gorocco's Full Review: Handspring Visor Pro Handheld
Continuing my quest for a new PDA, I decided to take a look at the latest and greatest in Handspring's Visor line: the Visor Pro. Now that the Visor Neo has replaced both the Deluxe and Platinum models, Handspring needed to up the ante for a new, higher end model. What they came up with is essentially one step forward, and two steps backwards.
The Visor Cookbook: The Pro Chapter
The Visor Pro features the same Visor frame that we have all grown to know and love after models such as the Visor Solo, Deluxe, Platinum, Prism, and Neo. The case is a silver color; in other words, it's a slightly shinier Platinum. It measures 4.8 x 3 x 0.7 in., and weighs about 5.7 oz. The Pro is much bulkier than its competition who are using sleeker, slimmer frames (i.e. Sony's Clie and 3Com's Palm m500 series). The power button and the now standard buttons for up and down scrolling, notebook, address book, to do list, and datebook line the bottom of the PDA. An IR port for beaming information is located on the top side of the unit. A slip-on case in the back protects the Springboard module slot (more on that later). Nifty extras such as an LED power button/visual alarm and jog dials are not present.
Unlike many of its forebearers, the Pro does use a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Simply place the Pro in the HotSync cradle (also used for transferring information and programs from your PC to your handheld and vice versa) to recharge. On a full charge, the battery is supposed to give you about 4 weeks of life. In practice, I can't tell since I have a habit of placing my PDA in their cradle periodically during a week. Judging by the battery meter (displayed on the top of the screen on the main menu), using the PDA about 3-4 hours daily, I predict that the battery will last no more than 2-3 weeks. I am not very enthusiastic about testing this theory, however. Speaking of the cradle, Handspring uses a USB cradle, ensuring fast hotsync times. Nowadays, though, everyone is using USB for HotSyncing, so the differences between brands is pretty much negligible.
The Pro uses a 160 x 160 pixel, backlit, black and white screen, just as the Platinum and other Visor units. It functions well. Text and icons are easily read off the screen. Detailed pictures come out a bit fuzzy, but that's about it.
The plastic frame feels as sturdy as other Visor PDAs, which is not a very strong statement given Handspring's history. The original Visor models garnered a fair amount of complaints about their relative fragility. While I have never had a problem with the case or the screen, it's hard to dismiss those complaints. And the feel of the Visor Pro doesn't exactly boost my confidence.
On the plus side, you do not have to hunt around too much to find accessories. The same cases and portable keyboards that work with the other models will fit just fine with the Pro. If you happen to be one of those people who has spent a fair amount of money on Handspring accessories already, the Pro is not a bad choice.
You also get a decent stylus that can be conveniently disassembled for a pin to press the reset button (no more hunting for staples or pins, yay!). You also get the hard plastic face cover that you see with all the other Visor units. It's cheap and offers questionable protection for the PDA screen, but that's why Handspring and others sell lots and lots of more stylish covers.
Inside, the Pro uses the fast Dragonball VZ 33MHz processor, also used in the Visor Platinum, Prism, Edge, Neo, Palm m500/m505/m515, Sony CLIE N610/710/760, HandEra 330, etc. Handspring opted to stay retro and use the Palm OS version 3.5.2H (that they have used in the above mentioned models). Like the other Handspring models, the Palm OS is not upgradable as there is no flash ROM. The latest version of Palm OS is v4.0. Why Handspring opted not to upgrade is a bit of a mystery, but one could speculate given that they have been some software compatibility problems between OS v4.0 and previous versions, Handspring may have been concerned about Springboard compatibility with the new OS. In what seems to be a running theme with Handspring, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The Pro comes equipped with a whopping 16MB (!) of memory. Only the Palm m515 and the Sony Clie T615 can boast that kind of number. For most people, even most power users, this will more than suffice. That's an extra 8MB of memory that you don't need to fiddle with Flash modules (more on that later). That $60 you spend over the Neo for the extra memory is cheaper and works better than Handspring's own 8MB Flash module. While it is not as impressive a number as the 16MB+ you can get from a CompactFlash or SmartMedia card, it works much faster and is easier to manipulate.
