Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Please place your reviews for the PLATINUM here. Let us all know if it is really worth the upgrade

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

After two days with my Platinum

Overall, I like it very much. I had a Palm Vx before and I do miss the small size and metal case of the Palm Vx. Some of my pros and cons are common to all Visors. Here they are:
Pros:
1. Speed. Although not as noticible for me since I used afterburner on my Vx and was running it at 29Mhz before.

2. Expandibility. Love the Springboard slot. Can't wait for the software to be available for the CompactFlash adapter so I can use all of my CF cards. Bought an 8MB Springboard anyway because I needed it now. I really look forward to many of the springboard modules on the way.

3. More shades of grey. I was used to this before on my Vx, so again, no big deal. I didn't realize that the older Visors didn't support the 4-bit graphics although the hardware supports it and it works with some programs that go around the OS for this feature.

Cons:
1. Some of my software is incompatible. When I try to use switchhack, it causes all kinds of problems. My Solus Pro will not work. My Mapopolis will not work, etc. Afterburner also does not work. I wanted to use that to see if some of my apps would work if it was slowed down. This is a very big con for me. I hope it is fixed.

2. Some hardware doesn't work. My iBiz keyboard that plugs into the serial cable from the serial cradle doesn't work at all. I only bought the serial cradle to use with this and my GPS which also is not working with the Visor. I am not too worried about these things though since I feel like these problems will work out, but if you don't have time to work out these kinds of problems yourself, you may want to hold off on buying one until these problems are solved. It wouldn't stop me, but I mention it for your benefit.

3.Case/cover. I hate this snap on cover with the slide in pouch. It is like putting up a tent to get this thing out for use. Granted, I was spoiled by the Vx hardshell case. I also used an HP 548 before this and it also had a nice integrated cover. Handspring REALLY needs to fix this. It is one of the MOST disappointing things about the Visor as far as usability goes. I have to think twice before I pull it out to use it because of having to juggle three different pieces that aren't connected and also deal with the awkward plastic snap cover. It also makes it very fat for a pocket. Handsrping, PLEASE fix this in future models.

4. Size. It is too big. It would be much better if it was just a little thinner. Please fix this in future models, Handspring.

Other than my complaints it is a very nice unit. Despite my complaints, I would buy it again. I have tried most of the PocketPCs and I even owned three different models. Didn't like the lack of good software mainly. Did like the thiness of the COmpaq 1550. Wish Visor was that thin. Did like the integrated sound recording and playback.
What I really want is an expandable Palm Vx or equivalent. I wish Handspring had gone with Compact Flash, but that will be a non-issue soon with the CF adapter and all of the modules available soon for the springboard slot. I don't know what Palm is thinking by not introducing a unit with some sort of expansion.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Posts: 51

I got my Platinum last week. So far it works great. All of my apps-ActionNames, TextPlus, Quicksheet, HanDBase, pedit-and my hacks-TealGlance, MultiClip Hack, ChronoHack, LaptopHack, HotTime-transferred from my VDX without a hitch and are working fine. It registers the expected 205% on Benchmark, as compared to 145% for my VDX. The improved performance on all apps is impressive. I often use my Visor for taking notes at work, and and particularly like the way the Platinum speeds up TextPlus. I also like the way it improves performance with large spreadsheets on Quicksheet. I got the Platinum with the idea that I would try it and see if it was worth the money to upgrade. But now I don't think that I'm going to be able to go back to my VDX.