Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 78

Should I get an Edge as a gift?

I bought my Dad a Palm III because it was slimmer than my loveable but rather big VDx. Three reconditioned machines later I think it's time for a substitute. I think he likes the form factor and doesn't need color or MP3. For myself I'd rather have a Clie but for him I was thinking the Edge UNTIL I read the posts here!!!!

Would you buy an Edge for a loved one? Should I just get him a Palm m500 (b/w)? The b/w Clie seems a big bulky. HELP, and the holidays are almost here.

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Posts: 56

Unless color is a requirement, I say get an Edge... since you said you were leaning towards it anyway before you read posts here. I've had it for at least 8 months (I think.... ) and I haven't had *one* problem with it.

Other than the fact that periperals that connect to the hotsync connector have been sloooooooooow to come out (I finally ordered my stowaway yesterday!), I think it's a great piece of hardware. It's small & thin (sure others have this), good resolution (sure, others have better resolution) and it very sturdy. Except for me going through stylii (due to how much I use it), it's held up great physically. I'm a unix system administrator by trade, and I put a *lot* of info in it... mainly cause I don't want to have to remember so many small facts. But it's always on me, always being used, and always holding up. Not to mention it looks so cool!

Sure, there are other good products out there.... and I recommend that you figure out what you want to spend money-wise (and I suggest you use BestBuy if possible... so you can pay a little extra for the extended warranty) and look at all the different models that you can afford. When I have to make choices like this, I lay out all the features of the purchase and see what comes out on top.

Often it's not the cheapest product that I choose... it's what fits *your* needs the most. When I got mine, the palm 500 & 505 weren't out, and neither were the color sony clie's (I think). The best color then was the palm IIIc, and I wasn't impressed with it. So do your homework and make the best choice for you!

Hope this helps...

-chris

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 78

Much thanks

I really appreciate your help!

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 248

I have had absolutely 0, zip, nada problems with my Edge. I've had it since the first week it was released. I love the small form factor, its strong durable, and lightweight. The screen is super crisp, and runs like a champ. Get it!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

I've never owned an Edge, but always wanted one cuz it looks so cool. If you wanna buy one for your dad, I'd suggest a Visor Edge. If you have the money, maybe an m505, but I'd stick with the slim line. If you wanna save money, go for a Palm Vx, or even a Sony Clie S320. It's literally only 0.15" thicker than the Edge, and it's just as good if not better. The screen is just as good, it has memory stick expansion, and OS 4.0. It's got everything, except for maybe looks. You have many options, pick one and go with it,

__________________
nelson.hsieh
good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

An m500 is better than an edge in almost all respects, including (but not limited to) corporate support, system wide silent alarm, vibrating alarm, size & form factor (IMO), included software, quality, flash RAM, etc.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

quote:

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Originally posted by dick-richardson
An m500 is better than an edge in almost all respects, including (but not limited to) corporate support, system wide silent alarm, vibrating alarm, size & form factor (IMO), included software, quality, flash RAM, etc.

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__________________
nelson.hsieh
good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by AzNCoMpUtAnErD
A m500 is know also $80 more then a Visor Edge, they dropped the price to $249. The Edge looks wayyy better, but that's just my opinion. The Edge costs as much as a Visor Deluxe did 2 years ago. Go for the edge!

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__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 78

Thanks for the input

I appreciate the input although some seem very anti-Handspring. The price cut to $249 with a free case makes the Edge a tempting gift.

However, after reading other posts now I'm thinking Sony T415 which is slightly more at $299 but is even thinner and has better resolution in the display.

I am underwhelmed by the Palm as no one even claims to own one. Which would you get the Sony T415 or the Edge?

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

Hmm, I've never used an Edge before, but I know it's a quality product by the brand name, Handspring, in fact I've never used a Handspring product before, but all the ones I have handled scream quality all over. Though I will be now after my sony clie was stolen, a visor platinum . The Edge at $250 is an awesome price, the m505 is not bad at all. The Edge would just be a better choice at the price and add-ons you get. The Palm m500 series spells boring all over and is gonna die and be taken over by Sony soon. If you want to go for palm, go for a $199 Palm Vx, the m500 is not much better.

As for the T415, it is really nice, but the high-res just doesn't work on grayscale, fonts on mean, but it's still not a bad choice. When I saw it in stores, I was pure amazed, the thing looked like color to me, m505 type color that is, but color nonetheless. It's an awesome product, but not exactly quite there. Maybe wait for the color version to come out, the T600, or just go with a Visor Edge, at $250, that's an awesome price.

