The PenCentra is a slate computer, meaning it does not have the keyboard that is typical with Handheld PCs. This is a durable device, with rubber running around the perimeter of the device to help prevent disaster if it gets dropped. Also, rubber doesn't scratch :)

Two different screens are sold in the PenCentra 130 line, one is dual-scan, which as most of you know means it's worthless in direct sunlight. The other is transreflective, meaning you can read it in direct sunlight. I was disappointed to find that color on the transreflective version looks washed out. Unless you're going to use it outside a lot, go with the dual scan model.

The PenCentra 130 is one of the few CE 2.11 "Hpc Pro" devices I've seen that has a USB port. It also has a PS/2 style keyboard port so you can plug a full-sized keyboard into it, and a standard serial port. The MIPS processor is far from snappy, though with the upgrade module pushing it to 32MB RAM, it's tollerable for general purposes. Also uncommon for devices baring the CE 2.11 core OS is a built-in 7MB file store.

Fujitsu sells/sold some unusually good quality screen protectors for these (check eBay). I highly recommend them over the more common vinyl-like protectors because it is a hard plastic very much like the original screen.

Accessory: nice docking station holds the device upright and provides port-replicator type functionality.

For the purposes of this review, I have just verified that rather than buying an expensive synchronization cable, you can use a plain 9-pin null modem cable instead. ActiveSync v3.71 recognizes it just fine with my plan old PC null modem cable. Before connecting, be sure to set the device to 115K as the default is 19K (slow!).

Lastly, besides the typical suite of "pocket office", Fujitsu includes Communication Intelligence Corporation's QuickNotes v3.2, which is a great notepad type utility specifically for handwriting. Other more common extras includes bFax Pro, HRS and Jot (handwriting recognition that uses gestures similar to Calligrapher/Transcriber), Citrix ICA WinCE Client, bFind, and the CIC spelling checker.

As the price for these is probably 2000% less than the original MSRP, this would make a great handheld device for a youngster because it's tougher than the average slate.