Rating: 
Summary: 3-COM Blew It
Review: 3-COM doesn't do the Palm IIIxe justice in its advertising. It didn't tell me that I could have one or two public domain novels in the 8 Mb. memory for reading on planes and in hotel rooms. These novels, and the software to view them, are available on the Palm webpage for free and barely make a dent in the memory. I just finished reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.3-COM failed to mention that I could buy a third party, nearly full-featured, spread sheet program called MiniCalc, which allows me to import, edit, and export files seamlessly with MS Excel on my desktop. One can also create spreadsheets for export to Excel. I bought the $39 version which allows Sort and Find commands. I searched 3-COM's literature to discover whether I could exchange e-mail with my Earthlink or Yahoo accounts and never got a decent answer. Then I bought the Palm modem and discovered that I could do just that, and even access webpages using Eudora's mail and web freeware available on the Palm webpage through a link. Of course, the Palm comes with AvantGo, which allows me to get daily news from Fox. I also get the front page articles from the NY Times. There are numerous other sources of free info on AvantGo including Salon and Slate. I recently bought the Landware keyboard which comes with text writing software and a Thesaurus. This has made it possible to type reports and import them to my desktop. I was able to download a mini-dictionary which is readable through something called Tome Raider, both available as either shareware or freeware from the Palm web page. I downloaded freeware to allow me to play my favorite card game, Solitaire, but this version includes several types of Solitaire I'd never seen. Of course there are lots of games available. The Palm IIIxe will do all the usual organizing duties. It comes with a calendar, calculator, address book, TO-DO list, and memo pad. I was a little irritated that it didn't include a currency exchange calculator, so I bought "Formulas" for $11.00. This program also locates area codes, calculates dates, loans, tips and does metric conversions. Word processing, spread sheets, Internet, news, novels, reference, calendars, etc...why do I need a lap top? The 8 megs of memory makes this all possible, and I've used less than half the available memory to do what I've described. So...why not buy the more expensive model with the rechargeable batteries? Frankly, I hate rechargeables. You've got recharging downtime, battery memory issues, and eventually, you've got to replace an expensive battery. I go to Costco, buy two dozen AAA batteries rather cheaply and keep them on hand for emergencies. No downtime. No battery memory issues, and alkalines ard more environment-friendly than rechargeables.
Rating:
Summary: Palm IIIxe - versatile and affordable!
Review: The Palm IIIxe is a nice handheld for the money. With 8 mb of memory, and software to link to Microsoft Outlook, this is definitely the business person's machine. I looked at the Palm IIIc, but wasn't impressed with the display, and for nearly twice the price, didn't feel it was worth it to get color. I started out wanting the Palm V - but then realized its limitations - only 2 mb memory, no flash rom (so you can never upgrade the operating system), and it isn't even loaded with the most current palm OS operating system (the Palm V has OS version 3.1, vs the Palm IIIxe which has version 3.5). The major benefits of the newer version are some new features and faster hotsinking. I've been a Palm user for over 2 years and am so pleased with these machines that I wouldn't consider a Visor or anything else! The one drawbrack (and the reason for 4 stars and not 5), is that Palm still has some work to do on their displays - need a higher resolution, easier to read display.
Rating: 
Summary: For the best value on the PDA market, this is the one!
Review: I've had my Palm IIIxe for about four months, and I must whole-heartedly say this is the best PDA on the market, dollar for dollar. Is it color? Well, no. Is it thin and lightweight like the Palm V series? No, not that either. But what it the Palm IIIxe is would be the best value of any PDA around! This PDA has the same memory capacity as the Palm IIIc (color version), the Palm Vx (ultra-thin version) and the Palm VIIx. It doesn't have the extras, but who really needs them anyway? Color is nice to have and show off, but it eats up your batteries is by no means necessary! Ultra-thin and light is nice, but the Palm IIIxe, as "bulky" as it may be still fits in a shirt pocket. (Plus there is a belt case available.) And the Palm VII, unless you're a day trader, or away from a modem for hours or days at a time, is a complete waste of time. Now Handspring is coming out with their "Palm clones," as I refer to them. Sure, they have the handy 8MB interchangable cards, but what they don't have is flash memory. In other words, if PalmOS software continues to upgrade, you CANNOT upgrade the software on the Handspring series! Besides, they're having enough problems getting them to be as dependable as the Palm PDAs. (Four of my friends have tried the Handsprings, only to have to return them for one defect or another.) Being powerful, upgradable and dependable has its benefits, especially when it's one of the better prices around. If you need a PDA, and aren't obsessed about having one of the (in my opinion) very un-needed and expensive specialty options (color, cellular, ultra-thin), I guarantee the Palm IIIxe will fulfill your needs with great success. Give it a try ... you won't be dissappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Power of Palm at a very low price
Review: The Palm IIIxe is a great tool. It is cheap but very powerful. All you need are some additional applications you can easily find on the web to completely personalise it. Eg. you can download browsers, e-mailers, games, antivirus for your Palm. Web and e-mail need a phone with a modem integrated. Pros: 8 MB that allow a lot of downloads of applications, easy to use, plenty of additional applications, cheap, powerful. Cons: web connection uses a lot of energy (not more than 5 hours I guess), still the need the PC as an alternative platform (downloads, etc.) Conclusion: best choice (price/power)
Rating:
Summary: It kicks.
