mobiprof's Full Review: Handspring Visor Platinum Handheld
The HandSpring Visor Platinum is a HandSpring Deluxe on steroids…
All the major facts and comparisons with the closest competitors.
hardware
The Visor Platinum is just another Visor model. It doesn’t add any features to the HandSpring Visor line, as the Visor Prism, introduced on the same day, does.
It is actually quite similar to the HandSpring Visor Deluxe. It has the same size and weight as the earlier models. It measures 121,9 mm x 76,2 mm x 17,8 mm (4.8” x 3.0” x 0.7”) and it weighs 153 g (5.4 oz). It offers the same features as the Visor Deluxe, like 8 MB of RAM and a monochrome screen. It has the same buttons and the infrared port on the side of case.
There are two main differences: processor speed and Palm OS version, and the Visor Platinum case is available in Silver only. It comes with both a graphite snap cover & leather slipcase. All Visor models feature a microphone, that is of no use without a suitable Springboard module that supports it.
The Visor Platinum and Prism ship with a decent three-part stylus, consisting of a silver body with a black top and tip.
Springboard slot
The Springboard slot accepts Springboard modules. The Springboard modules are HandSpring’s proprietary hardware expansion mechanism. Springboard devices are easy to use, because Springboard is a true plug and play architecture. When you insert a Springboard, all necessary control applications and drivers are installed automatically.
Many early HandSpring buyers bitterly speak about the “mythical modules”, as actually useful modules have been a long time in coming. The idea of being able to extend your Palm has undeniable appeal. The range of available modules includes a digital camera.
the desktop connection
The Visor Platinum comes complete with a Visor USB cradle for connection to the desktop and software for both Windows and MacOS. This Visor Platinum cradle is identical to the cradle used with the Visor and Visor Deluxe, but a Visor Prism does not fit.
You’ll need an USB-equipped desktop running Windows 98, Windows 2000 or MacOS 8.1+. Windows 95 and Windows NT 4 do not support USB, but a serial cradle is separately available.
flash ROM
The Palm OS is stored in ROM. The Visor Platinum does not feature flash ROM. Palm devices with flash ROM allow the Palm OS to be upgraded by replacing the contents of the flash ROM. Those without flash ROM are cheaper, but cannot have the ROM contents upgraded. And that basically means that the user is stuck with the Palm OS version that’s burned into the ROM.
In the case of the Visor Platinum, that’s Palm OS 3.5.2H.
HandSpring loves to claim that Visor ROM can be upgraded through a Springboard module. This doesn’t make much sense to me. Such a Springboard might well be more expensive than the alternative flash ROM would have been in the first place - and to enjoy the new version, you would have to keep that one Springboard in the expansion slot…
Palm OS
The Platinum features the latest version of Palm OS, Palm OS 3.5.
It is Palm OS 3.5.2, which means that it does not suffer several early Palm OS 3.5 problems, including the infamous memory leak have been fixed. It is Palm OS 3.5.2H, which means it is the HandSpring version of Palm OS. The HandSpring Version of Palm OS 3.5 supports the Springboard modules and includes some extras, most notably the DateBook+ and the CityTime World Clock applications.
There’s already a SpringBoard that requires Palm OS 3.5, the OmniSky Minstrel Wireless Modem.
battery
The Visor Platinum runs on two 2 AAA batteries, just like the earlier Visor models. With average use, these should last for about two months. This is typical for a Palm device relying on replaceable batteries.
speed demon
The new HandSpring Visor Platinum and Visor Prism feature a 33 MHz DragonBall VZ as their CPU. This makes them faster than any previous Palm device. Most of the earlier Palm devices, including the the Visor and the Visor Deluxe clock the CPU at 16 MHz. Only the Palm IIIc, Palm Vx, Palm VIIx and the SONY Clié clock the CPU at 20 MHz.
Don’t get too excited over this. A CPU that’s twice as fast doesn’t mean a system that’s twice as fast. HandSpring claims an overall speed improvement of 50 % over the Visor Deluxe.
The Visor Deluxe, although using a 16 MHz DragonBall EZ like the Palm IIIxe, is already roughly 50 % faster than the Palm IIIIxe. HandSpring explains this improvement as the result of some tweaks of the HandSpring version of the Palm OS as well as differences in the rest of the Visor hardware.
