I'm looking to buy a Visor Edge. Your thoughts?

CosmoNut · 03-22-2002, 02:50 PM

I've come to the decision that my life would be much simpler/organized if I could have a PDA to carry around with me. It would replace my calculator (with it's calculator), 3x5 index cards (for notes & to do lists), my big planner book (with it's calendar), and my cell phone's limited phone book (with it's larger contacts storage abilities).

So I'm looking at the Handspring Visor Edge. I like the fact that it's USB rechargeable, and that it has a hard case standard with it. Let's not forget, of course, the fact that it's so thin!

Do any of you have one? What do you think of it? Is there any other Visor that I should consider? (NOTE: 8MB of RAM should be plenty, as I don't know that many people or have that busy of a life. I should be able to put whatever other apps on it without having a problem with storage space)

Thanks in advance for your help.

CosmoNut · 03-24-2002, 02:11 PM

Anyone?

03-24-2002, 05:51 PM

I think now is a bad time to be purchasing a Palm. I only say this because Palm is in the process of moving everything to Palm OS 5, which runs on chips that support the StrongARM architecture. Intel, Motorola, et al, have announced and shown chips at PalmSource, but no one has made any announcements about when there will be handhelds with those chips. Palm is putting out Palm OS 5 later this summer I believe, and there should be handhelds running on it by Fall, according to Palm, but I don't recall hearing any promises.

The current Motorola dragon Ball Z chips used in current handhelds run at around 33MHz, some Sony handhelds are up to 66MHz. The StrongARM chips will run well over 100MHz, and Palm OS 5 will include many 'modern' functions a PDA should. So basically, if you buy that Visor Edge now. it's not going to be very upgradeable. Aside from the fact that you can't upgrade the OS on the Visor models anyhow....

That's my opinion though

If you've gotta have one, the Visor isn't a bad PDA. It's not as thin as the Palm m505 or Palm Vx.

CosmoNut · 03-28-2002, 05:14 PM

Well, I bought one. Thanks for the ONE reply. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />

preston · 03-28-2002, 08:56 PM

good choice.

There were 3 at business depot that i was looking at

m105 w/ keyboard CAD$299

Visor Edge CAD$329

Sony Clie (dunno model) CAD$299

I didnt bother with one, but i would have gotten the Edge for sure. Best value, biggest screen.

Pres

mugwump · 04-01-2002, 02:40 AM

The Handspring Treo is the future of PDA's. It's really got it all in there, truly amazing design. Plus it's also a Palm.

[ 04-01-2002: Message edited by: mugwump ]

CosmoNut · 04-05-2002, 11:06 PM

[quote]Originally posted by mugwump:
The Handspring Treo is the future of PDA's. It's really got it all in there, truly amazing design. Plus it's also a Palm.
<hr></blockquote>

I know. A bit too expensive for me right now, though. I'm going to fly with my cell phone and PDA for right now. Once I get established in a "real job" after I graduate next month, then I'll probably ditch the two and go with a Treo. I know it's compatible with Voicestream, and my Nokia is slowly dying.

stevegongrui · 04-09-2002, 11:16 AM

Check out the newly released Clie's. They're a bit expensive. I've recently purchased the entry model of the Clie(the S-320) and I must say it is the cheapest for value anyone's going to find out there. I got it for $180. Compared to the Viso edge, it has almost the same specs and plus it has the jog dial which I have found to be extremely useful. The memory stick is really the future. Its more versatile and you really can use it with more electronics. As for palm os 5, I wouldn't worry. I'd always be able to install the os once its out.

After weeks of research I have chosen the clie. I recomend the entry model to anyone who wants a basic and cheap handheld.

CDonG4 · 04-09-2002, 12:51 PM

My father just purchased an Edge, its a great little pda, thin, very very sturdy feeling, enough weight to it, nicely shaped stylus (yet the point kinda sucks imo).... and the screen seems to be much sharper than older visors (like the deluxe i have)... the idea of the removable springboard slot is nice...

Mac Guru · 04-09-2002, 04:28 PM

[quote] As for palm os 5, I wouldn't worry. I'd always be able to install the os once its out. <hr></blockquote>

As far as I know according to all the info about OS 5. Any Pre-StrongARM PALM handheld will not be OS 5.0 upgradable.

So all these new Palm i705's and such would be stuck at 4.1 or whatever forcing you to upgrade to a new handheld. IF I'm correct.

