Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 5

I am interested in Purchasing the Palm Vx with 8 mbs of memory but came across the Visor and was really impressed with its spring board function. Can anyone give comments to these two models as to which one is a better deal to get. The shape and looks of the palm V is really impressive.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 11

It's really just a question of features vs $$. Both systems have 8MB RAM, IR and so on. The only significant differences are as follows:

1. SIZE! The form factor of the Palm V/Vx is great. Visor Deluxe is closer (but still slightly smaller than) Palm III.

2. Rechargeable Battery. Palm V/Vx has it, Visor doesn't. That's not to say that you couldn't put rechargeable AAA's in a Visor, but for now you'll have to remove them to rechareg. Handspring did provide a VDOCK pin on the bottom connector, but is is not on the cradle, so you'd have to design a new cradle to use in-unit charging (I'm sure someone will within a few months)

3. Springboard. Visor has it, Palm doesn't. If you want to use this great expandability feature, you need a Visor.

4. Bottom Connector. They are NOT compatible. Visor has USB (and also serial), palm has serial. But more importantly, they are physically incompatible. This means that you can't use any of the wide variety of Palm add-ons w/ Visor. However, Palm V/Vx is different than all the oher Palm's, so it can't use those add-ons either.

5. Price. $200 difference.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 11

Sorry, I forgot one crucial difference.

Palm is FLASH upgradeable, Visor isn't. This allows you to upgrade to new OS versions. Whether you need this or not is debatable, check out the thread on FLASH upgrades here for more info

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 4

I'm having the exact same dilema right now. I need to get a new PDA because I lost my old Palm Pilot a couple months ago. I've been using my old Filofax and I hate it Too pampered I guess. I've been looking at the Palm V for a couple weeks now and I really like it a lot. The small size is a big plus for me but with 2Megs RAM it doesn't seem like enough if I have a bunch of apps on it. There are aftermarket 8MB upgrades for the Palm V but it voids the warranty. If I wait for the Palm Vx, I might as well wait to see the Visor. Price, size, expandability... ARGH! I can't decide!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 5

Sproing, if it makes you feel better, I am in the same boat. My dilemma is that I really only need a handheld to be a datebook/to do list/address book/memo pad/doc reader. The problem is that the Visor is SO MUCH CHEAPER. However, the Palm V is so nice and small and would fit so nicely in a shirt pocket. ARRRRGH! I guess misery loves company! Let me know what you do and I will let you know what I do!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Spokane, WA, USA
Posts: 114

Ok, here's my take as a _previous_ Palm V owner. The Palm V is sleek, sexy and seriously cool, BUT the lack of a good solid hard-cover was a big negative to me.

I sold my V to my brother and bought a IIIx for the memory and the more rugged feel of the machine. The III series to me seems a bit more durable simply because the screen is protected by the flip cover. The fake fold-over cover that originally came with the V was terrible, but the big, bulky leather cover is almost as bad because it makes the V as thick as a III. Even thought the V's aluminum casing made it seem tougher, I always felt like the screen was more vulnerable on the V. I admittedly like to be able to throw my IIIx to my bed from my doorway or to a couch from a few feet away without worry about what's going to take out the screen or even scratch it.

So if you ask me, "Visor Deluxe or Palm V/Vx?" I would say Visor Deluxe. Go for the memory, go for the screen (same new technology as Palm and and better than the IIIx according to Handspring), go for the economy of it and go for the clip-on cover. (The Springboard option doesn't turn me on so much, but there's not a ton of options for it yet. Maybe someday. And the colors don't do much for me either, but to each his/her own.)

I'm still waiting for a reply from Handspring regarding their non-Flash ROM and system updates. But I've reserved my graphite Visor Deluxe and will most likely be selling my IIIx as soon as I transfer the data.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 5

With the price falling for the palm V and the palm Vx coming out soon would it still be a good bargain to purchase the Palm rather than the Handspring. Remember that this is still a first generation handheld. There are always bugs that are bound to come out and I don't want to be the first to have them. Who knows what might occur with the Springboard function and what might come out say just 3 months after the launch. The technology for PDA's is really in the fast lane right now. On the other hand Palm V would have all the bugs out as this is the second generation. What do you think.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

Above is right.

IIIx is a fully developed product and it AVAILABLE right now. IIIx has a flash rom and is upgradeable.

Visor may or may not be available in October. Maybe later.

I will buy a IIIx and reconsider next year. Luckily it cost only half day salary!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

After reading alaq and HipHop I felt compelled to say something. This is in no way meant to be derogatory but I feel very strongly about what I am about to say.

