Rating: 
Summary: The Palm IIIc is EXCELLENT!
Review: The Palm IIIc is my first Palm Pilot and I am throughly satisfied with it. I looked at every Palm out there and decided on this one for the color feature and the 8 megs of RAM. I am an avid Internet user, but after checking out the 2 megs of RAM that came with the Palm VII, I decided against it. Why pay the same amount of money for 6 LESS megs and minus the color? In the future they will make a color, wireless, 8 meg model and I will be first in line to purchase that one. In the meantime I am happy with my IIIc. I don't find the color grainy or the applications hard to use. I have an online calendar at www.anyday.com and I can HotSync it with my Palm IIIc so I don't have to spend long hours filling in stuff in my Palm. It works out great. I compared the Palm to the Visor and Casio models but found that if you want a handheld more for organizational purposes that the Palm is better. If you want it as a toy that plays MP3's, etc etc then go for the Casio models but don't expect the same quality when it comes to the calendar,etc. I needed it mostly for my calendar, but the other features make it so more worthwhile. As for negative aspects, I have not found many. The battery life is very long and if you charge it every night you will not have a problem with it running out. Don't bother buying what they call a "travel" charger. Just charge it as you normally would from any outlet with the serial port charger they provide you with. It does not need to be plugged in the back of a computer to work. They are just trying to make an extra buck. Overall, the IIIc is a great buy if it is what you are looking for in features. Not everyone has the same requirements so make sure to check out all the features and specs on the different brand handhelds and make the decision for yourself. If you find your needs meets those of the IIc, then you cannot go wrong!
Rating: 
Summary: Taking the better with the bad
Review: The IIIc is the long awaited colour palm, and everyone buying it now will be able to say years down the road that they had "the first". The display is great for average apps, and the ability to be able to whip out a scanned photo to show or distribute to people (which would have been nearly meaningless with black and white) is what will likely attract most. On a small screen displaying 256 colors it is still possible to impress and be impressed with the quality (although possibly only because this is the first generation). PalmOS 3.5 has a lot of nice new features to it, but with every advance, as old Win 3.1 users remember when Win 95 came out, not all apps run nicely on the new system. Most professional packages seem to run smoothly, but when you mix in a little freeware and shareware watch out. There is more to be said good for the new OS than bad, however. Back to the issue of the display. People who are used to the Palm III and V displays (or IBM Workpad displays) may need to take a little time adjusting your hand to the new screen. Writing does not seem as "smooth" out of the box as it should, but I noticed that playing Giraffe for about 15 minuites fixed my (or the screen's) initial edginess. By far the biggest drawback to the IIIc is the battery. The battery life itself is not bad, considering its a color display: 2 weeks standing, by most reports, and anywhere between 4-20 hours use, depending upon how high the backlighting is turned up. The probelm is with the fact that the battery is entirely internal. If it goes bad, or if the device is used long enough to actually outlive the usability of the battery (in this day and age?) you need to go to a professional to have it changed. A removable rechargable battery would have removed all of my initial reservations about the IIIc, as there really aren't too many other problems with it. All in all, for those going out to buy their first Palm the IIIc is a good choice. If you don't need or want colour, the Vx is an equally good option... but you may regret it when you see the display on the IIIc. For those with a more recent Palm already (III, V, or VII series) it may be worth the wait to see what other companies plan on doing with colour devices before jumping on the IIIc.
Rating:
Summary: Great PDA if you want color
Review: I have used the Palm V for a year and stepped up to the IIIc because the 2MB of memory on the Palm V was getting to be tight. What I noticed with the IIIc was that out of the box there is very little color support in the standard apps. Palm provides a couple of add-ons though that show off it's capability. Like the picture viewer. In the past months I've seen a rapid conversion of apps to support color. From datebook software ( Datebk, ActionNames ), to spreadsheets ( Tinysheet ) to games ( too numerous ) and webbrowsers like AvantGo. Then there is that little handy program called Chrome that allows you to customize colors, even the standard apps. Btw. this is what I love about the Palm platform, whatever need arises, there will be someone to write a piece of software to address it. In any event, even if 3rd party software has not been converted yet, it will still run but show in B/W. This is a good example of how Palm doesn't leave it's customers in the cold imho. Even with the new OS there is backward compatibility (got that, Bill?) I found the color screen a pleasure to use. The black on white screen is very readable for e-books. Palm is working with Adobe to convert their PDF reader to PalmOS, so 'cleartype' technology will be available on Palm soon. The screen is really bright, I had to turn down the brightness sometimes because it hurt my eyes, that was good ofcourse since it increases battery life. The screen looks vibrant and can be read even from an angle as opposed to the color screen on the HP Jornada. Outside the screen is hard to read because the bright light washes out the colors. This is a common problem with color screens. Make sure whether you will use your PDA inside or outside and consider the screen you want in that context. The screen is somewhat pixelated due to it's 160x160 resolution. However, it doesn't hurt the eyes or tire you. Battery life was acceptable. On a 3 week business trip I had to recharge it only once. You want to keep the brightness down to preserve battery life, but that shouldn't be a problem since the screen is so bright anyway. You will get less battery life if you are outside a lot because you have to turn the screen all the way to be able to see anything. The downside for me is size. I don't care what anyone says...you can NOT comfortably carry a Palm in a shirt pocket. I carry it in my pants pocket, with the V I would forget I had it until I needed it. The IIIc, it's just always 'there'. For that reason I actually returned the IIIc and got the Vx instead. Ofcourse, this is a personal issue, I can only recommend to hold both a V and III in your hand and decide what you can live with. Too me, the V is the only acceptable formfactor, what good is a PDA if you don't ALWAYS want to carry it with you? If it's uncomfortable carrying around, you're going to start leaving it home. However, if you really want color, the IIIc is still the lightest and smallest color PDA around with the longest battery life.
