Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

I want to get one the PDAs in the subject line. If I get the Platinum I get a nice looking PDA, and a fast PDA so I don't have to worry to much about an outdated PDA anytime soon.
But the Visor Deluxe is $50 cheaper and I think PDAs are a bit expensive for me. But I dont know how much speed will mean to me, but the $50 might mean alot to me.
The Palm IIIxe is the same price as the Visor deluxe but is more functional because of its flash ROM. This is important because I will want to sell my pDA in about 2 years.
But the Palm IIIxe looks a bit plain.
How much better is the screen on the platinum, I will be using it for photos so this is a small bit important.
Would someone help me out here Please!

__________________
A signature should go here, but Im too lazy to type one...

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

it depends

It depends.

If you don't have a use for the Springboard slot, then you may want to go with the Palm IIIxe. If you like to Springboard slot, but aren't likely to buy wireless communications modules for it, then you should go with the Visor Deluxe. If you like the Springboard slot and want to be able to have PQA support with your wireless communications modules, then you should definitely go with the Visor Platinum--or if you just like the way the Platinum looks compared to the Deluxe, you should go with the Platinum.

Be advised that the Platinum is painted plastic, not metal. The IIIxe is a much sturdier machine. Unless the Springboard slot is really important to you, or you have some other reason for wanting to patronize Handspring vs. Palm, you should definitely go with the IIIxe.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

wireless

Do both the deluxe and platinum have support for wireless internet springboards?
I will also base which on I buy on how fast and how much I can sell my PDA for and how long will it last. I fI still had Palm OS 3.5 in two or three years would I still be able to use most applications?

__________________
A signature should go here, but Im too lazy to type one...

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

yes and no

Both Deluxe and Platinum support wireless Internet, but Deluxe does not support Palm Query Applications due to the fact that its OS is only 3.1. The PQA support comes in with OS 3.3--Platinum and Prism has OS 3.5. With either you'll still be able to run thousands of applications even after a couple years. That does not mean you'll be able to run applications that were specifically written for OS 4.X whenever that gets released. As I said before, if PQAs are important to you, the Platinum is the way to go.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

Palm IIIxe sturdier?

I'm not to sure I agree with that statment(Zelchenko). I had two PDA's--a Palm IIIxe and my current VPL PDA. I think the VPL is by far a sturdier machine. For instance, there is less twisting on the VPL (almost none-if any), better button contact, a faster cpu, an enhanced OS, USB, springboards etc. I had to exchange 4 Palm IIIxe's before I finally gave up on the product. The quality was poor and the customer service knew less than I did. Handspring stands behind their product better. For instance--next day delivery, leather case, metal stylus (with a screwdriver and reset pin), a recent updater for the Prisim and Platinum units--for free!!! It's up to the original poster of this thread, but see for yourself.

__________________
handspringer

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

opinion, i guess

I guess you really have to go down to the store and compare them. I just assumed the Platinum was similar physical construction as the Deluxe, which seems almost like a toy to me compared to the construction of the IIIxe.

As for the other Platinum features, speed and Springboard slot are the only differences. For most users, speed is not an issue for organizer functions. If you going to be querying large databases stored in memory, then yes, you will appreciate the Platinum's speed.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

Visors are smaller

The Visors are a little bit smaller and lighter (5.4 oz vs 6.0 oz) if that matters.

I chose the Platinum for the CPU speed and size difference. The only downside is the OS is not upgradable (well it could be, but Handspring has not released a patch for Visor users to upgrade from OS version 3.1).

If you don't care about CPU speed or the slight size difference, you might be better off with a PalmIIIxe or a TRGPro (if you need more memory) which both have on board flash memory.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

OS and screen

Will handspring release an upgrade or a springboard module for the platinum or deluxe to be able to upgrade the OS in the future?
I saw the difference in the screen quality between the visor platinum and other PDAs on handpring's website, and the screen does look alot better, is this the only palm os PDA with this kind of high quality greyscale screen?
How important is the OS upgrade anyway, I just want it to be future proof, can anyone give me an idea of how important it is?

__________________
A signature should go here, but Im too lazy to type one...

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

You're not going to get a definite answer to that one!

First, Handspring has never released an OS feature upgrade; they may yet surprise us all, but I'm not counting on it. I don't think the VPL screen is any better than that of the VDX or IIIxe. BTW, the IIIxe has the exact same screen specs as the VPL when running OS 3.3+

Re: future proof computer purchases - - There ain't no such thing!! There never has been, and there probably never will be such a computer. Anyone else remember the infinitely upgradable Tri-cord (think that was it) modular PC?

Anyone who can really answer your question re: the importance of future Palm operating systems is prevented from doing so by NDA. While we could engage in an excercise in press release analysis, I'm not sure that would really get us anywhere.

