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-- Buy now or later? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=1347)

I'm planning on getting a Visor, but I'm not sure whether to get it now or at the end of the summer, before the next semester starts. Basically, I'd like to know if anyone thinks a new version will come out or the price will drop.

Thanks for any opinions, advice, etc.

Escargonaut

The next Visor will probably be color. Because color with an acceptable battery life and form factor (by Palm/Handspring standards, not MS') takes a lot of R&D, I don't expect another Handspring product for another year. Because Handspring isn't really under pressure to slash prices like Palm is, if you wait until the end of the summer, the Visor's price will probably only have dropped by some paltry amount. There's not much point in waiting three or four months to save maybe 30 bucks.

The only thing that would give me pause is Sony's announcement of an under-$200 color Palm OS PDA with wireless Internet access, to be released later this year. But, really, how believable is that? They have yet to produce so much as a prototype.

Avoid the what-if scenarios. Get the Visor.

Thanks

Just a note on the Sony, I read on CNBC last week that the expected launch date was the end of this summer. I think if you do a search on Yahoo you will find the articles. My issues with the Sony product is that it will utilize Sony's memory sticks for add on memory. Sony tends to build proprietary products in an attempt to get people to change standards rather than adopting to already popular trends. The Sony product does look very promising to those who can get past my little Sony hangups. Also Sony DOES make very good products as evidenced by the minidisc.

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Originally posted by pk:
My issues with the Sony product is that it will utilize Sony's memory sticks for add on memory. Sony tends to build proprietary products in an attempt to get people to change standards rather than adopting to already popular trends.

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Hey Hoser.

You're somewhat right, but he does have a point about Sony.

Handspring released the Springboard because they felt it was something Palm should have had all along. There was nothing like it, so Handspring added it to it to enhance it.

Sony, on the other hand, has always been late in the game (mostly) and tried to get people to change to their proprietary system AFTER others have been established already. Mp3 players have been around for a while and compact flash has been pretty much a standard, but now Sony wants you to use their memory sticks for everything.. proprietary and expensive. So while you do have a small point, Sony has been known to try to do that sort of thing.

Without getting into the Sony thing, and somewhat getting back to the original question:

Run, don't walk to get the Visor. Sure, there are always the concerns of something better and cheaper coming out shortly after spending your hard earned money, but that will always happen with a competitive and rapidly changing market like personal electronics. Sure, someone will come out with a better, cheaper device (Sony or otherwise).

What you really need to ask yourself is "Does this do what I want/need at a reasonable price?" without worrying about obsolescense or price changes. If you worry about that stuff, you will never get anything because there's always something "just around the corner".

So my opinion is - get it a.s.a.p., start enjoying it as soon as you can, figure it out and get "up to speed" before school starts, and when you graduate in a couple of years, get the next coolest thing.

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Hmmmmmmmm......

I am facing the same trouble as Escargonqut. I dont know if I should wait or not. At this time I dont need it at all. All I want to do is get it before the next school semester.

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Basically, I'd like to know if anyone thinks a new version will come out or the price will drop.

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Thanks for the advice. I put in my order.

Escargonaut

P.S. Homer, my question was in regards to the time between now and next semester, not an indefinite or extended time. I am well aware that tech products are always improving/lowering in price