Handspring Visor Platinum Handheld

Pros: Easy to use, plug-and-play ready and upgradeable for the future.
Cons: Price

This cool, sleek little powerhouse is ready to rock and roll. It has a metallic silver color and measures 4.8 inches in height x 3.0 inches in width x a thin profile of only 0.7 of an inch. The screen is 160 x 160 pixels display in monochrome.

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Pros: Faster for specific applications
Cons: $50 more than the Visor Deluxe

Having recently used both the new Visor Prism and Visor Platinum I’m just sorry that I didn’t use the Platinum first. as it seems difficult to go back to a monochrome screen.

Don’t get me wrong, this screen is equal to the Visor Deluxe which...

Pros: Fast, lots of memory, keeps me organized, and I got mine free!
Cons: B/W screen

For my one hundredth epinion on this wonderful site, I thought I'd step away from the medical topics and tackle, my new "toy." Although, I'm sure I'll return to medicine in the end!!

OK, Before you think that I have some cool way to get this...

Pros: 33 MHz Processor, expandability, 4 bit screen.
Cons: Size, batteries, quality/feel, weight.

Background
Updated 6/01
I have owned a Handspring Visor, Visor Deluxe, this Platinum, and now a Palm M505.

The Handspring Platinum represents Handspring's top-of the line MID-SERIES (compare to Palm IIIxe) before the jump to...

Pros: speed, great screen, battery life, expandability
Cons: screen isn't color, but that's pretty much all

This is my second device with the Palm OS. I purchased
a Palm Pilot Professional in 1997, and it had lasted me
until now. So I definitely wanted a winner for my second
purchase.

Actually, the reason I had to upgrade was...

Pros: infinitely expandable, fastest Palm OS PDA on market
Cons: modest upgrade from Prism Deluxe

VISOR PLATINUM vs DELUXE

Handspring, maker of the popular and critically acclaimed Visor and Visor Deluxe, has recently released two new products - the Visor Platinum and Visor Prism. The new top-of-the-line Prism is the first Handspring PDA...

Pros: Fast, good looking, expandable and really useful
Cons: Uses alkaline batteries Weak backlight

Since your time is at a premium and presumably you'll be reading a few other opinions on this excellent product, I won't rehash what has been repeated in other reviews. Rather, I'll highlight the key selling points of this product and a few tips/hints...

Pros: Many. Durable, quick, powerful, expandable.
Cons: A few. Pricey, poorly lit, no colors, no flash upgade.

I am familiar with a variety of different models of handheld PDAs, having used them in my job, and selected the Handspring Visor Platinum for personal use for a number of reasons. This very fast device has 8MB of memory, is loaded with the...

Pros: Speed, Palm OS, Ease of use, Expansion Slot
Cons: Colourless display

Sure its more expensive than the Visor Deluxe, but the added speed is a welcome improvement and is well worth the price. The one thing that kept me away from the Palm Pilot is the need to pull it apart to make any upgrades, but I have always preferred...

Pros: Speed, speed, speed and speed.
Cons: No flash RAM (BIG minus).

This is my second PDA. My first one was a Palm IIIx, which I had for about one year. But as any serius Palm (or any other PDA) user knows, your need tend to grow as you use your Palm.

My first need was to recieve e-mails on the go. So I went...

Pros: Fast, sleek, many practical applications, modules to upgrade memory, modules for extending capabilities
Cons: Can't upgrade OS and screens scratch easy

If you are like many people looking at the Visor Platinum versus the Visor Deluxe, without a doubt, I would recommend you get the Platinum!

The unit is only $50 more than the deluxe, and features 2 main key points:

1) Upgraded O.S....

Pros: Speed(33 Mhz), Palm OS, Springboard and apps
Cons: Monochrome

First of all, I would just like to state how wonderful this product really is. No matter how much I seem to put it down, I absolutely love it. But that is what I here to do, right? To help you make an educated decision?

I received the...

Pros: light-weight, fast processor, lots of RAM, expandable
Cons: Need to download the latest HotSync Software

Handspring’s Visor Platinum is a great buy if you’re looking for a handheld. This handheld has the features your looking for in a handheld, is ultra-expandable, with the price tag to match.

The Visor Platinum is about 50% faster than the...

Pros: What a neat little toy!
Cons: Crashes my Handspring all the time.

This is a nice little compact product, but it sure crashes my Handspring a lot.

This is a review for the modem hardware product that the Omnisky people provide, not for the service they provide. For the service they provide, please see my...

