VisorCentral.com - color prism

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Visor Prism (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=19)
-- color prism (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=10732)

Posted by debbied on 01-10-2001 03:27 AM:

I'm interested in going to a color pda. Does anyone have any complaints on the new prism? I can't decide between the prism and the Palm IIIc. Any answers greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
D

Posted by DBrown on 01-10-2001 04:31 AM:

Just the Paint, Ma'am

The only complaints I've heard about the Prism are that it's painted and the paint can be worn off, and it's expensive.

But if cost is no object, there's nothing quite as pretty as that color Prism screen.

The Prism is also thicker than all the other Visors. This means some cases won't work with it.

A plus, which I wish they'd done with the Platinum, is the included rechargeable L-ion battery. The color screen needed the power, but being able to recharge my platinum while it sat on the cradle would have been nice.

I suggest going to a Staples and looking over all the color PDAs. Palm OS devices (including the Prism) are significantly different than PocketPC devices. Don't let them convince you that PocketPC is a better system. It isn't as quick. It requires more power (meaning shorter battery life). Although it is similar to a Window's PC, it's not the best interface for small scale computing.

Hope that helps a bit.

Dave

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Posted by foo fighter on 01-10-2001 03:10 PM:

Re: Just the Paint, Ma'am

quote:
Originally posted by DBrown
Don't let them convince you that PocketPC is a better system. It isn't as quick. It requires more power (meaning shorter battery life).

Well, I have to correct you on a few details here. First off, color Pocket PC devices DO NOT use more battery power than color Palm devices. In fact, most have BETTER battery life. The iPAQ, for example, gets 12 hours of continuous use, while the Prism gets only 6 (according to Handspring). The Palm IIIc gets 9.

Secondly, the iPAQ performs as fast, or even faster, than Palm devices. WinCE may be bloated, but at 206 MHZ it's quite fast.

quote:
Although it is similar to a Window's PC, it's not the best interface for small scale computing.

Palm OS is still superior in many ways. But Pocket PCs are in no way similar to Windows PCs. It is a common misconception that WinCE runs all the standard Windows applications, and operates just like a PC. It doesn't. WinCE is an entirely different platform altogether, and bears no resemblance to the desktop version of Windows. The last generation OS (WinCE 2.11) looked exactly like a shrunken Windows desktop, but the revamped Pocket PC interface (WinCE 3.0)looks like something completely different. Microsoft has abandoned the 3D beveled interface and gone with a more Web-like design. Cascading and hierarchical menus are also gone, and the "Start Menu" has morphed into a task switcher. In fact, the start menu now operates much like the view selector in the Palm Launcher.

But the Palm interface is still more simplified.

As for the Prism, its not worth $450. The display still looks pixilated at 160x160, and the device offers absolutely no additional functionality over other Palm OS based devices. As a rule I don't recommend ANY color PDA, unless you are a gadget freak. They are more expensive, and eat up battery power much more than a grayscale device. And I would be hard pressed to say that color will make you more productive. In fact, at times it can be an annoyance, although it does improve overall readability. My advice is to stay with a grayscale Palm, they are much cheaper and offer the same functionality. When Handspring drops the price to $329 (like the Palm IIIc), then you may want to consider getting one. If you absolutely MUST have a color Palm device, go with the Palm IIIc. You can get one now for around $275 online, which is a great price.

However I highly recommend that you hold off for another month. At the end of February Palm will be releasing the color Palm V (new design), and possibly a whole new line of handhelds to replace the aging Palm III series. Even Handspring may unveil their "Palm V killer".

Cool stuff is on the way!

__________________
My blog: Pocketfactory

Posted by Winchell on 01-10-2001 03:16 PM:

When I first got my Prism, I went to the Handspring website and downloaded their color album application.

They had two versions of several pictures, one in Palm IIIc 256 color, and one in Visor Prism 65,000 colors.

The difference was astonishing, and I am well satisfied with my Prism.

Posted by Ash on 01-30-2001 10:31 PM:

I'm tempted to get a Prism, but it still seems way too expensive. Its price puts it in the range of the new PocketPC devices, which have significantly higher resolution screens and more capabilities. However, the PocketPC devices lack the PalmOS and Mac compatibility.

I've got some amazon gift certificates (see the echo thread in buy/sell) that I want to use, but I'm going to try and wait until at least next month to see what the new Palms look like.

Posted by David Vitale on 01-30-2001 10:42 PM:

I've had my Prism for about a week with absolutly no complaints. I also have a Palm V,Palm VII, M100 and about 3 Newtons.

As far as the Palm 3C - don't!
At least not yet - with the future changes in PDA functionality you will want the expandability that a Handspring module provides (memory, backup, etc. and future functionality) as well as the upgraded screen. Other color PDA's also provide plug-in memory functionality - but I can't fully address them.

We'll have to see what the new Palm VC brings as far as additional features and upgradability, and it's a good bet that once the VC comes out prices on the Prism will drop a bit.

Posted by Ash on 01-31-2001 01:04 AM:

I don't want to own a PalmOS device without a backup module again. I'm hoping the new Palm stuff will have some sort of backup capability with their new expansion stuff. I'm also hoping that Handspring will resolve whatever flickering/shimmering problems are plaguing the Prism, or replace it with a newer, better model.

I'm a hopeful guy.

Posted by sanchan on 02-02-2001 06:35 PM:

Maybe we should all wait for a reflective vs. transmissive display?

Posted by jschaff on 02-02-2001 08:14 PM:

Now my two cents.

First let's ignore the money issue. None of these is worth the price they charge for them. We are just financing their development of the next generations like any new technology.

Now as for quality and function. Both the Palm and Handspring are EXACTLY the same in software functionality. Except that the new Visors have a faster processor, and a Springboard port which IS a big deal. But even the modules that are sold for this platform are WAY OVERPRICED. I mean come on, $300 for something that plays music like a cassett recorder. REALLY! And $300 for a cell phone attachment. Come on. But this is how R&D and new product development goes, so if we want it, you gotta pay for it, for now.

The Prism color is great. The small area of the screen that you see is the SAME visual quality as a monitor screen. Just use PalmVNC and get it to hook up to your home desktop and see how GREAT it LOOKS. This screen blows the Palm IIIc away, period. Is it worth $450. NO. Is it cool and better? YES.

If you like it get the Prism, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. You will look at the Palm IIIc and then always wish that you had gotten the other. And right now, the market is so hot for Palm/Visors that you will easily be able to sell it and upgrade when new models come out and maybe lose $50 or so. It is worth it. Maybe not for what you know right now that it can do, but yes for what you will discover it can do once you get one in your hot hands and start exploring the Visor/Palm world. I have had a Prism for two months now and every day is a new day with this piece. IT IS COOL AND FUN.

__________________
Jeff Schaffer
[email protected]

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