Better, Smaller, Cheaper!
Written: Aug 09 '00 (Updated Sep 20 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Smaller, Added Features, Low Price
Cons: 2MB of Memory
|
|
|
| RichBoston's Full Review: Palm m100 Personal Organizer |
Palm has now released the first in its new wave of handhelds. In a unique package costing only $149 it combines a number of features that were not standard equipment on its other models. Palm has done so in a smaller and customizable package.
The m100 weighs only 4.4 ounces while its size is 4.66” x 3.12” x.72”. Trace those approximate dimensions out on a piece of paper and you’ll see how much smaller Palm has made this. I found this much more compatable with my shirt pocket than my Palm IIIxe.
Similar to the interchangeable faceplates on my Nokia phone you can purchase one of 5 color faceplates to replace (if you wish) the standard issue black. The available colors are silver, red, green and two shades of blue. They will set you back $19.95 each. Naturally, I want the red to match my phone!
Unlike the similarly priced Palm IIIe, the m100 includes the Chapura PocketMirror software which links to MS Outlook. This is a relatively expensive software add on for the Palm IIIe. Also included is the AvantGo software allowing you to take advantage of hundreds of news and entertainment channels every time you synch with the included Hot Synch cable. Unfortunately, the HotSync cradle is a $30 option which I suggest you buy. The cable is handier for your briefcase so with the bad comes some good. I have 2 cradles for my Palm IIIxe – one for my home PC and one for work.
Palm is also supporting this with a full line of accessories. This is no second class Palm in spite of the low price. Available now or shortly will be a digital camera, an MP3 player, Palm Folding Keyboard (which I LOVE!) backup modules, modems, etc.
Also newly included is a NotePad application allowing you to write and store notes in your own handwriting. You can even set alarms to your notes. I added this separately to my Palm IIIxe and find it to be very handy. I’m glad Palm has made it standard on the m100.
The unit is also significantly smaller than the Palm IIIe but Palm “cheated” a bit by reducing the size of the screen quite a bit. The good news is that I found the screen to be VERY sharp and thus easy to read even in its smaller configuration.
The protective cover has a see through feature for its new clock application. This was great at a meeting where I could check the time without being obvious. If you hold down the access button it will turn on the backlight allowing you to see the time even in a dark theatre or by your bedside.
Standard Palm equipment also includes the Address Book, Date Book, To Do List and YES – even the IR beaming function. This allows you to beam your selected data to anyone with a similar device. A nice (and expensive) feature to be included on what amounts to Palm’s entry level model.
The one drawback to the m100 is that Palm gave it only 2MB of memory. This is more than plenty though for almost anyone’s needs unless you plan to make heavy use of the AvantGo software. If that’s the case you should consider upgrading to the Palm IIIxe at $249.
All in all this is a tremendous deal for the money and if this is your first handheld or you are upgrading from the Palm Pilot or Palm Professional, you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you are comfortable with the screen size as compared with other models and you can’t go wrong.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 149
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 134 members
About Me:
I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.