How to Choose a Palm Device

The Palm OS handheld computers have, for the last few years, been the de facto standard of handheld computing. Palm has recently begun allowing other companies to use the Palm operating system on handhelds of their own design. A new company called Handspring has emerged with a line of Palm OS devices called Visor, which bring a new kind of expandability - the "Springboard" slot - to the Palm platform.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Handspring Handheld Organizers
• Palm Handheld Organizers

1. Think about your usage. Before heading out (or online) to buy, consider whether you will be using it as a basic address book, calendar and notepad, or whether you're out for more techno-geekish possibilities like playing games or surfing the Internet.
2. Understand that the basic models sport 2MB of RAM, which is sufficient for all standard applications (address book, calendar, notepad, to-do list), as well as several thousand addresses and appointments. Most users never need more than 2MB. Upgrade to the next level if you need more memory - say, for downloading e-books or large databases into your handheld.
3. Consider your platform. If you're on a Macintosh and you choose a Palm-branded handheld, you'll need to buy the optional "MacPac" ($39.95), which includes required adapters and software. The Handspring Visors include Mac software.
4. Know that the Springboard expansion slot built into every Visor enables other vendors to create custom software and hardware modules to plug into your handheld. Examples include games, book collections, memory upgrades and a digital camera. Watch for cool Springboard modules coming soon: a GPS receiver, an MP3 music player and a pager.
5. Be good and stick to your budget. At $149, check out the Visor - Handspring's basic model - which contains the Springboard expansion slot. Or choose the Palm IIIe for the same price, which ships with a HotSync cradle for backing up data to your computer.
6. Be hip. With 2MB of RAM, all the standard Palm applications under the hood, and a brushed aluminum case, the Palm V ($329) is lighter and slightly smaller than other models. It features a built-in battery which charges whenever it's placed in its equally svelte cradle. For the power user, upgrade to the Palm Vx ($399), which is identical except for an additional 6MB of RAM.
7. Be cool and stay connected. Look at the Palm VII ($449) to get online in the field. So far this is the only Palm OS device to feature wireless Internet capability. Send and receive messages and view Internet "Web clippings" - text-only versions of Web pages - in most urban U.S. areas.
8. Be super-cool and taste a rainbow. The Palm IIIc ($449) appears the same as other members of the Palm III family, but powering up reveals the big difference: a color display. This, plus 8MB of RAM under the hood.

Tips & Warnings

• The Springboard slot is a Visor exclusive. If any of the Springboard modules interest you, the Visor, and not the Palm-brand models, is your only choice.
• Some handhelds' operating systems are not upgradeable. This may or may not prove important. It will depend on the features demanded by users and developers. Though new features might require a higher OS to run, they might not run on your handheld for other reasons.
• Palm devices using rechargeable batteries will need to be returned for service should the batteries fail.

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