PalmOne m505 Color Handheld
by Palm
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Our Price: $444.57 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $29.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of PalmOne m505 Color Handheld
Customer Review: Don't buy the m505
Summary: 1 Stars
I usually never write reviews of products, but I felt compelled to this time. First, I am very disappointed at the quality of the color screen. Unless the back light is turned on, it looks very much like a monochrome screen. Even the resolution is unchanged from the Palm V. There is really no excuse for the customer to tolerate this, with new products around the corner from Sony with beautiful higher resolution screens. Second, the are few advantages over the palm V model, with those being the ability to expand the memory, and mobile connectivity. These two things hardly justify the heafty price. One would think that at the steep price... the unit would at least come with some additional memory over the palm V, but no, it only comes with 8 meg, anything more will cost still more $$$. In another attempt to soak the consumer, all mobile consnectivity costs extra. The modem is another $100, and there is monthly fee for mobile service. I don't expect the moblie service to be free, but ... I do expect the harware that is needed to use this service to be included. To add insult to injury, my unit was not functional when I received it, it was unable to receive a charge from the cradle. When I called tech support they said that they had heard of this problem with other units; so customers be warned. In summary, this product seems largely unchanged from the Palm V, with a few additional capabilities that are available if you wish to shell out even more money above the already inflated price. Just be aware, that even if you are willing to do this, you may still wind up with the hassle of having to return your defective product, and patiently wait for a replacement.Customer Review: Not as bad as expected
Summary: 4 Stars
I was scared to buy the Palm m505 because I read all the reviews on how the color screen was too dim, there was no contrast, and people had to consistently use the backlight. But I found that the unit's color deficiency is not really that important. Compared to the V unit that I owned previously to this one, I found that both the units display about the same intensity of light (although Palm V had contrast included). Under normal lighting conditions (i.e. in my office), I can see perfectly fine on my unit and the color is discernable. I found that people who are really into getting bright colors should check out something like the new but bulkier Sony Clie products. As for me, the Palm's sleekness, its size and functionality are unbeaten especially for the V, Vx, m500 and m505 series of Palms. The only complaint that I can really offer and the reason I can't give this product 5 stars is the same as I've seen from other users in that Palm really messed up in not making its m500 series backward compatible in terms of cases and accessories. What irritated me more than the color screen was the fact that I can't use any of my old Palm V accessories with this Palm. I have to purchase a new case and keyboard specifically designed for the m500 series (when I know that most users assumed the m500 series was an extension of the V, Vx series of Palms). Because this is the first time Palm has done anything to upset me with their product, I decided to stay becuase the organizer is such a good product. But if Palm decided to do this gimmick again on their next series of Palms, I would seriously consider switching over to another PDA or Pocket PC device.
Customer Review: Very good device --- Go for it !
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the many PDA's I have used. Last one was a Handsping Visor Prism. I can really compare it to the 505:1. Handspring has no bugs. Never crashed, never got a problem with hotsync (and I have a lot to synchronize each time). However, there is a fix from Palm (at their support web site) to fix USB hotsync problems (when accessing oustide databases such as Avantgo).
2. Handspring has a better screen. No doubt about it. You must use the backlit all the time on the 505. Again, there is file that you can download that keeps the backlit on all the time. I recommend using it, even if it may drains the battery faster. But I have seen very negative comments about the 505 screen, come on it is much better than the V! And you don't use a PDA to watch photos or videos, this is ridiculous!
3. Palm is light and smaller. It fits into your shirt pocket, the Handspring does not even fit in any pocket!
4. Included software. There all a lot of included software with the Palm which are really good. Such as Document to go which helps me visualize Word and Excel documents on my Palm. The software alone prices at ..., it is free with the Palm.
5. Expansion. Yes, there are not so many expansion card at this time, but they are really using a much better technology than the Handspring, and they are much smaller.
6. OS. Much faster, by far, than the Handspring. Hotsyncs? may be 5 times faster!
7. Price. Yes, it is a little bit more expensive than the Prism, but with all included software, this is a better deal.
Overall, go for it, Palm has demonstrated in the past that they can really deliver and market good products.
Customer Review: Nice & small but lacks screen contrast/brightness controls
Summary: 3 Stars
Being new to the Palm universe, I purchased this for its small size (it easily slides into a shirt pocket) and the fact that my boss has the same model. Beaming him address items and schedule changes has made life a bit easier. However, its small size was a factor on why I chose the Palm m505 over a Handspring Visor.Unlike some (many?) users here, I have had no problem synching the device to my PC and my Mac. Installing the SW and synching has been a breeze. The Palm 4.0 desktop OS is also a straightforward program that's easy to navigate.
I've also dropped the device on occasion, and thankfully, my data remained intact.
My only gripe is the lack of screen contrast & brightness controls. Without the built-in light, the screen can be hard to see in low-light conditions. With the built-in light turned on, the screen is easy to see, although it wears down your batteries more quickly. I have learned to live with this flaw and will not purchase a new Palm anytime soon.
Palm just released the m515, which has those screen controls. Unless you can get a better deal on the m505, I recommend the newer model if you are really concerned about the screen brightness.
UPDATE: In January 2003, my m505 suddenly was unable to sync with my PC. After a few e-mails and phone calls to Palm, I learned that this model (and the m500) are prone to hotsync failures due to static electricity. Shipping the m505 to Palm and a quick hotsync with the backed-up data on my PC fixed the problem. The m505 was back in my hands in less than a week, and the only cost to me was for shipping.
Customer Review: Palm m505... best yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been an avid Palm Pilot user since the Palm Pilot Personal came out several years ago. Like many users, I never gave up my old Palm Pilot Personal. I even purchased a replacement housing after so many accidental drops to the ground. I would have not retired the old Palm Pilot until recently, when I received a Palm m505 as a gift from my wife.It only took me a few minutes to load the new software on my desktop computer, attached the HotSync cradle on one of my USB ports, docked the new unit, and completed the HotSync process which loaded every information including password protected items into the new unit. It was a no-brainer!
The display is great and gets even better when needing to turn on the backlight which provides an awesome contrast.
I don't have to carry a thick wallet filled with pictures of my loved ones anymore. I download their pictures using the MGI's software (included in the box) and I can stare at them and even run a slide show for anyone who wants to see pictures of my family. Great resolution by the way.
Battery drain you might ask? no problem I take down notes with the backlight on and I still have plenty of power to use and besides if you think it starts going low beyond the hi mark of the battery symbol, just dock it on to the HotSync cradle and it gets charged in minutes.
I have done my own research on the latest PDA's and by far the Palm m505 is the best one out there.
I will give you more info on this new Palm unit later to cover other features such as the expansion card and others.
Enjoy this one!!! -Tom L.