If Palm's handheld computers are stylish, Sony's are simply jaw-dropping and the new Clie PEG-TH55 raises the bar by a significant margin. The case is fashioned from sturdy, textured black plastic and a smoked plastic plate protects the screen until you need to write on it (you can see through it otherwise). The screen itself is huge, filling the entire front of the TH55, and its whopping 320 x 480 resolution gives a wonderfully crisp image with vibrant colours.

Sony has taken a few liberties with traditional Palm OS-based device design and the four application buttons have been shrunk down to the bottom edge of the case. The four-way control pad has gone, replaced with a scroll wheel at the back of the case that falls comfortably under the forefinger when the TH55 is held in one hand. The back of the case also houses a digital camera and while its 640 x 480 resolution won't blow any socks off, it's fine for snapshots.

The processor can be a bit sluggish with some applications but it's optimised to play full-screen video very smoothly. And don't worry about draining the battery as the speed control can drag out the battery life to around 15 days of normal use. The 32Mb of memory is a bit meagre compared to some of Palm's own models but there's a memory card slot for adding more. As if that weren't enough, the TH55 also has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so it can wirelessly connect to just about anything.

This is an incredible handheld computer and the only real let-downs are the telescopic toothpick of a stylus and the fact that the docking cradle is an optional extra. They're minor complaints, though, and ones that are more than compensated for by the all-singing, all-dancing applications that Sony has put together. These make the basic ones supplied with Palm's own devices look crude in comparison and make the TH55 the must-have handheld of 2004.

Contact: Sony 020 7365 2934
www.sonystyle.co.uk