The $150 (or So) Writer's Notebook

Maybe it's just me, but you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a decent notebook that will allow you to write that short story or article. And I'm not saying that you have to go on eBay and look for a used notebook, because I wouldn't wish that on anyone. If you have ever scoured eBay for a notebook, then you know that you want to commit seppuku by the time you're done. Here are the caveats:

• A lot of auctions don't come with every necessary part.

• A lot of older notebooks are overpriced.

• When a notebook does come with all of the parts, there is a pitfall. The battery may not hold a charge. And what's the point of a notebook with a bum battery?

• Notebooks, especially older ones, can be very finicky. Keyboards go bad, hard drives die, or the system board fries. All the while, you're left without a warranty and have to pay even more money to either fix it or replace it.

See why I hate notebook shopping?

But I'd like to share an alternative.

It's called a Windows CE notebook.

Here's a little history. A number of years ago Microsoft released software that would be used by hardware companies to build a competitor to the Palm brand. These were small devices with full keyboards and ran an operating system for mobile devices called "Windows CE". While these old "palmtops" or handheld PCs were not large enough to touch-type on, they were useful for inputting data and carrying information around with you.

Over the next few years Microsoft continued improving the platform, and in 1999 companies such as Compaq, HP, and NEC released devices that were close in form factor to full-sized notebooks, but had several key advantages:

• Their battery life far exceeded regular notebooks, averaging around 8 hours of continuous use.

• Instant-on. Since Windows CE's program files reside in memory, there is no boot-up and wait time. Functionality is always at your fingertips.

• Weight. These devices were lighter than their full-fledged notebook counterparts. Windows CE devices of this class weighed in the 1 to 2 pound range.

These devices, often referred to as "Handheld PC Pros", or HPC Pros for short, had (and still have) an enthusiastic cult following, but they never caught on in the mainstream. Regular PC software does not run on Windows CE, as it is a different operating system from Windows 98 or XP. While there are a number of applications available for the platform, it nowhere near matches the amount offered in the PC-compatible realm.

So for a hardcore business user, a Handheld PC Pro may not be the best choice.

But for a writer, it can be a great option.

Here is what you would need:

• Windows CE Handheld PC Pro, one of the notebook or sub-notebook varieties. Examples are NEC MobilePro 770/780/790/800/880 models, Compaq Aero 8000, HP Jornada 820, Vadem Clio, IBM z50, or Sharp Tripad. This should run you bewteen $80 to $120.

• TextMaker, from Softmaker. This could run you between $11.11 (on special) to $39.95.

• ListPro, from IliumSoft. This could run you between $0 (just the HPC version) to $19.95 (if you purchase the desktop version as well).

At a minimum, you're looking at $115 or so, but $150 is reasonable.

As far as word processing, TextMaker is a great option. It contains just about every option commonly used in a program like Microsoft Word, and then some. TextMaker can read and write Word format, putting Pocket Word to shame. It has a built-in spell checker and thesaurus, outlining features, and more. For writers, this is a must-have application on an HPC Pro.

ListPro is a great outlining program, and it can do much more. You can create lists with great flexibility and options. I have created a template within ListPro for outlining stories and audio dramas, and re-arranging data is easy. There is a desktop component available as well, so files can be edited on the road and on your desktop. Although the version for HPC Pros is no longer supported (version 3.0T), the company was gracious enough to make the program available for free. And you can still purchase the desktop version by going to their website and using a special ordering form.

Together, these tools can allow the writer to work uninterrupted for far longer than a regular laptop. Transferring data to the PC is easy, either using ActiveSync (the software that allows an HPC Pro to communicate with a PC) or using a Compact Flash reader.

Here are a few tips:

• Since ListPro for the HPC is now free, test drive it before purchasing the desktop version, which is just about identical.

• Don't overpay for an HPC Pro on eBay. Do multiple searches and compare prices.

• When purchasing an HPC Pro, make sure that it comes with a PC sync cable. All of them did when first released.

• TextMaker costs $39.95, but the past few years they have done a special promotion on November 11, where all of their products are $11.11.

I hope that you have found this helpful. Happy writing!