- Palm organization and style at an affordable price
- Easy to learn and use--even if you've never used a handheld before
- Mini-USB connector allows easy transfer and backup to computer
- Keeps addresses, appointments, and important information safe and secure
- Comes with a rechargeable battery
- Easy to set up and use
The Zire provides all you need to substitute your paper based agenda out of the box.
About the OS:
Palm OS is actually the standard OS on handhelds (most like Windows on the desktop). This handheld includes a desktop PIM(personal information managers) as well as software to sync with Microsoft Outlook.
There are thousand of programs available for the palm OS add such as enhanced PIM , Personal finance program to syncronize with MS Money and Quicken as well as office suites and games.
Hardware:
Zire has a very stilish design it is almost as small as a Palm M515 or clie T 665. Also this handheld as all Palm branded handhelds is build to last with a tought elegant casing.
It is compatible with Windows and Machintos desktops. The only limitations I find in this computer are that it only has 2 MB of memory (but I am a power user), for most peple 2 MB is plenty to store thousand of addresses as well as and office suite and other programs. Another minor limitation for gammers it that there are only four buttons.
Sumarry:
The zire is arguably the best possible solution for someone just entering the world of handhelds. This is the best entry level handheld computer for the moneyAlthough I rush to buy new tech stuff and have a lot of it, I hadn't really wanted to pay the going rate for a PDA...especially since I'm retired and don't need anything to keep me organized. But when Palm intro'd the Palm Zire for [$], I couldn't resist. The main reason I bought it, besides the price, is that I wanted to be able to carry my address book with me. This works great for that, and it was very easy to transfer my main Windows address book to the Palm. It's also very easy to use. I can stick it in my pocket for notetaking, etc. Consequently, I find I'm using it more and more for errands, memos and 'to do' lists.
The only drawback is that the screen is not backlit, and while the contrast is adjustable and the screen easily visible in bright light, it's hard to see under regular lamplight. As I become more dependent on this, I can see I will probably want to upgrade...exactly the marketing strategy Palm had in mind.
Oh, and don't waste your money on Palm's PDA carrying case. It's made of a heavy, soft, kind of smelly plastic that takes away all the lightweight advantages of the small Palm Zire. You can find much nicer ones for much less online at places like eBags.com.
Read Best Reviews of PalmOne Zire Handheld Here
The new Zire Palm is essentially an updated version of the Palm m100, with the following changes:* An even !Smaller! screen.
* A new, stylish form factor.
* A rechargeable battery.
* A funky new name.
All of the other limitations of the m100 still exist. The memory is not upgradeable, and 2MB is pathetically small, allowing for only the most basic address and scheduling functions. The three PALM programs that I consider essential would overwhelm this puppy. They are: Mapopolis (a mapping program from Mapopopolis.com with keyword-searchable street maps), Avantgo (an online news service that downloads articles to your palm) and Vindigo (a restaurant, movie and city guide).
The lack of memory is riduculous, especially considering that the m105 model that this also replaces has 8 MB and a slightly larger screen!
Believe me, screen size matters when you are pointing and clicking on a tiny keyboard on your Palm. And this has to be the smallest screen yet.
To me, this model is only for those misguided and poor folks who would have bought the now-discontinued m100 model but want a rechargeable battery. There are far better models out there for only a few more bucks. You can still find some of the excellent Handspring Visor leftover models around for about the same price, which feature the large screens and 8 MB. And Sony's CLIE line of Palm OS handhelds basically now own the middle of the PALM product line.
Here's a basic PALM product guide:
Zire/Palm m100: Bottom of the line. Designed to suck you in but leave you wanting more. Think of this as the Chevy Chevette of Palms. Plagued by small screens.
Palm m105: The 8MB version of the m100. Fine, except needs batteries and plagued by small screen.
Palm 125: Ooh, expansion slot that you will probably never use. Still plagued by small screen.
Palm 130: Adds color, lithium battery to m125. Not bad, but screen still small, low res.
Palm m500: Still the standard for monochrome Palms. Lightweight, with a clear, large screen and a classic form-factor that gave the company its name. 8MB, expandable, lithium-polymer battery. Triple-Aces.
Palm m505: Discontinued color model features horrible washed out color screen. AVOID.
Palm m515: Soon to be discontinued Color PALM. Very good, but no Palm TUNGSTEN T.
Palm TUNGSTEN T: The top of the line. Finally, Palm builds a PALM that can compete with a Pocket PC. Too bad they priced it like one too. Triple Aces design, with fabulous ergonomics, fantastic high-res active screen, battery, bluetooth, and drop-down graffiti pad.
For competitors, check out the new Handspring Treo models, which feature thumbpads and a small form factor (some with phones), and the Sony CLIE line. The CLIE models, which start at just over a hundred clams, have a nice form factor, and upper-level models feature the best high-res color screens for generally less than what you'd pay for a similar PALM-branded model. CLIE's feature memory-stick slots and lithium batteries. But I've heard Sony's customer service is weak compared to Palm's easy-as-pie returns. These things do break from time to time, so keep that in mind.
Enjoy!
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Last year I asked my wife for a PDA for Christmas which I received. She bought a good brand, a top seller, but I was totally frustrated with learning how it works. It shouldn't be that complicated. Maybe the Yippees and the Yuppies are smarter than I am or just determined to overcome any tough challenge. Not me! I bought a Palm Zire and fell in love. It has everything and does everything I need and I learned it in three minutes. The front cover is a soft, plastic flap which seems to be a pain to some but is easy to cope with and who needs backlighting? The battery is rechargable so I don't replace batteries. My calendar stretches on for years, my address book has about 250 entries and I've only just begun, my to do list is brilliantly simply, my note pad goes on forever with ideas, reminders, shopping list, etc. and I can switch from one category to the next with a simple touch of the handy stylus and back again. It is a delight to work with and anyone who slams it is an idiot! You want a stylish Cadillac with a phone and color TV screen, fine, go buy one, but for the price and simplicity you just can't beat it! In the world of sophisticated electronics, this little, light-weight, shirtpocket pal goes the distance for me . . . and probably for you. Simplify your life, get it all done and relax. Anything you need is right there in the Palm of your hand. Zire!Save 33% Off
I am a 13 year old kid who bought this pda with my mowing money for school. This is a very good PDA for its price. It has a nice B&W touch screen and looks cool. It has an Adress book, date book, memo pad, note pad (you can draw stuff on the screen with this), 13 digit calculator, clock & alarm, expense, to do list, and security. A cd comes in the package that has palm desktop software (synchronising stuff), and mine hunt, giraffe, hardball (like pong), and puzzle 15 (theese are all games that you put on the pda through the desktop software). This is a very good pda for anyone who wants one thats cheap in price, but not in quality.
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