Should I buy a Palm Pilot, a Visor, or a Sony?

In My Humble Opinion
1

About two years ago I received a Palm VII as a gift. I have used it a lot (though I have never activated the wireless Internet access).

Recently, I have been having problems with the digitizer (i.e., I have to recalibrate it almost every time I turn the Pilot on), and I am thinking that this is a sign that I should replace the unit and upgrade.

I had been hoping (naively as it turns out) that I could just get a Palm IIIc, that would give me a color screen and more memory (while getting rid of the wireless Internet that I never use), but as most of you already know, they don’t make the III series (or indeed the VII series) anymore.

So, now what? I would like to spend under $300 (and preferrably under $200) and I would like to get a unit that will still work with my stowaway keyboard.

I have been using my current unit to

  1. keep lists of movies to rent, books to buy, etc.
  2. keep all my contact info
  3. keep track of personal (not work) todo items using a program called “life balance”
  4. play chess

I would like to install a dictionary program and start reading e-books, but I haven’t done that yet.

I would be interested in any opinions regarding the following questions:

  1. What units should I buy?
  2. Should I get a color screen?
  3. Should I get one with wireless Internet access (even though I haven’t ever used it on my current model)
  4. Are there other issues that I should think about before I buy?
  5. Is there some obvious way to fix the digitizer on my current unit, thus forestalling the need to replace it?

Thanks.

2

Hmm. I have a lower-end Visor Deluxe with 8 MB of memory, and its kept me happy for about 3 years. The Palms my friends have seem to crash a lot more often, and mine is quicker than the comparable Palm (the Vx). Colour screens seem the way to go these days, so I would definitely get that. Of course, that means you need a unit with a good battery life too, as those screens eat a lot of electricity. Wireless internet - you’re not using it now. What makes you think you will in the future?

I gotta say I was very impressed with the Sony Clie a friend of mine had. Thing played videos, held his entire hoiday picture collection, and stored a buttload of MP3’s to boot. Of course, he had the 128 MB memory stick with it, and he bought it in Hong Kong.

That’s about all I can tell you, really. Good luck!

3

All I can tell you is that I’ve had my Palm V for several years - ever since it was the top of the line - and I’ve never had more than maybe a minute’s worth of trouble with it. And I use it a LOT. As in I store and read books on it. If/when I upgrade, I plan on going for the Palm m505 - basically a color Palm V with more memory.

4

I think you’re out of luck with the keyboard. IIRC, the latest generation Palms’ connectors are not compatible with Palm Vxs and earlier models, and Handspring and Sony will surely have their own (incompatible) connectors.

For around $300, your choices are:

  • Sony CLIE T-615, with high-res color screen and 16 MB built-in memory. No MP3 player for this model, though.
  • Palm M130, with color screen and 8 MB RAM, but it’s also $50 cheaper than the Sony.
  • Handspring Treo 90, with color screen, built-in keyboard, and 16 MB RAM.

The Sony has a better screen, Handspring comes with a keyboard, and the Palm is cheaper. I’d pick the CLIE just because I like the screen. But if you really wanted to keep the Stowaway, your only choice now is to buy used.

5

I’ve had two Visor’s now, both died the same way and were unrecoverable.

I’d suggest saving your money and buying an iPaq.