Back to the m500 debate, the Clie S320 is just as good as the m500 if not better. For thickness, it's only about 0.2" thicker, which is not that bad. Half an ounce heavier, has a better backlight and just as good display as the m500. Great expansion, yes memory stick is great. Yet, why is the m500 $160 more?!?!?! You DON'T get what you pay for in the m500. You know what, you could buy TWO S320's for the price of ONE m500! Which would you choose??? As for the "getting a device that works" you can get one for $169, the Sony Clie S320, Why do you think Sony is kicking butt?

__________________
nelson.hsieh
good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

Registered: May 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 236

Re: Thanks for the input

quote:

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Originally posted by pel in chicago
I am underwhelmed by the Palm as no one even claims to own one. Which would you get the Sony T415 or the Edge?

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Well the reason for that is cause there is two main PALM boards, Other than VisorCentral(the greatest board ever in the history of the world part 2). So i think most of the Palm users are afraid of us HS junkie's.

I say go for the edge its an awesome product. Plus you get a case free shipping and a good price.

I have out grown my edge and moving on to the M505 (for those that are shocke i did say M505 not Clie).
Reason i am moving on is i have out-grown Greyscale and most importantly out-grown the 8mb, and need expansion. The sled is now anoying me bad.

But i say buy it from a department store and pay the extra price for the warranty. you wont regret it. If your dad outgrows his edge within 3 years, 2years other stores, he can just trade up or down.

good luck and happy holidays

__________________
Hey baby before we start do you mind if we use my M505?
No not for that!!!!!!!!!!
Use it to reffer to PalmaSutra, silly???????

Registered: May 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 236

Oops forgot to say......
If you buy the egde tel your dad to put clear nail polish in the buttons ...they wont get tarnished.

__________________
Hey baby before we start do you mind if we use my M505?
No not for that!!!!!!!!!!
Use it to reffer to PalmaSutra, silly???????

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 248

I happen to LOVE my Edge. I like the small form factor, and with the free case...its a steal at $249.00.

I was really excited about the T415, and wanted to buy one until I saw the screen. I thought that the true B&W screen would be awesome, but I thought it was very very hard to read. Plus I'm not a fan of Sony putting in the Memory Stick, instead of going with a more industry standard memory option. (SD or CF).

I can't handle the larger Visors anymore, my Platinum feels like a brick now.

I personally don't use the backpack as often as I thought. I own the Xircom Wireless Ethernet, MiniJam, MemPlugCF, and HS Modem. I just don't use 'em as much as I'd thought.

I can't speak to the M500/M505. Some love it others don't...I don't personally like how Palm devices have a 'sled' option for expansion, screams iPaq to me.

I'm actually half tempted to pick up a refurbished HandEra 330, b/c of the expansion options it offers with their CF support for wired Ethernet, Modem, SD Card, CF (Type I/II), and 'virutal' graffiti area, jog dial, etc, etc. Its truly a techie's device. Again, its big though....same size as the Palm III.

For now, I'm getting ready to ship my Edge off to get it upgraded to 16MB of RAM!!!, and that'll satisfy me for now.

Plus, now that my universal cradle adapter is built, I can use any device that the Pro/Neo/Plat/Dlx...use, so I'm pretty well set.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Re: Thanks for the input

quote:

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Originally posted by pel in chicago
I appreciate the input although some seem very anti-Handspring.

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Not really anti-Handspring. They have done quite a bit and the customer support for most of their line is good. Were I not in need (read: strong desire) of a thin metal pda, I would be all over the neo. Fact is, my experience (and quite a few others) with the edge is piss poor. Hell, I'm the one that started this thread, so it's not as if it wouldn't be a good device. Maybe Handspring started making decent ones, I don't know. It's too late as far as I'm concerned.

quote:

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The price cut to $249 with a free case makes the Edge a tempting gift.

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Tempting though it may be, it is a black mark on HS's customer service and completely overshadowed by Palm's m500.

quote:

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However, after reading other posts now I'm thinking Sony T415 which is slightly more at $299 but is even thinner and has better resolution in the display.

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I would strongly urge against the edge, regardless of your alternative. The 415 is a nice, feature rich device.

quote:

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I am underwhelmed by the Palm as no one even claims to own one. Which would you get the Sony T415 or the Edge?

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The m500. I like mine just fine.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 78

THanks for the input but...

I am probably getting the Clie for both me and my Dad. Actually I am warming up my new Clie 760 and will probably get Dad the T415. By the way, I started this thread if I remember correctly. Thanks to all PDA users especially those who did like their Edge.