Seiko SmartPad for Pocket PC

If you're torn between taking my side and using a pen and paper to take notes (and spending the money you save on RAM and processor upgrades) or going all high tech with your notepad and address book by buying a PDA, Seiko's SmartPad may be just the contradiction you're looking for. The product lets you transfer handwritten notes and drawings from paper to Compaq iPAQ and HP Jornada PDAs that use the Pocket PC Operating System exclusively. The SmartPad is a note pad portfolio that measures 7.25"H x 10.5"W x 1.5"D, and with space for a standard 5" x 8" note pad and the iPAQ- or Jornada-connected organizer. As you write on the notepad with the SmartPad pen (included), your notes and drawings are transferred to the PDA via the ActiveSync operation. Once saved on a computer, notes and drawings can be viewed, edited, printed and attached to e-mail messages as .JPG, .INK, PNG, .BMP files. The InkNoteManager software included with SmartPad for Pocket PC uses the personal Outlook categories and key words to organize and manage ink notes. The SmartPad is powered by two AAA alkaline batteries (included), and is currently compatible only with the iPAQ and Jornada Pocket PCs. System requirements include an IBM-compatible Pentium or faster computer running Windows 95 or later, 16 MB RAM minimum, 16 MB of available hard disk space and a CD-ROM drive. The SmartPad pen comes with five ink refill cartridges, and Seiko even throws in a standard 5" x 8" ruled notepad in package. Seiko Instruments' SmartPad for Pocket PC will be available in December at a suggested retail price of $169. A computer and PDA are not included.