Review: Well, two days ago, my Palm III I got for a birthday gift broke. It bummed me, but after some haggling with Dad, I got my new Palm IIIxe. It's a great improvement. Now I can hold much more information than before, and it's really helping out. It's been an easy switch up, and I'd recommend the III series to anyone getting into the PDA game. All you need to do is be careful with it (as I will be much more wary with my belt case now) Buy it. You'll thank me.
Rating:
Summary: Used to be the best overall Palm. Not sure now
Review: I purchsed my IIIxe almost a year ago, and compared against the V and VII it was the best bang for the buck at the time. The 8 megs of memory means that you have the ability to load a ton of the ton of the third party software available for the Palm platform. The screen was about the same quality as the V and VII, and those two models were a lot more expensive, required constant docking (in the case of the V), or had the additional expense of wireless internet (VII). However, that was a year ago. Today, the IIIxe is still a good value, but having seen the screens on the IIIc and color Handspring unit, I would lean towards one of those two models. There really is a night/day difference in eyestrain between a color unit and monochrome. Other than that, the IIIxe is still a great value, even though it lacks the Handspring expansion, and the Clie and Tiger's ability to add more flash RAM.
Rating:
Summary: Want to Get Organized...Get This
Review: I do not have the reputation for being organized, I am often scrambling to make meetings or trying to participate in three things at once. This Palm Pilot has been in my hands for less than 2 weeks and has already started to make my life more organized and efficient. The easy to use format along with the amazing power makes for the perfect compliment to any user. I was using the Graffiti within minutes of fooling with it. Not to mention the fact that I love toys. This has helped me in the implimentation of the device. Simple and actually fun to use makes the Palm Pilot a success in my life.
Rating:
Summary: still satisfied after months
Review: I've owned a IIIxe now for 9 months. It worked out of the box and continued to work well for me until early December. I went and dropped the edge of the table on my airline seat down on the lcd screen causing it to shatter. Sad mess I caused for myself. Sunday morning I called Palm and opted for an exchange/repair to cut down on hassle. On Tuesday morning I had a replacement in my hands. It unfortunately had a stuck notes button on it but was in beautiful shape for a refurb replacement. I called Palm again, they were sorry for the problem, and I had a new replacement unit in my hand on Wednesday morning that was just mint condition and worked flawlessly. Great support and product. Easy to read display with excellent battery life with rather long usage periods. Will demand performance equivalent or better to this to replace my IIIxe with a different model.
Rating:
Summary: Great unit, bought one for myself & wife.
Review: Palm IIIxe does the job. Make sure you get a good case to protect it (Rhino-Skin shocksuit sports case for me, and a Targus leather case for my wife), and Write-Right screen protectors as well. I've had mine for about 8 months, and the best thing about it for me is that I stopped messing with post-its, scraps of paper, business cards, address books etc. etc. Just check the Palm, it's there. As soon as I get another phone # or address, I enter it. I've read alot about broken screens, but this thing has survived 8 months at the fire station, around town and on trips hung externally in it's case on my safari bag, which shows the importance of a good case. Most screen breakage results from carrying it in a pocket or unprotected drops. Bottom line: it works for me, might go color in 12-18 months, but then who knows what'll happen by that time!
Rating:
Summary: It's all in the "Palm" of your hand.
Review: This is the first Handheld organizer I've ever used. It will also be the last. With it's ease of use, and features, this may be the best handheld organizer ever - with the possible exception of the rest of the "Palm" family. In my opinion (Such as it is!) you can't get a better Handheld for your dollar. What I really like is the ability to send and recieve e-mail (with the optional modem). Don't take my word for it. try it yourself....
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