Registered: Sep 1999
Location: CA,CA,CA
Posts: 21

I'm not sure which would be a better purchase: the Palm IIIx or the Visor Deluxe. I just noticed that the Palm IIIx droped to about $230 retail (while the VD is $250). I don't care about the springboard, nor do i value the 4mb of extra RAM in the VD. The only thing in question is the screen quality and the flash upgradeability. Is the screen difference between the VD (Palm V screen) and Palm IIIx that big of a difference? Which one would you choose?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Urbana IL
Posts: 144

I've heard that the lineup for screen quality is roughly
III < IIIx < Visor < Palm V

However, some reviews say that the V screen and Visor screen quality is indistinguishable, and some say there is ever so slight a difference. The quality between Visor and IIIx is supposed to be more noticeable, but still fairly slight. IIIx screens are considered a significant improvement over III.

You have to remember, though, that this is all somewhat subjective. Palm V screens might look better just b/c they are smaller and thus have lower pitch. You also have to consider the impact of screen size; although resolution is constant, I would bet that a slightly larger screen might be easier on the eyes, even if the pitch is slightly higher. However, I've not used V/III enough to be able to say this is true as a practical matter, so you'll have to decide for yourself.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 74

I love my IIIx, but I think the V's screen is better.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Larkspur, CO, USA
Posts: 32

My 15" Inspiron screen will be hard to beat!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 2

I've been in the same boat. The Visor is clearly better on paper. But I am worried (see my other post) about being the first to deal with whatever bugs are in the Visor. I'm still getting one though. Life is short. What the hell.

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

For the last time, STOP WORRYING ABOUT BUGS! Bugs are little glitches in the OS that pop up here or there. They require fixes that take an operating system from 3.1 to 3.1.1 and 3.1.2, at least as far as general Palm convention goes.

These little bugs can be fixed via "PATCHES" that get loaded onto the machine. They're usually not very big, and they're invisible to the user.

The lack of FlashROM doesn't imply the complete inability to get bugs fixed. Give the founders of Palm Computing some credit! You think they left out Flash by accident!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

Hardware can have bugs too, you know.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 24

Let's not forget that the Visor is not Hawkin's first PDA. EVERY Palm pilot right up to the VII had his input. The lack of flash or risk of bugs does not scare me... Have a little faith.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Pittsford,NY,USA
Posts: 223

The PalmOS has a well designed patch system. For example I currently have OS version 2.0.5 installed in my non-flash capable Palm 1000. (It came with 2.0)

I think Jeff made the right decision to lower the cost of the Visor by eliminating the Flash memory. Every major PalmOS upgrade has required new hardware, Flash or no Flash.

I would be shocked if we didn't have to buy a new PDA when PalmOS 4.x comes out. (That includes Palms with Flash memory.) Hopefully 4.x will include color or at least increased display resolution and this will require new hardware.

I can't believe all the messages on this site about this issue and how obsessed some of your are about it. It won't be a problem trust a longtime Palm user.

-Eric

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 13

It would be interesting to hear from "long-time Palm user" why do you need the color screen of that size, with all the problems implied (daylight visibility, power consumption, price)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Pittsford,NY,USA
Posts: 223

Actually if they can't solve battery life problems, I'll stick with a grey scale unit.

The application that I'm likely to use color with is a mapping application in conjunction with a GPS. (Color maps are much easier to read than a grey scale map.)

I just mentioned color and resolution in my previous post because they are the new features that are always rumored to be part of 4.0.

-Eric

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: putnam, ct 06260
Posts: 13

Would anyone here like to give up their color PC monitors for monochrome ones?

Obviously at somepoint in the future, color will be the definite choice of the masses for palm computing.

Maybe 2 yrs - Maybe 10. Whenever they workout the battery life and processor speed.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Modesto, CA USA
Posts: 599

XGeneral

I think the only way you'll answer the screen question is when somebody actually receives their Visor that also has experience using a Palm IIIx or Palm V. I'll try and remember to post that info when I recieve mine.





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Richard

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

Above is right. Visor havn't been shipped yet. I have an IIIx and think the screen is OK. I can't tell the difference to a V.

BTW, neither screen in 'greyscale' It's purely Black/brownish-greenish.

TN or STN type LCDs can't display greyscale.

IIIx or Visor?
I think they are quite similar and it's really up to your taste. They do the same thing more or less. Visor voice record module (govox? - not out yet) could really interest me.


[This message has been edited by HipHop (edited 10-07-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: CA,CA,CA
Posts: 21

Well, I just placed an order for a Visor Standard. I figure that since i'm new to the PDA scene, 2mb of memory should suffice. Also, its one of the cheapest handhelds that i can get.