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There are many handheld computers on the market vying for your money, all offering pretty much the same features. But where Mitac has made its mark with the Mio 339 is in its multimedia features, of which the built-in camera is just one.
The Mio 339 is a fairly average pocket PC that runs the Windows Mobile 2003 operating system. It has 64Mb of memory, which is set aside for applications and data, but there's also a memory card slot that can be used to add more.
It can capture still images at a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, while video is limited to 320 x 240. There's also a flash that assists in low-light conditions, however, constant use means that you'll have to recharge the battery more often than usual. Mitac provides its own software to turn the screen into a viewfinder and you can view images and video on the screen once they have been saved.
The other multimedia feature is audio playback. Along with MP3 software and a graphic equaliser, the Mio 339 comes supplied with a set of earphones which have inline controls. This allows you to skip tracks and alter volume without getting the stylus out - a nice touch.
Battery life is generally a bit of a disappointment. Playing MP3s off a full charge only delivered sound for two and a half hours before the power ran out. This is a major drawback, as it means the Mio 339 won't get you through the day if you are a music-on-the-move fan.
Nevertheless, the overall size and weight is competitive with other Pocket PCs and it's reasonably priced.
Without its multimedia features, the Mio 339 would be a distinctly unexceptional Pocket PC. The camera and audio playback makes it slightly more desirable but the poor battery life is very off-putting.
Contact: Evesham 0870 160 9500
www.evesham.com
See also:
Sony sets a new standard that other Palm OS-based handhelds will struggle to meet. 02 Apr 2004
All Palm PDAs
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