket PCs really live up to their name when it comes to entertainment. As far as gaming goes, it's like carrying an older Pentium-equipped computer around in your hand--plus, there are hundreds of great games to test out. Since the overwhelming majority of Pocket PCs have color screens, good multimedia performance, and plenty of storage, expect to see games that are far more complex graphically than their Palm OS counterparts.

There are three main competitors in the Pocket PC arena: Casio, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard. While Pocket PCs from these companies all have different hardware configurations and button layouts, they generally are distinguished by their processors.

Processors: ARM vs. SH3 vs. PocketPC MIPS
Visitors to download sites soon discover that there rarely is a generic Pocket PC version of any given game. More often, there is a Pocket PC category with separate downloads labeled "ARM" (or "StrongARM"), "MIPS," and "SH3." These acronyms refer to different processors, and a game designed specifically for a Compaq Pocket PC won't work when installed on a Casio Pocket PC, even though the operating systems are the same.

	A Compaq iPAQ

Compaq's popular iPAQ series uses powerful Intel StrongARM processors that run at 206MHz. The iPAQs currently are the fastest Pocket PCs, and many of the most complex games run only on these machines. Casio's E series Pocket PCs use the slower MIPS processor from MIPS Technologies, running at 131MHz or 150MHz. Plenty of games are designed to work with Casio Pocket PCs, but the more demanding titles that run smoothly on an iPAQ generally don't work as well on an E series machine. HP's Jornada 500 line of Pocket PCs trails the other two in the gaming department because they are equipped with 133MHz Hitachi SH3 processors and don't have the joypad that comes as standard equipment on both iPAQs and E series devices. Bear in mind that companies sometimes switch to different processors when new units are developed, so consider the information above to be a rule of thumb and always check your product's documentation to see what type of processor is installed.

Multimedia
Pocket PC devices were designed from the ground up with multimedia in mind, and nearly all have color screens and stereo output capability (through headphones). Many of the best Pocket PC games have lush color graphics, coupled with realistic sound effects and music that outshine the horrible sounds that Palm devices emit. As far as output is concerned, Pocket PCs are theoretically the ideal mobile platforms for gaming, but real-world testing proves there still are plenty of input problems to overcome before these devices can compete with dedicated gaming handhelds.

	An HP Jornada

Storage
One nice thing about Pocket PCs is their relatively massive storage capability. While most units come with 32MB to 64MB of internal storage RAM, they also are compatible with a number of expandable memory technologies. Casio's Pocket PCs use only MMC or Type I/Type II CompactFlash while Compaq's iPAQ is the only Pocket PC that supports PC Cards natively. Compaq's iPAQ products have no integrated slots and rely instead on plastic sleeves that slip onto the devices and hold either CompactFlash memory or Type II PC Cards. These sleeves add significantly to the bulk of the unit and cost extra money (on top of the price of the memory cards themselves), which makes Compaq's removable storage solution versatile--but also pricey and inconvenient.

Buying Tips
At this point for gaming on the Pocket PC, iPAQs and Casio products are the best choice because of their faster processors and integrated gamepads. Unfortunately, the gamepads are designed for navigating through menus and not for the precision that an intense game requires, so don't expect miracles. The iPAQ's gamepad is especially cumbersome for gaming, since the system doesn't recognize simultaneous button presses, which makes diagonal movement and advanced tricks like shooting on the move impossible.

When purchasing a unit, focus on storage space, processor speed, and compatibility with the games you want to play. 32MB of memory should offer plenty of room for casual gamers, but if you plan to add a lot of emulators or complex games like PocketQuake, consider 64MB a bare minimum.