There aren't many Palm-based PDAs with built-in GPS (global positioning system) receivers, so Garmin is going after that niche with the new iQue 3000. Garmin is better known for its standalone GPS devices, but it is making a mark for itself by building solid PDAs that incorporate GPS receivers.

The iQue 3000 is powered by a 200MHz ARM processor and features 32MB of RAM and 32MB of ROM for internal memory. Garmin also includes a 128MB microSD card for expandable memory, giving you more room to save maps and other files. This PDA offers MP3 playback and a headphone jack, so you can fill a microSD card with songs to take on the road.

Garmin includes a DVD with the iQue 3000 that contains detailed street information for most of North America, as well as 6 million points of interest such as restaurants, hotels and transportation centers. The bundle also includes a car charger and a suction-cup windshield mounting kit for using the GPS tools on the go.

The "where to" function allows you to enter a destination, and the iQue 3000 will find the fastest directions to that location and talk you through the route. It even keeps track of your location and adjusts the directions if you make a wrong turn.

As a PDA, the iQue 3000 features the basic applications you need, such as an address book, calendar and file viewer (via DataViz' Documents to Go). It also smoothly integrates these features with the GPS capabilities. For example, you can easily have the unit find directions to any contact in your address book.

The iQue 3000 has an MSRP of $400, about what you'd expect to pay for a PDA with GPS capabilities. It doesn't include any wireless options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so if you need to browse the web on your PDA, you'll have to purchase an accessory.

At just over 5 ounces, the iQue 3000 isn't the smallest PDA out there. However, with the robust GPS tools and the Palm operating system, it is one of the more multifunctional PDAs available. If you prefer Palm to Microsoft for your mobile device and have need of sophisticated GPS tools, the Garmin iQue 3000 is a great PDA option.

Pros:  Excellent GPS capabilities, good software bundle
Cons:  No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

Warranty
1 year, limited