Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: I went to a Handspring Prism after my Palm M500 (actually, two of them) stopped hotsynching. Although it performs well and I really like the color display, there are two major drawbacks. First, it is too bulky. I thought this would not be a problem for me but unlike my Palm, I find myself somewhat bothered by the fact that it won't fit into my shirt pocket. Second, the display washes out in sunlight and is difficult, almost impossible, to see.The Visor series is advertised as being "infinitely expandable", and it is. The problem is that while there are currently more expansion options for Visor than for Palm, those options come at a rather steep price. Furthermore, prospective buyers should also be aware that Handspring intends to get out of the personal digital assistant (PDA) market and concentrate on communicators such as its new Treo series. This might dry up the expansion device market and make the modules even more expensive than they currently are. If you know what you're getting into, the Prism isn't a bad PDA. Personally, I think the Visor Pro is a much better deal for the money. Although it doesn't have a color display, it does feature 16mb of memory (to the Prism's 8mb) as well as a slightly thinner case, and costs about the same when you factor in the $50 instant rebate currently being offered by Handspring.
Rating: 
Summary: Shocking-- beware static electricity!
Review: I love my Prism and I miss it now it is being repaired. I touched it and the shock of static electricity that was transmitted at the time caused it to short circuit. I had to send it back for repairs. I lost all my photos because I was never able to back-up the eyemodule2 photos I had taken over the holidays. Still, I look forward to having it back, working out the kinks in HotSync, and making it work for me. Also, I recommend you get the extended warranty-- if you drop the handheld and the screen shatters you get one free replacement.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Strong
Review: This is still a great product. I have migrated from the original Palm Pilot to the Original Handspring Visor Deluxe and finally to the Visor Prism. I migrated to Handspring due to the Springboard Module and could not have been more satisfied. This is just a great little machine. Are there better screens out there, yes, is there more memory, yes. There are better units out there, but for most of us this works great. It is awesome as an entry level PDA. (This could not have been said a year ago with it being too expensive.) It is plenty functional for most of us now, even if you are using database apps. Are there better, yes. Both from Handspring and Palm. (Please don't talk to me about anything ME) Is this more than good enough for most of us? Hell yes!
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed with the Prism
Review: I purchased a Visor Prism as a Christmas gift. When it arrived, I installed the hardware and software exactly as instructed in the manual. The Visor would perform a hot sync, but would not install any applications. After nearly a dozen phone calls to Handspring's technical support, they were still unable to correct the problem, despite the fact that this case was "escalated" three times by Handspring's technical support department. This entire fiasco has taken close to a month. I don't anticipate buying any additional products from Handspring. I suggest going with a Palm...it's more reliable.
Rating:
Summary: Regret not buying a pocket PC...
Review: So why did I give it four stars, you ask? Good question. The short answer is that Handspring shouldn't be held responsible for Palm's lacking OS. When I see my friends with their PocketPCs running Autocad and other REAL software, I admit to more than a tinge of envy. Since I have always been one to use the heck out of my computers, I expected the same when I bought my Visor Prism, but the OS is really holding it back. This is all the more of an unforgiveable shame because Palm had a three year head start. Microsoft made two very bad pocket operating systems, and Palm sat back arrogantly and laughed at their efforts (does any of this sound familiar, Apple?) But as usual, Microsoft kept trying, got it right, and is now blowing the doors off their competition. Maybe Palm will invoke the help of the Justice Department to help us poor consumers.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent but bulky
Review: I bought the Prism because of Handspring's generally good reputation and because Palm at that time had not come out with a color version of the V. I am generally pleased with the Prism, except for a) its bulkiness; b) lack of flip cover and c) weight. I love the look and feel of the Palm m505 but have heard nothing but horror stories so am waiting until Palm (or Handspring) comes out with a thin RELIABLE color unit. I have upgraded my Prism with a VisorPhone, which I also like, service through Voicestream has been reliable and pretty fast. I also bought the Backup Module and am thinking about another 8MB or 16MB of memory, because many apps I wish to use will not fit into the original 8MB. The unit is much faster than the earlier Visors. I also wish it had a clock utility like the newer Palms do, I like that a lot. I would recommend this unit, however, but beware of its weight and thickness.
Rating:
Summary: This device is wonderful!
Review: I have heard people complain about the bulkiness of this PDA; however, for me this is a non-issue. The Prism is so light-weight and compact that it fits comfortably in my hand. It is so handy that I carry it with me everywhere and even keep it by my bed at night (reading ebooks in bed). No more fumbling for scraps of paper in my purse...This little contraption contains all the info I need! I highly recommend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Out of Commission
Review: Got it as a gift on the 1st of Jan, broke down on the 7th after spending a total of 4 hrs on the unit. Retuned the product, and was simply told to expect this.
Rating:
Summary: The Handspring Visor Prism Rocks
Review: I have had my Visor for 4 weeks, and I love it. The PalmOS means that there is a ton of downloadable software. (e.g. I needed support for Russian characters, and the support was available via downloads). Okay, I wear it on my belt in a carrying case ... I thus don't think that earlier reviews about the unit's "bulk" matter. With the VisorPhone module, I have wireless Internet access to my own ISP, and my own email -- no need to set up a new ISP, which is great. I can browse the Internet anywhere on Handspring's "Blazer" Web browser, which works fine. The 80 hardware modules available for the Visors is the key. I love the VisorPhone, and will be getting the "Eyemodule 2" (camera), and the GPS module by Magellan. The modules make this unit more than a PDA... it is a hardware platform for a multiplicity of hardware-driven purposes. As such, it has no competitor. (The Prism is the only color Visor, and it is worth getting, to see web pages in full 16-bit color, and to enjoy the many available games). There are two drawbacks, both of which are workable. 1. In direct sunlight, the screen is very hard to see (This is very definitely an in-the-shade or nighttime unit), and 2. The battery seems to drain too fast. (Admittedly, my problem is that I have been using the Prism more than I usually might, showing off its features to co-workers.) However, I don't travel much away from the electric power grid, so charging the unit on a regular basis is no problem (I have the cradle at home, and the travel charger at work) -- Handspring says they will be coming out with a car-charger soon. On balance, the Prism is the best PDA on the market because
1. 80 hardware modules available.
2. 16 bit color
3. Easy internet access via the VisorPhone module.
4. Tons of available PalmOS software available. Handspring is lately touting the Treo, which is a PalmOS driven cell phone. Great, if what you need is a small phone with Internet access. However, there is no support for hardware modules on the Treo, so we're back to the Prism. ***Go, Prism!!!*** -- accept no substitutes (And don't buy into the inevitablity of the MS-Pocket PCs (Compaq and HP) -- they're at 20% market share, have no software, and no hardware module concepts)
Rating:
Summary: The Handspring Visor
Review: I have heard from businesses that Handspring has a 50% hardware failure rate, and is somewhat lacking in features. Palm is simply a simple device for simple minds, and Sonys are the extreme multimedia device of the future. Well, I have a Visor Prism. I love my Visor Prism. Its been dropped and banged, and still works great. I watch videos over 30mbs in size and enjoys the many games I have purchased for it. School is easier now that I can print off my Visor, and draw up spreadsheets for Excel. Over clocking my Prism to 43mhz makes it preform better. USB connctions to the computer are fast, and Avantgo works great for downloading the latest news to my handheld. The screen is not immpossible to see outside, difficult but all you need to do is shade it from the sun. The color is great, and the new prices are even greater. This is a great handheld. Springboards are great, but as with most things eventually cause alot of clutter. When choosing a device, get as many opions that you are looking for to be built in to the device as possible, then look for expandibility.
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