Rating: Summary: About the most dependable PALM on the market Review: The Palm Vx, acording the CNET has over a 93% approval rating, could save Palm, Inc. It is like HP 12C financial calculator, a quality product in 1985 that people still buy in 2001 at a premium price even though one could buy a graphing calculator with computer like processing for a similiar price. The Palm Vx is a perfect Read Mostly - Write Occasionaly device(New Word -ReeMWOe)because there is no boot-up time, it is crash-resistant, it is lightweight, and it has long battery life to access lots of text and some photographs and drawings. Palm can maintain a premium price by *maintaining quality, *maintaining full data and hardware capability so that one can buy a new Palm Vx and slip it straight into the old cradle, the old keyboard, modem, etc., * enhancing reliability and lowering manufacturing costs by refining and tweaking, * replacing defective components immediately that the premium price will allow, * refining battery life and *use technological advances to lower manufacturing costs, lighten themachine and make it thinner. A key to Palm is software. The key is the conduit. Feed the Palm Vx data: lots of names, events and to-do's with a quality computer database or project manager program that uses the conduit, for example TimeMatters, a networked or single user project manager with conduit support out-of-the box. Feed the Palm Vx one's own computer documents like reports, memorandums, spreadsheets and even photographs and drawings. Palm, Inc. should increase out-of the-box synching for third party applications like Documents-to-Go for (Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Quattro, etc.) If you want a machine that turns on as dependably as a calculator, then one should consider the Palm Vx and so should Palm, Inc. I highly recommend this PALM device!
Rating: Summary: What a disappointment Review: I recently got a Vx and what a disappointment! It is not upgradable. The recharger is expensive if you want one at the office. There is no backup, so if the battery goes dead you lose all your data. It comes with bare bones software and the add-ons are expensive. I quickly used up the 8 MB of memory and now I have to discard this one and buy something that better suits my needs. Don't waste your money on this one. Other brands have more to offer.
Rating: Summary: Super Duper Goody Poody! Review: Well, I can't help but agree with most other users in that the Palm Vx is a wonderful PDA, and I regret losing mine (only con: it's small, if that's a con.). The 8mb of RAM is the best it gets with the Palm platform, and is way better than my Palm VII's 2mb. The PalmOS operating system is versatile and powerful, with tons of third party software developers out there, and even more progrmams. Back to the first Pilots, Palm PDAs have shown this and proven themselves worthy. If I were to get a non "m"-series Palm PDA, I'd definetly take this one.
Rating: Summary: Complimentary upgrade Review: I was to recieve a complimentary upgrade with my order. Please follw up and forward the upgrade to me. Thanks
Rating: Summary: A Great Palm! Review: I'm a diligent Palm fan and have walked the upgrade line from the Palm Pilot through the PalmIII to the PalmVx (and been forced to buy new peripherals with each since Palm has had different connectors on all the models so far). Each upgrade has only granted small improvements, but the latest PalmVx puts together the sleek case, the IR port and the large 8MB of memory well. The Palm should be best though of as a computer extension. It allows you take and work with vital information from your computer when you don't happen to be next to it. If you're looking for something you could use instead of your laptop, I would recommend looking at Compaq's iPac with WindowsCE. I enjoy my Palm because it syncs with Outlook (I use Pumatech's IntelliSync for this) at home and work holding all of my phone numbers and appointments. But this basic default functionality is only the tip of the iceberg with the Palm. What makes it great is there are so many programs out there you can install to get even more use from. I use a program called AvantGo that syncs on some of my favorite web sites (CNN, C-Net News, The Onion, etc.) for a good read on my train ride to/from work each day. I used TealDoc to read free books available online like "The Island of Doctor Moroe" or "The Man in the Iron Mask." There are thousands of books whose copyright has ended and are now freely available to download and read. Documents to Go lets me read and work on Word or Excel documents away from the desk. With FireViewer I take digital pictures of my friends and family everywhere I go. The Palm is a great desktop extension. It lets you take vital information with you everywhere and helps you keep track of all your personal information.
Rating: Summary: Do Not buy this PDA Review: Do not buy the palm Vx. We will leave aside the argument of whether you NEED a PDA and assume you (or the person you are buying for) actually can use one. The 8 Mb ram on this PDA is a joke. It is more than is necessary for appointments, addresses, etc., but not enough to run any real software. The memory is NOT upgradeable so you are stuck with it until you decide to throw out the Vx and buy a PDA with enough memory to be really useful. The Vx cradle is expensive to buy a second one, but that is the only way to recharge the battery or connect to your desktop computer. Don't forget it will cost you even more if you want to hook up to a Mac, and you can't hook up to a USB port. If you are getting your first PDA and only want addresses, appointments, and games then get a less expensive PDA and PLAN to throw it out in a year if you find you want more power. Even the least expensive models can do everything the Vx can. If you know you want something more than addresses and appointments then DEFINETELY get another PDA. I suggest something that has the ability to be upgraded so it won't be outdated by the time you figure out how to use it. (...)
