So you want a PDA but are strapped for cash...
Oct 21 '00
So you've been hearing all the hype about these "new" fangled PDA's and you've decided you have GOT to get one. Well it can cost you, up to 500$ for just the handheld unit depending on what you get. This opinion is to sort through the current line up of Palm based PDA's (Palm, Handspring) because when it comes to budget PDA's, the CE and PocketPC market is generally much more expensive. Also, due to the much larger software support for the Palm OS, I feel that a Palm OS PDA is the better bet (at least the way the market is now). If prices drop, I will write an opinion on economy non-Palm PDA's, but until then, it's:
Economy PDA's for the budget-minded individual
Currently, Palm based PDA's range in price from 149.99 (Handspring Visor, Palm IIIe and Palm m100) up to 449$ for the high end new color model released by Handspring (the Prism). The differences from the lowend model all the way up to the tippity top of the line are not that tremendous. Let's compare the current lineup, going from cheapest to most expensive:
149$: PalmIIIe, m100, Visor-- These devices all run Palm OS (with the Visor and the IIIe running an older 3.1, and the m100 running the newest 3.5.2). Each has 2 megabytes of RAM which can be used to hold applications/games/contacts/etc. For people who don't plan on using their new PDA for everything, 2 MB of RAM should be pretty sufficient. For those users who suspect that they might load up their PDA's with all the newest software, look away, 2MB will get cramped soon. Also, none of these devices offer Flash ROM, which means that the version of Palm OS you are currently running is hardwired into your PDA. However, for each of these aforementioned problems, there is a solution (which will cost you). www.palmpilotupgrade.com offers an 8MB upgrade service (79$ including return S&H) for all these PDAs, and will also add Flash ROM for an additional 60$ (not Handspring models). However, all said and done the end unit will cost you nearly 300$ which is more than a higher end model. All these devices are Black and White, and run on 2 AAA alkaline batteries. However, the Visor does have the Springboard module for plug-and-play accessories via a Gameboy-esque cartridge slot on the back.
The m100 is much smaller, and has a smaller screen (same pixel area of 160x160) so it is sharper. The m100 also does NOT have a glass digitizer (it's plastic) so it will stand up to more abuse.
249$: Palm IIIxe, Visor Deluxe-- (Palm has pretty much stopped production of the IIIx which is why it isn't mentioned, this device had 4 megs of RAM and was supposedly upgradable internally using memory modules). The 3xe and the Deluxe are both 8MB PDAs. Internally they are virtually the same as their smaller brothers (Visor and IIIe respectively). However, they do run on slightly faster Motorola DragonBall processors, and the Deluxe also doesn't have Flash ROM, while the IIIxe does. The 8MB makes these PDAs much more useful in the field, as you can store 400% more than their predecessors.
299-329$: Palm IIIc, Visor Platinum-- Due to competition from Handspring, Palm has recently (10/15/2000) cut the price on their color model from 399 dollars to 329. The IIIc has 8MB of RAM and has Flash ROM, and also uses an internal rechargeable Lithium-ION battery pak, so no purchasing of batteries is required. Note that during long trips away from your cradle, you will NOT be able to recharge your PDA, which may be a problem. (All rechargeable PDA's suffer this drawback, including the Visor Prism, 3c and the V and Vx). The IIIc is larger than the rest of the III series, and as such is less portable and incompatible with some accessories. (Most notably, the Novatelwireless Minstrel III wireless modem. However, with minor modifications, namely slicing off plastic, you can adapt this modem to fit on your IIIc). The Visor Platinum was released just a few days ago and is nearly the same as the Visor Deluxe except that it's Motorola CPU is 2x as fast (33 MHz vs. 16). While this may sound great, in real-life CPU speed is not a big factor in the PDA market. All the software applications run great on the current processor, and for those intensive games (I mean programs....) you can overclock your processor using AfterBurner.
Note that the IIIc uses only a 256 color screen, while the Visor Prism sports a 65,536 color screen which is MUCH MUCH sharper and displays a much better picture.
329$ and up: Here is where the V, Vx and Visor Prism all fall. The V is the 2MB slim Palm, while the x sports 8MB and a slightly faster processor (about 20% faster). All these units use rechargable lithium-ion batteries, and are probably not the PDA your thinking of buying. (This is a PDA article geared for budget minded consumers). Nonetheless, these are nice PDAs (with the exception of the V, as for just a few more dollars (70 or so) you can get 8MB vs 2, and a better processor. The Prism is a very new PDA (not even a week old), but so far it seems to be gaining much acceptance in the PDA world. Also, the VII and VIIx fall in this category, but due to their high price-tag (399-450$) they are also not exactly 'budget' PDAs. (Personally I also don't recommend them due to my distaste for large bulky PDAs with big pricetags).
My feel on the 'best' economy PDA
Depending on who you are (student vs. someone older) I can recommend two different PDAs. For the younger person I would have to go with the IIIe or Visor because of the cost basis. It is still a very good PDA (I currently use a IIIe upgraded to 8MB) and will do just as much as those PDA's that cost 250$ and up). For those looking to spend a little more cash, than the IIIxe and Visor Deluxe are for you. These suckers are great, 8MB, a large array of possible upgrades/accessories, and the price has never been better. Personally, I can go either way on these PDAs. The only real difference between them is the Flash ROM on the IIIxe and Springboard module for the Deluxe. For someone who feels they are probably going to want to do weird things with their PDA (take pictures, make cellular phone calls, have it vibrate) than the Deluxe is for you.
'Till next time, folks (whenever Palm/Handspring releases a new PDA)...
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boden11
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boden11 loves gambling...errr investing in the stock market and and doing his own taxes
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