Rating: 
Summary: Cheap but not great
Review: I had a Handspring Visor that I quite liked but I dropped it. It was under warranty and I got a replacement... Unfortunately, 6 months after receiving the new one, the lines on the screen just started disappearing - first 3 lines then over 10 lines within a week. AND...no longer under warranty.So...assuming dropping a handheld could happen again I went cheap. Here's what I don't like: 1. Although Handspring used Palm software, the graffiti on this palm is different and much more annoying - crossing "t's", dotting "i's". I don't know why they did this and if it is true for all new "palms" but I don't like it.
2. The front flap - cheesy in the extreme. Don't know why they couldn't put a metal flip top on it.
3. When enetering data, seconds pass before seeing the words on the screen - probably not much if I timed it but definitely a delay vs the Handspring. Don't know if this is a software thing.
4. The software no longer has floating enteries which I found much more useful than the "to do" list. On the other hand...not having a cradle is no problem, I don't know why people feel it is so much better. And, as I type this, it occurs to me that I could try to load my old Handspring Visor software into this Palm...will check on that. That would leave the nasty plastic cover and I can probably find a case similar to what I had on my Handspring. The bottom line is that it was still the cheapest around and as much as I'd like to have phone, mp3, palm all in one, I just don't trust the longevity of these machines.
Rating:
Summary: More of a student model than adequate adult model...
Review: I looked into this model to replace my son's ailing M100 palm pilot. At that time the M100 was the entry level palm on the market. There were design issues with that model and several componants and in fact the entire unit was replaced by Palm during the warentee period. I will say that even though the customer support was a bit spotty, (some reps would say they couldn't replace only to have the next one say they could)it was overall quite good. Due to good support I felt comfortable looking at the brand again. Ultimately I went with a Handspring model for the bigger screen, back light and larger memory. With this models memory (2) it is difficult to justify the purchase if you plan on putting on additional software. There are many small programs that could be loaded but just a few *good* size programs would hog all the memory entirely. He had a few homework manager type programs on him M100 (same size memory) that required the bulk of the space. Being a child he wanted some games too or what was the fun of it... (ie: what was the incesntive to not lose it?)Some graphic intensive games themselves are quite large...We were always taking off one thing to load something else. I find palms screens a bit hard to read without reading glasses (something my child doesn't find hard to do, but since I am loading and maintianing the unit it mattered to me). This isn't a bad unit by any means. If your needs are entry level and will stay there perhaps this is a good choice. If your need to load software will be minimal this might be a good choice as well but I'm not sure that is something you would know when you purchase. It is usually better to purchase the *most* technology you can afford. And the newest. This version of OS is not the newest. Some available software will not be written for it. Most will, but some will be written for a newer OS (I also had to make a decision to choose an older OS witht he handpring, it is a give and take for features) For a bit more money you can get quite a bit more whallop. And for a modest amount more you can get a significant amount more whallop. I'm afraid that with this unit, you are starting at 2 steps back already....unless, as I said, your needs are very minimal and will stay that way.
Rating: 
Summary: A good one really, for a PDA beginner.
Review: Intelligently understands letters that u write on it. Easy to work with. The Palm sync is also a no hassle. If you want to buy a PDA that just has to do its work simply, and you want it handy & cool, then I would recommend this. It doesnot have a backlit display though which would have been a nicer addition.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic for first-time users, not for PDA-crazys
Review: Are you considering whether or not you can get used to entering data on a PDA, rather than using biz cards, notes, Dayrunners, etc? This is a perfect device for that purpose. You will be able to get used to the grafitti system of writing, and test to see your "dedication" to integrating a PDA into your life. If you decide yes to the PDA lifestyle, the Zire will help you figure out what features would be helpful/appropriate (mostly because of the Zire's capabilities gaps. If you decide that a PDA isn't for you, you've only spent 100 bucks on the experiment. If you are a PDA-crazy that scans the web for news of new PDA features and eagerly rush to the store for the latest model, obviously this is not the device for you. It's only got 2 megs of memory, no card expansion capabilities, no communications abilities, etc. If you are reading this review, you are most likely not a fanatic like the ones described above, since they know the Zire is a beginner's PDA, and would have no reason to be reading Amazon reviews of it. The Zire served me well for about six months, and now I'm upgrading to a "grown-up" PDA. I'll end up spending significantly more money on a new model, but at least I know I'm going to use the thing, after doing the inexpensive Zire experiment and deciding that I am PDA-compatible. I dropped the rating down to three stars for one major reason: no backlight. When I was in the dark, my schedule was as well. Such a feature should not be an option on ANY PDA, even a "Fisher-Price My First PDA" like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Best selling PDA!
