Handspring Visor (Graphite) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had my Visor for 2 months now and it has been a great purchase. Compared to the Palm IIIe and Palm M100, I believe it is superior in almost every facet. My girlfriend has a Palm IIIe and the only drawbacks I can think of for the visor are: the cover, the stylus, and lack of ROM. The cover is definitely a little annoying to deal with and handspring should really create a flip cover like palm devices have. The stylus that comes with the visor isn't as nice as the one that comes w/ the IIIe, but this is rather minor as it is plenty good to get the job done. The lack of ROM isn't as big of an issue to me because newer versions of the OS are mainly different to allow the newer devices' features to work properly (color display for Palm IIIc and Visor Prism), and in most cases do not affect the functionality of older devices. On the other hand, the visor can offer users so many more possibilities than a comparable device by palm. Springboards are now abundant and the options available are really amazing (check them out before you buy either palm or handspring). Although currently they are relatively expensive, as with any new technology, in due time the price will come down to level where the average buyer will be able to afford them. One main reason I bought a visor rather than a comparable palm was because I was worried that RAM would be an issue sometime in the near future. With Visor, you can buy a RAM springboard and get on with life again, with a Palm, what you start off with is what you will end up with. Before I bought mine, I didn't know how much I would use my visor or what I would use it for. I didn't want to get stuck with a device that wouldn't meet my needs if I ended up using it a lot.
Finally, just some advice for those buying PDAs: regardless of which brand you buy, think about what you will use it for. For example, if you aren't going to have a ton of reference data or books stored on your PDA, 2 MBs will get you through quite a bit. Buy a PDA that will take care of your needs, but also one that will allow a little growth (most people don't realize how much potential there is for their PDA... tons of free downloadable programs). Finally, I highly suggest buying some type of protective case (there are some nice small ones out there that aren't too bulky, e.g. a palmglove or the new handspring neoprene) for carrying your PDA around in. Whatever brand you buy, it won't be able to hold up to very many drops (if any) or sitting down on in your back pocket.

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The Handspring Visor connected organizer is all you'll need to store thousands of names, addresses, appointments, memos, to-do items, expense items, and e-mail.Based on the popular Palm OS, the Handspring Visor is fully compatible with thousands of Palm Computing platform applications.Plus, Handspring has added features to the Palm OS like an advanced date book, calculator, world clock, and built-in floating-point math support.
The Visor offers a fast USB connection, making synchronizing your PC or Mac simple.Exchange of information between your hand-held and PC occurs with the touch of a button.HotSync technology ensures all your data is backed up and enables significantly faster synchronization with USB support than the normal serial connection.(An optional serial cradle is available.)
The Handspring Visor also stores 6,000 addresses, 5 years of appointments, 1,500 to-do items, 1,500 memos, and 200 e-mail messages. This model includes support for Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Outlook, and Qualcomm Eudora.Synchronization software for AOL, Lotus Notes, Netscape Communicator, and POP3 mail is sold separately.
The Handspring Visor is fully expandable with an external expansion slot that lets you add software and hardware modules (called Springboard modules) in a snap.Modules like an MP3 player, pager, modem, GPS receiver, or video game can be added to make an entirely new device.
The Handspring Visor comes with a HotSync cradle, stylus, Palm Desktop software (Windows and Mac), software link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only), and 2 AAA batteries.
The Visor is covered by a one-year warranty.
What's in the box
Visor
HotSync cradle
Stylus
Palm Desktop software (Windows and Mac)
Software link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only)
2 AAA batteries

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Handspring Visor Deluxe (Graphite) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've owned a graphite Visor deluxe for three months now -- it may very well be the most incredible piece of electronics I've ever owned, and that's saying a lot!
The 8MB of RAM is a gracious plenty. I've loaded mine up pretty heavily, with several e-books, a few AvantGo channels, a class manager for all of my undergrad courses, lots of appointments and contacts, and of course some games! Still, I have over 5MB free!
The Palm OS is far superior to Windows CE, and the Handspring version (OS 3.1H) has been tweaked by the wizards at Handspring. The Visor is over 50% faster than the Palm III, and 20% faster than the quickest Palm, the Vx.
On HotSync speed, the Visor again beats the Palm. The USB cradle HotSyncs *very* quickly.
And, you can't beat the price! For $250, you get more RAM, faster processing, and quicker syncing than the Palm! Plus, you get the expandability of the Springboard slot. Although there aren't a lot of modules out right now, there are quite a few in development. (Personally, I only have the 8MB backup module, which is great -- I'm eagerly waiting for the InnoGear SixPak.)
My only complaint was that my Visor Deluxe came with a plastic stylus that was way too chintzy to use, and I purchased an upgraded metal stylus, which is great. Now, however, I hear that all Visors are shipping with metal styli. I guess sometimes the early birds don't always get the worms -- or the good styli.
I also recommend that all Visor owners use a screen protector -- WriteRights are available at CompUSA, or you can make your own out of clear laminate. The screens do scratch fairly easily, and the protectors are so cheap and easy to install, it's well worth it. Plus, I find the plastic laminate easier to write on than the bare Visor screen -- feels more like paper.
All in all, the Visors are wonderful -- buy one right now! You won't be sorry!