Rating: Summary: Finally!!! I'm Organized! Review: It's true...I am a chronically unorganized person. My office is a mess, my desk is a mess, and my schedule...well we won't even talk about that. Fortunately, one aspect of my life has become a little easier to manage thanks to my brand spanking new Palm Vx. Until recently, I didn't really see the use in a PDA but when others in my office began raving about theirs, I took a leap of faith and bought a Vx. What Is It? Essentially, the Palm Vx is the high end (non-color) organizer offered by Palm. The Vx is capable of managing your calendar, email, task list, address book and offers a whole host of other capabilities through third-party software. The Vx has a sleek, silver aluminum case that offers more protection than the traditional plastic case. In addition, the Vx has a slim design that is nearly half the width of many of the other PDAs on the market. How Can It Organize My Life? First, get rid of that bulky Franklin planner! The Vx can store everything you would typically store without all that paper mess. Need to make a note? Write it in the Vx's notepad. Need to check your schedule? Check it out in the Vx's scheduler. Just about the only thing you can't do with a Vx that you could do with a Franklin is doodle (and I probably just haven't figured out how to do that yet). How Easy Is It To Install It? Installing the Vx is relatively easy. Just connect the cradle to a serial port on the back of your computer, pop in the CD and run the setup. The Palm Desktop software setup walks you through the process in about 5 minutes. Be careful, however, if you are going to use Outlook for your email client. In order to use Outlook, you have to have the PocketMirror software installed (it comes with the Palm CD). When the setup asks you if want to setup your PDA to read email, click the button that says "Learn More About Using Microsoft Outlook". This will setup the PocketMirror conduit and enable your Vx to read and send email through Outlook. ... Well, as I mentioned above, you get sleek looking PDA that replaces your traditional planner. On top of that, however, you get rechargeable NiCad batteries which are a must for anyone who uses their PDA a lot. There's nothing more irritating than to have your AA batteries die in the middle of a meeting. Also, you get a nice looking leather cover, which I promptly replaced with a BodyGlove neoprene cover for $20. I wanted the extra protection and I liked the ability to hold business cards in my PDA case. What Are The Downsides?? The first downside is lack of expandability. Although you are able to connect a modem for mobile access, I don't like the fact that you can't add more memory or modules such as MP3 players, digital cameras or any of the other modules offered for the Handspring. Apparently, Palm realized that I was not the only person who feels this way because the new generation of Palm PDAs (the m500 series) offer memory expansion slots and additional modules. Although it doesn't mater all that much to me, I guess some would consider the lack of color to be a downside. Although I did consider the Palm IIIc when looking at PDAs I chose to go with the smaller, lightweight model rather than the bulkier model that offered color. I don't miss having color so it's not really that big of a downside. The only other downside I see is the fact that the cradle shipped with the PDA runs off a serial port instead of a USB. Although I don't notice a big difference in the time it takes to sync, I would like to know that as serial port becomes more outdated, I can continue to use my PDA. Overall I am really impressed with my Vx. I have been using it for a couple of months now and have nothing but praise for it. The batteries hold their charge for quite a long time, the sync process is relatively quick, and the organizer itself has attracted a lot of comments. If you are considering a PDA, I would definitely take a look at the Vx. It's well worth the money.
