Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 28

I called Handspring and spoke to Christopher, who has got to be the friendliest customer sales rep. I have ever had the pleasure of speaking to. In addition to being so friendly, he also answered all of my questions:

1. Yes, Visor has an alarm, and it has a volume control. He said he hadn't heard Palm's alarm so he really couldn't compare them for me.

2. Custom case is available only for deluxe. Colors are available in the same 5 colors as the Visor. Leather and gold-plated are both available. Zip and close types. (I don't know what "close" means, but that's what he said.)

3. Resolution. He wasn't sure about it, but he was told that it is greater than Palm's.

4. No plans for rechargeable batteries as far as he knows, but they may be in the works.

5. Compatible with Win NT if you get the serial port version.

6. No plans for a red visor that he knows of. Sorry.

7. Lots of visors have been ordered today, although he didn't know how many since he just started work at 5 tonight. He didn't say whether there would be a waiting list anytime soon.

8. Not available in stores before the end of the year.

9. They're taking orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Posts: 12

Just out of curiosity, when he mentioned the serial port version, did he happen to say whether or not it came bundled with the unit or if it is an additional purchase?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 13

It looks like they always come with the USB cradle (unless you get the version w/o a cradle). If you by the deluxe model I was told that you can get an additional serial port cradle for another $10 (and you still get the USB cradle!). I'm not sure how much it costs to get the extra serial port cable if you buy the less expensive models (I'd guess it's closer to $20 or $30).

When I asked about how to connect to a Mac w/o a USB port there was some confusion. It doesn't sound like the serial cradle comes with an adapter for the Mac serial port, so I guess you have to buy an adapter. I'm not sure how easy it is to find these adapters, but I know that you can get one with the MacPack for the Palm. I guess the ideal thing would be for them to just include it with the serial cradle if you request it for a Mac.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

Obviously there is some confusion. The gal I ordered mine from said that they would simply swap the USB cradle for the serial cable so that I could use it on my serial-equiped Macs. No extra charge.

Except for the newest Macs, they all have serial built-in. Why would one need an adapter? From the discussion I had with her, I was informed that it is the Mac-type serial cradle.

I think they (Handspring) should post the specifics in a conspicuous place on their web site.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA
Posts: 7

Okay since you have the answers I have what I am confident is a pretty dumb question:

I awas inches away from buying a Palm IIIx when I heard about the visor. I don't know if I really need 8mb of memory but I don't know if 2MB will be enough with potential future apps.

My question is, when the specs for memory describe the potential as 1500 to do items, 400 email messages 600 appointments etc, should it read 1500 to do items AND 400 emails AND 600 appointments or should it read 1500 to do items OR 400 emails OR 600 appointments.

I'm not that busy a guy but it would help me understand just what kind of memory limitations we are talking about.

Thanks for any help you can provide.