Anyway, speed has never been selling point with Palm devices. The CPUs were fast enough, and that’s that. Then again, it is fact of Palm life that something as basic as the Find function isn’t quite as fast as we’d like it to be. Many users install overclocking utilities to make up for small annoyances like this. A faster Palm device is welcome. Applications that make real good use of that power are sure to follow.
screen
The screen of the Visor Platinum isn’t exciting. It is a fairly standard Palm device display. It is a touch-sensitive backlit hi-res display. It is touch-sensitive can display 16 different shades of grey. It is neither large or small as Palm displays go, and it provides the standard 160 x 160 pixels display area.
accessories
The Visor Platinum features the same Springboard slot and has the cradle connector as other Visor models. The Visor Platinum is compatible with all pre-existing Visor accessories. This includes the Stowaway keyboard for HandSpring Visors.
Visor Platinum versus Visor Deluxe
It isn’t hard to choose between a Visor Platinum and the older Visor Deluxe. Their very similarity makes the differences stand out. The Visor Platinum is faster and features a newer version of the Palm OS.
The actual speed increase is not as dramatic as the clock speed increase, but a 50 % increase is very nice to have. And even an overclocked Visor Deluxe will not match the Visor Platinum.
The Platinum features Palm OS 3.5.2 instead of Palm OS 3.1. Don’t underestimate the importance of that. Palm OS 3.1H does not support IR HotSync. A wireless modem will connect you to the Internet, but you will need Palm OS 3.2 or better to run the PQA web clipping applications
There are just two reasons to choose the Deluxe over the Platinum: the Visor Deluxe is available in a choice of case colours and it costs less - but the price difference is relatively small – too small to make the Visor Deluxe a compelling alternative. If you already own a Visor Deluxe, keep enjoying it.
Visor Platinum versus Palm IIIxe
The Palm IIIxe is a more serious contender. Both devices offer 8 MB of RAM. The Visor Platinum offers more speed. a Springboard expansion slot, and an USB HotSync cradle. The Palm IIIxe offers flash RAM, which can be used for more than just easy Palm OS upgrades. Utilities like FlashPro allow you to store applications in flash ROM instead of RAM.
If you already have one or more Springboards, you are basically locked into the HandSpring brand. If you are looking to replace a low-end Palm device, like a Palm IIIe or a HandSpring Visor, and already have one or more hardware accessories that attach to the cradle connector, the cheapest choice is to stick with the brand you have.
Visor Platinum versus SONY Clié PEG-S300
The SONY Clié is a tougher competition for the Visor Platinum than the Palm IIIxe. Both the Clié PEG-S300 and the Visor Platinum includes 8 MB of RAM. The Clié range ships with an USB cradle, just like the Visor range.
The Platinum wins on sheer speed: the SONY Clie’s 20 MHz DragonBall EZ is no match for the Platinum’s 33 MHz DragonBall VZ. When it comes to size and weight the SONY wins. The SONY Clié is both smaller and lighter than the Visor Platinum. It features flash ROM and it arguably looks better as well.
Like HandSpring, SONY offers some unique features. The SONY handheld offers a SONY MemoryStick expansion slot and Jog Dial. There isn’t much software that supports the Jog Dial yet, and it remains to be seen whether it will catch on at all. But the MemoryStick is interesting competition for the Springboard.
Both solutions are proprietary, but the Memory Stick is considerably smaller than the Springboard and has the weight of electronics giant SONY behind it, who is already using the MemoryStick in digital camera’s, laptops, digital audio players and, eh, robot dogs.
Don’t think the MemoryStick slot is for memory only. SONY intend to use the MemoryStick slot for all kinds of cool add-ons. The one clear advantage of the Springboard slot is that there is more available for it right now. SONY includes a single 8 MB MemoryStick in the Clié box.
Visor Platinum versus Visor Prism
The Visor Prism has a colour display and uses an internal rechargeable Li-Ion battery instead of replaceable AAA batteries. It is also larger, heavier, and more expensive. If you are considering buying a colour Palm, be sure to evaluate it.
As an introductory offer, HandSpring is offering a $20 off coupon for the VisorPhone if you buy either model.
conclusion
The Visor Platinum should prove to be a very popular Visor model. HandSpring is making sure that everyone knows about its speed. You’d never buy a Palm device simply because it’s faster than your neighbour’s Palm, you are above that. You are a sensible person and understand that other Palms are fast enough for your practical needs. You’d buy a Visor model for the Springboard slot and then choose the Visor Platinum because it is the cheapest Visor model with Palm OS 3.5. It’s the sensible choice.
HandSpring Visor Platinum Handheld PDA (1017NA) 8MB, Palm OS 3.52, , The Handspring Visor Platinum is an infinitely expandable handheld comput..More at PDAPreferred
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.