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Chimpmaster · Jul 20, 2002, 09:38 PM

Hi guys,

Ive decided to buy myself a palm for work. I will use it on the following machines:

: my pc at work
: my g4 imac
: my indigo ibook

Mainly on the imac though.

I am currently considering 3 models.

- The Handspring Visor Edge - $399 AUS (or about $220 US)
- The Palm M130 - $611 AUS (or about $350 US) ; $150 AUS cashback (making it $461 AUS or about $260 US)
- The Palm M125 - $440 AUS (or about $240 US)

I am interested in your opinions/expert advice on which to buy. I am aware there is a competing sony product but unfortunately they only sell the high end CLIO's in australia, so as I see it, the above options are my only choices in that price range. For the M130, the cashback involves sending back in 1 of those forms and waiting 8 weeks for a money order.

Ive compared the three models extensively (websites, pdabuzz forum etc) so my main interest is your own experiences and mac related compatability knowledge. I run osx but will use os9 if i have to).

Given the cashback, the m125 probably isnt a serious options as I can get the m130 for only a touch more.

Im leaning towards the handspring visor edge right now - im not sure that the m130 offers enough to justify the extra money (although colour is a plus).

I will mainly use the pda for

: reading emails
: creating/editing word and excel docs
: taking notes in meetings

I would probably try some of the multimedia functions like mp3, games etc but they arent mission critical by any means.

Anyway, look forward to hearing your responses. I will purchase in about 2 weeks time.

Chimpmaster · Jul 20, 2002, 09:47 PM

At a glance, some other considerations ive noticed are

: the visor edge has a much bigger screen, and despite being greyscale, it looks to be very high quality
: the m130 is obviously colour, which has its pluses
: the m130 is bundled with documents to go, whilst the edge I have to buy it separately (im not sure if the m130 just comes with an evaluation copy though??)
: neither device has upgradeable flash rom, but the m130 comes with palm os 4.1 and the edge has palm os 3.5x

torifile · Jul 21, 2002, 01:31 PM

None of the above. Seriously, if you're going to get a Palm OS device wait until P.OS 5 comes out later this summer. While it may not be much different from 4.x, it will have the capability of being flashed to POS 6 which is supposed to be MUCH better. And the POS devices that will be coming will be feature the ARM processors. While they may be more expensive, you're looking at a much more capable machine. And they would be relatively future-proof. The POS 4.x line is a dead end are on their last legs. Just my 2�.

Chimpmaster · Jul 21, 2002, 04:17 PM

The thing is, that the only reason I am considering a PDA is because the prices have come down so much.

$200 US is about my threshold on one of these things, so it doesnt really matter to me if they bring out a fantastic new device at over $200 US because I wont be in the market for it anyway.

All I need is something that

: allows me to create, read and edit work and excel documents
: basic calendar and address book functions
: read email on it
: take notes

Thats about it really. The Handspring Visor Edge fits the bill, is a sexy little machine and the price is right. Given the current products that are available, unless someone strongly recommends against it thats what Ill get....

torifile · Jul 21, 2002, 04:52 PM

Well, if that's all you want, then any of the ones you mentioned might do it. But are you sure you can read email on these? I know that with a PC you can, but what about with a Mac? I'm not sure that there have been any conduits developed that can do that. I could definitely be wrong, though. Post back here with more info if you find anything out.

Chimpmaster · Jul 22, 2002, 07:40 AM

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/DOWNLOAD/OFFICEX/palmsync.asp" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/mac/DOWNLOAD/OFFICEX/palmsync.asp</a>

Entourage x is supported for palm os, but microsoft are currently in the process of updating the conduit for palm. Hopefully it will be out soon.

Wait...

Eudora 5.1.1 has a macosx mail conduit for palm os.... YAY! There is email support for the palm devices I am looking at

<a href="http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/email_chat/eudora.html" target="_blank">http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/email_chat/eudora.html</a>
<a href="http://www.eudora.com/internetsuite/download/" target="_blank">http://www.eudora.com/internetsuite/download/</a>

macusrX · Jul 22, 2002, 11:17 PM

if loking for enty models. consider the new Sony PEG-SL10. <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?hierc=9684x9745x9911&itemid=45721" target="_blank">http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?hierc=9684x9745x9911&itemid=45721</a>

hi res (320x320) monochrome screen. palm os 4.1.