Review: It might look featureless to experienced Palm users but its does all that it promises superbly. Only problems I see are no backlight and just 2MB memory. This is 2003 and still so low memory & no backlight is beyond my understanding. Maybe these compromises were needed to make this price point and get more people to Palm OS camp & show them the beauty of Palm OS. But true to Palm style its simple to use, lasts very very long on a single charge and beats all the expensive Windows PDA's in usability & reliability. Follows the 'Zen of Palm' very well. Its the lowest weight PDA I have seen and looks very good like an iPod. And it can be found very cheap on other websites, its overpriced at full retail price. I heard that Palm is coming up with its replacement in October first week at same price. If the new Zire comes with 8MB & backlight LCD, it will beat the sales record created by this one. One thing very clear is that this PDA has made more than a million new Palm users who will eventually generate more revenue for Palm when they upgrade & keep share of Windoze PDA's low. All in all a great attempt from Palm!
Rating:
Summary: Good for "soccer moms" but not much else
Review: This PDA is excellent for Soccer Moms or people who use their PDA's specifically for an address book and calendar. You won't be able to fit much else on this, because of it's 2MB RAM and no expansion. I personally don't recommend this Palm. If you KNOW 100% for sure that you will never do anything else but address book and calendar, then go for it. If you think there is even a remote possibility you may want to TAKE PICTURES, maybe som MP3's, some GAMES, then spend an extra $200 for a Zire 71. It has 16MB RAM, a Camera, MP3 capability, and expandibilty. Pro's
-Cheap
Con's
-Cheap feeling
-Cheap Case
-Overpriced
-Cheap Cover
-Cheap "Box"
-This model is just a reincarnation of the m100, which can be had for $50[].
-Nothing really exciting Now, I realize this is an entry level model. One thing: it is way too overpriced. Palm is probably making $80 per unit. They are selling refurb. m100's (same as Zire but no rechargeable battery) for $50[]
Rating: 
Summary: Zire is a Crappy Product
Review: I purchased a Zire at Fry's on sale for $... Less than six months later, it dies totally. It will not turn on; it will not reboot. Palm's warranty is only for 90 days and Palm's minimum charge to repair the Zire is $... Palm's suggestion? Buy another pda. Yeah, right. I'll buy another, but it won't be Palm.
Rating:
Summary: Too expensive, lacking features.
Review: This little unit looks nice, but it does not compare to the superior Palm IIIxe. The screen is smaller, and it has no backlight or IR port. To top it off, it costs about twice as much as the Palm IIIxe. If you want style, purchase this unit. If you want features and cost savings, purchase the Palm IIIxe...you can get one new for around $... if you shop around.
Rating:
Summary: Great Basic Handheld
Review: The Palm Zire has a great price and offer good features for basic handheld. My only regrets are it uses a mini USB and no expanson slot. You can only download a limited number of program because it's 2MB of memory. Good for first time users and people that use it for simple tasks like address book.
Rating:
Summary: Palm and Amazon, not a match made in Heaven
Review: I like my Palm Zire, but I can't hotsync it because the cable was missing, when shipped.
Amazon says its Palm's problem and Palm says Amazon owes me one.
So who stinks more?
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