Excellent organizer
Written: Aug 26 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Conveniently small; color screen; lots of uses; very easy to use
Cons: No hardcopy instruction manual; the case that's made for it; outdoor display limited
The Bottom Line: You can't beat this product in terms of value and utility if you're looking for a great organizer with a few extra perks.
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| fskinner's Full Review: Palm m130 Personal Organizer |
For the last six years, I have been a Sharp Wizard user. All I wanted from my handheld was a good organizer, scheduler, to do's etc. I put off leaving my Wizard behind because I loved the perfect keyboard, big screen etc. Alas, after serving me well for those six years, my Wizard breathed its last in May and I was forced to switch. Knowing this was coming, I had been researching PDA's for about a year to see which would suit my needs:
1. Scheduler/Calendar
2. Anniversary/Birthday tracker
3. Memos/to do's
4. Quick calculator when I'm on the run
5. List keeper, like web passwords etc.
6. Most importantly: a phone book, contact keeper
I wasn't looking for an overpriced, overpowered handheld PC - I have laptop for that. I wanted something to replace my Wizard that would fit in my purse and be my right arm. After searching through all the alternatives (Sharp's offerings, the various Handspring products etc.), balancing my needs against price, I narrowed my search to the Palm 125 and 130. The 130 won for two reasons:
1. The 125 runs on AAA batteries vs. the 130 on a rechargable
2. The 130 has a color screen (okay, I didn's NEED a color screen, but when I test drove them both and saw the rebate being offered on the 130, I decided to treat myself).
The list price was $249. Then, there was a mail-in rebate for $25 and another 5% off when I purchased the case. WATCH OUT ABOUT WITH THE REBATE: I encountered this with my recent mobile phone purchase as well - they mandate you must send in a photo copy of the upc code on the box to get the rebate. I assume they are doing this in the hopes that most people won't go to the trouble of finding a flatbed copier and sending it in. If you don't have access or aren't willing to be bothered by this step, you won't get the rebate. Keep that in mind when comparing prices.
Also note: the case did not come with the unit. I had to buy that separately. The cheapest one that's specifically made for it is about $25 and it's absolutely nothing to write home about. The unit is held in there by attaching a piece of velcro to the back of the 130 and sticking it on the velcro strip in the case. For a $200+ piece of equipment, I thought they could do better somehow (don't ask me how, I was just put off by having to attach a piece of sticky velcro to my new device). You can splurge and get the better cases, but they get larger, too.
I have had this unit for about three months now and here are my observations about its functionality:
1. Address book - very good. It isn't perfect because it doesn't have enough preset fields already established. By that, I mean most of my friends and contacts have many phone numbers (work, home, mobile, fax, pagers etc.) and various web contacts (email, personal and work, and/or website address - plus, when they're married, you needs space for both people's information). The 130 has customizable fields, which I have utilized where there are shortfalls in fields but I was surprised that this wasn't anticipated. I have not run into any space limitations yet and I have loaded hundreds of people in. I love the note feature - you can attach a note to a phone book entry to write anything in. I've used this for directions to home/business, children's names/ages etc.
2. Calendar - what a dream and so incredibly flexible. You can enter as much as you want including attaching a note much like you can the phone book piece. You can have it repeating daily, monthly, weekly, annual - you pick what you need and the end date. You can alter one in a repeating series. The best part is you can customize the view exactly as you like it: show every hour, show only hours with appointments in them, highlight overlaps etc. Plus, you can input all of your birthdays and anniversarys as repeating annually and they will show up at the top of that day (above your appointments) so it's all on one screen and you can put your appointments in context if you have a big event, like your child's birthday. Hands down, this calendar feature is fantastic.
3. Memo pad - works fine for what I need: lists of passwords, birthday party invitees etc.
4. Note pad - this is like a minature version of those kids' pads where you write on it and pull up the clear film to erase and write again. Quite honestly, I have found great value in giving it to the kids to tinker with if I'm involved in something - they love it. Other than that, I have not used it for business or personal yet.
5. Documents to go - this was an unexpected bonus - excel, word and powerpoint documents compressed to take along. The excel and word ones are easily altered and updated if you're on a plane or in a car and want to work on one. You can't do fancy, complex things but for certain documents, it is very nice. The powerpoint application: although technically a very impressive accomplishment (especially the way you are able to move around on a page), I wouldn't suggest counting on it to be able to alter presentations. It is very nice for viewing them but that's about it.
6. Avant-go - another unexpected bonus. You can designate the web pages you are interest in (such as the Wallstreet Journal, CNN etc.) and when you sync, you get their compressed versions of stories and updates. So, when I sync in the morning, I'm able to read the little blurbs on the most important headlines on my way to work. It isn't real time but I'm not willing (nor do I need) real time.
7. To do list - perfect for my business and person to do's.
8. Photo suite - this is actually quite neat: download pictures to my PDA and avoid having to carry a separate wallet of pictures.
The hotsync feature is quick and painless (although be careful - there are a couple of AvantGo web sites that will lengthen your sync considerably if you choose them). I have not had any difficulties with this and everything is backed up on my PC in seconds.
I've entered my business card data but so far, have not had chance to "beam" it to someone. My encounters since getting my Palm have still preferred my paper card.
Note: they do not include a hard copy users manual with the device. I think that's cheap. They give you an online thing but if you're like me, you like having the manual to go through from cover to cover to make sure you're making the most of your purchase. Of course, you can do that online but it's easier to do it with a book. I printed out the book and took it with me everywhere until I felt I had gotten everything out of it I needed: tips, functionality etc. Also, watch out: the salesman tried to sell me a software package for $20 that tells me how to use my Palm. On principle, I refuse to purchase such a thing. The online manual and user sites should give me everything I need to know to maximize my use without paying an extra $20 for a glorified users manual that should have been included. If there's that much not included in the manual to justify a separate application, my opinion of Palm is lowered.
The Graffiti functionality is nice and very easy to use. But, to be honest, I use the display keyboard for almost all input. My Graffiti use is limited to quick corrections or when I'm inputting certain fields in the address book because the 130 will finish the line for me if it recognizes the word I'm starting using Graffiti. For example, if I write "Il" using Graffiti in the state line, it will finish it as Illinois.
The display is very clear indoors and the color is good. As you may have heard if you've been researching these, outdoors, the display is difficult to read. I say this grudgingly because I love this unit and hate to say anything bad about it, but you really can't do too much in the sunshine due to the limited visibility of the display in the sunshine. It is amazing how much info you can display on the screen - it is plenty big for me, no need for a bigger screen given my needs.
Overall, the Palm 130 is an excellent PDA for the functions I have listed above. I recommend it for business people and personal use (like busy moms) that aren't looking for a mini PC, but an exceptional organizer. It is an excellent value when you can get it in the low $200's. Hopefully, it will last as long as my Wizard did!!!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 214
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Epinions.com ID:
fskinner
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Reviews written: 42
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