Handspring Visor Platinum (Silver)

[Archived in $100 - $200, Handspring, Products]

Manufacturer: Handspring
Price at amazon.com: $199.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• 50 percent faster than Handspring Visor Deluxe
• 8 MB RAM stores thousands of addresses, appointments, to-do items, and more
• Features address book, to-do list, memo pad, date book, advanced calculator, and world clock
• Fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS applications
• What's in the box: Visor Platinum, Graphite HotSync cradle, 8 MB RAM, AAA batteries, Graphite snap cover, Leather case

Product Description:

The Handspring Visor Platinum is an infinitely expandable handheld computer that's 50 percent faster than the Visor Deluxe. With its enhanced power, speed, and performance, the Visor Platinum satisfies your need for speed and makes accessing all your data and viewing crisp grayscale graphics even easier. It runs Palm OS 3.52 for the Handspring on a Motorola 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor. In addition to an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, the Platinum Visor features an enhanced... read more


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Description from Manufacturer:One of Handspring's two new Visors running with the faster 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, the Visor Platinum offers a competitive option to the Palm V series. Although it doesn't sport a color display like its new sibling, the Visor Prism, the Platinum offers 16 shades of gray, outputting sharper graphics in games and applications. It also features 8 MB of memory like the Visor Deluxe, providing plenty of room for storing contacts, notes, and e-mails.

But the Visor Platinum's selling point is its new processor, which performs faster than other Visors or Palm handhelds (Handspring claims up to a 50 percent increase in speed). While we didn't put a radar gun to the Platinum, it certainly felt speedier than the Visor Deluxe--tapping on an application opened it almost instantaneously.

Using a USB cradle, our desktop synchronizations sped along nicely, usually completed in just a few seconds unless we were adding applications. Additionally, since the Platinum uses the Palm OS, most third-party programs written for Palm handhelds will work for the Platinum.

One difference between the Visor Platinum and the Palm V series that Handspring most likely won't boast about is its size. Where the sleek Palm V series sports a depth of only 0.4 inches, the Platinum retains the standard Visor form factor of 0.7 inches.

But when you've got the expandability that the Handspring's Springboard module slot offers--allowing you to add a digital camera, a cell phone, a Tiger Woods golf game, or an MP3 player--you don't need to quibble over slimness. Also, like other Visors, the Platinum features a built-in microphone (though you'll need to add a module, such as a voice recorder or the phone module, to use it).

If you're already a Palm or Handspring user, there may not be enough about the Platinum to sway you to pick up this new product. But if you're looking for the cutting edge of handheld speed, the Platinum is ready and raring to go. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Fastest Palm OS processor around
• 8 MB memory
• Expandable using Springboard modules

Cons:

• Thicker than Palm Vx
• Microphone, but no voice recorder built in

Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Great handheld - Not perfect, but still a joy to use Rating:
While no longer the highest-end or the hottest model in the Handspring line, I have to say that the Platinum is a beautiful little machine. I've been using mine for 8 months now, and I have never had a problem with it. Here are the brief important points:

The Good:

* Battery life is good, and while most people would prefer a rechargable pack, I like using regular batteries. I can go on long trips with a 12 pack of batteries, and not worry about where/if I can plug in to charge.
* The display is crisp, and excellent for a greyscale display. I regularly surf the web with AvantGo, work with graphics and documents, play games, etc. My only gripe is with PalmOS and not the Visor itself, and that's that the display contrast setting can't be saved at different levels for different apps. Some games need light contrast, some apps need darker, etc. It's a pain to keep changing it.
* Springboard modules are pretty sweet. Okay, they're pricey, but you can do some really neat stuff with them, software and hardware wise.
* PalmOS itself rocks. Okay, this is very subjective, but I really dislike Windows CE and its interface. It's very non-intuitive, and very non-Windows. While Palm has fallen behind in multimedia areas, I still think it's an awesome OS for a handheld, especially because of all the fantastic PalmOS software out there.
* Linux connectivity is a snap. ;) Nuff said.

But, there's some bad, too...

* Sound is virtually non-existent.
* The Visor screen is very, very, VERY prone to scratching just from regular stylus use. After the first two days of using my Platinum, I found a nice 'w' scratch in my graffiti area, and I was not amused. Fortunately, the "WriteRight" screen protectors take care of that problem. They reduce screen clarity, but overall I'm very happy with them, and they let me use this great machine without fear of damaging the display.
* One thing that ticked me off was I had to buy a second cradle after I got my Visor. Why? Because they FORCE you to buy the handheld with a USB cradle. There is absolutely no way to swap it for a serial one, which is what I needed, as my main computer doesn't have USB. This lead to me dropping an extra $30 just to make the system work out-of-box with my computer. C'mon Handspring, at least give people the choice if they want it.

Overall? I love my Platinum. I've also got a Diamond Mako, which is nice, but not nearly as capable in many regards. If you don't want to shell out for color, and just want a speedy handheld that can run any PalmOS app you throw at it, go for this baby. It's a steal.

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Comment: cheap, powerful, attractive - the perfect handheld? Rating:
I think this is a great product. I've been using it for several weeks and haven't had any trouble. Using the included cradle, I've hotsynced with my iMac and iBook with absolutely no errors. The USB hotsync is tremendously faster than the Palm serial connection. Unbelievable. The device is pretty light and the buttons are very easy to use.

The Visor desktop software is fairly robust for the common user and may replace your current calendar/schedule app. Mac Office 2001 also supports hotsyncing w/ Entourage.

Springboard module is a great idea. I've currently got the eyemodule and it works effortlessly. True "plug-n-play".

Unless you really need/want color and don't mind the extra cash to get it, I'd heartily recommend the Platinum to anyone looking for a handheld.

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Comment: Great product...until you try to have it repaired Rating:
My Handspring was a trusted resource for the first 9 1/2 months I had it. Last week, it suddenly stopped working. I went to Handspring's site and filled out the return form only to be told it was out of warranty, which wasn't true; I have 2.5 months left on my warranty. I called Customer Service and was told of my options: Call Tech Support with my claim, which charges a flat fee of $20; have it repaired "out of warranty," for $100; or, as Handspring's website suggests,
"Sometimes the cost of repairing an older device is almost as much as purchasing a new one. We welcome you to explore your options: maybe it makes more sense to simply buy a new device of the same type, or even treat yourself to the latest und greatest..."

Thanks, Handspring, I've explored my options--and I'm switching to Sony.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)