Substance With Sizzle
Written: Apr 04 '01 (Updated Apr 04 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Thin, lightweight, metal case, USB interface.
Cons: No flash memory (thus not upgradeable to Palm 4.0) and no wireless internet.
The Bottom Line: This has everything but color. What it doesn't have directly can be added via the Springboard expansion slot. Basically a very impressive upscale version of the Visor Platinum.
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| RichBoston's Full Review: Handspring Visor Edge Handheld |
For those who have read my other PDA reviews you know that I have remained faithful to the Palm OS and my trusty Palm IIIxe in particular. First and foremost what I want in a PDA is an organizer/ scheduler that makes my life easier. I don’t necessarily want an MP3 built in, nor do I want to make phone calls from my Palm. The IIIxe was the right combination of function, design and price.
But……a couple of serious issues developed with my IIIxe over the past few months that have lead me to the Handspring Visor Edge. The two problems were similar with the IIIxe and relate to the structural integrity of the case. While the plastic used for the case is strong and of high quality, the engineers who designed the case let me down. First, a big chunk cracked off the lower left corner where the accessories clip on. There is a natural weakness there caused by the empty space and the screw which holds both sides of the case together.
After a modest beef, Palm admitted to a design flaw that had been noticed by many and they replaced my IIIxe without charge. But then I had a similar problem when a big piece broke off the stylus recess slot. Again, another weakness caused by shallow plastic over an open spot. I currently have the piece super glued to the case. I feel like the nerd with his eyeglasses taped together!
I keep my Palm well protected in a padded case so I wasn’t pleased with the breakage. Why all this talk of my IIIxe problem in a review of the Handspring Visor Edge? Because I’ve decided I will never again purchase a PDA with a plastic case. It’s metal for me and the Visor Edge came along at the perfect time.
The Visor Edge is designed to crack the market that is attracted to the Palm V and Vx. It comes in a beautiful and sleek metallic package in your choice of silver, red or blue. The stylus, equally attractive (also metal) is stored on the side. It is well balanced, comfortable and eliminates the need of buying an after market PDA stylus which can be expensive.
As attractive and thin – half as thick as the earlier Visors – as it may be, it still is a little boxy in its appearance when looking at it head on. I prefer the look of the Palm V and Vx and the new Palm m500 and m505 which present a more state of the art feel about them. The specs say that the Visor Edge is a half ounce lighter than the older Visors but it is hardly noticeable. These "criticisms" are admittedly being a little picky. This is a top notch unit and it does fit quite nicely in a shirt pocket now with its slimmer profile.
Beyond the physical metamorphosis I was unable to find any major differences between the Visor Edge and last year’s innovative Visor Platinum. This is not a bad thing to say the least as the Visor Platinum is one of my highest rated PDAs. Handspring pretty much aimed to take the guts and function of the Platinum and put them in a prettier, sleeker and sturdier package…..and that’s fine by me after my recent experience’s with my Palm IIIxe’s plastic exterior.
A flashing LED is now included as an alarm option. It's one of the most welcome additions I've come across. A little blinking green LED in the lower right corner to alert you instead of an audible alarm in the middle of a meeting is priceless and in many ways better than a vibrating alert.
Handspring thankfully kept the same Springboard expansion slot format – although configured slightly differently due to the new and thinner design of the Visor Edge.
If you wish to upgrade to the Visor Edge and have a number of expansion modules which you purchased at great expense you can relax – they fit this model too. This more friendly approach is consistent with Handspring which seemingly takes the best of the Palms and then improves upon them in the consumer’s favor. The first smart thing they did, of course, was to license the Palm OS software. They rightly figured that the best was already out there – why try to reinvent the wheel?
The Visor Edge uses a lithium ion rechargeable battery which I couldn’t wear down in a month’s time. A definite advantage of a 4 bit gray scale display over color. Speaking of color I’m surprised that Handspring didn’t introduce a color version of the Edge like they did with the Platinum and Prism and Palm m500 and m505. Maybe down the road? I’m not a big color fan anyway - especially if the cost differential is great - as it tends to be; especially on the Pocket PCs. It’s nice and looks cool but isn’t truly necessary.
All in all, the Visor Edge is as good as you’ll get in a PDA and certainly meets my new requirement of a sturdier package. My only wish list additions would be a little rounder appearance, a vibrating alert and a color option. Nonetheless, this is a beautifully designed, customizable, expandable unit and worthy competition for the Palm Vx and even the new Palm m500.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399
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Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 135 members
About Me:
I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
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