Pros: Faster, fatter, better programs, video, very expandable
Cons: slightly bigger than the Palm V. No flash Bios.

I had owned a Visor Delux since the beginning on January and about a month ago it was stolen. I soon heard that Handspring would be coming out with new models at the end of October. The day they came out I went to the website and ordered. I was sad to...

Pros: Fastest Palm OS processor around, 8 MB memory, Expandable using Springboard modules
Cons: Microphone, but no voice recorder built in, Thicker than Palm Vx

This model of Visor is more expensive than Visor Deluxe, so what's their difference?

I'll list the difference btw Deluxe and Platinum, and let you be the judge to which one to buy.

-First, Visor Platinum is the FASTEST PalmOS PDA...

Pros: Portability, speed, expandability
Cons: Back light

I got my Visor Platinum around the first of the year, and I've been in love with it ever since. I don't know how I got along without it before. Before my Visor, I used a pen and paper system from Franklin. I was always carrying around the book, but it...

Pros: Springboard, Speed, Size, USB
Cons: Handspring Customer Service, Cases Available, One Color, Screen Texture

I bought a Visor Platinum instead of a Palm for one reason. Expansibility. I see the value of consolidating devices, and I was certain that a Visor and VisorPhone combination would be the best thing. Soon after, I realized that a VisorPhone would not be...

Pros: Organization features, Software Tools, Palm OS and applications, replaceable batteries
Cons: none major

My mission was to determine if an organizer is right for me. My approach was to find out without spending a lot of money on something I may not need.

As a (reluctant) first time buyer of a palm computer, I was presented with a myriad of...

Pros: Size, Graphics, Speed, Palm OS
Cons: Painted "Platinum", battery use, backlight

I had been in the market for a PDA for almost a year. Always checking prices, features, etc. The new and better seemed to always creep up just as I was ready to commit. I finally made the leap and purchased the Handspring Visor Platinum. Why? After...

Pros: USB HotSync, 33MHz VZ processer, 16-level grayscale, Springboard flash slot, price
Cons: OS not on Flash, backlight, paint job

Hawkins: Still Cookin’

Jeff Hawkins. That name should, and is synonymous with the handheld computer. Creating a new mindset for the handheld world that only contained unsuccessful and bloated handhelds, he revolutionized the business....

Pros: Expansion Slot, Awesome color, Interesting accessories
Cons: No Flash Ram

The reason I bought this product was that I kept losing my planner and I'm also an electronic gadget FREAK. In fact I upgraded from my Deluxe to the Platinum (but that's another Epinion;) I'm always keeping up with the latest PDA's and when I heard that...

Pros: Palm OS, Springboard modules, 8MB
Cons: AAA batteries, monochrome screen

The Handspring Visor Platinum is the second best in Handspring's 1st generation offering of PDAs (pre-Edge). The Platinum has a 33mhz Motorola Dragonball processor which is 50% faster than the next lower model...the Visor Deluxe. My sister has the...

Pros: Fast
Cons: Backlight

I purchased my Handsping in late November. I considered all the PalmOS devices and set a spending limit of $300. I was going to get the Deluxe but decided to get this because it is 50% faster than the fastest PalmOS device. I am not going to go over the...

Pros: packs all the power of Palm (tm) product at a slightly nicer cost, good tech support
Cons: can't think of any

I purchased the Visor Platinum because... well, because I plan on one day owning a Mac again, and I wanted my PDA to be mac compatible. More directly, I was having trouble multitasking at work and keeping my headspinning calendar straight. I wanted a...

Pros: Lightweight, fast, does everything you want it to
Cons: A little pricey, doesn't have a built in rechargeable battery

The hardest part of buying a PDA is just wading through all the options. I can't remember why I ended up with the Platinum visor other than it just had the right range of features and price to suit me. And I haven't regretted this decision one time in...

Pros: Sturdy case and strong screen, generous storage capacity
Cons: International characters not explained in graffiti guide; adding Targus keyboard sucks up battery power

My Handspring Visor was an impulse buy--I was planning a research trip and wanted to avoid bringing my old and heavy laptop with me. I purchased the Visor along with the Visor Backup Module and the Targus Stowaway keyboard. This combination was...

Pros: Handspring makes an excellent PALM software compatible PDA with some useful advanced features.
Cons: Not PALM hardware compatible, toll customer service, poor response on returns.

