Pros: small, fashionable, clock with press of up button
Cons: no Flash, hotsync incompatibility, small screen, no network hotsync
The Bottom Line: Most replacement products improve on the product they replace; unfortunately the m105 is a step back from the IIIxe it replaces in the Palm lineup.
Usually when a new device is created to replace an older device, it contains all of the functionality of the old device if not more.
A few months ago Palm released the m105 to replace the Palm IIIxe. Sadly, they did not incorporate all of the existing functionality of the IIIxe into this new device.
The Basics
The m105 looks and feels exactly like an m100. It is 4.66in x 3.12in x 0.72in (11.8cm x 7.9cm x 1.8cm) and weighs 4.4 ounces (125 grams) with batteries. It is small, but it doesn't feel particularly light (or heavy) compared to III-style devices. Like the m100, it has a semi-circular bottom section so take those measurements with a grain of salt since the device isn't rectangular.
The m105 runs OS 3.5 on a 16 MHz Dragonball EZ processor. Only the new Visors, Palm Vx and m50x series, and HandEra devices are faster (with 20 MHz EZ and 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processors).
The device has 8MB of RAM and no Flash ROM. That means that not only is the OS not upgradeable, but that you cannot use FlashPro or another device to add your important applications and data to Flash so they survive a hard reset.
The Screen
The screen is small. Very small. I don't think it's as small as a Kyocera, but it's close. The screen is made from plastic rather than glass, so it should be harder to scratch and fairly shatterproof. Some people have expressed concerns that the plastic screen isn't as clear as the glass screens used in other models, but it looks very sharp to me.
Like all modern monochrome devices produced by Palm, the m105 has an inverted backlight. This backlight is moderately acceptable in complete darkness but isn't very useable in partial darkness conditions. Most Palm OS licensees are realizing that screen readability is important enough to lose some battery life over and have gone back to the normal backlights used in older Palm devices. I really wish Palm would follow suit.
Faceplates
The m10x series is really designed to appeal to the fashion conscious among us. The devices sport removeable faceplates - black by default - which can be replaced by a plethora of third party faceplates. Whether you want a specific color or a pattern, chances are you will be able to get it for your m105. Most faceplates cost $19.95, so starting a collection can be costly.
The faceplates are very easy to remove and to place back on the device. The default face plate is black and looks leatherish (it's plastic). The first thing I did when I got my hands on an m100 was remove the faceplate and (to my astonishment) I actually thought the device looked better without the faceplate than with it.
All of that said, faceplates seem like a gimmick to me. Then again, I am not one to care much about how a device looks. I am much more conscious of functionality.
NotePad and Clock
The m10x series also introduced two new Palm applications - NotePad and Clock. NotePad is essentially a sticky note application, much like the third party apps DiddleBug and BugMe! You can make quick notes, drawing freehand on the screen, and save the images. The images are timestamped, and can have associated alarms. By default the fourth hardware button, traditionally the MemoPad button, is mapped to NotePad but MemoPad is still available on the m105.
The Clock application is a separate clock application that displays the time when launched or when you press the up button on a device that is off. You can also set an alarm with one of six buzzer choices (alarm, bumble bee, reveille, sonata, wake up and warbler).
MIA features
As mentioned above, the m105 has no Flash ROM. In addition, there are several other fairly standard Palm OS features that are lacking on the m105. The m105 does not have the standard Palm Mail and Expense applications, nor does it support network hotsync. Third party applications are available to provide mail and expense functionality, but if they are needed it adds to the cost of ownership of the device.
HotSync Connector
The m105 (and m100) have a new hotsync connector, at least officially. In reality the connector itself seems identical to the III connectors but the rounded shape of the device makes most III serial devices incompatible with the m105. It really is a shame, as the rounded shape is merely for aesthetics. I'd much prefer the added functionality of using III keyboards, memory modules, and the like.
m105 vs. Palm IIIxe
I mentioned at the top of this review that the m105 is intended as a replacement for the IIIxe. This is unfortunate as the IIIxe had several features that the m105 lacks, most importantly 2MB of Flash ROM and compatibility with III serial accessories. Both of these are major issues in my mind. Very few accessories are actually available for the m10x series, and the ability to store important data and applications in Flash is a real advantage to someone who relies on his Palm.
The m105 also lacks the mail and expense applications that come with the IIIxe, but it does add the Clock and NotePad apps, so in some sense the software advantage depends on how you intend to use the device.
The Verdict?
Unfortunately I feel that Palm took a step backward with the m105, sacrificing functionality for aesthetics. There may be some people who feel that curvy is good, but ask anyone that owns some III accessories if they'd rather have a curvy device or one that works with their keyboards and cameras. I bet they chose the compatible device.
Couple this with the significantly smaller screen and I cannot recommend the m105 to someone looking for a mid-level Palm device. Buy a IIIxe or a TRGPro (see my review at http://quasar.epinions.com/cmd-review-701-391D6862-3A4F9BB1-prod5) instead. They are both in the same approximate price range as the m105 and both offer more functionality.
8 MB memory--stores thousands of addresses, phone numbers, appointments, and to-do items Includes HotSync serial cradle to back up data to your PC or ...More at Amazon Marketplace
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