Palm m505 Handheld

Pros: Expansion capability, sleek style, light weight, battery, Palm OS.
Cons: WHAT COLOR?!?! Expensive. Better options available.

This product has been a true disappointment. I returned this product to the Staples store after I ordered it online -- and I'm glad that I did not have to pay shipping for this unsatisfactory product. My friends thought I was ridiculous for paying this...

Pros: Palm-made, smaller than other PDAs, plenty of memory
Cons: Grainy color screen, non-backward compatible with Vx

Went to the store and looked at the m505. Well, I walked away with some pretty mixed feelings...

First off, the screen looks aweful - it's very grainy (although the backlight is excellent) - so grainy that after my gray-scale Vx, I couldn't...

Pros: Durable, easy expansion, color screen
Cons: None

When I bought the m505 I loved it and still do. It works very well and is VERY durable. Now that technology is advancing, it has become obsolete. But, if you are looking for an older model like this you can probably find it cheap. Overall, it is probably one of the most durable Palm has ever made.

I have had my palm for six months and have purchased three for friends. We are all loving our palms. I had one palm which came defective and palm had no problem shipping me out a new one by the weeks end. I would recommend this product to any business in which contacting people is important. In our business directly dealing with clients, it makes a great office tool being able to beam names, numbers, and addresses, (and info about clients).

I was suprized at how light weight and thin this was compared to my old IIIc handheld. It comes with loads of software. By the time u see this the palm m515 will be out and it's the same but with 16mb memory, get that instead of this-$400.00 the only thing i really hated about this prduct was the okward blochy screen. If you're thinking of getting a visor prizm this is definatly better because it is more portable and lightweight.

Actually, I'm quite surprised that others are having this many problems with their 505's. What're you guys DOING to them...walking on 'em? I'm a veteran palm top user, and have been a computer hardware geek for almost 20 years. I'd rate this product superior, definitely a step up from the M100 that it replaced. BTW...ZERO, NIL, NADA Hot Sync problems...I suggest operator error and/or abuse. In case you're wondering, I am NOT an employee of Palm or any affiliates...just high on this PDA. 'Nuff said!

It resulted more than I spected. I'm very pleased with my new handheld. Although I've got some problems when downloading the new palm OS (dos not support win XP), it worth the time I spent.

I have owned other Palm products and I work them hard and under harsh(heavy Travel/ extremely hot and cold climates) enviroments with excellent results. Although I believe its overpriced, I'am extremely satisfied with its performance. I have had it a year.

Overall, a nice unit. I solved the USB syncing problem by using a serial cradle; haven't had any challenges (other that of the software/port selection type) since. The cripness of the color is enhanced by using the backlight at all times.. an acceptable work around in my book. The unit won't move mountains or work miracles, but it is a great all-around toy, er, unit for one's schedules, notes, spreadsheets, etc. While not a rabid fan of Palm, they do put out a decent product and yes, they have their corporate challenges, but then again, who doesn't? It is the best unit I've had.. owned a IIIc, m105 and a Vii.. prefer it over them.. would recommend to friends and co-workers, and have.

I love this Palm, I got it on sale and the colour is great and it's fast. I only wish that I was told that the Palm m500 series has a hardware defect with the USB syncing chip, which fails when a static charge zaps the unit, Palm tech support varries from call to call too much, most didn't help very much, I had to call many times untill I found a person that did. Syncing problem can be fixed by draining battery, draining the battery resets the USB chip, still this isn't an exceptable method, they should be recalled and fixed. I would recomend this Palm to persons that don't mind fiddling with it if this problems comes up.

Pros: Color screen, SD/MMC Slot, Palm Connector
Cons: Color Screen (yes I know it's in Pro's), no MP3, not Hi-Res

I have an m505. I've had it for nearly a year. It is a great PDA! The screen is OK. It isn't nearly as bright as the new PDA's by Palm, Sony and such. It is plenty bright enough for indoors. But outside is where this PDA is separated from the rest: it looks great outdoors! This PDA is totally readable outdoors. The IIIc is totally black. Even the new "transflective" displays on all current Sony's and OS5 Palm's pale in comparison. So you have a decision to make: easy reading outdoors or indoors.

Again, I say this is a great PDA. Only 8MB of RAM, but with an SD card, that barrier means nothing. The only complaint I have is that this PDA has no MP3 playback. If it did, it would be perfect!!!

I like this product for the most part; I was disappointed to find, however, that my hotsync function is no longer working after only having it for 6 months. In order to get in touch with Palm tech support, since I have exceeded the first 3 months in which phone tech support is free, I have to pay to get this resolved.

Pros: Versatile, color, expandable, easy to use
Cons: Frequent repairs necessary, screen a bit dim.

Although the m505 is a very versatile unit for its day, it has a huge assortment of technical problems that it can encounter. The most common seems to be electrostatic discharge problems. Palm has tried to fix this by shipping new and improved cradles for free but the new enhanced cradles can still can have this problem. Palm has been good about replacing the units but it does get tiring after awhile. You buy the unit in good faith and three months later it's off to the repair shop for a few weeks. Then the "new" one they send you does the same thing. I have personally been through four of these units since 2002 and know many people in the same situation. I would recommend this product if it were not for the repair problems. Palm has other newer and in my opinion, better products.

Do not waist your money, do not buy this PDA. The expansion card was the feature I bought it for, and now that is broken is useless, I tried to have Palm honor the warranty and they just concluded that it was my fault and it will cost me $40.00 just to revise it and another $100 to fix it. The lock is very, very sensitive, just imagine that on the first time that I attempt to pull it off It broke. Buy a SONY CLIE instead the card works withstands normal usage.

after only 4 months, my m505 failed to hotsync despite all measures including hard reset. efforts to contatct tech support to allow me to send it back to get a refurbished unit for over $100 were very frustrating. the online tech support would logoff in the middle of chats for help.