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Complete PalmOS based PDA feature comparisonJul 10 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Hi folks! PalmOS computers are available with 2MB, 4MB, or 8MB on board RAM. The PalmOS (operating system) can address 8MB maximum. There are currently three manufacturers of PalmOS based PDAs: Palm, Handspring, and TRGpro. Here's a quick look at each companys products. Palm: IIIe ($149) ~~ 2MB memory ~~ hard plastic flip cover ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ no flash ROM** ~~ no expansion slot* ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.1 IIIxe ($249) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ hard plastic flip cover ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ 2MB flash ROM ~~ no expansion slot* ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.5 IIIc ($449) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ 160x160 pixel 8bit Color screen (256 colors)*** ~~ Serial sync cradle, 2MB flash ROM, no expansion slot* ~~ runs on a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (charges battery while sitting in cradle) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.5 V ($329) ~~ 2MB memory ~~ compact case ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ 2MB flash ROM, no expansion slot* ~~ runs on a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (charges battery while sitting in cradle) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.1 Vx ($399) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ compact case ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ 2MB flash ROM ~~ no expansion slot* ~~ runs on a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (charges battery while sitting in cradle) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.5 VII ($449) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ 2MB flash ROM ~~ no expansion slot* ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage) ~~ Built in wireless connectivity (~$40 month for wireless service) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.5 * There are expansion possibilities with these devices through the serial interface on the bottom of the unit (the same port which connects the Palm to your computer). These expansion devices (modem, wireless modem...) will increase the overall size of the unit. ** The flashROM is where the PalmOS and included applications are stored. Having FlashROM makes the OS easily upgradeable. Units without FlashROM will have to use software patches to upgrade the OS (this is not as efficient because the patch will be stored in RAM and the affected portion of the OS will have to access RAM). OS upgrades are really only an issue when there is a bug and the PalmOS is known to be very stable. *** The color screen is cool and it looks great but this comes at the expense of battery life. The Palm V and Vx will give you ~2 weeks battery life with average usage. The color unit will yield ~3 days under the same conditions. Not all applications are optimized for color so some will be displayed in black and white. ________________________________ Handspring (www.handspring.com): Visor ($179) ~~ 2MB memory ~~ hard plastic snap cover ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ USB sync cradle*** ~~ no flash ROM** ~~ Springboard expansion slot* ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.1 enhanced**** Visor Solo ($149) ~~ essentially the same as the Visor but doesn't come with a cradle Visor Deluxe ($249) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ hard plastic snap cover ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ USB sync cradle*** ~~ no flash ROM** ~~ Springboard expansion slot,b>*</b> ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage) ~~ PalmOS ver.3.1 enhanced**** * The Springboard expansion slot is a proprietary slot which will allow Hanspring and third party developers to add functionality to the unit. 33.6k and 56k Modems, 8MB flash memory storage, Backup module, Universal Remote, Silent vibrating alarm module are all currently available. Voice recorder, Wireless codem, ethernet card, pager, Cell phone modem, multimeter, MP3 player, barcode reader and more are due out in the next few months. Some Springboard modules will reduce battery life. ** The flashROM is where the PalmOS and included applications are stored. Having FlashROM makes the OS easily upgradeable. Units without FlashROM will have to use software patches to upgrade the OS (this is not as efficient because the patch will be stored in RAM and the affected portion of the OS will have to access RAM). OS upgrades are really only an issue when there is a bug and the PalmOS is known to be very stable. *** The Visor series PDAs are the only PalmOS devices which will sync to your computer at the increased bandwidth offered by using USB. I keep ~2.5MB of data and applications on mine and it takes ~3 minutes to synchronize. It would take 12-15 minutes to do this using a serial connection. **** The enhanced version of PalmOS 3.1 installed on the Visor series PDAs performs 30-50% faster than the Palm units. I have had the opportunity to try my Visor next to a Palm V and the difference is noticeable. This isn't necessarily an important issue as all PalmOS based devices offer excellent performance. Handspring has included updated versions of several of the PalmOS applications. Of these the most useful are the DateBook+ and Enhanced Calculator. ____________________________ TRGpro (www.trgpro.com): TRGpro ($329) ~~ 8MB memory ~~ 160x160 pixel 16 greyscale LCD screen ~~ Serial sync cradle ~~ 2MB flash ROM ~~ Compact Flash expansion slot* ~~ runs on (2) AAA batteries (~2 weeks heavy usage)** ~~ PalmOS ver.3.3 (This unit is almost identical in size and shape to the Palm IIIe and Palm IIIxe) * Compact Flash is an industry standard expansion card format. Ethernet, modems, flash memory, and MicroDrive high capacity storage devices are available. ** Using a MicroDrive will significantly reduce battery life. Other CF cards may reduce battery life. Hope this helps if you're in the market!  |
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