Editorial Review

One of Handspring's two new Visors running with the faster 33 MHzMotorola Dragonball VZ processor, the Visor Platinum offers a competitive optionto the Palm V series. Although it doesn't sport a color display like its newsibling, the Visor Prism, the Platinum offers 16 shades of gray, outputtingsharper graphics in games and applications. It also features 8 MB of memory likethe 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 performsfaster than other Visors or Palm handhelds (Handspring claims up to a 50 percentincrease in speed). While we didn't put a radar gun to the Platinum, itcertainly felt speedier than the Visor Deluxe--tapping on an application openedit almost instantaneously.

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

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

But when you've got the expandability that the Handspring's Springboard moduleslot offers--allowing you to add a digital camera, a cell phone, a Tiger Woodsgolf game, or an MP3 player--you don't need to quibble over slimness. Also, likeother Visors, the Platinum features a built-in microphone (though you'll need toadd 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 thePlatinum to sway you to pick up this new product. But if you're looking for thecutting 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

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

Editorial Review

The Targus Stowaway portable keyboard for Handspring Visor enables you to quickly and comfortably enter text into your handheld without having to carry around a full-size desktop keyboard. The Stowaway keyboard is a full-size keyboard when open but folds instantly to about the size of your Visor. This portable keyboard has the same key spacing as a standard desktop keyboard so it's comfortable to use. Plus, at only 7.9 ounces it won't weigh you down.

This Stowaway keyboard is compatible with Handspring Visor handhelds running Palm OS v3.1 or later, including Visor Pro, Neo, Prism, Deluxe, and Platinum. It is not compatible with Handspring Visor Edge handhelds or the Handspring Treo series. (See the Stowaway portable keyboard model for Visor Edge.)

Installation of the Keyboard application onto your Handspring Visor is easily accomplished during a typical HotSync. (To prepare the app for HotSync, simply add it to Install Tool on Windows, or Install Handheld Files in the Mac HotSync Manager.) Because the keyboard only needs power while it is actually being used, the effect on the overall battery life of your Visor will be minimal.

To operate the keyboard with your handheld, click the Stowaway keyboard open from its folded position, lay it flat, and slide the keyboard parts together (it's separated into thirds for folding). Then, simply attach your handheld and start typing in a text-based program.

You can do virtually all your work without taking your fingers off the keyboard with the Stowaway. The four custom keys on the right side of the keyboard (Date Book, Address, To Do List, and Memo Pad) are preprogrammed shortcut keys to activate certain applications, but they can be customized with the Keyboard application.

Editorial Review

While it won't replace the desktop computer any time soon, the handheld PDA is catching up and is becoming rather indispensable. Documents To Go 4.0 Professional makes several popular document formats easily portable and even allows basic editing on the run. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files synch between PDA and multiple computers quickly and completely, and can be viewed on the Palm screen with surprising readability. Users can edit Word and Excel files, though the range of editing options is necessarily more limited than on desktop machines, and some files (especially complex Word documents) are tough to work with.

Installation is pretty simple; like all Palm software, there are several steps, but most users should find themselves synching files shortly. The interface is nearly transparent and the coders took pains to reproduce the look and feel of Microsoft Office. The Acrobat reader is a nice feature, even if the images are stripped to save memory. Despite this, RAM will be a problem for some users, who will undoubtedly have to make some tough decisions about which files to keep on the Palm.

Features

• PDA and Keyboard Case
• Keeps Your Stowaway & PDA Safe and Sound
• Easy Access Front Compartment, with Loop Closure, Holds Your PDA and Business Cards
• Zippered Secondary Compartment Secures Your Stowaway Keyboard
• Protected for Life

Reviews (27)

Nice PDA Case
I only have 1 problem with this case, and it's the lack of belt clip or another sort of hanger. the lack of this make it unpractical to use it outside the briefcase.

think again before making a purchase.
stowaway keyboard is well protected on it's own. metal shielded when it's fold. Ipaq already come with protected case. what people really need is bag to put in accessories. such as cables, adaptors, CF memories.. etc. I feel redundent opening the zipper to find everything is already protected inside.

