- 50 percent faster than Handspring Visor Deluxe
- 8 MB RAM stores thousands of addresses, appointments, to-do items, and more
- Features address book, to-do list, memo pad, date book, advanced calculator, and world clock
- Fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS applications
- What’s in the box: Visor Platinum, Graphite HotSync cradle, 8 MB RAM, AAA batteries, Graphite snap cover, Leather case
The Handspring Visor, the first infinitely expandable handheld computer, is now even faster. In fact, the Visor Platinum is 50% faster than the Visor Deluxe. The Visor Platinum gives you enhanced power, speed and performance so you can access all your data and view crisp grayscale graphics without the wait. And, like the Visor, it comes with the unique Springboard expansion slot, so you can instantly snap in a digital camera, wireless modem or even a phone. Best of all, it is Plug and Play so there are no drivers to load. Just snap in a module and it works!If you’re one of those people who uses lots of RAM, keeps tons of records, plays games or uses apps that have high-performance requirements, the Visor Platinum has the very speed you need. Now you can access all your data without the wait. And the grayscale graphics – with 16 shades of gray – are so crisp that every picture is as clear as day. What’s more, since the Visor Platinum is based on the latest Palm OS, it’s got new usability, security and navigation features, too.One of Handspring’s two new Visors running with the faster 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, the Visor Platinum offers a competitive option to the Palm V series. Although it doesn’t sport a color display like its new sibling, the Visor Prism, the Platinum offers 16 shades of gray, outputting sharper graphics in games and applications. It also features 8 MB of memory like the Visor Deluxe, providing plenty of room for storing contacts, notes, and e-mails.
But the Visor Platinum’s selling point is its new processor, which performs faster than other Visors or Palm handhelds (Handspring claims up to a 50 percent increase in speed). While we didn’t put a radar gun to the Platinum, it certainly felt speedier than the Visor Deluxe–tapping on an application opened it almost instantaneously.
Using a USB cradle, our desktop synchronizations sped along nicely, usually completed in just a few seconds unless we were adding applications. Additionally, since the Platinum uses the Palm OS, most third-party programs written for Palm handhelds will work for the Platinum.
One difference between the Visor Platinum and the Palm V series that Handspring most likely won’t boast about is its size. Where the sleek Palm V series sports a depth of only 0.4 inches, the Platinum retains the standard Visor form factor of 0.7 inches.
But when you’ve got the expandability that the Handspring’s Springboard module slot offers–allowing you to add a digital camera, a cell phone, a Tiger Woods golf game, or an MP3 player–you don’t need to quibble over slimness. Also, like other Visors, the Platinum features a built-in microphone (though you’ll need to add a module, such as a voice recorder or the phone module, to use it).
If you’re already a Palm or Handspring user, there may not be enough about the Platinum to sway you to pick up this new product. But if you’re looking for the cutting edge of handheld speed, the Platinum is ready and raring to go.
–J. Curtis
Pros:
- Fastest Palm OS processor around
- 8 MB memory
- Expandable using Springboard modules
Cons:
- Thicker than Palm Vx
- Microphone, but no voice recorder built in
The Handspring Visor Platinum is an infinitely expandable handheld computer that’s 50 percent faster than the Visor Deluxe. With its enhanced power, speed, and performance, the Visor Platinum satisfies your need for speed and makes accessing all your data and viewing crisp grayscale graphics even easier. It runs Palm OS 3.52 for the Handspring on a Motorola 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor.
In addition to an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, the Platinum 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. It has usability features like address duplication and improved security and navigation. Since it uses Palm OS, you can beam information with other Palm users or download thousands of existing Palm-compatible applications. With the Springboard expansion slot, you can instantly snap in a digital camera, wireless modem, an MP3 player, and more.
The Platinum’s USB connection makes synchronizing with your desktop computer fast and easy. You can quickly back up, update, or exchange information between the Platinum and your computer with the USB charging cradle and HotSync technology.
The Visor Platinum comes with a protective leather case, Palm Desktop software for Windows and Mac, and two AAA batteries. 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, or 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 Platinum
- Graphite HotSync cradle
- 8 MB RAM
- AAA batteries
- Graphite snap cover
- Leather case
List Price: $ 199.99
Price: $ 199.99
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