The Palm m100 is different from its larger, more complicated predecessors in several important ways. One fairly frivolous thing that sets this little Palm apart from the others is the option of replacing the sober black faceplate with a much more lively colored faceplate.


So Is This ANOTHER Thing I Have to Buy For My Palm m100?

No. You don't HAVE to buy it. You CAN buy it if you want to. I personally like having choices and this is a choice I decided to make. Honestly, I'm really not sure why I decided to buy this non-essential piece of equipment, especially since I already had a number of items that I had to buy to get this little Palm cooking. I guess I just wanted to make a statement.

The other day at work, someone spotted my Palm and said "How cute! You got one of the little ones!" They then proceeded to show me their Palm (bigger and bulkier). Soon another faculty member arrived and then another and another, each pulling out their respective Palms and beaming each other. It was pretty amusing in a bizarre sort of way. Through all the laughs at the beaming assortment of Palms, though, I remember thinking how bland and academic they all looked (the Palms, not the colleagues!). I decided then to take the plunge and give my Palm a fresh and distinctive look.

Now I was faced with a harder choice…


Which Color?

The Palm m100 faceplate covers come in five metallic colors:

~ Silver Mist: No offense to anyone who selected this color but it's really kind of boring. It looks like the color my father would choose (yawn).

~ Blue Mist: This is a delicate blue with almost a purple cast to it. Very subtle but very nice…

~ Green Mist: This is a pale green with a hint of yellow in it. It might be perfect for someone but it holds little appeal for me.

~ Ruby Pearl: This is a soft red, nothing harsh or glaring about it. However, it IS an attention-getter. I toyed with the possibility of getting this color but instead I opted for…

~ Pacific Blue: My #1 choice. This is a darker blue than the Blue Mist but really not bold or brash. It's a calming color, almost meditative.


What is This Blue Dream Machine Made Of?

Plastic. It's lightweight, but surprisingly sturdy feeling. It's exactly the same thickness as the original cover and has cut-outs to fit over the screen and the buttons. The surface is smooth and the edges are attractively rounded and beveled.


Now That I Have it, How Hard is it to Put On?

Since we're dealing with hi-tech equipment here, I envisioned tiny screws and a screwdriver with lots of little parts that could get lost. Actually, it couldn't be farther from the truth. This faceplate is so easy to install that it doesn't even come with an instruction sheet - just four simple diagrams on the back of the box.

The first step is to remove the hard flip cover which is easy because mine fell off a long time ago. Step number two is to pull off the old faceplate. Just pull it off? Can it really be that easy? Well, I'm one to make a job harder than it needs to be so I tugged unsuccessfully at the faceplate for a moment or two. Then I looked more carefully at the diagram and saw that they highlighted a little lever or catch on the top of the Palm in the back. Once I found this, I was able to quickly snap the old cover off. Step three - just snap on the new cover - it's a snap (sorry, I couldn't resist). Step number four involves replacing the hard flip cover which I skipped since I'm using the sensuous slim leather case for my Palm instead. Four simple steps and I only had to do two. How much easier can it get?


Is There Anything Dr_Steph Doesn't Like About This Faceplate?

Well, since you asked, I have two complaints. One is the fact that they only have "palm" printed at the top, not "palm m100" like the original faceplate. Why is that? I think the specific product name should be on it. It's not like this faceplate will fit any other Palm. A silly oversight, in my opinion.

My other complaint is the cost. This is strictly a cosmetic accessory, yet it costs $20. A bit steep.


Do I Recommend the Palm m100 Colored Faceplate?

That's a tough one. I wish Epinions would allow us to say "sort of" recommend. You don't need this faceplate and it adds a lot of unnecessary expense to an otherwise inexpensive Palm. Therefore, I think most people can easily live without it.

Personally, though, I'm thrilled I bought it. The Pacific Blue color is distinctive, yet soothing. It has drawn admiring glances from my peers and my students. I'm a simple, casual dresser and rarely accessorize my outfits. Therefore, I felt I could splurge and accessorize my cherished Palm. Besides, it goes great with my piercing blue eyes…




Recommended: Yes