Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Earth
Posts: 35

I currently own the basic Visor with 2MB memory. I've pretty much filled it up in a matter of months, but because I've had it a few months already I can't exactly return/exchange it.

My dilemma is trying to figure out which Visor to upgrade to. The Visor Platinum is supposedly fifty percent faster, although many don't seem to notice a difference, but it does have 4 bit grayscale versus the Visor/Deluxe 2 bit. The Visor Prism does 65k+ colors, which color beats grayscale in looks any day, and the rechargeable battery.

The $150 difference is annoying because both are good, and I'd be fine using either one, but if I'm going to pay the extra for the color and battery, is it really worth it?

I intend to get some modules like a modem and a mp3 player later on. How much power do those things take up? Is the power difference between the Prism and Platinum really something to take into consideration? Anyone with either one of these models, especially those with a MP3 player or modem, can really help base my decision. Thanks.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

I'd consider getting the 8meg Flash module for your solo first. It'll solve your memory problems, and you can always use it with the new Visor you get down the road.

I've got a Platinum, and greatly appreciate it's extra speed, but only on a few applications. If you are considering a Prism, make sure you need the color. I think the Platinum does a reasonable job of showing color pictures in it's 16 shades of gray. If you don't absolutely need color, the eventually upgrade to a platinum.

Dave

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I love my Prism. I'm sure the Platinum would be great too, but for me color was really worth the extra dough. It's much more readable, at least indoors. However, it's not as readable in bright sunlight, so if you are planning on using your Visor in bright sunlight a lot the Platinum makes more sense.

The rechargeable battery is nice as well. I didn't think I'd like that feature, but it's worked out well for me. I have a cradle at home and at work, and if I leave it in the cradle for 45 minutes to an hour a day it doesn't drop below 75% charge with normal useage - which for me is pretty extensive, I'm an avid AvantGo user.

I don't have either of the MP3 modules yet, but I do have both a wireline modem (the Springport) and a wireless modem (Minstrel S), plus a Geode GPS module. I typically use any one of them for 45 minutes to an hour, which drops the battery meter maybe a third or so. It sometimes goes back up a bit after you stop using the module. IMHO, the rechargeable will work fine under normal conditions, even with the module. One caveat - all three of these modules have their own power supply, so if you get one that doesn't (the SoundsGood MP3 player, the Thincom modem) and instead uses the Visor's batteries, your experience may be different.

You probably can't go wrong either way. For me, color was worth the price.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 74

VTL makes some very good points.
I've been a Newton user and have a PalmV, PalmVII and a PalmM100.
I went ahead about a month ago and bought a Prism for both me and my wife (a Dr.). After this past month I will never never never go back to a non-color screen. I don't use my Prism much in direct sunlight and it is so much easier to read (even the standard black on white) than the non-color models there is no comparison.

With such apps out there like LaunchEm 3.0, DateBook 4 and 'BugMe' you can now use the color to help organize, highlight, etc -- not just to be 'pretty'.

Whatever you do, go to the store and check em out.

Lastly -- with the new Palm VC color device (or whatever they're calling it) you may want to wait a month or so to check that out first -- but I'm sure it will be a premium price -- and a lot of the bugs with the Prism have been worked out.
good luck

dave

Registered: May 2000
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 163

Check Out the SystemLogic Review

There's a link in the Around The Web section of the home page here.
He did a fairly thorough, albeit imperfect benchmark comparison of the faster processor in the Platinum to the one in your Solo (or the Deluxe).

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

Got Money?

If you can afford the Prism, go for it. I played with one for a while and really wanted it, but couldn't afford it. Went with the Platinum which I got for 20% off at Amazon using MilePoint. I've been very happy with it.

The speed is noticeable (I upgraded from the IIIx). I'm enjoying the speed. Still I wish that it were even faster.

The display is "handsome" as a lot of my friends put it. Again, I can notice a difference.

Platinum sounds so much better than Deluxe.

Extra $50 is worth it.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Earth
Posts: 35

It's probable that I can afford a Prism. I'm going to see if I can do something through Handspring. Here's another thing I took into consideration. If I were to buy a Platinum, I'd like it and everything, it's much nicer than the Visor or Visor Deluxe, but I'd always want a Prism. So if I'm going to have this thing for a year or two (not always possible since I hear about people replacing these things all the time), I'd probably be better off with the color screen. I tried both the Platinum and Prism out, side by side, and the color is much nicer with black on white, plus it's bright, vivid and alive. The Platinum is a much cleaner screen, it's clear, sharper than the Visor or Visor Deluxe screens. I'd rather just spend the extra now and not have to deal with always wanting to spend the extra for the Prism. I'm waiting to hear back from Handspring before I intend to buy.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
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FOR THE LOVE OF GOD....WAIT!

Don't buy ANY PDA right now. New goodies are juuuuuust around the corner. And you'll end up kicking yourself for not waiting.

Keep your pants on another month or so.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Earth
Posts: 35

How many months before the new product lines come out? Handspring won't accept any sort of trade in for my old Visor, they said it's becuse of competition or something. So I guess I'm stuck with the Visor for now, I could probably sell it for something on ebay.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

there's ALWAYS something new coming out...

There's ALWAYS something new coming out in a couple of months. In this case, it's the Palm M505. Next it'll be a color Clie or slimline Prism. If you need to upgrade now, do it. If you don't need the stuff that's "coming soon", you might as well upgrade now. If you want something that's not available quite yet, and you can hold on, then hold on.

But don't just keep on holding on... you'll never upgrade!

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

Platinum or Prism

I upgraded from a Visor Deluxe to the Prism a month ago and gave the deluxe to my wife. I can't even begin to tell you how much better I find the Prism to be. Once you get used to color, you'll never want to go back. I think its only a natural progression. You won't find many people choosing black and white TVs over color or black and white computer monitors over color these days. For games, color is awesome. For business apps, color is far easier on the eyes. Programs like Actionames Datebook provide icons in color and i find it a great help. Viewing graphics of any kind are far better in color. The price for the prism is very high, though. I'm sure I'll kick myself in a few months when it comes down and think I should have waited. In any case, I even like the rechargeable built in battery better than switching either alkalines or rechargeables. Good luck in your decision.

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

You could have www.stnecorp.com upgrade the memory to 8 meg for $90.

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