Rating: 
Summary: Hits the Sweet Spot - here is why you should buy one.
Review: You want the 8MB RAM, but did not want to shell out more money?Well for just another ... (compared to Palm m100 and Palm IIIe) you get the extra 6 MB *AND* OS 3.5 *AND* upgradable flash ROM! And that does not count the better, blacker sleek case.If black is too conservative, well there more cool colors to choose from. Next, you can HotSync using both a fast USB or a Serial connection (adpaters may be required). Finally, and here is the biggest advatange, it runs on AAA batteries for 2 whole months. Here it beats the PocketPCs hands down. Bottomline - newer operating system with full 8MB RAM for a bargain basement price. If you are settled on a Palm go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Hooked on the IIIxe
Review: I would definitely go with the IIIxe, not the Compaq. You are getting the palm quality and name, great resoures, technical support, etc. I have only had mine a month - and this is my first one - and I have not been disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Value
Review: This was my first PDA, and I really looked into it before purchasing. I would like to say that it was a great buy, and all the other advice supportive of this product was really helpful. I opened up the package, inserted the batteries, and turned it on. It takes you through a quick tutoral which allows you to get started right away. It also includes the Hot Sync Cradle, which allows you to connect it to your computer to make this a truly versatile product. (Also, you can protect yourself of losing information by keeping a copy on your computer - an unlikely event, but this feature gives you the security) This is a device with a generous 8mb of memory, a ton of programs from the Palm website (and other 3rd party applications), looks sleek, and is from a company that is dependable and reliable. Very user friendly - you're ready to go in a few minutes. Easier than programming a VCR. Don't even give it a second thought, you should get one. The only drawback is that it isn't expandable like some other PDA's, but with 8mb of memory, this shouldn't be a problem for most users. It has all the features you need, and a price that cannot be beat. Why spend this money on this product? This organizes your life. You are in track of what you need to do at bare expense of size. Also, it is high tech, easy, and fun product that you will want to use - a benefit for those who have not been successful with maintaining one of those big and clunky leather executive planners, which can get pretty expensive. A great long term product that you can truly be satisfied with for years to come. Perfect for students.
Rating: 
Summary: What's your opinion?
Review: Should I buy the Compaq Aero 1550 or the Palm IIIxe? Thanks for any input.
Rating:
Summary: Still ticking.
Review: Mine is older than dirt, now serving as a backup. It has proven itself to be reliable, sturdy (except for the flip-open cover) and easy to use. Of course, the software available is incredibly diverse, making this a very useful tool in business, travel and entertainment (egs. financial spreadsheets, airline schedules, 100s of games). I get months out of 2 AAA batteries, even with frequent use of the easy to read backlighting for the screen. I would say that you cannot go wrong with the PalmIII, though the price makes other brands/models worth considering too.
Rating:
Summary: If I had to do it again...
Review: Someone gave the the Vx as a gift so I can't really say I had a choice in the matter, but if I were buying right now I think I choose the IIIx. If you are at all interested in going beyond the basic calender, address books, note pad functions, then get the models with the extra memory. Vindigo (free Zagat restaurant and updated movie listings) and AvantGo (free newspapers and magazines in electronic formats) will use the space and take your palm experience to a whole new level. If you live in a major city, Vindigo alone makes it worth owning a Palm. So why IIIx over Palm Vx? 1. No difference in funcitonality (at all) 2. Significantly cheaper (w/rebate) 3. More case options for III 4. More attachments for III 5. Coolness factor dwindles quickly 6. We'll probably all be replacing these on 12 mos for ones that have big MP3 players attached, why spend more now?
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, yet fragile
Review: I own a palm IIIe. I use it mainly for phone numbers and lists. 2 megs of memory are plenty. The only drawback is the screen is made of glass. I have already broken two during daily work activities. Both times the IIIe was in my back pocket and got smashed by bumping into a post the first time, and sitting on it the second. The cheap plastic cover just flexes right into the screen. Do not buy this machine if your job entails any degree of physical activity.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Quality Plastic Toy!
Review: The only good thing about this Palm is that it comes with 8MB RAM and upgradable PalmOS 3.5 . Having used Palm Vx and Visor Deluxe before, Palm IIIxe can immediately be distinguished by its poor built quality and handling. The chasis is made of cheap plastic that makes you suspect it's fake. Another feature, contrary to the above models, is that the the digitizer(or plastic shielding) goes down about a milimeter down when you tap the stylus in the middle of the screen. Palm IIIxe is overpriced and not suiatable for frequent use at all; Visor Deluxe provides much better value at the same price. If you are a serious user then Palm Vx is a MUST!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: It's amazing. My first foray into the world of real gadgets and it has proved invaluable. I originally bought it to improve management of my diary - synching with Outlook, but was amazed at how useful the ability to carry around my email inbox actually is. Then I downloaded local maps from Mapopolis which has got me out of a couple of sticky situations when lost. I recently discovered AvantGo which now allows me to browse various sites to keep up with news etc whilst on the move - a real bonus. The power of this thing is amazing, and I've still only used less than 25% of the memory!!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it, but...
Review: When I first got my Palm III two years ago I loved it right away - it was so easy to use, and the handwriting recognition took just a day getting used to. Since, it's been a source of much joy and almost as much grief. I'll explain why: When I got the Palm as a gift, I was considering byuing a PDA and was looking at Psion products. I used the Palm with great joy, but found it had its limits. The biggest limit is the size of the screen, it's simply too small to do any proper writing on (and besides, it's hard on your eyes because it's not as clear as the V for instance). Another limit is the poor physical engineering of it. The software that's on the Palm when you get it is brilliant, and to make things even better, there are literally thousands of 3rd party apps of a really good general quality. It didn't take me long to fill the built-in apps with names, contacts, etc. Then I improved Graffiti with an app called TealScript - I highly recommend it! Also, I installed some better battery monitor tools, which you'll learn to appreciate when your batts run dry, and a tool to handle locking/unlocking via hardbuttons instead of pen strokes (handy in a bus!). But then the problems started. The machine froze or reset at the oddest of times, like in the middle of a Find or while I was adding an appointment. Some of the times, it refused to come back up and eventually I lost all data, at least until I could Hotsync again. But in the course of the past two years I have lost more than 3/4 of my data 4 (!) times, and I am fed up - I just bought a Psion Revo. (My brother has had a Psion S5 for over 4 years and it hasn't lost data even once.) Also I advise you to take *great* care with your Palm, as the screen is very unprotected and may crack at a 1-foot drop. I recommend the FlipCase from SynSolutions if you want good protecion, but don't put too much trust in the clip either. I have taken my own and other's Palms apart a number of times for servicing (in the office), and have found that the internal, physical design is about as good as your basic calculator, no more. Not even proper padding around the LCD to shield it from minor bumps or dirt (hence above warning). Many people came to me with bad screen connections, bent battery connectors (you'll be changin batteries A LOT), and cracked screens and frames. Rating defense: I give it a solid five stars for funcionality, but I will have to deduct some points too: -1 star for the tiny screen, -½ star for the instability of the software, and finally -½ star for the instability of the physical device itself. Sorry, but this takes us to a mediocre 3 stars. Jan Gundtofte
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