Mac Guru

04-09-2002, 07:29 PM

You are correct, and that was the whole point with my first post in this thread. Now isn't the best of times to be buying a new Palm, because you're locking yourself into the current OS. Only StrongARM based handhelds will run OS. Furthermore, none of the HandSpring handhelds, to the best of my knowledge, have an upgradeable FlashROM for the OS...

orque · 04-10-2002, 04:35 PM

Hey Cosmo,
I'm just wondering how the Edge is working out? I bought one on Sunday after much debating (I'm going on a month long train tour and figured pda+keyboard is much more practical than my iBook) but it won't be here for another week or so (I'm in Canada). Have any great tips yet? Does is synch with OS X at all? I'm not too concerned, but it'd be a bonus.

graphiteman · 04-13-2002, 05:19 PM

I have a Visor Prism (I got it for Xmas).

It does sync with OS X using Desktop 4.0. The only annoying thing is that during every HoySync, it tries to install a new version of the PalmOS, which fails due to the fact that a Visor cannot be upgraded. Other than that, it's fine.

Oh, and didn't the Newton's use a StrongARM Processor?

applenut · 04-14-2002, 10:54 PM

My brother just bought a Visor Edge today. Got it for 129 dollars at BestBuy, new in box. Can't beat that

CosmoNut · 04-15-2002, 12:17 AM

[quote]Originally posted by graphiteman:
The only annoying thing is that during every HoySync, it tries to install a new version of the PalmOS, which fails due to the fact that a Visor cannot be upgraded.<hr></blockquote>

You can avoid that by removing the OS upgrades from the "Files to Install" folder in your Palm profile. Use Sherlock to find it, since I don't know exactly where it'd be on OS X.

After you do that it won't have a problem.

I like my Visor Edge a lot! It's thin, light, VERY solid, and has overall improved my organization immensely.

orque · 04-20-2002, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the tip on remove the OS update thing. It was already starting to drive me batty

.

After a week with my Visor I'm liking it very much. I have to get over the geekiness factor though. Sometimes I feel a bit silly whipping it out.

03-22-2002, 02:50 PM	#1
CosmoNut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Non-Cupertino-based Posts: 4,831	I'm looking to buy a Visor Edge. Your thoughts? I've come to the decision that my life would be much simpler/organized if I could have a PDA to carry around with me. It would replace my calculator (with it's calculator), 3x5 index cards (for notes & to do lists), my big planner book (with it's calendar), and my cell phone's limited phone book (with it's larger contacts storage abilities). So I'm looking at the Handspring Visor Edge. I like the fact that it's USB rechargeable, and that it has a hard case standard with it. Let's not forget, of course, the fact that it's so thin! Do any of you have one? What do you think of it? Is there any other Visor that I should consider? (NOTE: 8MB of RAM should be plenty, as I don't know that many people or have that busy of a life. I should be able to put whatever other apps on it without having a problem with storage space) Thanks in advance for your help. AppleInsider's "journalists" are anything but.

03-24-2002, 02:11 PM	#2
CosmoNut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Non-Cupertino-based Posts: 4,831	Anyone? AppleInsider's "journalists" are anything but.

03-28-2002, 05:14 PM	#4
CosmoNut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Non-Cupertino-based Posts: 4,831	Well, I bought one. Thanks for the ONE reply. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> AppleInsider's "journalists" are anything but.

03-28-2002, 08:56 PM	#5
preston Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 219	good choice. There were 3 at business depot that i was looking at m105 w/ keyboard CAD$299 Visor Edge CAD$329 Sony Clie (dunno model) CAD$299 I didnt bother with one, but i would have gotten the Edge for sure. Best value, biggest screen. Pres The brain conceives of mathematical space in terms of numbers and dimensions ... The hand masters matter through the crafts, and with the help of tools and machinery.

04-01-2002, 02:40 AM	#6
mugwump Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Evanston, Illinois Posts: 220	The Handspring Treo is the future of PDA's. It's really got it all in there, truly amazing design. Plus it's also a Palm. [ 04-01-2002: Message edited by: mugwump ]</p>

03-24-2002, 05:51 PM	#3
LoCash Guest Posts: n/a	I think now is a bad time to be purchasing a Palm. I only say this because Palm is in the process of moving everything to Palm OS 5, which runs on chips that support the StrongARM architecture. Intel, Motorola, et al, have announced and shown chips at PalmSource, but no one has made any announcements about when there will be handhelds with those chips. Palm is putting out Palm OS 5 later this summer I believe, and there should be handhelds running on it by Fall, according to Palm, but I don't recall hearing any promises. The current Motorola dragon Ball Z chips used in current handhelds run at around 33MHz, some Sony handhelds are up to 66MHz. The StrongARM chips will run well over 100MHz, and Palm OS 5 will include many 'modern' functions a PDA should. So basically, if you buy that Visor Edge now. it's not going to be very upgradeable. Aside from the fact that you can't upgrade the OS on the Visor models anyhow.... That's my opinion though If you've gotta have one, the Visor isn't a bad PDA. It's not as thin as the Palm m505 or Palm Vx.