Springboard this!
Handspring's claim-to-fame (besides being a thriftier Palm model for the cost conscience) was their Springboard modules. While there has been talk of using the SD/MMC slot in other handhelds to mimic the duties of the Springboard module, nothing has really come to fruitition. The Visor line continues to be the only PDA with true functional expandibility.
There is a slot in the back of the unit to house a module about the size of a Gameboy cartridge. For the most part, the Springboard modules blend into the Visor design and leave you without any unsightly bulges (as was the problem with the slim Visor Edge). And for the most part, you can use most all of the Springboard modules out there with the Neo. There are a few exceptions (namely those made specifically for the Visor Prism, the color model).
Where the Springboard module comes in most handy is with memory. With the appropriate Springboard module, you can add an additional 8 or 16MB of Flash RAM (both of which are still quite expensive!) or take advantage of the more cost effective Compact Flash or SmartMedia cards (FlashPlus which uses Compact Flash cards and MemPlug which has two versions: one that uses Compact Flash and one that uses SmartMedia).
However, with the Pro, the extra 8 or 16MB from a Flash module, on top of the unit's 16MB base RAM, seems to be fruitless, especially given the limitations of the Springboard module. Handspring's Flash modules do allow you to run programs directly from the Springboard without having to wait for the unit to scan your extra memory (as is the case with SM cards on Palm m500 units), there are three notable strikes against using the Flash module. First, programs run from the Springboard module take a similarly noticible hit in performance as with SM cards. Second, there are some software incompatibilities, with bigger programs seemingly having more difficulty running from the Flash modules, often crashing the unit. Third, you need to keep all of your data files in the main unit memory, some of which can be quite sizeable compared to the original program. You can keep a backup copy on the Flash module, but this can cause the PDA to become "confused" and crash. On the plus side, if you already own a Flash module, you can easily transfer programs and data by just popping the board from one unit to the next.
With the Pro, you get 8MB more RAM for less that what you would have paid for the equivalent Springboard module, and it doesn't have the drawbacks listed above. Since the Pro already has you covered with an extra 8MB of memory compared to other Visor units, your best bet for increasing your storage space would be investing in a Springboard module that lets you use SD/MMC cards. It will set you back about $50 plus the cost of a CompactFlash or SmartMedia card, but it is gives you a lot more bang for your buck compared to a Flash module.
Software
You pretty much get your standard Palm software, including Datebook, Address Book, Clock, Date/Time (regional and international). The Address Book has a useful fast lookup feature, also featured in the Visor Neo. By telling the Pro whether the first, second, and third letters of the person you are looking for is in the first half of the alphabet or the second half using the application buttons, you can narrow the list considerably. It is not the most convenient way of approaching this, but it does work.
And for those addicts out there, Bejeweled is not included; you will have to download and HotSync it on your own.
The Final Verdict
At $229.99, the Pro has essentially replaced the Visor Platinum as Handspring's higher end model. In reality, you are just spending a bit more money for a Visor Neo with 16MB of RAM (sans the translucent, neon case). Granted, it's an extra $60 well spent as the memory allows you to cram more software into your PDA without much fuss. If you were considering buying a Neo and a Flash module upgrade, you should just buy the Pro. It is more cost effective and will save you plenty of headaches down the road from the irritating quirks associated with the Flash Springboard module.
Overall, the Visor Pro is not a bad buy. If you are looking for a slimmer, sleeker PDA, the Pro is definitely not for you. Palm's m500 series and Sony's Clie models all feature more compact designs that may be suited to your tastes. With the Palm m500 now being priced at $299.99, the Pro is still a better deal even after buying a FlashPlus or MemPlug unit, if you don't mind the bigger unit. But if you are looking for a serviceable PDA, skip the Neo and look for the Pro.
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.
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