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The Handspring Visor Deluxe is the first expandable handheld computer that lets you instantly turn an organizer into a digital camera, music player, or even a phone. It comes with 8 MB of RAM, so you have more than enough room to store all your data, plus a myriad of other programs and information. Plus, it features the amazing Springboard expansion slot, so you can snap in a wide range of hardware and software modules and turn your Visor into whatever you want it to be. Moreover, it is plug-and-play so there are no drivers to load. Just snap in a module and it works! It even comes in five great colors - ice, graphite, blue, orange, and green - so you are sure to find one that suits your style, personality, or mood.

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Palm Tungsten T5 PalmOne PDA (1035NA) Review

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(More customer reviews)Compared to the T3, this "upgrade" lacks:
* metal casing
* voice recorder
* silent alarm
* slider
* cradle (extra $39.95)
In addition, the new T5 does not come with Wi-Fi (an overdue spec for the T series).
The updated OS 5.4 hardly justifies the upgrade (T3 comes with OS 5.2), as is the case with the flash memory spec (a keyring flash unit has twice the capacity and doesn't require you to haul around the USB cable).
Most everyone agrees that this unit is really a TE2, and not an upgrade for the T3.
At $399, this is the most overrated and overpriced Palm PDS in the market.

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PalmOne stretches the possibilities with the Tungsten T5, the first handheld from PalmOne to utilize flash memory. In addition to a groundbreaking 256 MB of memory, the sleek, slim Tungsten T5 features a high-resolution 320 x 480-pixel screen, a fast 416 MHz Intel Xscale processor, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a Secure Digital memory card expansion slot. And, of course, the Tungsten T5 features PalmOne's suite of information management applications, the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files, and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).

Multimedia The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3s stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker on the Tungsten T5 or, for stereo sound, on optional stereo headphones or ear buds. The updated Media application lets you view (and show off) transferred photos and videos.
Display Unlike the Tungsten T3, which required you to slide the handheld's bottom open to activate the screen's landscape mode, the Tungsten T5's screen offers widescreen viewing at all times. The bright 320 x 480 transreflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors. You can easily switch between portrait and landscape view, as well as open an active input area at the bottom of the screen.
Connectivity and Expansion With built-in wireless Bluetooth connectivity, you can synchronize the Tungsten T5 with a Bluetooth-enabled computer from across the room (within a range of 10 meters, or approximately 30 feet). But that's just the start. Using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can send and receive e-mail and connect to the Web, send multimedia (MMS) or text (SMS) messages, and even automatically dial any number in your handheld's Contact's application. You can also synchronize data the "old-fashioned" way via the USB connection at the base of the handheld.
The Tungsten T5 uses MultiMedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.
Operating System and Software Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:
Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.
Additional Software The Tungsten T5 includes Documents to Go 7.0, which provides the ability to create and edit Word- and Excel-compatible files and view and carry PowerPoint files (in native format) with no desktop conversion required. The included Software Essentials CD-ROM also contains eReader, Acrobat Reader, Solitaire, and Audible Player for palmOne handhelds (Windows only).
What's in the Box This package contains the Tungsten T5 handheld, a built-in rechargeable battery, a carrying case, a USB HotSync cable, a power cable, a stylus, a CD-ROM with Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Mac (as well as bonus software), and a printed Getting Started guide.
Tech Talk: Flash Memory Flash memory, a form of electronic memory, is used for easy and safe information storage. Its low power consumption and light weight make flash memory ideal for mobile devices. In addition, flash memory holds information without a charge or power, just like a memory card saves pictures when not connected to a digital camera. The flash memory in the Tungsten T5 handheld will maintain its data even when power is exhausted. Simply charge the handheld again and the data is there.
Tech Talk: Macintosh Users While the Tungsten T5's new File Transfer application is a Windows-only feature, Mac users can simply mount the handheld as an external drive, and then proceed to drag and drop files from the Finder to the handheld. Note, however, that the Tungsten T5's Palm OS environment is unavailable when connected in this mode.

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