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-- Visor review from a former CE user... (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=667)

Ok, first let me explain that my very first PDA was a Newton MP 100. My second was a Casio E-11 and I am now the proud owner of a Visor Deluxe, blue.

In all the years I owned a newton, I never once was able to sync it to my PC. I never had any of the extra software. I didn't use it as much as I could have.

My review comes from experience with each OS. This is not meant to flame the users of either system. However, there are things I like about each system. And, for the most part it is the OS, not the hardware.

My little unit is just about as solid at my Casio, but not nearly as much as my old Newton. The sides give a little when squeezed. Beyond that, it is very solid.

Because my Casio came with a cheesy platic stylus, I didn't mind the one that came with the Visor. However, my casio came with a protective sheet. I used that sheet and tried to find replacements at stores, but could never find any. This didn't matter after my casio feel three feet and shattered my display.

Things I liked about the Casio:
CampactFlash - Cheap memory

Voice Recorder - Great for meetings and quick notes. You could also dump the voice recordings to a Wav file on your system

Synching - It was very well integrated into Outlook.

Popup Keyboard - It didn't require the silkscreen's permanent area.

Menus are easily accessable.

Backlighting was better on my casio.

Backup battery for changing used batteries without data loss. Granted, on the CE device, that was required.

What I like about the Visor:
Graffiti - Once you get used to it, it works well.

Installing programs - once you figure out how, it's much easier. You can install multiple apps at once. No application manager (double edged sword)

Smaller applications - Doesn't take as long to download.

More third party support - Self explanatory.

Better battery life.

USB Synch - takes much less time than my casio. Still, I wish it were faster

Springboard with cool gadgets coming out soon.

What I didn't like about my Casio:
Larger applications
Install procedures
Directory structure
Slow
Lack of a myriad of applications
File maintenance (moving files, because of a lack of system memory - moved things to my 30 Meg CF)

Things I don't like about the Visor:
Menus
Document types
Inability to access the filesystem easily
Conduits.
15 Category limitation
Lack of seamless integration with Outlook
Lack of voice recording.

There are other things I like and dislike about each PDA. I guess it just takes time to adjust.

The one thing I loved about my newton is not present on either system. You could go to a command area and type in "Fax work" and it would take you to the Fax application with the information for work already filled in. There is a lack of integration between the applications.

All in all, I bought my Casio because I thought it would be cool to write software for. I ended up writing a couple small applications. The other factors that led me to the device over a palm were price and familiarity. I felt application navigation was a little easier on the WinCE devices.

What led me to the Visor are many things:
GPS Springboard module.
Price (as it is less than the 275 i paid for my Casio)
Application availablity

All in all, I am very satisfied with the Visor. I felt a little disappointed in the purchasing process, however those are now not an issue, as I have my Visor.

I hope this will help anyone looking to move from one platform to another. All in all, I don't care what device anyone else uses. They are using what they want to, not what I want them to use. I think each platform has a use in specific areas.

Thomas

[This message has been edited by chipset (edited 11-28-1999).]

Puma technolgies Intellisync will give you seamless integration with Outlook. I use it, and its great. Every aspect of Outlook including the sticky notes.

Jason

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Jason Perlow

Contributing Editor, PalmPower Magazine
www.palmpower.com

Sr. Technical Editor, Windows CE Power
www.windowscepower.com

Read My Articles at my home page:

www.argonautsystems.com

And voice recording will be available on a springboard. The reason it wasn't included is because of the lack of room (8 megs isnt that much) and also because they thought you would feel wierd talking to a handheld.