All the Pocket PCs available today come with an instruction manual and a CD-ROM that contains Microsoft ActiveSync software and other software goodies. Pocket PCs use Microsoft Windows CE as the base operating system, offer a touch screen to enter information, and have external hardware buttons that can be used for fast access to programs on the device. Pocket PCs also offer some method of expandability, such as a CompactFlash slot, and have docking cradles that allow you to connect your Pocket PC to your desktop or laptop PC and synchronize data between the two. Although different models of the Pocket PC are available, the basic operations are almost identical. Where the Pocket PC varies between models is in the hardware.
Some devices are slimmer than others.
Some might have more memory or execute programs faster. The screen technology might also be different. The various models range in processing speed from 131 MHz to 206 MHz. The memory can range from 16 MB to 32 MB, which allows for a lot of on-device data and application storage. All models have touch screens for basic user input and navigation instead of a mouse and a keyboard.