Poll: OK... Palm IIIxe, m105, or Visor Deluxe?

[kami]

Probably been asked before, but I couldn't find any good discussion in a search...

The two Palm's cost the same here in Canada ($300, but the IIIxe has a $50 mail in rebate..the m105 doesn't)...both have 8MB, the m105 is a little smaller screen (but still same resolution). Does the Visor Deluxe have any advantages over the two Palm's? Because it costs about $75 more than the two Palm's

In your opinion, what's the best one? Is the Visor worth an extra $75? I really need to get organized with one of these PDA's...for both work and school. I'm sick of writing crap down on sticky notes! Color is not important to me, and I have a friend with an old Palm III with only 2MB and he has an unbelievable amount of stuff on there...so 8MB is plenty as well. These all support that AdvantGO feature as well right?

please vote in the poll and post your comments
thanks

 

[NFS4]

Visor Deluxe

 

[kami]

Hey Mr. iPAQ so why do you think the Visor is better? They all run the same OS right? What's the difference other than funky colors? thanks

 

[NFS4]

The Visors have the Springboard module...that peaks my interest. And yes, they all use variations of the same OS.

 

[kami]

Hmmm.. i see. I just found out the Visor has a $75 mail in rebate too which brings it to $300 CDN.

 

[kami]

Well, maybe I will go with the IIIxe. Mainly because #1 it is flash rom upgradeable (new versions of PalmOS) while Visor's are not, and I didn't see any Springboard modules that I thought were worth the money...hmm.

 

[chansen]

kami,

I made the same decision. IIIxe. Flash ROM, slightly larger screen. Also slightly larger dimensions, but same thickness. FWIW, it comes with a cradle, as does the Handspring. But you're right, I can't think of a springboard module that is worth the price.

 

[wyvrn]

One more thing to consider:

The Handspring comes with the faster USB cradle, whereas you gotta pay for a USB cradle with a Palm.

 

[kami]

yeah..decisions, decisions...

 

[chansen]

True on the USB cradle, but I understand there are some issues with USB cradles and Win2000. Can anyone confirm?

Doesn't matter too much to me anyway. HotSynch seems to work acceptably fast.

 

[JohnnyTT]

Hey, Palm announced 2 new PDAs today. You might want to check them out.

 

[kami]

yeah, but out of my price range. If I had more to spend I'd probably splurge for an iPaq or something.

I think Serial will be fast enough for now. I mean, it's only 8megs...how long is it going to take anyway. USB may be a few seconds faster, oh well

 

[emonkey]

I wouldnt say visor. The new Handspring Visor Edge cant even use those Springboard modules without using a bulky adapter. So it looks like theyre going to phase out springboards. Its good to have the option, but to save money id go for a IIIxe because since theyre being discontinued you can get the accessories for dirt cheap. (Found a modem and keyboard at Office Max for $30/ea). But thats only my views...

 

[wyvrn]

The USB is actually pretty faster (I have owned a IIIXe and a Visor Deluxe), but probably only if you are going to sync on a daily basis. Otherwise not a biggie.

The thing that bugs me about Handspring's is the lack of upgradeability. On one hand they have the cool modules, but on the other when a nice proggie comes out that requires a higher version OS, your Visor just became a throw-away.

 

[kami]

I just saw a digital camera addon for only $120 CDN for the IIIxe. It's only 640x480 but it's still pretty handy and a hell of a lot cheaper than a digital camera.

I think I'll pick up a IIIxe tonight...i think...

 

[TheOverlord]

VISOR!!! the springboard module make the difference...more options on upgradeability for the future!

 

[OS]

IMO, you should more or less disregard the m105. I've tried the m100 and it has a toy like feel/build to it. Plus the smaller screen does truly suck. Unless you can think of a specific need for the handspring modules, might I suggest the iiixe, I have one and it's pretty nice.

 

[kami]

<< VISOR!!! the springboard module make the difference...more options on upgradeability for the future! >>


unfortunately none of those modules interest me at all.

thanks everyone for your input, i tihnk i'm gonna go with the IIIxe. Only $250 CDN after rebate.

 

[BChild]

definitely the IIIxe. Those visor modules are expensive and the m105 has a tiny screen

 

[Eug]

Forget the m105.

The Visor Deluxe suffers from Palm OS 3.1H which is similar to OS 3.3 more or less. However, the IIIxe's OS 3.5 has some improvements in handline infrared communication for communicating with stuff like cell phones, etc. OS 3.1 works fine, but sometimes requires a $15 piece of software. But if you're not going to be doing that, it's completely irrelevant.

About the FlashROM, yes that is definitely a plus for the IIIxe, but remember that Palm charges $15 for the OS upgrade

The SpringBoard is a definite plus for the VDx, if only because of the Backup Module. It is CAD$60 however, but it does give you the peace of mind of having a complete backup of your entire PDA if you want to go somewhere for, say, a week, without having to lug around a laptop for synchronization. The other benefit is it's memory upgradable. You can add an 8-16 MB FlashROM module to it, or add CompactFlash with an adapter.

The native USB support for the Visor Deluxe is also a big plus. I have a serial cradle for work (Windows NT doesn't support USB), and it is PAINFULLY SLOW. The USB is MUCH faster. I've also tried infrared hotsynching with my laptop, and that's like pulling teeth it's so slow. The Palm IIIxe has an optional USB converter, but I dunno the speed vs. plain serial.

From The Gadgeteer:

Regular hotsync:
Visor 8 sec.
Palm V 18 sec.

Installation of a 99k .PRC file:
Visor 19 sec.
Palm V 54 sec.

Note that I sometimes sync over 1 MB worth of AvantGo stuff. Things that take minutes with the Visor via USB take essentially forever with the serial interface. (A friend installed a 1 MB database on his Palm III, and he thought he had crashed the machine because it took so damn long.) In a rush that's bad, but if your press sync in the am before you have your breakfast and then come back later it won't be a problem.

It depends on your habits, but for CAD$50 less the Palm IIIxe probably still does edge out the Visor Deluxe for most people - I recommended it to two friends already. For me though, the lack of native USB and the SpringBoard slot would make the IIIxe a non-starter.