Editorial Review:

Item Description:
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.

Amazon.com Review:
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

Amazon.com Item Description:
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

Accessories:
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Accessories:

• Targus CH071 Tri-Fold Universal PDA Case - Nylon
• Targus PA870U Universal Wireless Keyboard
• Eyemodule Digital Camera Springboard Module for Handspring Visor
• Handspring Visor Serial Hotsync Cradle (Graphite)
• Handspring Visor Serial Hotsync Cradle (Ice)

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Rating: - * Great product...until you try to have it repaired ... My Handspring was a trusted resource for the first 9 1/2 months I had it. Last week, it suddenly stopped working. I went to Handspring's site and filled out the return form only to be told it was out of warranty, which wasn't true; I have 2.5 months left on my warranty. I called Customer Service and was told of my options: Call Tech Support with my claim, which charges a flat fee of $20; have it repaired "out of warranty," for $100; or, as Handspring's website suggests, "Sometimes the cost of repairing an older device is almost as much as purchasing a new one. We welcome you to explore your options: maybe it makes more sense to simply buy a new device of the same type, or even treat yourself to the latest & greatest..." Thanks, Handspring, I've explored my options--and I'm switching to Sony. Rating: - * The platinum is GOLD ... I bought this after much hesitation that I would "never need a PDA." Well, with the included software, sync-cradle and it's onboard memory, I couldn't live without it. From addresses to 3rd party software, it's my constant companion. By sync-ing it with my work PC, I have all my emails, spreadsheets,[microsoft and word]documents in one convenient place. I am also sold on AvantGo, a online site that downloads at sync all the things you ask it to: weather, sports, financials, etc. Batteries are a [reasonabley priced] but it must know that because it uses them fairly frequently- but not like my GPS. It warns you, but listen to the warning- if you wait too long, your data's gone....until the next sync. Very efficient on memory but you can always buy more-never had to. Recommend if you want a black and white, no-frills, fast and convenient PDA that you can customize until the cows come home. Rating: - * Wonderful, wonderful device except for... ... ...occasionally bits of memory mysteriously disappears. For example, of my daily mileage tabs for the past six months, November's mileage records have inexplicably vanished, though this month's (December 02) mileage records are intact. This happened to me a while back with September's mileage records, but they inexplicably reappeared a few weeks later! I'm hoping the same will happen to the missing November records... This is my first PDA, so have no idea if this is just a fact of life with all PDAs or what. Other than that this PDA is more than enough for my needs, no need to blow $300-500 for some fancy schmancy full-color 400 MHz (same as an old Pentium II desktop!) HP or Sony running Pocket Windows, which is actually not as easy to use as Palm OS. Rating: - * bad price ... i think the PDA itself is awesome but if u want a good price with a free cradle, just go to [another website]... Rating: - * Visor Platinum ... This is a great pda for anyone! I use it for everything I do! My fried does the same. I reccomend it to anybody who is into computers, needs something to keep track of things on the go, or someone who has a busy schedual. Don't go with anyone else.