Rating: 
Summary: Same Palm only in Color
Review: When people look for color in a PDA, look for more than just checking their contacts and schedules. Palm OS does that great very well, but why would you need color in your monday schedule? The Palm IIIc is the same basic Palm IIIxe, but adds color and rechargeable batteries. However it still lacks expandability, and you'll pay extra money just to look your daily routine in color. Even the color in the core software is mainly just black over white. There are no improvements in software. The Palm IIIc has the same software of the other units. For example the better looking Datebook4 (which allows you to customize your calendar better) is not included in the package, and you'll need to pay extra for it. Same applies if you want to store pictures (at least a useful feature for color). Web browsing with the Palm OS is limitted, you only get snipets of special web sites. Color in this category would have required a fully charged browser, capable of browsing the web like the new Pocket PCs. Nada. If you look for games, other color offerings from non-palm vendors make gaming much more enjoyable, in addition to a lot of other things, such as video player, photos, MP3's etc. In Palm terms this features are non-existent. The casing is bigger and takes a toll in battery life. The new Pocket PCs, like the HP Jornada is ligther and there is no room for comparison in features, usability and screen display between the Palm and the HP. EVEN in the price. People looking for color in a handheld is people looking to do more things than the simple things the Palm does very well. The launch of the IIIc should have been more than a color version of the series III. It should have been a multimedia Palm. A Palm for the ones who had hacked their machines with software improvements looking for more than the basic package. In any case, you are paying as if for such. If Palm was to launch a color version of the Pilot, it should had to undergone a major improvement of the Palm OS, to compete in the demanding segment of users who look for color to do more things with their PDA's, as in the case of the Pocket PCs. Sytling should had to be revised and go with a more distinct style, rather than the same plastic casing of the traditional Palm. If you are looking for color, is for something worthy. Even if you are a Palm devotee, take a look at other offerings, it will do you no harm.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good, but not perfect
Review: The Palm IIIC is definitely a nice step up for Palm. Don't expect much stuff in color out of the box, though. You'll get the best results with add-on programs. DateBk4, for instance, is just superb in color. I love my monthly view with all the little colored icons. Some of the games out now are a delight in color, with more coming. But it's definitely not perfect. Others have mentioned how pixelated it looks. This does seem to bother some people more than others. I don't mind it a whole lot, but it definitely can't compare with the great color screens on the Pocket PCs. (I get a kick out of the uproar over the latest Jornada being 12-bit rather than 16-bit as advertised, I would KILL for 12-bit on the Palm!) Viewing outdoors is indeed problematic, but I found that turning the brightness all the way up and lightly shading the screen is enough for me to use it. Not ideal perhaps, but fine with me. I tend to use my Palm in poorly lit situations...there the color screen is a delight versus that hideous green reverse backlighting. Again, you can turn the brightness down when less is needed easily enough. Looking at the Pocket PCs though, Palm has a LONG way to go. They are pretty much the size of the Palm IIIC now, but with more memory, better color screens, faster processors, etc. Slightly worse battery life perhaps, but not significantly so. I am also still looking for some REAL improvements in the base applications. Progress on the Palm platform seems to be going too slowly for this dedicated user. Not sure I am switching yet, but I am definitely getting tempted. If you really want color, it just isn't that big a jump to get a Pocket PC. However, the 3rd party apps right now keep Palm in the lead.
Rating:
Summary: A colorful, powerful Palm in a neat small package!
