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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                                  May 15, 1998


Extended Systems Incorporated
5777 Meeker Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83713

        RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 15, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 2,433,802 shares of your Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the "Shares"). As your legal counsel, we have
examined the proceedings taken, and are familiar with the proceedings proposed
to be taken, by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares.

        It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken
or contemplated by us, as your legal counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance
of the Shares, the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner described in the
Registration Statement and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by your
Board of Directors, will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.


                       Very truly yours,

                       WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                       Professional Corporation

                       /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI