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Review
Created: April, 2000
If you've been caught up in the hand-held computer frenzy and
are waiting for color to arrive on a Palm device, wait no longer.
The Palm IIIc (c for color) has arrived. Was it worth the wait?
Not really. It's nice to see color in the palm of your hand,
but this is a technology without a useful application.
What drives the need for color is software that requires more
than gray scale to deliver better services. The Palm IIIc lacks
applications to make this feature useful, though the 50,000
developers registered to develop for this platform will no doubt
come up with something useful.
One application that proves color usability is Album To Go,
a slide-show program that can import your vacation snaps --
or any color images -- and display them sequentially on the
IIIc. It has an odd way of rendering images (in a weird cascade
of nauseous color) but insurance adjusters, real estate agents
and anyone needing electronic photo or image portability might
find this useful.
To reduce the demand on batteries, the number of displayable
colors was limited to 256. This makes for grainy images. The
screen technology is a little odd, as well. You can actually
count the pixels with the naked eye. The IIIc's screen is certainly
inferior to that of its Microsoft Pocket PC competitors, some
of which offer 16 million colors. Pocket PC is the new name
for Windows CE, as of April 17, 2000.
The tradeoff for a lower quality screen and fewer colors is
that the Palm IIIc's battery life is more robust. You'll get
10 to 12 hours of continuous battery life out of a color Palm,
versus six to eight hours on a Pocket PC device.
Nevertheless, the addition of color on the Palm cuts the battery
life in half compared to gray-scale Palms. The built-in rechargeable
battery (first introduced on the Palm V) regenerates the device
while it sits in its computer connecting cradle. On the road
away from home, you'll have to take that cradle with you to
keep the Palm IIIc charged.
Prolonged use runs the battery down quickly. If you play solitaire
on a long flight, expect to rig the recharger when you get to
your hotel. Power will remain, but will be greatly diminished.
The Palm IIIc still offers the key advantage of its predecessors
-- Graffiti, a meet-the-computer-halfway handwriting recognition
integrated with the device.
You write a modified upper-case script and it recognizes your
handwriting. The IIIc comes in a black case, is slightly larger
than other gray-cased Palm III devices, and features quick access
buttons and an interface that is intuitive and simple to use.
Basic day-timer, phone book and "to do" software packages interface
with Microsoft Outlook or to a Palm desktop data manager through
a cradle that plugs into a serial port (like a modem).
It uses Palm's patented HotSync technology to synchronize data
with a PC. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector and Mac connection
software is available, though both are extra.
In the age of USB, this connector should be an option, not an
add-on. The Palm IIIc remains a progressive, and arguably necessary,
development in a great line of hand-held products. If color
is mission critical, swap to the less usable and more expensive
Pocket PC devices made by Compaq, Casio and HP.
Otherwise, hold out for the next color edition of the Palm (look
for it in the fall of 2000) or stick with the gray-scale units.
Reviewer's rating: 3.75 / 5
Comments: The Palm IIIc is a great device. The limit
of 256 colors is disappointing, but the color tradeoff optimizes
battery life.
System requirements: Windows 95/98 or NT computer or
Macintosh (with add-on connector kit), CD-ROM drive, mouse.
Note to Macintosh users: Mac USB users must buy a Palm IIIc
connection kit. To connect a Mac with a serial cable, you will
need a Palm IIIc version Macintosh Serial Adapter, plus the
software that comes with the USB kit or the free Macintosh software
available on the Palm.com Web site.
Note: Palm devices can be used without a computer, but data
backup, e-mail and upgrade and program installation functionality
will be unavailable.
More info: http://www.palm.com
Where to buy:
PC Mall
Price: $299 US, $449 Canadian Mac/USB kit: $39.95 US,
$55 Canadian
Mac serial kit: $9.95 US, $14 Canadian
Macintosh software download: free
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