Handspring Visor Prism

While the Prism costs more than the Palm IIIc, its increased color depth and brightness (it delivers 16-bit color compared to the 8-bit color of the IIIc) really shines in gaming and graphical applications. Even the default world map that's used to set geographic location and time appeared more distinct and offered the illusion of 3-D.

Like other Visors, the Prism contains a Springboard module slot, letting users upgrade its capabilities--such as adding an MP3 player, expanding memory, and eventually adding a cell phone (among many options). With the color screen of the Prism, modules such as the eyemodule digital camera really take on new life. With the Prism, the eyemodule takes color pictures, while previous versions of the Visor only allowed users to view them in grayscale.

Further, unlike other Visors, the Visor Prism uses an internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery--a nice touch as the color display would have drained the standard two AAAs quickly. Handspring claims that a fully charged battery should last a week or two with normal use, but we found continuous use of the display, such as with game playing or extended note taking, wore the battery down much faster. However, every time the Prism syncs in the fast-transferring USB cradle, the battery gets charged--and it only takes a few minutes to top off the current level of juice.

Although the color screen only extends the thickness of the Prism by a tenth of an inch compared to previous Visors, it's still twice as thick as the sleek Palm V line of devices. But it is smaller than CE devices such as Casio's EM-500 and the Compaq iPaq, and for its size category of palmtops, it delivers the best colors around. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• 16-bit color (compared to the Palm IIIc's 8-bit color)
• 8 MB memory
• Expandable using Springboard modules

Cons:

• Color display not as bright or crisp as Pocket PCs

In addition to an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, the Prism Color Visor features an enhanced date book, advanced calculator, and world clock. The 8 MB memory stores approximately 12,000 addresses, 10 years of appointments, 6,000 to do items, 6,000 memos, and 400 e-mails. Since it uses Palm OS, you can beam information with other Palm users or download thousands of existing Palm- compatible applications, including those with color.

The Prism's USB connection makes synchronizing with your desktop computer fast and easy. You can quickly back up, update, or exchange information between the Prism and your computer with the USB charging cradle and HotSync technology.

The Prism comes with a protective leather case, an AC adapter for use with the charging cradle, Palm Desktop software for Windows and Mac. It is backed by one-year limited warranty.

Important note to customers: USB connectivity is compatible with Windows 98/2000/Me and USB-enabled Macintoshes running OS 8.1 and later. If you use Windows 95, Windows NT, Mac OS 8.0 or lower, or your computer does not have a USB port, you will need to buy a separate serial cradle.

What's in the box

• Visor Prism
• Cobalt Blue HotSync cradle
• 8 MB RAM
• Internal rechargeable lithium ion battery
• USB HotSync charging cradle
• Leather slipcase

I went down and checked this out at the local CompUSA and put it thru it's paces and compared it closely to my IIIc, which I had with me.

One of the main things I noticed right away is that it is somewhat smaller in footprint than the IIIc. It is about 3/8 of an inch shorter than the Palm IIIc and about 1/4 inch less wide, so it's slightly smaller than the IIIc. It is thinner front to back at the bottom of the unit than the IIIc, but is slightly thicker at the top because of the Springboard module slot. Overall the impression is it is noticeably more compact and lighter than the IIIc.

I'd been told the screen is actually brighter than the IIIc, but I really couldn't see this. I had my IIIc when I was doing this comparison, and so I cranked up the brightness on both of them and looked at them side-by-side, and they looked the same to me. However, the screen is just as sharp, maybe a little sharper than the IIIc, but I wouldn't swear by it.

I called up a number of the apps to see how the screen looked. With 64K colors, the built-in apps really don't take full advantage of these, but there are many good examples of color-based productivity apps and games out there that will exploit the color capabilities more fully, such as To Do Plus, Listmaker, SuperNames, ActionNames, Memo Plus, Address Plus, CityTime, and so on.

I don't know if the built-in lithium-ion battery lasts longer than the IIIc. Palm says 8-20 hours of life on the IIIc but in my experience that is optimistic. I usually use mine set at about 3/4 full brightness and that gives me about 4-6 hours of use. Hopefully the Prizm has improved on this.

I think the main use for the 64K colors is for displaying photos. Even the Casio E115 only has 16K colors and the Compaq iPAQ has only 4K. So for people who want the most colors this is clearly the winner. However, the resolution of the screen still isn't as good as on the Pocket PCs, which are 240 x 320.

Overall, however, this looks to be a great new offering in the PDA lineup. I'm not quite ready to trade in my Palm IIIc but if I didn't have one I certainly go for the Handspring Prizm if I wanted a color unit in the Palm category.


Amazing....   November 4, 2000
38 out of 40 found this review helpful

I just finally recived this beautiful unit and the first thing I was amazed at was the color it poured out. Loading the Handspring PhotoAlbum, I saw the true clarity of the colors. After using a PalmVx and a Cassiopeia E-115, which also has 65,000 colors, I am set on this one. I am going to be selling my E-115 & my Palm Vx to fully replace this one. The only drawback that I find over the Palm Vx is the size. NOTHING, can beat the slim size of the Palm V's. If only Palm puts out a Palm V in 16-bit color!


I think I'm in love!   November 9, 2000
46 out of 50 found this review helpful

I waited a long time to purchase a visor, even though I knew I preferred it over the Palm, because I was waiting for color. Boy, was it worth waiting for! I use my visor constantly--for typing minutes in meetings, for gaming when I'm bored, as a clock and a datebook. It's an incredible machine that really is making my life easier, and, as a Macintosh devotee, is the only machine that worked with my Mac right out of the box. The color display is quite nice and causes much less eye strain for me, plus you can show off color pictures which really makes it a nice replacement for my wallet. All in all, I love it and you will too.


Nice PDA, now increase the resolution   January 13, 2001
Conrad B. Senior (Easton, CT United States)
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

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If I had to buy a new PDA today, I'd probably go with this one. I love the color, but wish it was just a little sharper.

The text is easy to ready, but the pixels are distracting. You should not even notice the pixels.

That being said, I love PDA's. And Handspring is the new leader. There products are years ahead of the Palm PDA's. The Palm's are smaller and easier to slide into a front pocket in a pair of jeans, but I find the display more difficult to set properly.

After play with my buddy's Prism for 10 minutes I was hooked. If I didn't already have a Palm, this is what I'd have.

The Palm applications software is not as good--particularly the calculator. Handspring puts a better calculator in.

I think this would be a nice unit to have with the camera. You would have a rechargable display-something the digital camera's don't have (of course it will run your batteries down pretty quick too). So I think it offers the most flexibility in a PDA you can find.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a higher resolution display. Handspring-give me photo realism!

Check out the Handspring Web site for more info on the option cards that are available or coming up. GPS interface, Camera, extra memory for MPEG palying, multifunction cards, modems, network interface cards--tons of cool stuff.

A handy booklet is included with this PDA that lists all these items that can go in the expansion slots, and pushes some of the software. If you are looking for software try tucows for lots of freeware and shareware.

Conrad B. Senior