Review: I find the Palm IIIc absolutely wonderful! It is stunning to view, and with the 8MB of memory I have plenty of room to write down/enter everything I might need. I am in the medical field and I use it for entering lab results, making treatment notes, jotting down phone numbers etc. It makes my lab coat pocket much less crowded than dozens of notes on tiny bits of paper! The color allows me to divide notes more easily - patients, professional, personal etc. I carry it everywhere and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite Ready for Prime Time :(
Review: Most people who are considering a IIIc are probably also considering the Vx, so this review is partially by way of a direct comparison between the two. First, the screen. Color is cool, no doubt. But Palm has missed the boat with this screen. Yes, it's bright.....darn bright. You could light Chicago with the thing. But that's not what is important here. The real problem lies with the fact that the resolution is only 160 x 160. Palm had to keep it this way, as all Palm OS software is written for screens of this size. But when a color screen this size has such a low resolution, there are problems. In comparison to the Vx's gorgeously clear monochrome screen, the IIIc's seems very blurry and bleedy. The pixels are large and blocky. But worst of all is the fact that the pitch of the pixels (the space between individual ones) is too large. There is a visible space between each and every pixel. While this may not seem like much, it is very hard on the eyes after a few minutes. Your eyes begin to notice the "checkerboard" pattern of the screen, and it starts to make your eyes swim. The best way to describe it is to look at a pattern of tightly packed black and white lines for a minute or so. After a while, it's very distracting. That, unfortunately is what happens with the IIIc. After about 5 minutes, I just couldn't watch it anymore. And don't forget, when you use a Palm, you're looking at it from only about a foot away, at most. The other problem with the screen is that it DOES wash out in bright light. If you even consider using your palm outside in the sunlight, it's a BIG problem. Physically, the IIIc is noticeably larger in the hand than the other Palm III handhelds. And next to the Vx, it's absolutely gargantuan. Battery life is another consideration here. The IIIc has a battery life of about 6 to 7 hours of constant use. But that's with the brightness set to the default of about 25-30%, which is fine for low-light situations, but will not do for anything else. This, of course, will eat more power, dropping life even further. The Vx lasts between 30 and 40 hours no matter what. I applaud Palm for making the jump for color, and I'm sure that eventually, all Palms will have it. But for now, the technology is still in its infancy. If you absolutely must have a color handheld, I would suggest the Cassiopea, or the offering from HP, both of which have drop-dead gorgeous screens. The best way to look at it is this; the Vx represents the ultimate extension and refinement to the current monochrome technology. It's slim, elegant, powerful and light. While the Palm IIIc is definitely the wave of the future, it's just the first step. Bravo Palm, for your efforts, but I'm going to wait a while for the Palm V-color to get my color fix.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Palm yet!
Review: The Palm IIIc is great! The 8megs of space is really good especially for all those games we know you have in there. The color screen is very easy to read, and the battery lasts very long. You can even E-mail from here!
Rating:
Summary: Good colour, bad battery life
Review: Why bother with colour? Never mind prettier graphics. Colour helps you with your diary and to-do list, and that's why a colour organiser is such a good idea. Particular types of entries can be made different colours - eg put birthdays in blue, assignment due-dates in red, etc. That way you only have to glance at the screen to see whether you've got any very important stuff coming up. (Oh no! Something in red! I'd better take note of it!) In monochrome screens, the very important things would get lost in among the birthdays, and you'd have to sit there actually reading all your entries to see what your deadlines are. (And with a full diary, who has time to wade through it all?) I took a look at two colour organisers - the Palm IIIc and the Jornada 545. The big difference is the type of screen they have. The Jornada has a passive matrix screen, so you have to hold it at just the right angle or the screen disappears. The Palm's is active matrix, so you don't have that problem. So the Palm wins out (for me), although I must say the Jornada has many more multimedia features, eg you can watch movies on it. (Can't say I need that though). The only drawback of these things is the battery life. A Palm IIIc lasts for 8 hours. The Palm Vx lasts for 40 hours! Do you have a job that allows you to be home every evening and recharge your Palm? If so, the battery issue would be less important, and I'd go for the colour one. But me personally - I figure I'm awake for about 16 hours a day, and there are nights that I'm going to forget to charge the thing up, so I want one that has lots more battery life. Therefore, I'm going for the Vx. But as soon as they bring out a colour Palm with a longer battery life, I'll change over!
Rating:
Summary: The perfect gift!
Review: I have owned a Palm Pilot (Personal Edition) for 3 years. My wonderful wife knew how much I used it and how much I enjoyed it, so she bought me the IIIc for Fathers day. (She could'nt wait to give it to me : ) If you are still hanging on to your older Palm, then the IIIc is MOST CERTAINALY worth the cost. Some reviewers have complained about the color and brightness. Moving from monochrome to 256 colors is nothing to complain about. I have had no problems using my IIIc outside or heavly lit rooms. The charge life is good and like the documentation says, if you USE your Palm frequently and HOT SYNC daily, then you should never have to worry about running out of power. The Email/Outlook conduit that comes with the IIIc is excellent. I now can carry around COLOR pictures of my twins to show every one without whipping out the wallet. Album To Go makes this very simple and does a great job of porting your pictures to the IIIc If you DO get one, be prepared for the 4 hour out-of-the-box first charging requirement : ) Its worth the wait!
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