The only reason that palm prices are falling is because Handspring brought out some competition. Do you really thing that the price of the palm V would be dropping so dramatically without the Visor. Granted the price was going to drop somewhat because of the new Palm Vx but who know when it would have made it to market without Handspring putting out the visor. I for one vote with my visa card and I believe I owe Handspring a debt of gratitude for pushing The people building the palm. This does not mean that I will blindly buy everything that the people at Handspring put out. That said if we all took the attitude that I don�t want to take a chance on new technology I only want to reap the rewards it brings. It stands to reason new technology would be a bit slower to arrive. So to anyone out there who likes the idea of palm OS devices dropping in price and improving in function show a little gratitude to Handspring. This does not imply an obligation to buy their products. But to be so bold as to say I am not buying a first generation product because it has bugs but I am more then happy to buy the competition now that they are lowering the price�� Maybe I see things in a not so business light I just feel a certain loyalty to people who have pushed a product I care about. That said to each there own.

As always Peace
Bryan

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

oops double post

[This message has been edited by Pax (edited 09-26-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Marietta, Ohio USA
Posts: 92

Right On , Pax !.... I agree..... If Donna and Jeff were "unknowns' in the PDA business, thats
one thing but that is not the case. You have to give them credit in "shaking things up"...
I am (was) a WinCE user and was not too impressed with the Palms until Visor came
out and I read the "story" behind it. I started a business in 1994 and my first customers
were people who dealt with me in the past in the same business. They were the first
to "sign-up" when I opened my business... and trust me, I did not disappoint them.. I
"took care of them".... My guess is, Jeff and Donn,a will "take care of of us " too ! I am
not the least bit worried about bugs, etc....They know what they are doing... Been There..
Done That ! My blue Visor Deluxe is on the way and I plan to make it to Internet World
in NY and be part of the "party " - Risk is the essence of success... Just do it !

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 1

In all honesty, I think it's a function of useability. I have a IIIx and use it heavily for both personal and work activities. I want to get my wife hook up. The choices are obvious -- By a new toy for myself --- or get her a new one. In my position a difference of $50 to $100 is not too much of a factor for a machine that will be heavily used.

My decision points are:
1. The look and feel of a Visor -- I played with a DaVinci at the store and it felt cheap! I want a machine that feels lime it will survive daily use.
2. Upgradibility -- Remember our old 286's? never could really make the Pentium II's I can upgrade the OS in my IIIx.
3. Springboards -- Well personally I haven't really seen one that excites me. I don't need a game player or an MP3. I have a modem, a Keyboard (GoType) and have Palm Navigator on order.

SO I will wait to actually see one of these new machines.

All this is, of course, my personal opinion.


Shalom all


Howie Flomberg

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

PAX, no question, competition is good.

Visor will have its market share in the lower market end. Thats the mass market.

I will buy a IIIx now - and see what the market is doing next year.

Definitely Visor brings action in the otherwise near stagnant markt.

A better Visor will give us better Palms too.

Agree?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Spokane, WA, USA
Posts: 114

Looks like a bunch of folks have still missed other discussions about the infamous "OS upgrade"... So for those who missed it, let me bring up this point:

The Palm III had FlashROM, correct? It also had OS 3.0. Then one day the IIIx and V came out with OS 3.1. But whoops, you can't upgrade your III because, well, uh, they changed the PROCESSOR on you.

It still seems as if people are under the odd assumption that if a new OS comes out, their current OS will be _completely_ obsolete and their machine will be worthless. I think it is more likely that Motorola will come out with a newer, faster DragonBallEZ-esque processor that Palm and Handspring will go with, and they'll upgrade the OS then to match.

THEN, everyone who demanded FlashROM because they wanted to make sure they could upgrade their system will find out that they'll have to upgrade the whole machine because they don't have the hardware.

The Handspring should be able to be PATCHED if some bugs come up. But for major OS changes, I don't think FlashROM will be the only consideration (can anyone say, "Color"?)...

As for me, I still have my Visor Deluxe on order, and will be selling my IIIx (with GoType keyboard, HotSync cable and extra stylii) if anyone wants to wimp out on what I think is kind of a fun adventure with a new company (run by Palm veterans, mind you).

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

Aw man, you had to bring some sensibility into the whole discussion surrounding the OS ugradeability question. Actually, it's nice to see that someone is actually thinking about why Flash ROM was not included.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 5

Does anyboby know the lowest prices off the web ? It seems that its not very consistant and its always fluctuating. I know that the Vx is suppose to be USD449. Is this confirmed or can we get it cheaper? What about for the Visor Deluxe?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Alaq, given the fact that Handspring is the ONLY dealer of the Visor for the next few months, I think their pricing is pretty much the lowest you'll get it for...

Rumor has it that other dealer channels are set to open up after Y2K starts.