04-05-2002, 11:06 PM	#7
CosmoNut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Non-Cupertino-based Posts: 4,831	[quote]Originally posted by mugwump: <strong>The Handspring Treo is the future of PDA's. It's really got it all in there, truly amazing design. Plus it's also a Palm. </strong><hr></blockquote> I know. A bit too expensive for me right now, though. I'm going to fly with my cell phone and PDA for right now. Once I get established in a "real job" after I graduate next month, then I'll probably ditch the two and go with a Treo. I know it's compatible with Voicestream, and my Nokia is slowly dying. AppleInsider's "journalists" are anything but.

04-09-2002, 11:16 AM	#8
stevegongrui Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Charlottesville Posts: 771	Check out the newly released Clie's. They're a bit expensive. I've recently purchased the entry model of the Clie(the S-320) and I must say it is the cheapest for value anyone's going to find out there. I got it for $180. Compared to the Viso edge, it has almost the same specs and plus it has the jog dial which I have found to be extremely useful. The memory stick is really the future. Its more versatile and you really can use it with more electronics. As for palm os 5, I wouldn't worry. I'd always be able to install the os once its out. After weeks of research I have chosen the clie. I recomend the entry model to anyone who wants a basic and cheap handheld. ...nunc et in hora mortis nostrae...

04-09-2002, 12:51 PM	#9
CDonG4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 182	My father just purchased an Edge, its a great little pda, thin, very very sturdy feeling, enough weight to it, nicely shaped stylus (yet the point kinda sucks imo).... and the screen seems to be much sharper than older visors (like the deluxe i have)... the idea of the removable springboard slot is nice...

04-09-2002, 04:28 PM	#10
Mac Guru Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Antonio Posts: 367	[quote] As for palm os 5, I wouldn't worry. I'd always be able to install the os once its out. <hr></blockquote> As far as I know according to all the info about OS 5. Any Pre-StrongARM PALM handheld will not be OS 5.0 upgradable. So all these new Palm i705's and such would be stuck at 4.1 or whatever forcing you to upgrade to a new handheld. IF I'm correct. Mac Guru "The young people of America need be taught that the only pride they may properly hold is in the content of their character, and the achievements they make. There is no legitimate pride or moral credit to be gained by virtue of sharing the same race with a great and admirable individual. "

04-09-2002, 07:29 PM	#11
LoCash Guest Posts: n/a	You are correct, and that was the whole point with my first post in this thread. Now isn't the best of times to be buying a new Palm, because you're locking yourself into the current OS. Only StrongARM based handhelds will run OS. Furthermore, none of the HandSpring handhelds, to the best of my knowledge, have an upgradeable FlashROM for the OS...

04-10-2002, 04:35 PM	#12
orque Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 13	Hey Cosmo, I'm just wondering how the Edge is working out? I bought one on Sunday after much debating (I'm going on a month long train tour and figured pda+keyboard is much more practical than my iBook) but it won't be here for another week or so (I'm in Canada). Have any great tips yet? Does is synch with OS X at all? I'm not too concerned, but it'd be a bonus.

04-13-2002, 05:19 PM	#13
graphiteman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: My Little Corner in Cyberspace Posts: 428	I have a Visor Prism (I got it for Xmas). It does sync with OS X using Desktop 4.0. The only annoying thing is that during every HoySync, it tries to install a new version of the PalmOS, which fails due to the fact that a Visor cannot be upgraded. Other than that, it's fine. Oh, and didn't the Newton's use a StrongARM Processor? "Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Think Different

04-14-2002, 10:54 PM	#14
applenut Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: da Bronx Posts: 5,688	My brother just bought a Visor Edge today. Got it for 129 dollars at BestBuy, new in box. Can't beat that

04-15-2002, 12:17 AM	#15
CosmoNut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Non-Cupertino-based Posts: 4,831	[quote]Originally posted by graphiteman: <strong>The only annoying thing is that during every HoySync, it tries to install a new version of the PalmOS, which fails due to the fact that a Visor cannot be upgraded.</strong><hr></blockquote> You can avoid that by removing the OS upgrades from the "Files to Install" folder in your Palm profile. Use Sherlock to find it, since I don't know exactly where it'd be on OS X. After you do that it won't have a problem. I like my Visor Edge a lot! It's thin, light, VERY solid, and has overall improved my organization immensely. AppleInsider's "journalists" are anything but.

04-20-2002, 12:36 AM	#16
orque Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 13	Thanks for the tip on remove the OS update thing. It was already starting to drive me batty . After a week with my Visor I'm liking it very much. I have to get over the geekiness factor though. Sometimes I feel a bit silly whipping it out.

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