There are a lot of write-ups on the high quality of Handspring hardware and the lack of compatibility with PALM hardware. I do not want to rehash these opinions.

What I would like to discuss is service on a return, I returned a HANDSPRING...

Pros: Faster processor, expansion slot
Cons: Flimsy cover, no internal battery

I just received my Handspring Visor Platinum and so far am very happy with it. I considered the Palm IIIe and the IIIc but I really like the idea of the springboard slot and decided the color of the IIIc was nice but didn't justify the extra expense. My...

Pros: fast, expandable, durable, USB connect
Cons: technology is getting old, terrible backlighting

I bought a Handspring Platinum to update my Palm III.

Overall I'm very happy with the Platinum. I think it offers a good balance of speed/performance vs. price.

I paid $299 thru Handspring for the Visor with a $50 mail in rebate....

Pros: FASTER, enhanced features, better screen
Cons: Some programs run too fast! (games), same old case design

I've had my Visor Platinum for a little over a week now and, I must say I am very impressed! The Platinum is basically a Visor Deluxe that's been hot-rodded and given a new coat of paint.

The new Visors (The Platinum, and the color...

Pros: 33MHz speed, expandability, and Handspring's enhanced datebook & calculator.
Cons: Large size and bulky shape in comparison to other PDAs on the market.

The Visor Platinum is a good, well-rounded product from Handspring.

Speed
It offers a 33MHz processor (still the fastest Palm OS PDA on the marker as of today). But, for most users, speed really isn't of all that much concern....

Pros: Faster than the rest of the pack.
Cons: Increased speed may not be visible to you, depending on the application.

I've now had the Handspring Platinum for 2 weeks. I needed to get a replacement for my beloved Palm IIIxe quickly (it suicided on a tile floor :-( ), and did a lot of research before heading to the Platinum. This is not a machine for everybody, but it...

Pros: Saves a lot of little post-it notes all over your day planner!
Cons: Make sure you hot sync it with your hard drive, or you may lose everything

I have had my Visor for 3 months now and I absolutely love it! Admittedly, I was reluctant to start using one. My place of employment required me to learn and I fought it all I could. I was so used to my day planner (I have been using the same day...

Pros: Speed, Springboard Slot, 8MB, USB
Cons: Paint rubs off with heavy use

The choice to purchase the Handspring Platinum seemed to be an automatic one: It has the most processing power of current Palm PDAs, 8MB of memory, the springboard module slot, and everything else we know and love about Handspring.

I purchased...

Pros: Fast, alot of memory, long battery life, easy to use, expandable
Cons: Backlight, price

I wanted to get a fast modern palm pilot. After doing some research on the matter and talking to some people that have them I came to the conclusion that the Handspring Visor Platinum was the best choice. I received it and I really dont have to many...

Pros: At least 1/3 the cost of a lap top computer.
Cons: Could use slightly larger & longer pointer-pencil

I have been using this device for a month now, and I can honestly say - the laptop market is in big trouble! I have two desktops at home and wanted a laptop to do a variety of things while I was away from the office (including writing hockey game...

Pros: Easy to use; intuitive; runs all Palm OS; readable in sunlight; excellent calendar management
Cons: No built-in recharger for batteries

This is my first PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and I love it. I read reviews in MacWorld magazine comparing different types and this one was highly rated. Additionally, the web site for hanspring.com was offering a $50 rebate for a limited time. My...

Pros: Fast, pretty and the PalmOS so easy to use and upgrade!
Cons: You replace batteries often. Pricey

I received one of the Handspring Visors for x-mas this past year. I hadn't had much interest in a PDA and had never really looked into them too much. I ripped open the packaging and slapped the fresh batteris in. I don't think it's been off for more then...

Pros: 8mb,quick,OS, w/ expansion slot,USB, user friendly,simple to use but with a lot of potential
Cons: black and white screen

I bought my Visor to try if I will like it. I can't believe that I waited this long to get one. I think that everyone should have a PDA. I downloaded a lot of free software and I still have space for some more. The 8mb flash module can cost you $79.00...

Pros: 33MHZ Dragonball EZ Processor, 16 shades (Grayscale), and Springboard Expansion.
Cons: Bulky design, Battery-Powered, Plastic case (Cracks Easily), and high repair costs through Handspring.

Operating System
The Visor Platinum comes with Palm OS v3.5H. It is a great OS version and it works great with Handspring models. Unfortunately, third party software companies are using the power of v4.0 to deliver faster and more reliable...

