Rating: 
Summary: It's pretty good, but...
Review: Despite all of the caustic, 1-star reviews, I decided to buy a Palm m505 and try it out for myself. At first glance, the m505 is very aesthetically pleasing, similar to the Palm V series. The images are very misleading - the icons are not all bluish-purple and it is possible to see the colors even with the backlight turned off. However, as many people have said, the screen could definitely be improved with respect to contrast. In a room, the screen can be hard to see without the backlight, but that can be said for any handheld, just more so for the m505. Out in the sunlight, the colors are easily seen and I believe that it definitely helps. I’ve compared black & white and color versions of programs, and the color is definitely more easy to look at. Rather than 16 shades of gray, which gets annoying very quickly, the Palm m505 includes thousands of colors that make even the most simple programs a lot easier to look at.One of my gripes is with the HotSync cradle. When the Palm m505 is inserted completely into the cradle, there is a gap between the bottom of the palm and the cradle. The process of removing the Palm from the cradle involves tilting the Palm towards you and pulling up, usually making a somewhat loud snapping sound. While it may be sturdy, I’m always afraid that I may have broken the cradle. Palm could’ve definitely improved on this. Now moving off the bad parts, the Palm m505 has a lot of great features. The one I like especially comes only with the m505 and not the m500, which is the backlit silkscreen area. When the backlight is on, the silkscreen area at the bottom is also lit up, showing the four icons and a well-defined graffiti area. Both Palms come with essentially the same software. I like the fact that Palm has included Documents to Go Pro 3.0. It has very good integration with my existing Microsoft Office. It also comes equipped with PalmReader, which is essential for anyone who reads eBooks on the go. The one thing I liked about Palms over PocketPCs was the sheer amount of software available, both to try and to purchase. The software ranges from cookbooks to slideshow software. The expansion slot was a long-since needed idea. It allows the use of MMC in order to increase memory and expandability. I use a lot of large programs like AvantGo and Vindigo and it is nice to be able to expand beyond the 8 MB limit. When you’re installing software to your Palm while it has an expansion card in it, you have the choice of installing it onto the card. When the card is plugged in, it’s basically like another folder in which you can access your programs. Overall, the Palm m505 is a nice piece of hardware. I’d have to agree with many people who say that the m505 is not the brightest looking handheld on the market. However, I would definitely not give it only 1 star because of that. When I use my handheld where I usually do, outside, it works fine. Beyond the brightness issue, the software included and available for download, the expansion slot, and the continuance of the excellent Palm V series design make the Palm m505 a very good buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Expansion Card???
Review: I looked forward to using the expansion card to store large files such as many of the medical programs(e-pocrates,5emc,jhabx guide)I use. They wont run these programs,what a shame because these are the exact large files you would like to keep on an expansion card to free up your main memory. I tried two different SD cards without any success including the Palm brand SD card. I sent an e-mail to palm re this problem and recieved the following response "databases or any other program that stores information can not be run on the palm expansion card" I wonder what the good people at palm thought people would want to put on 16mb and greater expansion cards???? I took mine back and am currently exploring other products. I was a big palm fan but this product seem to have been poorly tested in a rush to get it on the market. BUYER BEWARE OF THE EXPANSION CARD THAT DOESN'T
Rating:
Summary: Don't listen
Review: If you are thinking about getting this but have read the reviews about the screen, ignore them. I read how horrible it was and seriously considered canceling my order. I am glad I didn't. Yes, in low light situations you have to turn on the backlight. But, if you ride the subway or work in an office with bright overhead lights you are fine. Or, if like me you plan on spending some (hopefully serious) time on a sunny beach this summer you will also be fine. But, if you are expecting a screen that looks like what you are looking at now, ie. at least a 15 inch color screen, you are living in a dream world. ...it is a fun addition especially if you plan on doing anything "color oriented" like storing pictures or even just playing games.
Rating: 
Summary: Palm M505
Review: The Palm M505 is a pretty good palm. It has the memory card expansion feature and is pretty light. The color screen is not as bright as you would think. It is used best outside as palm intended it to be, and inside you need to have the back light on and it works perfectly.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't buy the m505
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Want to love it ..... Can't
Review: I purchased this handheld about a week ago. I upgraded from a Vx. With the back light on, it is AWESOME! Unfortunately, the back light does not help in office lighting or overcast daylight. Without the back light I am afraid I will go blind trying to use this product. I am going to hold onto it, however, and hope that Palm comes to it's sensed and publishes an O/S patch to allow for contrast adjustment or recall the unit for hardware repair/upgrade. Palm, if you are listening, do the right thing and fix this!
Rating:
Summary: Not perfect, but pocketable!
Review: I've had a Palm since they first came out. I had pre-ordered the M505 through Palm, but cancelled after reading several negative reviews about the color display. After seeing it in the stores, I purchased it and am delighted. True, the display isn't perfect, and does require the backlight in most indoor situations. However, the backlight solves the problem indoors, and outdoors its very readable. The features are great, the subtle improvements to the applications are helpful, and it's very well made. Above all, I can put it in my pocket now (the IIIe was clunky.) If size matters to you...you'll want the M505. if you want extremely crisp, clear color, buy a 27" Sony Trinitron!
Rating:
Summary: DO NOT BUY THIS!!
Review: I am so glad that I went to the store before I bought this item. Currently, I have the PALM IIIC and I like it a lot. The only option that I wish it had was an expansion slot like the Visor products. Along comes the M505 solving the expansion slot problem and I really wanted to trade up. I went Best Buy to get a demo and let me tell you, the screen is awful. It is very dim and even with the backlight on, it doesn't compare to the IIIC. Save your money. I opted for the Visor Prism instead.
Rating:
Summary: See how dim it is before you buy
Review: The color screen is indeed dim, compared to all other color PDAs on the market. Make sure you see one in action before you buy. Check out a friend's, or see the display section at CompUSA where you can try one out. Once I did that I cancelled my plans to buy an m505....
Rating:
Summary: sweet, but not worth the money
Review: First reaction on using the new m505 is that it looks sexy, has a great screen, and will offer major improvements over its predecessors. Unfortunately it does not live up to that expectation. For the money, the older V series offers everything significant but the color screen, and I actually found the screen on the V to be easier to read! And since that V is now... less than the m505, its a no brainer. I don't think that Palm put in enough new features to justify the expense. Its all sizzle and no steak. Save your money and keep your old Palm, or buy the V series and put (money) into your pocket.
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