I would suggest that you focus on the "missing" capabilities of the current devices. For example, the VDX does not support PQAs which are turning out to be a very good thing if you are into the wireless Internet experience. It also has no support for direct IR->ethernet; and may or may not work with some network sync servers (especially if they require special client side software). This, in a nutshell, is all that you miss out on by not having an upgradeable OS going back to v3.1 days; and, other than the PQAs, I think you will agree that it really isn't all that much.

The VPL kills the IIIxe, not so much due to features; but in performance. Performance matters, especially when it comes rendering web pages or running the newer and fatter apps that are reaching the market (e.g. AvantGo, DateBk4, DocumentsToGo, etc.). For this reason, performance may well be alot more important than any OS issues as we go forward. For example, does anyone really care that you can upgrade an old Pentium 100MHz system to run Windows ME? Why not? Because most current Windows software runs so slowly on a P-100 that it is next to useless . . . until you purge the system of Microsoft evil and install Linux, but that is another story.

If you are really freaked about the upgradable OS thing, then you'll have better peace of mind with the IIIxe. However, speaking of upgrades, isn't Palm charging for OS upgrades now? Kind of makes the case for selling your old PDA, and buying a new one every 12-18 months. And, if you go that route, an upgradeable OS becomes even less important.

Back to capabilities. Springboard modules are finally starting to live up to the promises made last year, but sometimes not if you have a VDX. So. Look again at SBMs for capabilities that are important to you, and weigh that against what the IIIxe has to offer. Now add in the speed advantage of USB hotsyncs (i.e. AvantGo comes to mind again!). I don't think that the upgradeable OS card out weighs the positives with the VPL; and I'd even say that the advantage still rests with the VDX over the IIIxe!

However, you haven't mentioned much about your intended uses for your new PDA. There are certainly scenarios where the IIIxe and the TRGpro are better buys. If you can be more specific about your needs, maybe we can offer better advice.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

needs

My uses for a PDA is:
Sending messages via IR to my friends PDA
Games
Looking at photos (not too important)
Looking at webpages off line


I don't need wirless internet.
Are you sure about the screen quality on the VPL, it shows on handsrping's website, a picture of a comparason between other PDAs and the VPL and the greyscale looks alot better, I think it has more greys, I read somewhere this is because of an OS upgrade,is this ture?

C ya

__________________
A signature should go here, but Im too lazy to type one...

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

handspring more versatile

Ross,

The VDX and the IIIxe are equal in all tasks you mentioned except picture quality (the IIIxe has more grey-scale variations).

The IIIxe and the Platinum are equal in all tasks you mentioned; however, the Platinum is faster and capable of using Springboards. One advantage of the Handspring solution to Palm solutions is the capability of using the Springboard slot for a modem AND the connector at the bottom for a keyboard--simultaneously.

Matt

P.S. Yes, you are correct about the Platinum having more greys than the Deluxe (due to OS version).

[Edited by zelchenko on 11-22-2000 at 01:38 PM]

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

The Geek factor. . .

I too agonized over which PDA: Palm Vx or IIIxe or the Visor Platinum? I had difficulty deciding until I prioritized my particular needs/criteria: (not in order of importance)

1.) Palm OS 3.5.
2.) Price/Value.
3.) Upgradability (e.g. memory, GPS add-ons, etc.)
4.) Quality/Reliability.

8mb should be enough for most PDA users; however, the Geek factor adds a new twist. Most of us like to leave the door open to future possibilities. Can you add more RAM to a Palm? I can't. What about new Springboard modules like the upcoming InnoGear SixPak? I researched these things for days - I was obsessed with comparing Palms and Visors. I had to make the right choice for me, after all, my paper organizer would be going away. The Platinum's expansion slot and $299 price tag vs. the PalmVx's $399 price tag put the Platinum over the top.

The PalmVx has a stylish metal case, which is very nice. The rechargeable batteries are nice, until you get stuck somewhere without your cradle. The IIIxe is also very nice PDA, (my second choice) but it is slower than the Platinum. Other than that the Platinum seems to have everything I need. The con is the limited selection of accessories for the Visor. When the Visors hit Walmart, that might change.

Best Regards,
DH

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

Save yourself the aggravation and buy Palm..

Just save yourself the aggravation and buy a Palm. After 3 months of putting up with it's cheap, shoddy plastic design, an easily scratch able screen, and a screen that seemed to veer off and never line up my pointing to waht I was pointing to, I got fed up and exchanged it for a Palm Vx.. I had to put up a fight with the retailer, but I won my case when he slipped and said that they get a lot of these Handsprings returned! Handspring, Never Again!!!!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

Im getting a Palm IIIxe

Im going with the Palm IIIxe, in amazon I went shopping for all the things I need, for a serial macintosh computer, do I need the cradle, and the serial kit.
Also does any one know of a few websites that will ship it to Ireland?
Thanx

__________________
A signature should go here, but Im too lazy to type one...