Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

need answers and opinions...

Does anybody know when the next price drop will happen for the Visor handhelds? I just wanted to know because I am planning on buying a new Visor, but I don't want to spend more than $400 when I could be using the money for something more important. The two I'm looking at are the Prism or the Pro. I can get a new Prism for about $360 right now at Staples with a $40 coupon. I'm a student, so I need a handheld that won't be too outdated in say 2-3 years...that's probably when I'll think about upgrading again. I already have a Solo that I've had for about 2 years (given as a gift from my girlfriend)and I love my Stowaway (also given as a gift). I'd really like to upgrade. I guess what I'm really asking is which handheld would give me the best value for my money? Also, do most Prism owners max out their memory by having color? I'm asking because the Pro has 16 mb standard and that's the feature that I really like in the Pro. I'd really appreciate any opinions/insight. Thanks.

Mike

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

quote:

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Does anybody know when the next price drop will happen for the Visor handhelds?

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It'll happen the week after you buy a Visor.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

I have had my Prism for several months now and still have about 3MB free. I have MarkMyScriptures installed which takes up over 3MB alone. Then I have WordSmith installed and a few games. I feel that I have plenty of room for things, and I also have a MemPlug, should I really need all that space.

It really depends on what is more important to you. Would you rather have 16MB of memory, or Color? Either way, you have way more space than your Solo, and the Stowaway will work regardless.

Good luck.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

If you can wait until Christmas, one can only assume there will be a price drop then, perhaps not, though

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

Memory really isn't an issue any more with products like 16Mb modules
and MemPlug that lets you use a SmartMedia or CF card for storage
and to run apps. I have the Prism and love it. I had a Deluxe before,
and now I wouldn't go back to greyscale.

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Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Spring Lake Park, MN (45min from minneapolis)
Posts: 313

if u have the time, i would wait for handspring to announce a new color handheld no more than a 1 year from now. but i defeinetly wouldnt get color, i own the solo and 16mb flash, but if u do get monochrome you will be hitting yourself in a few months saying "why didnt i get color". i mean games and such just look so much better. and i agree memory shouldnt be an issue when u have the springboard. the one problem i see is if u get the prism ur keyboard might not work, i remember one keyboard that still worked but with a prism it was loose. i expect handsprings next deveise to fit the standerd form factor.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

thanks...

Thanks to everyone for their input. I wouldn't mind waiting for the new color Visor but what's the chance that it will keep the same form factor as the Neo, Pro...instead of going the Edge route. If my predictions are correct then Handspring will make it like the Edge, with 16mb, and Palm OS 4.0 or greater to support the higher color resolution. They have to compete with the m505 and Sony's 760...and there's no way that Palm and Sony will lose their form factor. I figure that the next color Visor will be more than $450 easily and I just don't think I can cough up that much money for a new handheld...and possibly a new keyboard if they go with the thin factor. Right now it looks like Staples just put the Pro up on their website, so I'm looking at the Pro for $259 or the Prism for $359 (w/ the $40 coupon)...decisions, decisions. Please help.

Mike

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 29

Re: Prism and Stowaway

Hi Flipcap22!

I've had the stowaway and the Prism since December and love it! Apparently the
keyboard fits all visor except the edge, but just to be sure I would bring your stowaway
down to staples and give it a try.
On the question of memory, I did run out of memory after using iSilo to download
some huge (3MB) files along with some maps, but solved that problem by getting the
FlashPlus adapter a sandisk CF card, and Kopsis software.That setup works very wel, and can give you huge memory reserves. Matchbook sells the FlashPlus adapter, but if you
wanted to save some money, I think their Matchbook adapter works just as well.
The drawbacks of the prism are that the screen is extremely faded in direct sunlight
(much like a TV screen), and that the case is plastic. Other than wearing a hood over my
head AND the prism, I can't think of a way around that one, so I live with it.
Despite those shortcomings, I can't imagine myself without either the expansion slot of
a Visor or the color of the Prism.
Hope that helps