Rating: 
Summary: Potentiality for the Price
Review: I've slowly immersed myself into the digital world, and I've found the further I get, the more impossible it becomes to turn back. A few years ago I moved from a rolodex and date book into a simple electronic organizer, and now I've stepped into the Visor.When I first started working with the Visor, I figured nothing could be better. The price is competitive with Palm, and the expandability puts it over the top. My organization cravings were easily satisfied with the standard pre-installed programs (Address, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad). The size of the screen made my old electronic organizer feel like a bunch of tiny, cryptic abbreviations written on little slips of paper and crammed into a plastic case. Then, I started downloading third-party software for the Palm OS. Here's where I ran into trouble. I found so many great programs (doc readers, handwritten note recorders, web browsers, games, etc.) that I found the 2MB of RAM filling up far faster than intended. Don't get me wrong -- if you're looking mainly for an organizer with a few added bells and whistles, this is the machine to get. And I'll be fine -- with the expansion slot, I can easily add more storage space. My only comment is if you think you might be adding software, go with at least the Visor Deluxe. The added cost will be offset by the expansion modules you'd be forced to get with the standard Visor.
Rating:
Summary: The best PDA for the price...
Review: The Visor is basically the 2 MB version of the Visor Deluxe. All Handspring models run variations of the Palm operating system, and have all of the PALM functions people have
come to know and love -- calendar, addresses, to-do lists, and access to a variety of downloadable programs. However, the 2 MB of memory doesn't go far when you want to take advantage of some of the more interesting programs, such as Avantgo (a free service that
allows you to download publications like the New York Times, CNN, Sports Illustrated onto your Palm for free) or street maps from Mapopolis.com or Vindigo, a city guide that gives restaurant and movie reviews and showtimes. You can fit one, maybe even too such problems onto your Handspring. But pretty soon you are running up against that memory barrier. That would be extremely frustrating for me (I have the Deluxe, a friend has the Visor 2MB and recently upgraded to a higher end model in part because he wanted to add more programs...If you do that, in the end buying the low end model will actually cost you money). The Handspring models have the best features for the money. They have a noticeably larger screen than the m100 and m105 (which I
returned after a week), expandability (which I have yet to use, although I long for the GPS attachment from Magellan --
maybe when it goes on clearance?)
These models only get four stars, however, because they do have two significant shortcomings.
One is bulk. The Visor, Deluxe and Neo are significantly larger than the Palm V, which is significantly more expensive.
The PDA still fits in my chest pocket, though. (I don't recommend you do that...today mine fell out of my pocked and the screen cracked. I called Handspring and they are sending me a replacement for $85 -- Argh).
Also, unlike the Palm V, 500 and 505, the Visor, Deluxe and Neo require new batteries after about two weeks of relatively heavy
usage. That can amount to $20 a year or so on batteries alone. The Palm V has a lithium rechargeable, and the new Palm
500 has an even better battery, but I can't justify paying that kind of money for what is still basically, at heart, an
appointment calendar. Also, since this is the ultra-low end model, keep in mind that you need to have a computer to back up your data and to download features to your Visor. Note that the Visors come with fast USB hotsyncs -- which come on all new computers made in the last few years, while the Palm M105 and m100 come with seerial hotsyncs (slower, but almost every computer ever made has a serial port). Palm and Handspring charge you extra if you want the other type of hotsync, so that my influence your decision as well. BTW, I am a newspaper reporter who previously had four Rolodexes on my desk. No longer. No longer do I misplace names, numbers, or dates. I also don't get lost as often with Mapopolis at my side. This thing has changed and organized my life in ways I didn't expect -- just ask my wife. It's basically an extension of your brain -- now isn't that worth a couple hundred smackers?
Rating: 
Summary: Data Lost Twice; doesn't want it's batteries changed
Review: I was so happy to see that I wasn't the only person who had problems with this device. I love it's capabilities, but have lost data twice: first time I received a change battery warning, so changed batteries, and zap! everything gone.Contacted Handspring, (what a messy website)and lots of words came back, but were they really listening? Second time, I decided to replace batteries long before they needed it, just in case. Data gone. I did the change very fast, less than a minute as advised. I want a refund/repair or new device, but can't really get through to them. I've cooled down somewhat (they depend on that, I imagine) but surprise! I'm buying a new PDA, and it won't be one of theirs! Here I am, researching other brands.
