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maxintosh · Feb 28, 2003, 12:22 AM

Hello all,

I bought a Palm m130 online for $119. Added a Palm Ultra-Thin Keyboard and 64 MB MMC card and it's just tipping the scales at a little more than 200 bucks.

I'm upgrading from a Palm V.

I flirted briefly with the Clie, staring into its lovely 320x320 screen, but here is why I chose the m130:

- Ruggedness. The m130 is tough. It has a built-in flip cover than retracts completely out of the way. It's made out of plastic. My Palm spends a lot of time in my pocket (where it belongs!) and I don't want it being cracked.
- Availability of accessories. It accepts all Palm m5x5/TT accessories... in other words, a heck of a lot more is available than the Clie, including the sexy ultra-thin keyboard.
- Mac support. I know that the Clie *can* work with the Mac, but I don't like supporting companies that constantly snub the Mac platform.
- Don't need MP3 or cameras. That's what my iPod and Canon are for

- CHEAP! And the screen is bright and colorful. It's a little small, but very readable.

I plan on taking notes in class with it, keeping appointments with Agendus, and of course playing games.

And when the price of the TT falls some more, I can use all of my old accessories!

I'll post a review and pictures if anyone is interested later.

They really need to make a hard-drive based PDA (like an iPod meets Palm). Gawd I wish Apple would make a PDA. I would pay $500 if it was done right.

slider · Feb 28, 2003, 07:41 AM

Hmm, would it still be called a PDA if it had a HD, or is it a truly a handheld computer. Processor? Ram? HD? Wow, never thought about it, but why don't we have this, the tech it there, isn't it. Maybe too small?

Good luck maxintoch, look forward to your review.

SirCastor · Feb 28, 2003, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by slider:
Hmm, would it still be called a PDA if it had a HD, or is it a truly a handheld computer. Processor? Ram? HD? Wow, never thought about it, but why don't we have this, the tech it there, isn't it. Maybe too small?

Good luck maxintoch, look forward to your review.

That's what the constant push of PocketPC has been. I think it's primarily a bad Idea because for most operations the screen size just doesn't make sense. Even with awesome resolution (320x320 on the Sony's) the best you'll do it word documents and email. Webbrowsing, IMO, on a handheld is silly. It just doesn't work that well. You need something bigger (I think this is partly where the Tablet PC came to fruition)

I just bought a refurb Visor Edge... why you ask? Because I only want 2 things out of it. Address Book and Calendar. small enough for my pocket, functional enough for handheld use. Out of production and Cheap.

Anomalous · Feb 28, 2003, 03:14 PM

Where did you find an m130 for $119? I have been drooling over the m130 lately. I was a finalist in a contest to win one, but I lost.

slider · Feb 28, 2003, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by SirCastor:
That's what the constant push of PocketPC has been. I think it's primarily a bad Idea because for most operations the screen size just doesn't make sense. Even with awesome resolution (320x320 on the Sony's) the best you'll do it word documents and email. Webbrowsing, IMO, on a handheld is silly. It just doesn't work that well. You need something bigger (I think this is partly where the Tablet PC came to fruition)

I just bought a refurb Visor Edge... why you ask? Because I only want 2 things out of it. Address Book and Calendar. small enough for my pocket, functional enough for handheld use. Out of production and Cheap.

Yes, but even the pocket PC has no HD at least they didnt' when I worked on one. Anyways, I would agree that for most funtions beyond a PDA, is too much, unless it has a specific group of funtions. For example GPS software, we used an iPaq because that is the device that ArcPad ran on. But there it has a specific purpose. That is what I think people perfer, and MP3 player for an MP3 and a recorder for a recorder; dedicated devices that do their jobs well.

Mac Zealot · Feb 28, 2003, 04:27 PM

but a nice phone that has pda, mp3 player, etc, all in one would be pretty sweet.

It just has to be good, and solid, and light, and maintain a good amount of features without overkill.

There is a device similar to this, btw, OQO is designing one, but it hasn't hit market yet. I kinda want one.

The cool thing is it's like 1.5 ipods in size but you can plug it into a dock and use it as a full sized computer o_O

maxintosh · Feb 28, 2003, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Anomalous:
Where did you find an m130 for $119? I have been drooling over the m130 lately. I was a finalist in a contest to win one, but I lost.

ReturnBuy.com

It's in great condition, includes all parts, manuals etc. Why buy new?

Personally I'm drooling over the Tungsten.... refurb units running about $279 now. I think I'll hold off for now though.

Anomalous · Mar 3, 2003, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by maxintosh:
ReturnBuy.com

It's in great condition, includes all parts, manuals etc. Why buy new?

Personally I'm drooling over the Tungsten.... refurb units running about $279 now. I think I'll hold off for now though.

Yeah the Tungsten is awesome, but it is so far out of my price range that I can't even afford to drool over it.

dampeoples · Mar 3, 2003, 04:05 PM

I had a m130 and loved it, but sold it after I started putting my contacts and schedule on the iPod, it just seemed like overkill.

maxintosh · Mar 3, 2003, 05:04 PM

So I bit the bullet and went for the Tungsten.

It arrives Wednesday. I can't wait!

I do EVERYTHING on my Palm though (class notes, web browsing, gaming), so it's not overkill for me. It's perfect!

ebisix · Mar 3, 2003, 10:34 PM

You got a great deal for the m130. I have seen it around $200 with no accessories.

maxintosh · Mar 3, 2003, 10:47 PM

Originally posted by ebisix:
You got a great deal for the m130. I have seen it around $200 with no accessories.

Yeah, but keep in mind both the m130 and T|T I acquired are Open-Box models which sell for a lot cheaper. I got them right from Palm factory store though so I even get a Palm official (90 day) warranty on them. For a poor student like me, it's the only way to go