Chimpmaster · Jul 23, 2002, 06:12 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by macusrX:
if loking for enty models. consider the new Sony PEG-SL10. <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?hierc=9684x9745x9911&itemid=45721" target="_blank">http://www.sonystyle.com/home/item.jsp?hierc=9684x9745x9911&itemid=45721</a>

hi res (320x320) monochrome screen. palm os 4.1.<hr /></blockquote>Very nice!

Pity they dont sell it in australia. I dont know why, but they only sell the high end sony pda's here. Maybe thats a new one that hasnt been released here yet.

jimmyjohn · Jul 23, 2002, 04:01 PM

I would NOT get the visor edge. I've been looking at it here in the US, where the price has dropped beneath $150 US. It's a totally discontinued product from Handspring. It has no real upgrade path because the springboard system is discontinued. Also, it's no longer thin if you put on the springboard adapter to use old springboard modules. It's stuck at an old version of palm os (3.5, not upgradeable). Other things include the fact that the display cover only folds 3/4ths the way back behind the screen, which is also a pain, and the backlight is horrendous. (It's one of the old "reverse and light up the text" types). If you're looking for something cheap and *acceptable* I guess that it is an option, but it is most likely the worst of the three. If it is available where you are purchasing, I would wait about 6-8 months for the handspring treo 90 to drop in price. Seeing as how the palm os 5 machines will be showing up soon, this thing is bound to get cheap quickly, and it is about the best one I have seen around... I like the built in keyboard especially. The only problem it has is that it, like the CLIE, is not immediately mac compatible, and you have to get the "missing sync" software.

If you must buy one now, I would lean toward one of the palms... the only problem there is the fact that I'm personally not a fan of the m1xx's form factor, but that is just me.

webb3201 · Jul 23, 2002, 04:13 PM

As this is your first PDA, buy something older to make sure you can make good use of the machine. Then use the heck out of it, make yourself carry the thing 24x7 to get used to the capabilities.

I recommend grabbing a Palm Vx , they are still the best form factor ever and run around 90-135.00 on ebay. After 6 months you will know if you like the machine or not and can go to a new device (or keep that one)

K

Chimpmaster · Jul 24, 2002, 07:40 AM

After taking another look at the specs of the edge and the m130, the m130 comes with docs to go 4, whereas the edge doesnt.

From what I can gather, docs to go is currently the only option for excel and word compatibility for mac and pam, and its $69.95 US separately.

That means if I buy the edge I have to fork out another $70 ($125 AUS) for software. Now the m130 is looking pretty inviting - with the rebate and all..

Unless anyone knows of a good mac alternative to docs to go? (I checked quick office and it doesnt appear to have a mac compatible version)...

Jul 25, 2002, 01:14 PM

Given the 3 things you want to do, the devices you're looking at aren't well suited to your needs. A Palm will work for address book and calandaring, but meeting notes and email?

Notes: I've used PDAs for 5 years now. A Newton, and 2 Palms. There is no way to effectively participate in a meeting while trying to jot notes on a Palm, or even to passively sit and catch the just of what is being said. Graffiti demands too much attention, and the note application is limited by the size of the screen and the fact that there's no handwriting recognition. You might as well use paper. The best PDA for this purpose is a Newton 2100.

Email: Do you intend to write it, or read it? Palms are ok for short notes, but anything in depth takes quite a while to write. Besides that, you have to get back to your cradle and desktop PC to send them. The same thing goes for reading. If you're at your PC to put your unread email into your Palm, why not just read it at the PC? There are Palm modems for this, but they haven't caught on much.

I think you'll be disappointed in your purchase if you buy a Palm expecting to accomplish all three of your tasks.

Chimpmaster · Jul 25, 2002, 04:54 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by <uses>:
Given the 3 things you want to do, the devices you're looking at aren't well suited to your needs. A Palm will work for address book and calandaring, but meeting notes and email?

Notes: I've used PDAs for 5 years now. A Newton, and 2 Palms. There is no way to effectively participate in a meeting while trying to jot notes on a Palm, or even to passively sit and catch the just of what is being said. Graffiti demands too much attention, and the note application is limited by the size of the screen and the fact that there's no handwriting recognition. You might as well use paper. The best PDA for this purpose is a Newton 2100.

Email: Do you intend to write it, or read it? Palms are ok for short notes, but anything in depth takes quite a while to write. Besides that, you have to get back to your cradle and desktop PC to send them. The same thing goes for reading. If you're at your PC to put your unread email into your Palm, why not just read it at the PC? There are Palm modems for this, but they haven't caught on much.

