Palm ///c

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This product is also Mac-friendly!!!

A Techtite Review

Important Note ! : As of this review's posting, there are three special offers to go along with purchase of the Palm iiic, including a FREE pair of two-way radios, a free leather case for the Palm iiic, and a rebate for the keyboard. Click the order link (offered above), to see any current Palm IIIc promotional offers.

When Apple Computers first introduced the palm-held "Newton" in the 90's, it was an obviously rushed concept -- a dream far ahead of its time-- with capabilities that were, when first offered years ago, more than a bit sluggish. Years later, PDAs are offered with everything the original Newton offered, with better performace, plus a whole lot more. There are ones with color, ones with touch-sensitive screens, and even ones with sound for downloadable MP3 music. Which should you choose? Techtite.com recently tested the Palm m100, and the Palm IIIc, as well as overlooking several other choices. The following review is for the Palm IIIc, which in summary is the model this reviewer intends to use for himself. While the m100 does indeed offer many of the best features for less, the IIIc is the best blend of power, color, and versatility, with a still acceptable price.

If you're new to PDAs --and are still shuffling post-it notes within a paper appointment book-- you may wish to read Techtite's review of the Palm m100 first, with a more entry-level oriented, general overview of what to expect in such a device. The IIIc is similar, and offers the same date book, address book, to-do list, and memo pad, yet offers some intriguing enhancements. The black and white screen of the m100 is improved with a color screen on the IIIc. Instead of a small 2MB memory size, the IIIc has a full 8MB, which should be more than enough for all appointment and note keeping needs. The m100's requirement for a fresh set of AAA batteries every few months, is eliminated completely, thanks to the IIIc's built in rechargeable battery. This battery is more powerful, allowing for the screen to remain in full color and backlit at all times (on the m100, backlighting must be activated by the user, as it takes up additional power). Are all these additions worth the added price? To me, they were, although to most entry-level PDA enthusiasts, they may not be.

True, compared to other similar units, the IIIc still has a few limitations of its own. Oddly enough, the option of alternate color faceplates is not available with the IIIc, and is an optional, "personalization" accessory only available on the m100. Also, much like the m100's 2 Meg memory, the IIIc's 8 megabytes of memory is not upgradeable. However, for a text-only datebook, address book, and note pad, 8 Meg should be more than efficient, with even some memory left over for additional programs (more on that later). Other PDAs, however, do offer features like multimedia card slots, for removable (although small and limited) data storage options. The IIIc has no such expansion slots --nor any possibility of expansion per se-- although its hotsync port --the socket at the bottom, used to link the PDA to your PC, and "synchronize" data on each-- can also be used for some intriguing accessories, including a camera attachment and a portable, foldable keyboard. In addition, an infra-red port means that the IIIc can easily transfer data to and from other Palm units (even other models), as well as other compatible infra-red data transfer devices.

Note: See a short list of some of the more amusing add-ons available for the m100 and IIIc, in Techtite's overview of Palm Accessories.

The Hotsync port, however, does allow for great PC connectivity, which is where the Palm series shines. The IIIc comes with its own "cradle," which can be put nicely on any computer desk --whether your computer is PC or Macintosh-- and stores the Palm when not in use (Mac owners will need something like the Belkin USB PDA Adaptor Cable to plug the PDA into their USB port). This cradle has two cables --one to the computer, the other for power-- and offers a small button at its base for its "hotsync" feature. With the included software, this button allows your computer to synchronize all data at the mere push of a button, whether it was updated on the computer or the IIIc.

This is already a lot of potential for such a small device, yet the Palm main web site is determined to add even more. There, you can download additional programs for use on any IIIc, and while most of these programs are shareware, many are freeware and downloadable at no cost. Admittedly, with so many programs to choose from, you may wish you had a more expensive Palm with a multimedia memory card slot, like the Palm m505. However, the IIIc has the same (8 Meg) base memory as the m505, the same color screen capabilities, and therefore could use just about every program downloaded for testing in this review. Business users can upgrade their IIIc software to edit Microsoft Word and/or Excel documents. For long trips, "e-books" of some paperbacks are easy to download, to read anywhere you wish; even on a plane (with the backlight of the screen, you won't even bother the person next to you). Of course, game fans will like the huge number of mini-games (both freeware and shareware), including RPGs, arcade "clones" like Frogger, and even text-only-screen classics like Zork and "Daleks". Quite a list of program options for such a little piece of hardware.

The bad news is that progress in the palm-held world is enormous, and has offered a wide diversity of alternate PDA options elsewhere. There are units that offer better sound for MP3 playback, while others have larger memory, or that nifty multimedia card port. The Palm m505 even has a memory card (sold separately) which offers its own dictionary and thesaurus! However, in the perfect balance of features and price, Techtite.com decided on the IIIc. At the extreme least, it is a major upgrade to whatever archaic paper-and-pen appointment system you may still be using. If the price tag is too much for you, there's always the m100, which is also reviewed here. If you want to pay a bit more for color, four times the memory, and a rechargeable battery built into the unit, there's the IIIc. Either way, you're unlikely to be disappointed.

	Final Rating : Deep Impact. Not as affordable as the m100, yet with features that make it worthwhile.
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