Rating: Summary: A great device - you probably need it more than you think Review: You can read all you want about the specs on this thing. Instead, I'm going to go at this review by giving you a flavor for how I use mine. I've had my Vx for about a year and a half now. I'm very computer literate, with a professional job in which I travel often, have numerous appointments and am on the phone regularly. But until last year, I was married to my appointment book and Rolodex. In fact, I carried my Rolodex (yes, the entire thing) with me on trips. I finally gave up that circus act and bought a PDA. All I can say is that I feel empowered now. I have all my key information at my fingertips and the ability to add and delete, on a moment's notice, information like a new phone number or a change in the time of an appointment. I went with the Vx because of its sleek design. It slips easily in and out of my pants pocket or suit jacket inner pocket. The stylus is a bit dainty, but you have to deal with it to get the benefit of a thin device. Graffiti is easy and fast enough once you practice a little - the menus are easily accessible if you need help figuring out how to make a particular punctuation mark or some symbol. I find the hardcover is enough protection for the screen - no need to protect the entire device in another case. The screen is defintely vulnerable to scratches, so be careful to only use the stylus when writing or buy some of those disposable plastic sheets that overlay on the screen. It syncs very easily (one-touch in the cradle) and the battery will last for a couple weeks (probably 3 hours of usage) if you don't recharge it at all. I'd recommend synching at least every week so that your information is safely stored on your PC in case you lose the Palm (a nice benefit of PDAs that obviously didn't come with my appointment book/Rolodex setup - :). Note that you'll have to buy a cradle with a serial port (included with purchase) - I couldn't find one with a USB - so make sure you have a serial port on your laptop if that's what you'll be synching to, or you'll have to buy an adapter that would sit between the Vx and your laptop. What do I do with this thing? Just to give you a flavor, here are some things I can do now that make my life a lot easier. Since the Palm allows you to schedule a certain event on a recurring basis, I put an entry on my calendar for 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd of every month to change my furnace filters. And I set the alarm on the Palm just as a reminder. I also keep numerous memos, including one to write down any movies I'd like to rent when someone mentions a good one and another with Christmas ideas for my wife. Finally, I record business expenses in it during trips, which makes filling out the reimbursement forms easier. Finally, make sure you enhance your Palm experience by checking out three sites: AvantGo.com, Vindigo, and various shareware sites. AvantGo offers information downloads from hundreds of sites covering general, business, technology, entertainment news, as well as recipes, jokes, airline schedules, etc. I download main stories from cnn, reuters, cnet's technology, and NCAA College Basketball via the Sporting News. Vindigo offers geographically based information - a way to locate restaurants, movie theaters, etc. just by telling your Palm where you are. Much of the shareware out there is of marginal value, but I did download a neat little program that turns my Palm into a mirror (by blacking out the entire screen). In sum, I think the Vx is a great entry level device, especially at current prices. In the long run, I worry about Microsoft's PocketPC operating system becoming more versatile (it probably already is). But for someone moving from paper to digital, the Palm Vx is a low-risk, proven success.
Rating: Summary: Another Incredible Product Review: Alright, for those of you who know my reviews (as few as there may be)...I am always as honest as physically possible. To begin, lets start off with the style. Its incredible! I picked up the Palm Hardcase (yes yes, I know it isn't all aluminum...but it looks nice and gives it more protection than it would have otherwise). This palm is a pure head turner compaired to their earlier models. Small, sleek, and rechargable! I have owned this Palm for over two years now...not a single problem with the rechargable battery. I was cautious about this...but I get a nice charge from it, and it lasts for QUITE a long amount of use. Palm software is easy to use and easy to install. Secondly, the palm obviously runs Palm OS. To this day, it has never given me any problems. No crashing or anything WindowsCE related. This unit has a B&W display, and even though many of you probably would rather go with a color one...the pricetag is just too high. Also, I find the B&W display MUCH easier on the eyes than the glaring/bright color display. The only bad thing that I can think of is the backlit display. Simply put, it is of no use unless you are in absolute darkness. This is a flaw that was fixed on the backlighting on the new m100 series and on. So if your considering a palm pilot, look to the Palm Vx! With 8 megs of storage space, its PLENTY of room for ebooks, GPS systems, or anything you can throw at it. I'd also recommend getting the Write-rights for this palm...keeps it staying like new and reduces any glare you may get off of the screen in bright/glaring locations! I fully recommend this product to students and professionals alike!
Rating: Summary: Great Value with Good Features Review: I recently purchased the Palm Vx after much investigation into the entire Palm market. The Vx has some very cool stylings and easily looks better than any other palm in this price range hands down. The rechargeable battery is a plus, since it doesn't require constant replacement of the battery. The screen is normal size, instead of the smaller size found in the m100 series, and the backlight works OK, although it's only really useful in real dark situations. The backlight really just makes the letters fluoresce. While there isn't any expandability like a Springboard, the compactness and efficience of the Palm OS means 8MB is enough for nearly everything: the System is under 50k. By contrast, PocketPC's base system is 2MB, while all the standard applications bring the total to about 9MB. There is some expandability as a lot of accesories were created for the V series, such as GPS or modems. And there are a LOT of applications designed for the Palm OS available right now, so you can put that 8MB to work! AvantGo, a program bundled on the install CD and available for download, is a really useful program, allowing you to catch up on the news while waiting in line or otherwise not occupied. The serial cradle is technically slower than USB, but it is decently fast for hotsyncing. A USB adapter is available if you don't have a serial port, but there may not be any speed increase.
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