As a several-year veteran of traditional paper planners, I have been very hesitant to get a PDA because I was never sure if I would use it. Sure, it's a great toy at first, I reasoned, but would I really use it in the long run? At my company, legions of co-workers sing the praises of PDA’s daily and I was constantly asked why I didn’t have one yet.
I have used regular planners for years and have become very comfortable of having the idea of one or two pages for each day, for the whole year. I lugged paper planners around close to my heart, stuffing receipts and miscellaneous bits of paper in pockets and between pages, always careful of what may fall out when I opened it. It became a security blanket, if you will.
I started thinking that I really could get some use out of a PDA. All those miscellaneous pieces of paper and Post-It notes could be stored electronically easier than lugging them all around, right? Well, I finally broke down and got one a few months ago, knowing that I could return it within 30 days if I didn't really think it was worth the money.
I’m still using it today.
Why did I choose the m105?
Some PDA’s offer a color display. Now, that would have been nice, but the price difference turned me off. The monochrome display is fine for me. I have no need for color, which may be pretty, but it's not necessary. The only accessory I have purchased is the leather snap case, which is still very small and portable. The PDA is velcroed onto the inside of the case so it is easy to remove and put into the HotSync cradle, but steady -- mine has never fallen out of the case.
I am a pretty basic Palm user who needs my PDA for work and travel, a fairly active social life and keeping track of little things like pediatrician appointments, driving directions and little memos and to-do's. I didn’t feel that I needed wireless Web access (especially at an extra monthly rate).
I chose the Palm m105 primarily because of its price. The m100 is Palm's lowest-end PDA, with only 2 MB of memory. The average price for this model is about $129.99. At an average price of $199.99, the m105 is the same beast, but with 8 MB memory. I opted for more memory because I didn't want to be limited in how much I could have installed or stored at one time.
In addition, I wanted something that I could add onto later, if possible. Although the m105 doesn’t have an expansion slot, it does have the capability to add a portable keyboard, a digital camera, and an mp3 player (all purchased separately, of course). You can also purchase a modem and additional faceplates to change the look of your m105.
What comes standard on the Palm?
Memo Pad, Note Pad, Address Book, To Do List and Date Book were a few of the applications that came pre-installed. Address Book is great for all-around use. I can create categories so all the entries aren't lumped into one big mess. I have my business contacts, personal contacts and project contacts separated into categories. For each entry, I can customize the contact numbers and choose from a list of labels for each, like Mobile, Fax, Home, Pager, etc and can have more than one number with the same label. Also, there are four customizable fields and a note field that can be used.
Address book is very handy. I can specify start and end times for everything, or NO TIME or ALL DAY if I wish. That way I don't have to assign a time for a simple thing I need to do or remember. I like to be organized, but not completely structured and schedule to the minute like other people. You can select several views with the date book, including showing to-do items with that due date below the scheduled activities.
Note Pad and Memo pad are great for jotting down things that you haven't categorized yet. And yes, you can create categories in each application to organize your thoughts.
There is a SEARCH feature that is wonderful for random thinkers (like me). I simply enter a word or phrase and get a list of locations in my Palm that the word/phrase occurs.
A built-in calculator and clock are also included.
To enter data into your Palm, there is an area on the display that you use your stylus to "draw" in. There is a set of "graffiti" that is closely based on the regular alphabet that you need to learn and use… this is how the Palm recognizes what you are trying to write. Letters aren't too bad, but some symbols take a while to learn. There is a program built in that allows you to practice your graffiti -- highly recommended to get used to writing. One drawback about this method of data entry is that the device is highly sensitive to what you are drawing, so if you don't use the right angle or aren't precise, you end up with characters that you don't want and you need to go back and do it again. This bodes poorly for those who frequently write notes in a hurry -- one of the few things I miss about my paper planner is how fast I could enter things. But you get better with practice.
You can also enter data into the built in applications using the Palm Desktop software. The address book, for example, is very similar to Outlook or Schedule+. You can also enter address data through PD as well. Once you are finished entering data into either PD or the PDA itself, you slip the device into its HotSync cradle (provided), press the "HotSync" button and any new data (or programs) added since the last HotSync on the PC is added/installed onto the PDA, and any new data on the PDA is added to the PC. Also any deleted items or programs on either side are removed from the other side during this process as well.
Also, GAMES GAMES GAMES. Good time wasters and databases full of trivia and facts are at your fingertips from Palm.com or other websites - many are inexpensive or free. There are development tools that you can download or buy that can be used to create programs for your use. The nice thing about the Palm is that it is customizable for what you need, and for many different uses other than scheduling and keeping phone numbers.
What do I like about the m105?
- I like my m105 because it’s small and lightweight (4.4 oz) and goes anywhere without being intrusive or bulky. It’s one of the most lightweight of all Palm models on the market, although not the thinnest, but it’s still only .72 inches thick, which is still fairly thin.
- I can exchange applications and other data with other Palm users (of any model) by using the built-in infrared port, and the process is easy and takes only a few seconds.
- The performance is satisfactory, taking no longer than a few seconds to load a large application such as AvantGo.
- I liked the ease of use. I was using my m105 like a pro – thirty minutes after I opened the box. The Graffiti took some time and practice to get used to, but the menus are friendly and easy to figure out.
- I like the fact that I can change the faceplate of my PDA. I haven’t done so yet, but I am planning to get one soon.
Things I’m not so crazy about the m105
- The battery life is shorter than I had expected with the Palm. Being that it has a monochrome display and that I don’t have it on all day long, I would expect a set of batteries to last a few months, but I’m averaging one set a month.
- The screen is smaller than other Palm models… I think I have screen envy. (It is large enough for what I use it for, though).
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
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.