Pros: Much improved color screen, 16MB of DRAM, thin, light and expansion flexibility.
Cons: Still standard resolution and screen isn't as bright as the Clie color screens
The Bottom Line: The Palm m515 is a great improvement compared to the m505, still color screen lacks sufficient clarity due to the lack of High Resolution. Anyways Thanks Palm!
For those that have been turned down by the Palm m505 because of the poor color screen, your complaints have been addressed with the Palm m515. This new handheld is essentially a much improved direct replacement for the m505 by adding more backlights, brighter color screen, 16MB of memory (15MB workable) and the Palm OS 4.1. Other than that, everything else remains basically identical to the discontinued Palm m505. All that is great news for those that would like the most value for your money in a Palm OS color handheld and the most productivity for their busy lifestyles.
Features
The handheld features a 16-bit color screen (over 65,000 colors), it features 4 backlights, instead of the 2 backlights that are featured on the m505; which allows users to read the screen more legibly and clearly. With such brightness of the color screen, you can even read your favorite e-book, use the travel guides or even view your very favorite pictures that you’ve taken overtime. But the brightness doesn’t really match to the color screens from the Sony Clie handhelds. Unlike the color screen from the color screened Sony Clie, Palm only includes a standard resolution screen (160 x 160) for all applications, which makes the images snowier than the color screened Clie handhelds. But despite the rather standard resolution color screen, the screen is legible enough to read in sunlight and even in low lighting areas.
The m515 features a 16MB of memory, which is more than plenty of memory for any user, especially for the professionals. But if that's not enough, the m515 features a slot on the top of the handheld for Secure Digital and Multimedia Card, for your backup storage and to expand your handheld’s storing capability. Plus, it even allows you to read a few books, play more games and even bring a guide with you when you travel. Plus, with 4MB of Flash ROM inside the handheld, you can store many third party software into the handheld and even think of upgrading your Palm OS.
With the rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery inside the handheld, you can use the handheld for about 2 weeks in just one full charge, under normal use for about 30 minutes a day. Because of the color screen, do expect a shorter battery time compared to the m500. Before you use the handheld for the first time, you do want to charge the handheld for 2 hours according to the guide. But since this is a Lithium Polymer battery, you can liberally charge your battery daily for just a few minutes, just to fresh it up a little.
Once you've completely charged the battery and installed the software for the handheld, the tutorial featured in the handheld allows you to get used to the commands of the handheld for those that are new to Palm OS handhelds. After the tutorial, you can set the time and date of the handheld and even adjust some other settings as well.
With the universal connector on the bottom of the handheld, you can easily use the accessories that you still have for Palm m505. But the accessories for the Palm m505 aren't just for the Palm m515, as it shares the same universal connector found on the Palm m125, m130, m500 and in some cases, the i705. But for those that are upgrading from a different handheld, the accessories from your old handheld will not fit on the universal connector.
Choices of Input
Virtual Keyboard
The option of using the virtual keyboard allows you to easily enter your requested and/or required data into your handheld. To activate this feature, you have to use the supplied stylus to tap on the point where it either says ABC or 123 depending on what you want to use for entering the data.
Grafitti Pad
The handheld has a dedicated area that was designed for writing the characters. For new Palm powered handheld users, this could take a while to really master, but once you've mastered the patterns, you'll be using it most of the time. The Giraffe software built into the handheld can really shape up your writing, ideal for those who are using it for the first few days or weeks.
Handwriting
With the notepad feature in the handheld, you can use your handwriting for quick and short-term notes or reminders.
Desktop Software
With the desktop software provided by the handheld, it comes in a CD ROM and there's a ton of software, including the handheld management. From there, you can perform a synchronization process to interchange data between your computer and handheld.
Hardware Keyboard
With the optional hardware keyboard, you can go mobile without lugging a heavy laptop and it's ideal for traveling when you don't really need a laptop for productivity. This would be great if you're going to enter a pile of data, while still traveling extra light.
What can the handheld do for you ?
The handheld can store addresses and contacts from the Address Book , where it will allow you to store addresses, names, e-mails, telephone numbers and many more. This here could really replace your Rolodex. Plus, you can categorize your addresses, so that if it we're a frequent corporate contact, you can access it in just a few goes, rather than jumbling between names.
The Date Book will allow you to organize the events and you can schedule a baseball game, appointments and even anniversaries. With that, you can really replace your long term agenda without ever taking out a bulky pen and paper agenda. With the LED silent reminder feature, you can set it to silent for a reminder, in case you¡¦re in a scenario where silence is essential, such as board meetings.
The To Do List gives you the ability to prioritize your deeds and work, where it's important. Without it, what's a handheld without it anyway? When you're done, you can just tap on the square and it automatically gives it a check mark. So this means that you don't need anymore of those sticky notes and never worry about lost lists or overdue priorities buried under a pile of new priorities.
For the Memo Pad , it gives you the capability to write anything you want to write, such as taking notes. The notepad , even makes taking short term priorities or small notes a pleasure as it allows you to write freestyle.
Other features include the calendar, world time and calculator. The world time really allows you to schedule a call to overseas when appropriate.
With the infrared port on the side of the handheld, you can even beam your contact to a colleague without ever having the colleague write down the information.
Sleek
With a weight of 4.9 oz and a thickness of less than .5", you can easily carry this handheld in any of your pockets. Unlike the Handspring Visor edge, which has an expansion through the Springboard and it requires a bulky external adapter, you don’t have to sacrifice the slender form of the Palm m515 handheld, because of the extra thin profile in the SD/MMC card slot.
Other
With the USB cradle, you can easily synchronize the handheld in a snap. But for those who are frequent travelers, you may want to buy yourself a cable as it takes up less space than the cradle and buy yourself at least a travel charger (or auto charger from sources like Belkin) for the handheld. With this cradle, it even acts as a recharger to freshen up your Palm m515 handheld's battery, so this means you don't have to switch back and forth for charging your battery and synchronizing your data.
With the latest Palm OS 4.1, you can feel secure about what you really beam into the handheld and even have a peace of mind that you're protecting your private content, along with stability of the operating system.
Would I really Recommend it?
I would definitely recommend this to those who are looking for a color screen and want a slender and light Palm OS handheld. Because of the features that are present in the Palm m515, it's definitely one of the best buys. But if you are looking for a color screen that has a higher clarity factor, consider the Sony Clie PEG-T615c for the same money. You can take this anywhere you go and still keep your life organized. So, no more lost lists, writing on your arms or even missed appointments. Even professionals find the handheld very useful for their lives, especially with hectic schedules.
Palm organization and style at an affordable price Easy to learn and use--even if you've never used a handheld before Mini-USB connector allows easy t...More at Amazon Marketplace
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