Pros: easy to use, increases your productivity, good documentation, excellent web sites and user community, pretty good for text reading, plenty of freeware and shareware
Cons: just a tad too heavy, screen can be annoying and reflective, not good for text input
Let me walk you through my experiences with the Palm III. I'll describe the supporting documentation and I'll talk about the usability of the device itself.
Documentation:
First, the device comes with a great Getting Started guide. If you have not waded through the full instructions, then let this guide get you up and running in about 5 minutes. It tells you what you need to know in a few easy-to-follow steps. There are many pictures too, so you don't even really need to read the guide. In short, the Getting Started guide is an excellent place to start.
Second, 3Com provides you with a Basic Handbook. For the most part, it is an extension of the Getting Started guide. It is good, but I didn't learn much from just skimming through it. The Palm is easy to use (see below), and the Getting Started guide told me everything I needed to know. However, I have used the Basic Handbook for reference purposes twice now. I had two specific questions that sent me to the Handbook. It was easy to read, and easy to use. More importantly, it answered my exact questions.
Third, you get an Applications Handbook which covers the Address Book, Calculator, Data Book, Expense application, HotSync Process and Manager, Mail, Memo Pad, Preferences, Security, and the To Do List. These applications are the basics. The Applications Guide walks you through each one, step-by-step. There are plenty of pictures, bullets, bold keywords, and so on. It is a very readable manual, although it is a bit long and takes time to get through.
The Palm III:
Let me start by saying that I've wanted a Palm device for a long time. I first saw one about a year and a half ago. I was working at IBM and a few colleagues of mine were using it for all kinds of things. They used it for reading mail, keeping track of expenses, calendaring, and of course playing games. Recently, fate was on my side and I was able to get my Palm III for $80! Let me tell you why it is an excellent tool.
First, the Palm is lightweight. It weighs about 6 oz. So, it doesn't drag your pants to the floor if you throw it in your pocket. I've been putting it in my pocket, but it is just a tad too heavy for my taste. However, it fits just fine. It'll also fit in your shirt pocket, but it is too heavy and you'll look like a serious geek. If that is a look you want, go for it.
Second, the device is relatively thin and small (4.7" x 3.2" x 0.7"). As I just said above, it fits in your pocket. However, if you have keys or a wallet in your front pocket, it won't fit very well. And, don't throw it in your back pocket or you can kiss the glass screen goodbye. It'll break. It fits in my hand just fine, but I don't like holding onto it for extended periods because my hand gets cramped. For the quick hit and run, it works great.
Third, the screen is a bit hard to read, but there are ways to improve reading. The screen is small and it can reflect light in a nasty manner. The Palm III has a decent screen, but it isn't good compared to the screens of Palm IIIx and above. You can control the contrast of the screen with a dial on the side of the device. This is handy. Also, you can turn on the backlight, but it sucks batter life big time. You'll be happy you have it, and it is useful, but you have been warned.
Fourth, the stylus is cool but you'll probably lose it. This method of input is fun, but I advise you to buy a spare or two now. Every person I know that has had a Palm for more than a few months loses the stylus. It is too easy to put down and forget. Do two things. Get in the habit of putting it back as soon as you are done using it. And, buy a spare.
Fifth, the battery life and battery compartment are good. The device uses very little power. You can expect batteries to last about a month if you use it all the time, day in and day out (it takes two AAA batteries). You'll get this life even with an occasional use of the backlight. It is amazing how little power it needs. The battery compartment is easy to open. However, I've never had it pop open by accident. You get about 1 minute to replace your batteries before you lose data. Fortunately, it is easy to replace batteries. You'll only need about 10-15 seconds to make the switch.
Sixth, there are two ways to enter information. You can use Graffiti (a short hand way of entering letters one at a time), or you can use the on-screen keyboard. I've used both. They don't work well, and don't let anyone tell you different. They are slow and they require work. The Palm is for reading and interacting, not inputting. Do that at your computer at home or work. Even the fastest folks can't input faster than 30 words per minute. It'll work for a quick note here and there, but that is about it. Trust me.
Finally, the applications are easy to use. Almost every thing is one click away. And, most applications run fast because they are small. In about 1/2 hour you'll be whipping from application to application. The Palm saves your work without saving. That is, if you are part way through doing something (e.g., playing a game or entering a memo), and you leave, when you return you will be exactly where you left off. This happens even when you turn the Palm off. Very cool.
Useful web sites:
Compare the Palm III, IIIx, IIIe, V, and VII
http://www.palm.com/products/family.html
Sleek case with protective flip cover Infrared transceiver 3 fonts for easy viewing 2 MB storage capacity What's in the box: Palm III, Protective flip...More at Amazon Marketplace
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