PalmOne Zire Handheld

[Archived in Games, Handheld PCs und PDAs, Handhelds und PDAs, PDAs und Handhelds, PalmOne, Products]

Manufacturer: PalmOne
Price at amazon.com: Used & new from $24.99

List price $79.99



Product Features:

• Palm organization and style at an affordable price
• Easy to learn and use--even if you've never used a handheld before
• Mini-USB connector allows easy transfer and backup to computer
• Keeps addresses, appointments, and important information safe and secure
• What's in the box: Zire Handheld w/ Rechargeable Battery, Charging Cable, USB HotSync Cable, Getting Started Manual, CD-ROM with Palm Desktop Software, Stylus, Protective Flip Cover

Product Description:

Easy to learn and use, the Palm Zire handheld offers you great value at an affordable price. It's compact enough to slip into a pocket and keeps all of your important information--addresses, appointments, notes, and more--at your fingertips, whether you're at work, at school, or at home. Enter information right on its screen with Graffiti software, Palm's alphabet, or easily transfer information from your PC or Mac. With a rechargeable battery for hassle-free operation and a handy flip-cover to... read more

Description from Manufacturer: Small, light, and compact, the Palm Zire handheld is a great PDA for anyone looking for a basic electronic personal information manager to help organize their tasks, meetings, and contacts. Getting started with the Zire is simple, making it ideal for people who are new to the world of handheld devices.

Organization in your Palm

We were up and running within 20 minutes of opening the package. As part of our setup, we synced the Zire with Microsoft Outlook. Initially, we had to try twice before we could successfully sync our data, but have been able to sync data flawlessly ever since. All of our contacts and scheduled meetings transferred effortlessly, and we quickly came to depend on the Zire to tell us where and when we had to be at a given time. However, with only a 2 MB storage capability, this handheld won't hold a huge about of data.

The Zire is attractively colored with a white front and a silvery gray back, but Palm really cut corners with the screen cover. The cover is made of a flexible plastic that flaps around when it is supposed to be centered on the screen, and is awkward to keep out of the way when you want to access the screen. It's so annoying we recommend not using it at all. Fortunately, the screen cover comes separate from the Zire itself so this is easy to do.

While not a powerful handheld, the Zire is worth considering if you're looking for a way to keep your tasks, contacts, and meetings organized. It performs those tasks wonderfully, and is priced affordably. --Patricia Atherly

Pros:

• Mac and PC compatible
• Inexpensive and attractive
• Easy to set up and use
• Comes with a rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Only a 2 MB memory
• No expansion slots
• Palm OS 4.1 instead of the new Palm OS 5
• No backlight
• Flimsy screen cover

Average Customer Rating:

---

Comment: Best entry level handheld available. Rating:
If you need a handheld for basic PIM tasks such as phone numbers adresses and e-mail this is the one for you, read on. If on the other hand you need a powerful handheld computer able to do multimedia I recommend you look at the Sony Clie line of Palm OS handhelds.

The Zire provides all you need to substitute your paper based agenda out of the box.

About the OS:

Palm OS is actually the standard OS on handhelds (most like Windows on the desktop). This handheld includes a desktop PIM(personal information managers) as well as software to sync with Microsoft Outlook.

There are thousand of programs available for the palm OS add such as enhanced PIM , Personal finance program to syncronize with MS Money and Quicken as well as office suites and games.

Hardware:

Zire has a very stilish design it is almost as small as a Palm M515 or clie T 665. Also this handheld as all Palm branded handhelds is build to last with a tought elegant casing.

It is compatible with Windows and Machintos desktops. The only limitations I find in this computer are that it only has 2 MB of memory (but I am a power user), for most peple 2 MB is plenty to store thousand of addresses as well as and office suite and other programs. Another minor limitation for gammers it that there are only four buttons.

Sumarry:

The zire is arguably the best possible solution for someone just entering the world of handhelds. This is the best entry level handheld computer for the money

---

Comment: Great Budget PDA! Rating:
I purchased this for my daughter, who is a freshman in college, and was very impressed! For the price, the Zire is an outstanding entry-level Palm PDA. Set up is easy and the "hot synch" process enables you to back up info you've entered, as well as install new programs that are easily obtainable from the Palm website. Despite having only 2 mgs. of memory, I was able to install a Franklin Covey "Student Suite" program to help her keep track of assignments and grades, along with several other programs, and there is still plenty of room to store info. Text can be entered by tapping the stylus on a mini keyboard on the screen or by actually writing in the "graffiti" area (quite easy to learn). This surprising versatility at an excellent price, plus the standard Palm features (address book, appointment calendar, ability to download and read e-mail, etc.), make this much more than a PIM--it's an entry-level mini computer. It even comes with a flip-over plastic cover to protect the screen and, while it's a little cumbersome to keep out of the way, it's welcome and unexpected for the price. My Kyocera Palm Smartphone came with no protective cover and I've already scratched the screen, so I was glad to see one here. The bottom line? It's a wonderful product. If you're looking for an easy to learn, entry-level Palm with a surprising amount of features and quality--look no further!

---

Comment: Nice little Handheld Rating:
I am seeing a lot of negative reviews for this item. I have to say that I do not agree. This is an extremely easy to use, stylish, and SMALL handheld. Those who want the bells and whistles of a $200-$300 handheld need to buck up, pay for one and stop complaining about this extremely useful little device.

The Zire is a back to basics handheld and as such, needs to be viewed in that light. What it does, it does well. The palm date book , expense list, to do list, address list, and memo functions are all extremely useful and the unit has enough ram for a few 3rd party applications.

I loaded mine with pocket Quicken, and a wonderful little application for more serious chess players called Chess Tiger. I have my schedule, address-phone books, To do listings, shopping lists, and complete financial info in a small package that fits discreetly in my front shirt pocket. (BTW - Nice to have one of these things that doesn?t look too geeky.) One push of a button and everything is synchronized in Quicken and my Calendar.

As a self employed professional und busy freelance musician, I need to check my date book often and add things on the fly quite frequently. This Zire has made it all very easy for me and I have a great little handheld chess unit when I get a spare minute.

The rechargeable battery is a great feature as is the IR beaming function. I would liked to have seen a bit more ram. The lack of a back light doesn't bother me at all.

In short, this little handheld will fill the bill for someone who wants a good basic unit. If you want internet connectivity, zillions of games, E books, und the like, then pay more and get a fancier model. If you need a neat little Organizer that's easy to use, I'd recommend the Zire. I like mine.

P.S. The cases do indeed have a peculiar odor to them as several reviewers mentioned. I think this fades in time. The glue or the plastic must be responsible. The case is attractive and protects the unit well however.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)