Pros: Screen clarity, expansion slot, speed.
Cons: Modified Palm OS, doesn't charge batteries unless you mod it.

I really enjoy using my Hansdpring Visor. The speed is great, the screen is clear, the 8-meg is enough and it has yet to break down. I've had this item for a few years now and I'll keep it till it stops working. The expansion slot is one of the best ...

Pros: Good for a good impression of organization
Cons: Batteries do DIE!

This is a good gadget to help yourself, and your life get organized. Many find this easy to use because it is just press the screen and your done; and the software that come with the system is great, you can use it to organize your daily routine, to...

Pros: Easy to use, Springboard Technology, Fast!
Cons: Batteries do not last long.. (Nothing else!!)

I have had my Visor Platinum for about 4 months and really have nothing negative to say about it. It is light and easy to use (Palm Operating System) and comes standard with 8mb of memory.

I work in the Telecommunications industry and I need...

Pros: Fast, Sleek, Useful
Cons: Loose Connection To HotSync, Battery Life

I received this handheld for Christmas and it has not let me down. The one problem that I had with it was handled with ease by Handspring. For some reason, I think just from too much use, the connection between the handheld and the hotsync became...

Pros: Easy to use, fast, nice display, and a good leather slip case
Cons: Screen not as sensitive as palm, have to work harder to get reaction

With this much memory and the expansion slot, there are endless capabilities. I use it for medical software and love it, with a few exceptions.

The Visor does not respond very well to my stylus, as compared to my old palm 3x. Along the edges,...

Pros: Portable, very cool, easy to work with, keeps me organzied
Cons: None

I have asked myself how did I ever live without my Handspring Visor? I kept a notebook full of henscratches and was very unorganized is how! It is simply amazing how much more organized I am now. It has made a big difference in my maintaing my...

Pros: Ease of use, large display area, versatility.
Cons: Finding help topics is a little tricky.

I am truly happy with my purchase. I love how easy it is to program my information. The Palm OS interface is similar to other date book programs on IBM compatibles. I choose where the information goes, type in the info, and then I sync up. It's so...

Pros: Nice display, features, functionality, and a nice overall product.
Cons: Monochrome display.

The Platinuim is a very nice product. Graffiti recognition is next to perfect, though I did initaly have some problems with the letters "y", "d" and "g". The included Hotsync software provides very nice syncronizations, though it does crash if you try...

Pros: good screen, fast, 8 mb of RAM, updated OS, expansion
Cons: no real advantages

The Visor Platinum is Handspring's answer for power. It comes in the standard Visor size, slightly thinner than the Palm IIIXE and is available only in a conservative, yet stylish metallic silver that works across the board. It comes with a black flip...

Pros: nice design
Cons: Company policys and trust.

OK, I am what many people call a Gadget junkie. If it is new I own it. I have the Palm III, IIIc, V, Vx. Now I see this Handspring Visor Platinum and can't wait to get one. I go to their web site and BUY one. I pay extra for OVERNIGHT delivery....

Pros: upgradability
Cons: price/performance

Though I can't say enough about how superior the Handspring products are to the Palm's, when it comes to the Visor Platinum, I just can't tell the difference between it and the Deluxe model. Aside from the obvious silver coated plastic shell, I really...

Pros: Palm OS 3.5, faster processor, sleek look
Cons: Washed out screen

Just upgraded from a Visor Deluxe to the Platinum. First off, I notice the screen is a little darker than the Deluxe. Not a big deal, but side by side the Platinum looks a tad bit washed out.

Also, no a *huge* recognizable difference in...

Pros: PALM OS, USB, 8 megs of storage
Cons: batteries, speed, size

Ok,
I got the platinum thinking it would be much better than the deluxe. It turns out in my own speed tests (I will tell you how I did this), the deluze actually seems to run faster than the platinum, even though the platinum is suppose to be 50%...

Pros: Fast, nice stylus, memory, price
Cons: hotsync

I bought the Visor Platinum for 250 with a 40 dollar rebate. I have been eyeing the other more pricey palm pilots, but I realized that on a limited budget I did not need certain extra features. The Visor has all the functions I believe are necessary for...

Pros: Fast, uses the Palm OS, stylish.
Cons: Uses AAA batteries vs. rechargeable.

I bought the first Palm Pilot back in about 1996 (?), so I've been a big fan for a while (my original Pilot is so old, it was still US Robotics -- not yet 3Com!)