I think you'll be disappointed in your purchase if you buy a Palm expecting to accomplish all three of your tasks.<hr /></blockquote>Hmm thanks thats good advice.

Still i need something small and compact for when im on the go.

The price has dropped a lot on some of these devices - the handspring visor edge or palm m500 are my two favourites, after having a good look around.

The m100 series just dont look professional enough for my liking, and they are too chunky. Colour is too expensive for me right now.

Im not expecting the world from it - i just need something that i can read and edit word and excel docs on, view emails and take short notes, maybe even play the odd game.

Im sure either of those two devices would suffice. Woudlnt it?

torifile · Jul 25, 2002, 08:59 PM

For a docs to go alternative, check out wordsmith. I can't think of the company right now, but I'm almost 100% positive it's OS X compatible. In the short time I used it, it seemed extremely capable.

Chimpmaster · Jul 26, 2002, 09:26 AM

Yes, apparently wordsmith is the best around for pda. I wish theyd come up with an excel solution.

You can view the palm word solution at

<a href="http://www.bluenomad.com/ws/prod_wordsmith_details.html" target="_blank">http://www.bluenomad.com/ws/prod_wordsmith_details.html</a>

Cheers.

Im thinking of ordering that hs edge tomorrow, btw....

Secret Vampire · Jul 26, 2002, 06:51 PM

Just a personal note on the M1xx series, when I tried one out, it seemed incredibly cheaply made compared to the Clie or Palm IIIc that I tried at the same time (I was buying used), I eventually got the Palm, the colour screen was just too nice compared to the greyscale LCDs. the Vx is also nice, slim, and quite solid. I think the M500 uses the same case style.
The downside is that with Palm's USB adaptor, syncing is a bit of a black art on my G4.

Walker · Jul 30, 2002, 08:34 PM

I'm also considering a PDA. Based on sheer elegance, I think the Sony PEG-SL10 is very cool. I'm a full time OS X user. Will I be able to use this Sony just as easily as any other palm?

Thanks,

lw

Walker · Jul 30, 2002, 08:35 PM

dang I hate the double posts. My bad.

lw

[ 07-30-2002, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Walker ]

Chimpmaster · Aug 5, 2002, 02:59 AM

Originally posted by Walker:
dang I hate the double posts. My bad.

lw

[ 07-30-2002, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Walker ]

Walker that palm will work fine as long as you get the special additional software (missing synch) which is required to run a sony pda on a mac ($29.95 US).

I read a couple of reviews to the sony low end pdas, and they do look good, but one thing the reviews had in common was the screen quality. Despite being 320x320 resolution (double that of the equivalent palm and handspring), people complained about a poor quality screen.

On the ads and website they make the sony mono screens look very "black on white" when in fact they are a very green screen, and suffer from trailing effects as well as being a fair bit smaller than hs or palm models (similar size to the palm m130 i think but not colour).

I personally went with the Handspring Visor Edge - got a good price on it too. It arrives tomorrow. Ill let you know what I think of it.

I also had my eyes on the sony T-415, which also looked good, despite the review comments about its screen.

I found that the low end palm models (m125 etc) had a bulk and unprofessional form factor, which discounted them for me.

In the end for me, it was out of the handspring visor edge, the palm m500 and the sony T-415. And the hs won bya nose

molala · Oct 4, 2002, 04:10 PM

Hi, Chip. Where did you find the Visor Edge? I'm looking into getting that or a Sony SJ20 (AU$499). My 2 year old Visor Deluxe is on its last 2 buttons and dying. Haven't seen a store here that carries Handspring to check it out. Thanks.

Originally posted by Chimpmaster:
In the end for me, it was out of the handspring visor edge, the palm m500 and the sony T-415. And the hs won bya nose

[/B]

sja777 · Oct 4, 2002, 05:50 PM

I use my Palm Vx mainly for Date Book and Address functions, but also like to read email, write documents, and edit spreadsheets.

I'd recommend WordSmith for a Word equivalent: it's the best by far. Try TinySheet for spreadsheets; I don't know whether they've developed an OS X Conduit, but this app rocks.

In terms of conduits, I've just started using iSync with iCal and Address Book. This works very well -- even though I'm also syncing with my PC at work!

There is a conduit available for syncing email to the Palm from Jaguar's Mail app. This too wrks well, even though it's still early in development.

I'd go for the m130 -- colour is the way to go!