Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Philadelphia, MS, USA
Posts: 12

Hi, I am 14 and am looking at getting a Visor. It has a few features that I might need on the road and I really like it because of all the Palm OS Software available online and games like Tiger Woods golf (Plus, the springboard). My questions are:

1. Does it sound like I should I just be getting a Game Boy?

2. If I buy the modem for the visor can I connect to the internet with my current ISP for my computer at home and are there any other things I have to buy to get online with my visor?

3. WIth the six pack coming out next year, is it worth it to buy the modem?

4. For $179.00 you get 2 MB, is that enough for much software or should I get the 8 MB Visor deuxe?

5. My Compaq 5600i, 450 Mhz P2, 256 MB, WIndows 98 has a USB port, right?

6. Would anybody know about the warrentee on the Visor, if I do have these "problems" that a few people I have been talking about?

If you can help me with any of these questions, thank you for your time.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 16

1. Does it sound like I should I just be getting a Game Boy?

In my opinion, hell no. The Visor is superior in every way except for game availability.

2. If I buy the modem for the visor can I connect to the internet with my current ISP for my computer at home and are there any other things I have to buy to get online with my visor?

You can use your existing ISP.

3. WIth the six pack coming out next year, is it worth it to buy the modem?

I dunno. I really need the modem so it's a tough call. The 6 pack is definately a better value for the money.

4. For $179.00 you get 2 MB, is that enough for much software or should I get the 8 MB Visor deuxe?

Go Deluxe. Once you have the space you'll wonder how you ever could have lived in 2MB.

5. My Compaq 5600i, 450 Mhz P2, 256 MB, WIndows 98 has a USB port, right?

Each PC is different but I would expect so. USB ports look like thin rectangles... USB Host Controller would also show up in your System Control Panel-->Device Manager.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 55

PSMS

It depends on what features you are looking for.

If you want to play games, the gameboy is less expensive, in color and has great game selection.

If you want to keep phone numbers, a date book and other info, and games are not your number one priority, then the Visor is the way to go. remember the Visor is greyscale and the quality of the games is just now getting to be the same level as the Tiger Woods game. They are better compared to an atari on a B&W TV. Then again, you are 14 and probably dont even know what an atari looks like.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 70

Uh-oh! I'll try to give you some suggestions, but my perspective is somewhat removed from the 14 year old time frame (hope you ignored some of the earlier, anti-teenage posts):
1. Depends on what you want to do- this is comparable to deciding to buy say a PlayStation or a PC---if all you want to do is play games, the choice is obvious. By the fact you have a PC, I would say your interests are more varied. BUT, you lose color in this trade for versatility.
2. No, but you will have to load an appropriate client. Personally, I have no desire to surf the net on a 2.5 by 3.5 screen!
3. For me, I would wait for the six pack. I would rather peruse the net on my PC. The six pack has a neat selection, but you'll have to wait and see whether the price is worth it.
4. Many people have survived with only 2 MG (but they also had Palms with FlashPro, and were able to use some of the flashROM). Whilst I am one of the September crowd hanging out in the breeze, it seems many of the folks with a Dx are having no problem using 4-6 MB almost instantly. Unless you plan on using this for very limited purposes, get the Dx. You'll probably find you'll want MORE memory, rather than less.
5. Yes, unless the cheap twits at Compaq deleted it. There should be two small rectangular ports in the back of the PC, with a black or white plastic tab in the bottom of each port (the tabs have contacts on them)
6. Check this for the warrenty info: http://info.handspring.com/support/ug_vi_warranty.asp
Aside from the usual legalese, it's a 1 year warrenty.
Hope this helps!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

Just curious - you said "on the road." Most people don't use that phrase unless they spend a LOT of time on the road - usually when their job requires them to spend a lot of time traveling. So, what does a 14 year old do that keeps you "on the road" so much?

I have to admit that part of the reason that I'm asking you this is that I'm slightly paranoid due to the fact that several people (one in particular) created quite a fuss by pretending to be people they weren't. There was a huge argument about whether or not young teenagers would use the Visor and what age group the Visor was being marketed for. So, it just sounded a little strange to hear a 14 year old say that they wanted a Visor to use "on the road." No offense, though.


[This message has been edited by ChrisB (edited 11-02-1999).]