Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

I'm a student, and I was previously planning on purchasing a VDx, but it would be a REAL stretch on my resources to do so at this time. So, I've decided to save some cash and go for the normal 2MB Visor.

My main question is, how much do I lose out by not getting the Visor Deluxe? Just no colours, and less memory, right? As a college student, I am looking for something which can keep me organized with enough room left over to hold goodies like AvantGo, a few games, some ebooks, and other such must-have items. Programs for the Palm OS seem pretty small in size, but I want to know what you guys think.

I don't want to get a Visor and find out 2 months later that I'm out of room and can't fit anything else on my machine. I live in Canada, so getting a Visor is quite tough and once I buy one (looking to cross the border just to pick it up!), I won't be able to return it.

Thanks in advance for your help guys!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 266

Well, you are correct that you only loose the options for color and the 6 mb with the regular Visor.

I used to have a Palm Pilot Pro, and I was always a little tight on space, on my 8mb Visor I use about half. If you do plan to carry alot of long ebooks, you might run into that problem. But, there is a solutions for later, should you need the space. You can always buy the 8mb module. Of course, not all apps will work, but I think most will (haven't tried it). The only downfall with the 8mb module, is that your Springboard slot is now full....so if you plan on using alot of Springboards, that might not be the way you want to go.

Personally, I vote for spending a bit more now for the deluxe....but of course, you budget is the finally decission.

Ryan

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: <img src="http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/atl/n/h/nherman/htpeach.gif">
Posts: 66

Yes, it may put a stretch on your resources right now. I just bought mine and it did that to me too. But I really love the Vdx. If you can, hold out and wait for the Vdx. I'd rather wait a little longer than buy it and a month or so later run out of memory.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

2MB is fine for most productivity apps and games, but not for content-heavy apps such as e-books and Avantgo, which you mention.

Once I found Noah (a free dictionary) and Mapopolis (a free mapping program) I was certainly glad I went for the VDX...as the extra memory becomes a necessity.

That said, you *may* be able to get by with the memory springboard addition if you run out of memory. I know there are some issues with that (like you can't run some programs off of the springboard) but it may be an acceptable upgrade.

Also note the thread below regarding an internal memory upgrade for the Solo.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

Thanks for the replies guys...yeah I'm in a real squeeze right now. Can't really afford the VDx but would like one hands down just to save me from the hassles of running out of space. I'm strapped for cash because I DEFINITELY need a laptop for the upcoming year =) so the Visor comes in 2nd place in terms of things to buy...

Perhaps I'll have to give up AvantGo and the ebooks and settle for the 2MB model...

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

They should come out with a 4mb visor in different colors. I have a deluxe, but I don't find myself using more than 4 mbs. I do like the different colors though. Maybe these features could be incorporated into a future model.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

So you're using about 4MB worth of your VDx...out of curiosity, what kind of programs do you have loaded onto your Visor?

I'd just like to get an idea of what I would be able to fit on a 2mb version.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 144

GTS 461:
I think 2 MB should do the trick for you - at least for the beginning. I have the VDx, and normally do not use much more than 4 MB.
(I guess if I would only put the stuff on it that I need everyday, it would probably even be less)
I currently have on my Visor:
- AvantGO (1.3 MB)
- e-books and other documents (~1.4 MB)
- various smaller apps, games etc. (~1 MB)
But the programs and stuff I really need everyday are not more than 1 MB, and I could cut down my AvantGO channels to 3-400k easily, I think. I'm just too lazy, I guess...


If you use your memory efficiently, 2 MB should work well, even with ebooks and AvantGO.
As long as you only put the one or two ebooks on the Visor that you are currently reading, and not zillions of Games etc. and you cut down your AvantGO usage a little bit (also saves time needed for updating the channels) you should be fine.
After some time you can either buy the flash module (for content like ebooks that is not changed) or after your warranty expires you could probably even try to upgrade your memory to 8 MB or have somebody do that - I thought I read another thread dealing with that issue.

