I am looking for a handheld with the most compatibility to my Outlook
Contacts.  As you know, if you are an Outlook user, in Contacts you
are offered 3 address entries: "Business" "Home" and "Other"
Under telephones you are offered "Business" "Home" "Business Fax"
"Mobil" along with dropdowns for other phone numbers ie Business 2,
Home Fax, other...
In the handheld I purchase, I want it to have the capability to
receive as many of these choices as is possible.

I purchased a Palm Lire 71 and the software program Intellisync but
found out that extensive line by line mapping was reqired.  If I
mapped spots for 3 addresses and the specific contact had only one or
two addresses, the empty lines for the empty address or addresses
would be exported to the Palm and there would be a lot of empty lines
to scroll through to get to the next information.  If I did a a line
by line mapping to include all the phone/fax options for my most
extensive contacts. . . the empty lines would show up in the contacts
that had only a simple one phone number entry and I would have to
scroll down and down to get to email or notes.

I returned the Palm and am on the hunt for something that is set up to
receive the most Outlook contact options without extensive mapping
where extensive blank spaces are left to be scrolled through to get to
the next information.  I do not mind purchasing additional add-on
software.  It is my understanding (from Intellisync CS) that
ActiveSync the Microsoft software put out for Pocket PCs only allows
for the basics. . . one address, one Business phone number, one fax
and one mobil and you cannot sync sub-folders.

Question:  How do I determine the best handheld with the most slots to
receive options in Outlook contacts? Is there specific software that
helps increase the options without "mapping" that creates blank spaces
when the specific contact does not have information in that spot?

I would really appreciate comments and suggestions on what to look for
in buying a handheld Palm vs. Pocket PC.  My specific interest is
contact information.  I will not use this for emails.

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Clarification of Question by schmooz-ga on 07 Jul 2003 11:50 PDT

I am also interested in as long a battery life as possible. In fact, I
don't care about color but. . . I know that color comes with the
package.