Windows Mobile 5 hasn’t changed dramatically enabling software to function more consistently between multiple platforms. The most significant update is the change in storage strategy. Gone is the faintly unwise practice of storing all data in volatile memory, as is the threat of losing all of your precious information should you be careless enough to let the battery run down Acer’s latest PDA isn’t the first we’ve seen running the new OS, but it’s certainly one of the slimmest at just 13.7mm. It looks professionally slick and neat, too.

The n311 is the dominant sibling of the n300 family. Its little brother, the n310, is identical in appearance, but blessed with only half of the 128MB storage space we see here, a slower processor, and a complete lack of embedded WiFi support. It’s surprising the versatility that Wi-Fi adds in the n300, even if browsing the web on a small screen isn’t too appealing. Skype calling works well, for example, somewhat making up for the lack of GSM features in this unit.

Battery life is quite exceptional, even when pushing the unit fairly hard. In fact, when switching Wi-Fi on and setting MP3s playing, we achieved a good four and a half hours consistent use. And by scaling back the processor for less intensive applications like Word and Powerpoint, it manages nearly eight hours without any visible sense of slowdown. Since the included dock provides a charging compartment for an optional spare battery, perpetually running this PDA is quite realistic.

While it’s lacking the flavour-of-the-month GPS features that other similar devices prop themselves up on, SDIO means the n300 is expandable should you need it to be. The Samsung processor is hefty enough to manage the full range of multimedia tasks, and the beautiful super-bright screen keeps up with on-screen action well. The n300 doesn’t have the same power as the Dell Axim (4.5 stars, PC Plus 238) but for a mid-range PDA in a wonderfully designed shell there’s really no need to look elsewhere.