The Handspring Platinum is a good, solid PDA. Very fast and based on the same...

Pros: Wonderful with EyeModule and AvantGo! Noticeably faster with all apps.
Cons: Multifunction Stylus not really functional; No apparent body design improvements

The Visor Platinum is a prime example of how far Palm Computing has come in such a short time.

I owned an original US Robotics Palm Pilot, which sold me on the Palm OS platform for life. The functionality and ease of use of Palm OS continues...

Pros: Easy to use, Good service area and customer service. Price better than Palm VII.
Cons: Very buggy. Crashed my Visor Platinum once every 3 days. Bulky.

I have used this modem for 1 month with my Visor Platinum and can say that it works great. Only problem that I have is that it crashed my visor about every 3 days of use before I updated the flash ROM. No loss of data, just time wasted to reset. I...

Pros: Expandable memory, speed, excellent customer service from Handspring.
Cons: Some programs may not work off the 8MB flash module.

My Visor Platinum has been my best friend in my medical school training. I chose the Visor Platinum over Palm IIIxe because it has the expandable memory. The total 16MB of memory gives me plenty of room for medical references. Many of the medical...

Pros: Lots of ad-ons, fast, compact, all you need
Cons: not color. hehheh

I have always been a fan of Handspring Visors simply because I have never had a single complaint about them whatsoever. I can't think of a negative experience I have ever had with my Platinum, or that my boyfriend has had with his Deluxe. The Platinum...

Pros: Backlight, portability, speed, also very reliable.
Cons: Price and color (if your picky).

Of my Visor Deluxe, Prism and Palm VII, the Platinum keeps me coming back. Not only does it have quick load times and an easy to use interface, but the Platinum gives a glimpse of the future of Palm technology.
Upon booting use the device for the...

Pros: Super fast processing, expandable, quality stylus
Cons: Minor exterior scuffing, poor backlight, old/bulky design

In a flash my world was turned upside down after having somehow misplaced my Palm Pilot early this year. After a brief morning period and an anxiety-ridden month without my electronic co-dependent, it was time to find a new PDA. Concerned that...

Pros: Faster than the Deluxe, supports PQAs and Internet browsing with OmniSky
Cons: Price

I upgraded to the Platinum from the Handspring Deluxe that I purchased a year ago in order to be able to install the OmniSky wireless modem. I've been surfing the net wirelessly ever since and absolutely love the duo.

Even if you're looking...

Pros: Great PDA with lots of memory and an economical price
Cons: AA batteries die quickly! Buy in bulk.

This is great little piece of machinery with a lot of power. I lived through the ice ages of hand held computers and PDAs and I have to say for the price and the product I could not have done better.

I got my Visor back in December as a...

Pros: Nice design, works well, easy to use, good battery life
Cons: Price

I recieved the Handspring Visor Platinum as a Christmas present this year. I am a 14 year old in High School, and wanted this to help me keep organized. I am terrible with filling out a planner, and needed to stay on top of due dates and things. This...

Pros: versatile PDA that offers a suite of options outside of address book and daily organizer
Cons: still need to use standard batteries

In looking at the variety of PDAs I was most impressed with the Handspring visor - Platinum. The product provides me the necessary functions required of an organizer and offers additional enhancements that separate it from the competition. I was...

snazzy, small, easy to carry, and something nice to show off to all your friends. Not a need, more like a want. Works nicely.

I thought that the price was a little over the top for the few features it comes with but the size and weight of it were very accomodating.

I think everyone should own one because they help remember certain appointments. They are a little expensive but they are worth it.

I bought a factory refurbished unit at Fry's for 100.00. This is really all that anybody needs who relies upon a PDA for data functions. The speed and reliability are quite adequate. The lack of a color screen will only be a problem for those who want to view photos on their PDA. Adding color creates problems of battery life and screen visibility in bright sun conditions, however. Platinum is the ticket!

it is extremely small,stylish,classy and handsome.it is effecient has a long battery life and is of a good quality

very useful esay and fun to use every worker should have one not only can you store numbers and addresses but you acn keep shopping lists recde music and many other useful thing can be done

I used this PDA quite successfully and satisfactorily for the last two years or so. It's done everything I need it to and more. The only complaints I have are (1) Battery life; (2) Fragility - I've now owned two of these and both have broken. One good drop and that's all she wrote.... I'm now in the market for something more durable. The cheap price is good, but not if you have to buy one per year! I guess you get what you pay for.