With all the Palm models that 3com has to offer, how do you determine which one to buy?
Deciding which Palm to buy shouldn’t take a lot of worry. There are distinct differences between each Palm model, and this review will help you in your decision.
This review is exclusively about 3com's monochrome (not color) Palm series of Palm-OS organizers. There are plenty of others running the same OS, such as Handspring Visor, Sony Clie, IBM Workpad, etc. If you are considering a competitors' product, read up on them from their reviews.
Pre-Palm III's:
I wouldn't buy any pre-III Palms, unless you could get one for about $50. They lack on memory, screen quality, and do not have infrared capabilities. First impressions are everything, and you would become disappointed in such an outdated product.
Palm III
The Palm III is a good starter unit. It has 2mb of memory, infrared capabilities, but does not include software to sync with Outlook. To do this you would need Intellisync or some other software designed for this purpose. (The Palm Desktop software that comes with the IIIx, V and VII units will also allow the III to sync with Outlook.) The screen quality is somewhat grainy and dark. The Palm III has not been sold new for over a year, and used ones can be purchased for around $100. If you have a tight budget, and are determined to buy a Palm, this would be a good choice.
Palm IIIe
This Palm is the step up from the Palm III. The screen quality is much improved, has 2mb of memory, but also does not sync with Outlook "out of the box". They are still sold new for $149. Again, this unit it for the budget-conscious, and would be great for keeping track of contacts, jotting down notes, and schedule-keeping.
Palm M100
One of the newer models to be introduced, Palm decided to “get in the groove of things” and develop this funky little companion. It has 2mb of memory, has all the features of the standard Palms offered today, and has faceplaces that are replaceable with others to match your mood, hair color, etc. Palm styled the case more like a mitt, and the faceplace is slightly smaller than the other models. At $149, the same price as the IIIe, it is a good unit for students and general every-day use. In my opinion, I would go with the IIIe for the same price and a larger screen. But, that depends on whether you like something modern and funky, or prefer the traditional.
Palm IIIx
The Palm IIIx was my first Palm, and has an effective amount of memory – 4mb. It is also bundled with software that allows syncing with Outlook. This Palm is no longer sold new, but is available on the used market for around $150-175. If you don’t mind used, this Palm would work well for the more advanced user.
Palm IIIxe
The Palm IIIx's big brother, this Palm has 8mb of memory. It is a current model and sells for $249. The IIIe is one step down, but has 1/4 of the memory. If you have another $100 to spend, I definitely recommend this model. Software is included that allows synching with Outlook.
Palm V
The Palm V is the sleeker, thinner, lighter version of the Palm III series. It is housed in an impressive anodized aluminum case, and is perfect for the professional who aims to impress others. But, beauty is skin-deep. For $329 you get a meager 2mb. It's advantages are the smaller, thinner stature, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and it syncs with Outlook. Unless you don't mind spending a twice as much than an equivalent, less impressive-looking Palm, I would recommend staying away from this unit unless you can get a good deal.
Palm Vx
For only $70 more than the Palm V, the Palm Vx has 8mb of memory. This makes spending $399 a little more worth it, but it's still rather expensive. Disregarding the price, this is the Palm that I recommend to clients of mine who have a Lexus parked in their personal parking spot.
Palm VII
The Palm VII has 2mb of memory, and was the first Palm to have wireless capabilities. Although it is not being manufactured anymore, you can still find it new for $399. You can retrieve e-mail on the road quickly using the wireless feature. Coverage area varies, but Palm has made a good effort in making their service available in a good percentage of the nation. Included with the unit are several PQA's (Palm Query Apps), which are essentially web-page front ends that allow you to retrieve account information from your brokerage (and make online trades), look up driving directions, check the weather, and shop for just about anything. But, you don't have true web-surfing capabilities. There are Palm programs that allow you to surf WWW sites, but you have to access these sites through Palm's "Web Clipping Proxy Servers", which remove all the graphics, JavaScript, frames, etc., and pass on to you text and links. Therefore, the experience is not quite the same, and many web sites are difficult to navigate. Web clipping is still useful, and there are hundreds of PQA's available. I think the Palm VII series is still in it’s infancy, and that there is quite a future for it. I recently picked up a used one for $230.
Palm VIIx
This is the Palm to buy if you want wireless e-mail and PQA's. This is the second Palm I have owned, and I love it. It has the same features as the VII, but has a well-appreciated 8mb of memory. Just introduced about a month ago, the street price is $449.
BEST PLACES TO BUY
Most places online have the Palms for the manufacturer's suggested price. However, you can locate online coupons that will allow you to save about $40, and you may also avoid paying taxes and get free shipping. One service I have used often is www.deal-finder.com.
You can also buy used Palms through eBay, Yahoo, and many other online auction houses. Be careful, as it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and pay too much. A few months ago I sold a Palm III on eBay, and the high bidder won at $220. I didn’t have the heart to sell such an old unit for more than a brand new one, with twice as much memory, so I lowered the price. Be smart – be careful, and be informed!
AND.. be careful! If you drop your Palm, there is a good chance that the screen will break. Palm charges $100 to replace the screen, which may not be worth it for an older unit. I recommend you invest in a quality case, instead of using the plastic cover that is included with some units.
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
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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