> and the case design seems to provide more than enough surface area to
> accomodate a much wider screen. Nor do I think that rotation is the
> reason for the square screen -- even Windows for Pen can rotate on a
> rectangular screen :-).
>
> I'd bet that it's simply a matter of product strategy, and a wider
> screen will offered in a follow-on product along with 2MB or more of
> RAM.
>
I suspect the reason for the smaller screen is partly a trade-off for
the faster cpu to keep the battery consumption down.
Also, if they're going to rotate it the square screen is more practical.
Given that, the shortest dimension of the face of the unit is the limit
for the screen size.
I don't think they made a good choice here. But I don't think it was to
sell it to people so they'd throw it away when the real one came out.
HP doesn't have a history of that kind of product strategy.
Then again, I haven't seen it. When I see it in the store and have a
chance to compare it with other PDA's in it's price range, maybe I'll
like it. Who knows?
Barry