Features

• Neoprene cutout in the base for credit cards
• Slider action allows you to open the case and slide the cover under the base
• Ultralight and easy to use
• Accommodates left-handers
• Made of 100 percent grade-1 titanium, with a bead-blasted finish and neoprene inner lining

Reviews (15)

Moneysaver
After cracking the screen on my first hangspring Visor, I decided to try the Rhinoskin Ti slider case for my second visor.Despite the added bulk that the case adds, it is very workable overall.But my love for the case came one day at work when I was up on a 15' tall tower and accidentally knocked the case off my belt (I have rhinoskin's matching belt case for the Ti-slider).The case enclode handspring dropped about 18 feet to the concrete floor.I climbed down and pulled the cse out of the belt pouch, then opened the case.Not a mark on the handspring.Still works perfectly.The case has already payed for itself...

Excellent Product
My first thought when I received the product was that it was cheap. The metal was very thin, and opening and closing was very metallic sounding and somewhat unrefined feeling. But once I put the visor into the case, everything seemed to come together nicely. The visor fits PERFECTLY. No movement whatsoever, and even though it is only sitting in place, and isn't held in in any way, I have no fear that it will fall out. The fit is quite snug. I really like the case, the titanium is thin, but it won't bend. I don't think many women would like this case, but I have no regrets. The only downside is that in my opinion, the stylus is a bit difficult to remove; I have gotten used to it, but a little more space around the stylus would have been nice. EXCELLENT PRODUCT; WELL WORTH THE PRICE!
Wouldn't have any other case after using this one.

Impressively Durable
I drop my PDA an average of once per week while it is in this case (I am a professional klutz. Do not try this at home).It has never suffered any damage, despite the apparent skimpiness of the neoprene inside the case. There's enough in there to do the job.

The only reason I docked this item one star, despite its stellar performance in saving my PDA, is that it is impossible to open with one hand, and is designed for right-handed users. This is a nuisance when you are looking up a phone number to dial a cell phone. I think the slider could have been designed for one-handed use, and to slide in a direction more comfortable for left-handers.

Features

• LED indicators make it easy to see when the batteries are fully charged
• High energy and high performance NiMH and NiCd battery charger
• Quickly charges nickel metal hydride or nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries
• Universal charger charges all AAA, AA, 9V NiMH or NiCd cells

Reviews (16)

Worthless
Alkaline batteries would last a week in my child's toy. I am lucky if these rechargable batteries last a day. They spend more time in the recharger than in the toy. Save yourself the money and the grief. Do not buy this product.

VALUABLE ASSET
After almost throwing away a cordless mouse for my computer, thinking I would have to replace the rechargable batteries that came in it because they would not charge, I put them into this charger and bingo...in 4 hours, good as new. Saves you money in the long run (rechargable batteries in general), and not too expensive.... it'll pay for itself!

Flexible, but outmoded
There are some misimpressions in the preceeding reviews ... First, the relative merits of NiMH vs, say, duracell. Depends on the NiMH battery and the application.

Some NiMH "D" cells are really "AA" cells wrapped in a "D" can. You can tell these from the following indications: 1. They're quite light, and 2. they'll say, oh, between 1800 and 2200 mAH (the amount of power (more or less) that they'll deliver. Of course they don't last as long as Duracell "D" cells. There are others (8000-11000 mAH, heavier in weight) that last about as long, *longer* in high-drain applications. What do I mean by that? A high drain application is where you're throwing out your duracells every week or so :-). Children's swings and digital cameras are a couple of good examples.

The high powered NiMH batteries are *expensive* ... until you do the math on throwing away a lot of D cells .... then they're a godsend.

As for this charger in particular, it's got some real problems. As I understand it, it charges D cells at about 500 mA for 5 hours (it uses a built-in timer). That's a total, then, of 2500 mAH ... far less than a modern NiMH D cell holds (mine are 8500 mAH). So you charge it again. And again. And again. Each time, you dump 2500 mAH of power into the battery (less, really, since it's not 100% efficient ... some of that energy gets wasted as heat). Get something that'll "look" at the battery as it's charging; that'll check to see, basically, how hard the battery is "pushing back".