However, it is your decision...

Good luck!

mc9

[This message has been edited by mc9 (edited 06-15-2000).]

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

Thanks mc9! I appreciate the breakdown of what you use in your Visor...

I figure I probably won't need AvantGo anymore, since as a student, I'll have a laptop at my dorm to check the 'net. As for the ebooks, I'll listen to your advice and keep it down to 1 maybe 2 books at a time.

Since AvantGo and the Ebooks seem to be taking up most of the space I'm sure cutting them out will let me live with a 2mb visor. All the other must have essential programs for students will probably fit fine with some room to spare.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

in your case, 2Mb should be enough and as said before, you can always buy a springboard with more memory later...

'Soon' there will be multiple springboards with memory with and witout aditional features... If you win the lotery you can buy one of those later

Registered: May 2000
Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3

quote:

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Originally posted by homer:
[B]2MB is fine for most productivity apps and games, but not for content-heavy apps such as e-books and Avantgo, which you mention.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

I have the Vdx and I love the 8M, but to be honest, if I could only choose 2 out of 3 among 1) eating, 2) laptop and 3) extra 6M in the handheld, I'd pick 1 and 2...even if you need to lose a lot of weight, as a student you need glucose to run your brain cells.

I had 2M in an old Palm Pro for a long time and it was fine for 90% of my use - schedule, contacts and a few games. As has been pointed out, you can swap ebooks in and out of RAM depending on what you're reading at the time, and longer ones are generally available in small segmented DOC files, so the only problem is if you're a really fast reader and run out of stuff.

You can always scrape by for a year and when the warranty is over get a third-party upgrade to 8M...or if you're brave you can do it yourself ( http://www.interlog.com/~tcharron/P...adeservice.html )

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

Thanks guys...I'm either gonna get a 2MB visor right now, or hold off till the end of summer and pick up an 8MB version...

I appreciate all the help and advice!

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1

I have the 8mg visor. I would highly recommend that you buy the VDx. The solo might work ok, but bite the bullet now and spend the extra $100us and just do it. There are countless times that I decided to be cheap and settle for something that cost less when 100 or 200 more dollars would have made all the difference. In the grand scheme of things $100 will not break you.

Good Luck!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

But remembre, STNP(I Think that's the name) offers a 2mb to 8 mb upgrade for 90 dollars os if you decide later down the road that you need a larger amount of ram then you can go out and buy that.
By the way, I have 8mb's, and I use about 5 of them.
BEN

Registered: May 2000
Location: White Bear Township, MN USA
Posts: 5

I would reccommend getting the 2MB version and then get the 8MB mamory expansion module. Then you could store large stuff and still save money over buying the Dlx.

------------------
Michael Bailey
Enjoy yourself, or someone else if they'll let you.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

[ misinformation snipped...]

[This message has been edited by Winchell (edited 06-22-2000).]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

Having bought a 2 meg to save money, I found I filled it quickly with programs I down loaded. I was able to have it upgraded by STNEcorp.com for $90. After the screen cracked I found Handspring could not return the same unit I would send them. I was able to swap the memory board with the 2 meg they did send and it worked out. Its hard to say whats better, having a 2 now is nice and it can be upgraded, but getting a 8 will reduce problems later. John

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

Not to shaft CaptainBailey (IOW, I bring this up as humor):

quote:

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I would reccommend getting the 2MB version and then get the 8MB mamory expansion module.

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Inglewood, CA, USA
Posts: 390

quote:

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Originally posted by Winchell:
Keeping in mind, of course, that the 8MB flashram springboard only gives you an extra 2MB on a 2MB Visor (that is, due to limitations of the circuitry, the springboard can only double the amount of RAM you have)

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This is news to me! Granted, I don't know hardware, but I always looked at the 8mb module to be something like a ZIP disk - 8mb is 8mb - no matter which Visor you had... If this is not true, can someone please explain it to me. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by narnia_77 (edited 06-21-2000).]