Rating:
Summary: Great possibilities for a PDA
Review: I've had my Visor for 2 months now and it has been a great purchase. Compared to the Palm IIIe and Palm M100, I believe it is superior in almost every facet. My girlfriend has a Palm IIIe and the only drawbacks I can think of for the visor are: the cover, the stylus, and lack of ROM. The cover is definitely a little annoying to deal with and handspring should really create a flip cover like palm devices have. The stylus that comes with the visor isn't as nice as the one that comes w/ the IIIe, but this is rather minor as it is plenty good to get the job done. The lack of ROM isn't as big of an issue to me because newer versions of the OS are mainly different to allow the newer devices' features to work properly (color display for Palm IIIc and Visor Prism), and in most cases do not affect the functionality of older devices. On the other hand, the visor can offer users so many more possibilities than a comparable device by palm. Springboards are now abundant and the options available are really amazing (check them out before you buy either palm or handspring). Although currently they are relatively expensive, as with any new technology, in due time the price will come down to level where the average buyer will be able to afford them. One main reason I bought a visor rather than a comparable palm was because I was worried that RAM would be an issue sometime in the near future. With Visor, you can buy a RAM springboard and get on with life again, with a Palm, what you start off with is what you will end up with. Before I bought mine, I didn't know how much I would use my visor or what I would use it for. I didn't want to get stuck with a device that wouldn't meet my needs if I ended up using it a lot. Finally, just some advice for those buying PDAs: regardless of which brand you buy, think about what you will use it for. For example, if you aren't going to have a ton of reference data or books stored on your PDA, 2 MBs will get you through quite a bit. Buy a PDA that will take care of your needs, but also one that will allow a little growth (most people don't realize how much potential there is for their PDA... tons of free downloadable programs). Finally, I highly suggest buying some type of protective case (there are some nice small ones out there that aren't too bulky, e.g. a palmglove or the new handspring neoprene) for carrying your PDA around in. Whatever brand you buy, it won't be able to hold up to very many drops (if any) or sitting down on in your back pocket.
Rating: 
Summary: A few things to consider vs. Palm IIIxe
Review: Though I'm glad there is a low-priced competitor on the Palm OS, there are I few things I'd consider before buying this. They are not deal breakers, but for some users it may make a difference. 1. Does not work on Win 95, NT without the serial cable ($) -- this is also true from MacOS 8.0 or below 2. No faceplate included. Screen scratches are very apparent within weeks unless you buy a case. There are multiple reviews that describe broken glass and its overly fragile screen. 3. The handsprings seem to use batteries at a much faster rate that Palms. I'm not sure why. 4. Stylus is remarkably cheap and less usable. It makes a bizarre scraping noise. 5. 2MG is fine at first. But 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. 6. The 'expandability' doesn't seem to be worth much right now amd bys the time it is, I'm sure you'll have moved onto another model. I've poked around other reviews and have yet to find anyone who has gotten much value or use of additional modules. Net net. With the current Palm discount I would seriously consider the IIIxe for users that a) want a more durable and usable unit, b) want the extra memory at a relatively low cost. If you have to buy an adaptor (see reason 1), they end up costing the same. Either way, enjoy your PDA.
Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: The Handspring Visor pioneered the entry-level handheld computer category. When Palm Inc. founders Ed Colligan, Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins left to found Handspring in 1999, they knew they had to do something special, and this is it. First the good stuff: Handspring makes the most easily expandable handheld computer on the market today. Also, it's a well-designed product; hold it in your hand and everything about it seems to make sense, including the positioning of the controls. It uses the popular Palm OS, so it can run every piece of software that a Palm product can. Now the bad: Palm's m100 is now the cheapest handheld on the market, $30 less than the Visor. The m100 isn't as expandable as the Visor, but does the beginner really need expandability when even the more affordable add-ons for the Visor cost another $50-$100? Maybe, maybe not. Finally, the Visor doesn't use flash memory. The practical effect of that is that you can't upgrade the device's operating system. In the short term this isn't a huge deal, unless you're the type who likes to always run the latest version of everything. Look at the Palm m100 before you buy. But if you're looking for a sub-$200 handheld computer, both are great products.
Rating: 
Summary: Works great -- when it works at all
Review: Bought mine in September, 2000, just a few months after it was released, so I believe I got one of the early versions. Wonderful product, at first. Had no problems and loved the external keyboard. But a few months later, something strange happened: I would turn it off (or it would shut down on its own), and when I turned it on again a few days later, the batteries would be dead! All information LOST. Batteries would have to be changed. This happened several times, and I finally contacted Handspring before the warranty was expired. Thankfully, they replaced my unit. But it happened again. And again, and again, and again. The batteries did not go dead from overuse, rather something inside the unit continued to draw power even after it was supposed to be powered off. Not a good thing for those of us who synch infrequently! After another year of this (and about a dozen batteries), I called Handspring and demanded they replace this with a different model, because this is clearly a design flaw. They wouldn't do anything. One year warranty, that's it. Done. No more soup for you! I guess they expect you to buy a new Visor every year!! Shouldn't this thing last me at least five???? I won't buy another Handspring. I won't even recommend them to other people. It's possible I got unlucky twice, but if the company isn't going to stand behind their product, I'll buy something else. It may also be a lot to ask to have the product replaced outside of the warranty, but if this happens with every unit, shouldn't Handspring recognize there's a mistake and recall these units?
Rating:
Summary: Good but ok
Review: this is a very good device for organization but otherwise it sucks for almost everything else.
Rating:
Summary: nice
Review: broke 30 days after the warranty, and they don't stand behind their product surprise. how many of us in the real world can make something that last for 13 months and have a job. if it was a fluke it would have been fixed.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Entry Level PDA
Review: This is a great entry level PDA. I bought it mainly because, at the time, Handspring was the only manufacturer of PDA's that was dedicated to the Macintosh user. I'm not a PDA "power user" so, I use it simply for storing phone numbers and scheduled events. The reminder function has saved me from missed appointments and birthdays. I know there are better, faster, smaller, cheaper PDA's out there now. But, I'll stick with my Handspring until it dies.
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