Features

• NiMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable battery

Reviews (8)

Old Batteries - High Price
These should no longer be considered "high energy" batteries. They are only 650mh (most batteries are not _at last_ 750mh). The price is equal to other, more powerfull batteries being sold in most retail stores. I'd recommend that you stay away from these batteries as, at $7.00, they are no less expensive then the better batteries you can buy in your local retail store.

I BOUGHT THE ENERGIZERAAA NIMH BATTERY( 4 PACK )
GREAT FOR DIGITAL CAMERA USE.
I HAVE A DSC PRO DIGITAL CAMERA( 4 AAA BATTERY USE ) AND IT EATS BATTERYS.
WITH THESE BATTERYS I CAN USE THE CAMERA FOR HOURS .
WITHOUTTHE FLASH YOU CAN TAKE ( 100 PICTURES WITH OUT CHARGING THE BATTERYS )
( WHEN USING THE FLASH - THE BATTERY LASTS 20 MIN )
I BOUGHT THE AAAENERGIZER BATTERY'S 700 MAIN A ( 4 PACK )
WHICH ARE 1.2 VOLT ( ON THE PACKAGE ) I TESTED THE BATTERYS AFTER CHARGING ( 15 HR) AND ( ON THE MY METER WERE ALMOST 1.4 - 1.5 VOLT )

AND THE POWER IN THIS BATTERY IS GREAT .
AFTER CHARGING THEM FOR 15 HR.( IN THE SPECIAL ENERGIZER CHARGER FOR NIMH 15 HR CHARGER ) WHICH WAS SOLD SEPARATE .
THE BATTERYS HOLD THERE CHARGE VERY WELL.
( 2 WEEKS AGO 1-15-02 I PURCHASED RAYOVAC NIMH ( 550 MA BATTERYS ) THEY DO NOT HOLD THERE CHARGE I BROUGHT THEM BACK )
IN MY OPINION THE ENERGIZER IS THE BEST BATTERY FOR MY MONEY BECAUSE IT 1) HOLDS A CHARGE A LONG TIME 2) AFTER CHARGING IT LASTS A LONG TIME3)!!! LIFE TIME WARRANTY!!!)
( AS RAYOVAC DOES NOT HAVE THIS WARRANTY )
BATTERYS ARE VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE USING A DIGITAL CAMERA .
I WOULD NOT LEAVE MY HOUSE WITH OUT THESE BATTERYS IN MY CAMERA.
( IN THE PAST I USED AAA ALKALINE BATTERYS IN THIS CAMERA AND THE COST OF THE BATTERYS IS MUCH MORE THAN THE COST OF THE CAMERA !!! ) SO NOW WITH A $... DOLLAR INVESTMEST IN A CHARGER AND 4 AAA BATTERYSENERGIZER I WILL SAVE ( 100'S ).

NOTE ( THIS IS MY OPINION AND I OWN THE BATTERYS AND CHARGER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY ) I AM DONT USE MY CAMERA FOR COMMERCIAL USE .
I CHARGE THE BATTERYS 1 TIME PER DAY ! . WITH HOW I USE THE BATTERYS THEY WORK ( 5 OUT OF 5 ) .

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS++ RATTING ++

Great little batteries when charged properly.
I bought these Engergizer AccuRechargeable NiMH batteries in the new packaging which says they are 700mAh capacity. That is the highest of all AAA NiMH that I've been able to find. All NiMH batteries discharge when not used in about 90 days. So far these power my Palm M100 for 45 days use the way I use them. This is comparable to the Duracell Ultra's that I was using.

I also have 4 of them in a small R/C car to power the motor. They run forever (>45 minutes) and when they are done a 1 hour recharge will get it moving again.

I charge them on a Rayovac 1 hour charger which charges each battery idependently until it's "full" and I think that this makes a big difference over other cheaper chargers that charge 2 cells at once and/or for a fixed amount of time.

Editorial Review