I tried hard to avoid this purchase but I finally gave in. I initially purchased a Palm IIIe but realized it only synched with the mail feature of Outlook and I needed to synch with the whole MS Outlook package. Rather than upgrade the software I returned the IIIe and got the IIIxe for $250 ($100 more than the IIIe)
The extra $100 was well worth it. There is 4x the memory at 8 MB, it upgrades the Palm OS with some nice features, 2 MB of flash ROM, the IR beaming feature to communicate with other Palms, full MS Outlook synching Email, Calendar, Address Book, Memo Pad etc.) and last but not least the little talked about AvantGo software. With this feature you can download as many as 23 websites (in pocket version) at each synching. Not as good as real time web browsing but hey...it's free! You'd pay as much as $45 a month for not much more on the Palm VII.
It has quickly become a part of my life and I'm continually amazed at the thoughtful touches created by the design team. The Palm website can tell you all the features better than I can. I'm just here to tell you that they work, work well and are easy to use and learn.
I've added additional software since my purchase and the choices are endless. I work with many foreign countries and added a French, Spanish and Italian word and phrase translator.
There are many web sites where you can download free and other Palm OS compatable software. Some other programs I've added are enhancements to the existing Palm installed software that makes it more flexible, a function which allows screen writing with the ability to save messages in your own handwriting, measurement converter, stop watch, image viewer, two readers to download books and magazines, an advanced scientific calculator, a world time clock, and lots of fun stuff including...of course...games. It's applications like these which you might not even know about now that should lead you to buy the most memory - which is currently 8 MB.
The Palm OS does makes amazing use of memory though, and the amount of stuff you can load on is mind boggling.
I DO have one "problem" and that is the amount of batteries this thing eats up. I'm going through a set of AAA batteries every 7 to 10 days where 2 to 4 months is supposed to be the norm. The only thing I can think of is that the processor must use a lot of juice when synching to the 23 web sites I have chosen. I don't use the backlight and I usually shut it off before it automatically shuts down. I suppose an easy way to prove this would be to delete AvantGo for a couple of weeks and see if that makes a difference. I'll put that on my Palm "To Do" list!
If you have no need of the extra features or memory and want to save $100, get the Palm IIIe but I strongly suggest going with the IIIxe to meet future needs. You may find yourself using some features later that you're not interested in now.
The Palm IIIx is exactly the same as the IIIxe but with only 4 MB of memory. To save a measly $20 - $30 in the purchase price and get only half the memory, it's not a worthy consideration. Stick with the Palm IIIxe. You'll love it!
Same size and weight as earlier Palm III models 8 MB RAM (4 times that of the popular Palm IIIe connected organizer) Upgradable features and operating...More at Amazon Marketplace
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