iPAQ vs. EM500 Comparison

Power Details

	Compaq iPAQ	Casio EM500
Battery Type	Lithium Polymer	Lithium Ion
Battery Life	12 hours continuous	7 hours continuous
Backup Battery	None	Yes
Battery Replaceable	No	Yes

In this area, the iPAQ is able to last longer because the capacity of its battery is larger than the EM500's. But there are a few more factors to consider, first is the battery life is measured for continuous non-stop use. And depending on what you do with you PPC, your mileage may vary.

Even though the iPAQ's battery can last longer, it can't last indefinitely and not being able to replace the battery causes this to be a disadvantage to the iPAQ. The EM500's battery is user-replaceable so the user can get more (if in the first place you can find somewhere that sells it) if he/she thinks they require more juice. Another gripe regarding the iPAQ is that it does not have a separate backup battery to maintain its memory state, this means if you drain its battery power you'll lose EVERYTHING on the iPAQ's onboard memory and have to restore it back from your PC.

Casio EM500 Battery

Both devices uses lithium type rechargeable batteries that have no memory effect so you can plug them into the charger whenever you like, in fact readers at the Brighthand board suggest that you should charge your iPAQ whenever possible when you first get it to condition the battery so it last longer, same case with the EM500 I guess. Also do not run your devices when your battery is very low as it is not good on the battery.

Size Comparisons

Size wise the iPAQ is the smallest of the bunch, nearly as small as a Palm IIIx. For those of you who have no idea how big a Palm IIIx is, a normal credit card is provided for comparison.

Lineup (18k)
Size comparisons, from left : Credit Card, EM500, iPAQ, Palm IIIx

As you can see both of them are quite small, although if you put them side by side the EM500 looks like a big lug. :P

Thickness (19k)
Device Thickness, from top: iPAQ, EM500, Palm IIIx

Again the EM500 appears to be a big lug when sandwiched between the iPAQ and the Palm IIIx. But neither would fit into a shirt pocket.