Our second PocketPC-based device comes across as very different from Casio's Cassiopeia E-115. The Jornada 545 is slimmer, designed with a more curvy look, and includes a hinged plastic flip-up cover to protect the screen. A special flat stylus is hidden inside the cover. There are fewer buttons to confuse the beginner too: just three dedicated buttons for calling up the address book, contacts and tasks, plus one to return you back to the Home screen. There's also a thumbwheel Action button for scrolling and selecting, although it takes some getting used to. Nor do the Action button controls kick in everywhere in the system, so this isn't quite a one-handed palmtop.

The screen is 16-bit colour with a resolution of 240x320 pixels. It's a good display but not especially bright, possibly being a compromise in order to prolong battery life. If so, the compromise also leaves graphics looking a bit drab and text less sharp that it ought to appear.

You get the full set of PocketPC applications, including Pocket Outlook for handling all your e-mail, contacts and appointments. You can store and play MP3 audio and MPEG video (there's a stereo audio jack on the side), but to do so, you might want to consider upgrading the built-in 16MB of memory using the Compact Flash slot. A built-in mic and Record button on the left-hand side make the Jornada 545 a good digital dictaphone too. HP even bundles a quality pair of stereo earphones in the box.

Perhaps most surprising is how affordable the Jornada 545 is, with HP's estimated street price being heavily discounted by mail order suppliers. Even at this price, it's cheaper than many other PocketPC colour palmtops.