Such is the demand for colour screens that Palm Computing came up with the Palm IIIc. This machine caused quite a stir when it first appeared, but it's really just a standard Palm device after all. It even looks just like a Palm III (or indeed a charcoal black HandSpring Visor); all that's changed is the screen, which still presents only 8-bit colour at 160x160 pixels. To be honest, the screen's not very interesting.

Beyond that, the Palm IIIc is a light but sturdily-built palmtop which includes some excellent PIM functions. It's easy to control with the stylus and the usual dedicated buttons for triggering the calendar, contacts, to-do and notes applications ranged across the bottom, plus a special Graffiti handwriting recognition pad just below the main screen area. The screen and buttons are protected by a hinged plastic cover.

In use, the Palm IIIc is a great palmtop. The PIM applications are well integrated and quick to learn. You also get a corresponding Windows-based PIM called Palm Desktop Organiser with which you synchronise all your agendas and contacts. Running the world's most popular palmtop platform, you will find hundreds of commercial and shareware applications available for download, as well as further sync support with Windows desktop programs such as Microsoft Outlook. We also congratulate Palm for including full printed documentation in the box.

But this could be a description of a mono 8MB Palm III, which costs rather less than the Palm IIIc. Since the Palm OS isn't graphically rich, a tinge of red and blue here and there may not be enough to win over serious buyers. But if you absolutely must have a colour palmtop, the Palm IIIc is the cheapest you'll find.