Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mendham,NJ
Posts: 2

Which is better, Palm VII or Visor?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

Visor.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Potomac, MD, USA
Posts: 9

Can you really compare the two? I mean, to me they seem to be geared towards too very different types of people. The Palm VII is really for those who need to access the net on a regular basis, so often in fact, that a modem is just not enough. Plus the fact that Palm.net service is not cheap. Personally I'd rather put the money towards a Palm Vx if I were to even consider a Palm Computing device.

The Visor Deluxe is an all around organizer that will be just that, an organizer. Until any more springboards come out, the Visor Deluxe is nothing more. Even without the springboard slot, the Visor is a great deal because of the memory, etc. However, the springboard slot is a big deal, but until somethin comes out that you must have for the Visor, you're just bettin on the future.

I'm even hesitant to compare the Visor to the Palm V, just because the form factor makes such a big difference. For some, having the smaller more durable size is more important than features. The best comparison is really made to the Palm IIIx, which has a similar shape and features. Of course, when compared to the Palm IIIx, I think the Visor Deluxe wins quite easily. I think the Flash rom issue is really a non issue. What app developer is really gonna risk alienating every Visor user by writing a program that doesnt run on PalmOS 3.1

--Ben


[This message has been edited by benchiu (edited 10-10-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Modesto, CA USA
Posts: 599

DaveM
You really shouldn't compare the two. The Visor Deluxe has more memory and is cheaper but doesn't have the built in wireless connection of the VII. It's like apples and oranges.

The Handspring unit will offer more flexibility with the Springboard technology then the VII will ever think about but right now I am a PalmV user and would have to say that if I wanted wireless connectivity and that alone then I'd opt for the VII however I ordered a Visor on Sept. 14th and firmly believe that the Springboard tech will surpass the VII by the end of the first quarter.

Unless, Palm does a reverse liscensing agreement for the Springboard tech from Handspring and then sit back and see who wins.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

I purchased a Palm VII last week, and have cancelled my order for a Visor Deluxe. I agree, the two are completely different beasts, but for those who've never owned a PDA before (which I was one), it's really hard to say which one you should get.

Having used the Palm VII for the past week, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite devices. It's a joy to use, and (in my opinion) it's clearly the wave of the future.

I'd like to point out a few misconceptions about this device:

First, this is NOT merely a "personal organizer" with wireless Internet access added on; rather, it's an "Internet appliance." You get instant access to the Internet--no need to sit at your computer, connect to the Internet, etc. Simply lift up the antenna, and select the information you're looking for. The service you're getting information from even knows your general location, because it can determine the base station you're connected to.

Second, the service pricing is not unreasonably expensive. For $40/month, you get 1,000k of download allowance, which is PLENTY for such a device. I'm hoping they will soon begin providing unlimited allowance, but they probably won't do that until they get real competition.

Which is why I'm still anxious to hear about Handspring-related news stories: I'm hoping to see something similar for the Visor.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

You can compare the two. They are essentially the same with the exception of the Palm VII having wireless hardware built in. But with the Visor you have the choice of adding wireless capability and probably for a lot less money than the VII. Granted a wireless springboard is not out yet, but with the six pack you would have everything the VII has and more, for less.

hagop: After shelling out $500 for the VII you'd better hope it's "clearly the wave of the future."

this is NOT merely a "personal organizer" with wireless Internet access added on; rather, it's an "Internet appliance."

Did that come straight out of a 3Com ad? That's exactly what it is, a Palm III with wireless internet access (which isn't really internet access). You sound like 3Com's hype-machine.

For $40/month, you get 1,000k of download allowance

Isn't this for a limited time only?

they probably won't do that until they get real competition. Which is why I'm still anxious to hear about Handspring-related news stories

This is HipHopesque, you only want competition from the Visor to bring the price down on a product from Palm.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

I'll be the first one to buy a product from Handspring when/if they begin offering something similar to the Palm VII.

Until then, the Visor will continue to be the equivalent of the Palm IIIx, NOT the VII. When a wireless modem comes out for the Visor as a Springboard module, the Visor/wireless modem combo will be the equivalent of the Palm IIIx/wireless modem combo.

If you disagree, then that's fine... you seem to be of the mindset that a "personal organizer is a personal organizer is a personal organizer...", as I recall you had also disagreed in another topic about the inherent differences between the Palm V and the Palm III/Visor (I apologize if I'm mistaking you for someone else).

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

If the Palm.net service was $10 a month for unlimited usage, I'd get the Palm VII this very minute. But Palm's limited-time offer of 1M/mo. for $40 is, for my budget, unreasonably expensive. There may be very good technical reasons for charging so much, but from a public relations standpoint, Palm has not done enough to qualify its rates. I think I speak for many when I say that Palm's prohibitive pricing has killed whatever enthusiasm I had to buy a Palm VII.

The Springboard technology for the Visor has the advantage of offering multiple options for wireless communications. Granted, it's only potential at this point, but we're really only talking about a matter of months before we start seeing the likes of CPDP modems, two-way pagers, Palm.net-compatible radio modems, etc. With multiple wireless vendors to choose from, pricing is guaranteed to be competitive.

Moreover, the Visor costs half as much the the P-VII and has the Springboard all kinds of apps: MP3 players, pagers, GPS navigators, digital cams, etc.

I like the superior ergonomics of the Palm Vx, but can't justify the less-than-superior economics.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

Choice is the issue. It's something you don't have with Palm VII. Gameboy70 said it best; the wireless options available for the Visor can only breed competition. Not only in price, but also technology. The open standard for expansion of the Visor is what makes it better than the VII where you're locked into Palm.net service and antiquated hardware.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

Keep in mind that 3rd-party wireless CPDP modems already exist for the Palm platform. You don't need Springboard expansion to do that--the serial (or USB) interface is more than enough.

Check out www.novatelwireless.com and www.goamerica.com.

-Hagop

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Milpitas, CA, USA
Posts: 3

Last time I checked, Wireless IP service in the Bay Area was not quite as affordable as Palm.net. Of course, your milage may vary and it might be down right inexpensive in your area. Also, Wireless IP phones are quite a pain to program and use unless you are using the PCMCIA modems.

In case you are wondering, Wireless IP is what CDPD is now called. (Or so I've been told.)

All in all, I was considering Wireless IP, but it was too unaffordable. I've used it before. It is nice for short emails that you would like to be able to receive anywhere. Prior to my discovery of the Visor Deluexe and bluetooth, I was seriously considering a Palm VII.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

It's true that CDPD modems for the Palm already exist, but I would prefer a Springboard if possible since it would add little or nothing to the unit's dimensions. What I'm trying to avoid is having to hook up the PDA to an outboard unit like a cell phone.

Bluetooth will probably be a very successful technology in the enterprise market (and a nightmare for admins) but for my purposes, the short range limitation would require have to turn on a laptop or cell phone to access the Net, which is just too cumbersome to use spontaneously. Ideally, I would like to just carry a single integrated unit. That's the whole point of the Springboard.