The screen was taller than that of the original AlphaSmart products, and the Dana's casing was made from opaque dark-blue plastic—a change from the iMac-esque clear. Although it's primarily aimed at schools, the Palm OS-based Dana may also appeal to regular mobile users who require a lightweight and affordable portable computer.

Pen Computing Magazine: AlphaSmart Dana review Recent issues AlphaSmart Dana Palm device with full keyboard for writers and students by Shawn Barnett Posted November 12, 2002 All manner of keyboards have been made for Palm OS devices. Full-size keyboards with elaborate mechanisms, small snap on keyboards that emulate a RIM pager, and now companies like Palm, Handspring, Sony, and Sharp have even integrated thumb boards into their designs. But no one has produced a computer with a full-size keyboard running the Palm OS--until the arrival of Dana, by AlphaSmart. It's tough to define just what the Dana is.

It's not really a Palm device, since it's not 'palm-size' or shirt-pocketable. It's not foldable either. Not a clamshell, not a tablet. Not even a notebook. Most fascinating, however, is that it can do just about anything those other devices can. Wings Xp 5 Emulator.

Except fit in a shirt pocket. AlphaSmart is billing it as a 'notebook replacement.'

Sounds odd at first, especially for those who use their notebooks for so many power-hungry jobs, like storing and displaying photos, playing MP3 files, and even playing DVDs while on the road. But when it comes down to it, many have discovered that all they really need on a trip can be done with a simple Palm Pilot, a modem, and a portable keyboard. These things purchased separately total between US$400-600. Then you need a word processor, office suite, and an email program. That adds between US$50-70.

With the AlphaSmart Dana, it's all just US$399, plus between US$80 and US$130 for a compatible modem. Certainly comparable, and the keyboard and large screen cannot be duplicated. Comparing it to a notebook or subnotebook, while it takes up about the same space as an Apple iBook or Sony VAIO 505 in footprint, it weighs only two pounds, has no hard disk to worry about, and doesn't heat up your lap. Its rechargeable battery is likely to last days instead of hours--up to 25 hours with the backlight on, according to AlphaSmart--and in a pinch you can buy three AA alkalines and go for over 30 hours with the backlight on. It's also rugged, so it can easily stand a three foot drop, on or off.

Do that with an iBook or VAIO while it's on, and you'll likely end up with a lot of pieces, but very little recoverable data. Finally, there's no boot cycle. Need to pause to change planes? Just hit the power button. To resume, just hit the same button and you're back where you left off. We saw this idea with Windows CE Jupiter devices, but this is the first time such a large device has used the Palm OS. Construction The Dana has a solid feel, important for a computer that will encounter a lot of people whose motor skills aren't fully developed, namely children. Beats Psp Games.

The Sims 3 Crack Version 1.36 45 here. AlphaSmart has several years experience in this area because of their nine years making computers like the AlphaSmart 3000, a non-Palm OS typing computer for schools (reviewed in the last issue). I was pretty crazy about the 3000, but the Dana is even better. Its tough ABS body is dark blue/violet, and the keyboard section is quite a bit thinner than the 3000, offering easier typing when the computer is on a flat surface.

The Samsung keyboard is superb. Great travel, good tactile feedback, and relative quiet. The keyboard on the 3000 wasn't this quiet, nor this responsive. It's as good as the keyboard on my Apple iBook, but feels significantly more rugged. While on the topic of the keyboard and Apple computers, I should mention that the bottom left of the keyboard features both a Windows 'ctrl' and a Mac 'cmd' key, both in their traditional locations. The Command key also features the Palm Command stroke.

The good news for one who straddles both PC and Mac worlds is that--at least in the built-in word processor--both the control and command keys will perform many traditional keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl/Cmd X, C, and V for cut, copy, paste (to clarify, it's Ctrl on the PC and Cmd on the Mac). For most other Palm OS Command strokes, it appears only the Apple Cmd button will work. It seems like a good compromise that addresses the needs of AlphaSmart's traditional customers, used to the 3000, plus Mac and PC users likely to take an interest in the Dana. The keyboard has eight function buttons and eight Palm OS-specific buttons across the top.