Product 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36946 in Consumer Electronics
• Size: Silver
• Brand: Handspring
• Model: 1009NA
• Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Palm OS, Windows 95
• Dimensions: .70" h x 3.00" w x 4.80" l, .33 pounds
• Memory: 8MB
• Native resolution: 160 x 160
• Display size: 3.1

Features

• 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

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

• Thicker than Palm Vx
• Microphone, but no voice recorder built in

Amazon.com Product 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

Customer Reviews

Another good product from Handspring
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 with its 33mhz processor. Other PalmOS PDAs have either 16mhz or 20mhz. Visor deluxe has 16mhz. However, the speed of the PDA is a little overrated, since most Palm application do not require high speed processor anyway. but hey, the faster the better, right?
-Second, Visor Platinum has 4 bits display while Visor Deluxe has only 2 bits display. This means that, Platinum can display 16 levels of greyscale, while Deluxe can display only 4 level of greyscale.
-Third, Platinum has PalmOS version 3.5 while Deluxe has version 3.1. This is important because you can not upgrade PalmOS on Handspring's PDA (due to USB problem). So, this means you'll be stuck with which ever PalmOS that comes with your Visor forever. But this is not a big problem as it may sounds, b/c any PalmOS's are essentially the same thing.
-Lastly, Platinum has cool sophisicated silver color, while Deluxe has teenage iMAC style colors.

Another product I recommend if you are considering buying Visor Platinum is PalmIIIxe. PalmIIIxe also has 4 bits display like Platinum, and it also comes with PalmOS version 3.5. I'll make a list of difference btw Visor Platinum and PalmIIIxe for you. (Note that this list also include some of the differences btw Visor Deluxe and PalmIIIxe)
-PalmIIIxe is the same price as Visor Deluxe, which is about fifty bucks cheaper than Platinum
-PalmIIIxe comes with only 16mhz processor like Visor Deluxe
-Visor has expansion module, which means alot, you can add many many feature afterward, you can make your Visor am MP3 player too! And you can also easily add more memory to your Visor, while for PalmIIIxe, you can only add 2MB flashcard.
-When you buy a leather case for your Visor, you dont have to stick a valcro to the back of your PDA like you have to for Palm. (Palm need a Valcro to hold it to the case, while for Visor, there's a plastic holder attach to the back of the leather case, so you can jsut put your Visor securely in there)
-Visor comes with a fast USB cradle while Palm comes with slow serial cradle, so if you buy palm and want a fast synconizing, you'll need to buy a USB cradle separatly.
-Visor comes with a good quiality stylus, it has solid feel of metal, and if you open it up, there's a little screw driver and a reset pin inside. Palm comes with a piece of plactic stylus; buy a new stylus cost about fifteen dollars.

Are these difference worth the more money you pay for Platinum? Let yourself be the judge, see what you need.

Best for the money
I did a lot of shopping when looking for a PDA using the Palm OS. I compared the Palm Vx, VII, IIIc, IIIxe and the visor series.

First off, I don't have a need for lots of color, and if I did, I would definitely have bought the 65,000 color Visor Prism for the resolution and color depth. The Platinum is a little thicker than the Vx, and comparable in size to the III and VII series. The VII has one advantage, a built-in modem (necessary service sign-up although), and the IIIc has color, but moderate color at that. The IIIxe has built-in memory upgrade capacity, but so does every Visor (8mb modules available). The platinum visor has the fastest processor available in Palm OS devices (50% faster than current Palm models, as reported by Handspring), and also uses the most up-to-date Palm OS (version 3.5.2).

For the money ..., there no better deal out there. Unless you need color, this is the best Palm PDA available. Compatible with all Palm applications (those that run on the new OS, at least... I've found that some older app's won't run), and with the built-in Springboard module expansion slot, I'm sure that there's lots more to come from this company, co-founded by the creator of Palm. New innovation and next-generation thinking will put this company and its products ahead of the competition.

A Really Nice Product....I'm Happy About My Purchase
I was very surprised by some of the negative comments at cnet. I then realized that most of them had been written by people who didn't have Platinums, and for some reason, had some grudge against the Handspring. I think Mac haters have gone to the PDA world looking for more people to annoy. In any case, this is a great product and I've really enjoyed mine for the few days that I've had it. Downloading Avantgo and other apps was error-free--I'm not sure what happened to the other reviewer on this site. It is "painted plastic," but it's an awfully nice paint job, and the thing doesn't feel cheap at all. It's not as slick as the Palm V. However, it's human to get nostalgic about forward-thinking designs in our old, outdated technology. ;-)

I'm a bit put off by people on other sites (including the cnet review) claiming that this product is for "power users only." This seems awfully ignorant of the fact that these products are obsolete in two years or less. Have you whipped out your Newton lately? For fifty bucks more, you can get a 33-mhz processor that may keep you ahead of the obsolescence curve by a few months, and give you a lot of speed before then. Suck it up and get with the 21st century.

A note on the screen: it does give a bit, almost (!) like paper might if you were writing on a legal pad. It's not irritating to me at all, though I seem to notice it less than others in my office. Match it up with screen protectors and you have a very realistic writing experience.

Good luck and have fun--one last thing--Handspring has been great with shipping and support so far. I had mine (in MN) within 30 hours of ordering it. I expect Amazon can do the same (I have never had a bad experience with Amazon, period). I might add that Amazon has one heck of a good deal on Rhinoskin Ti Sliders--$50! I have never seen one less than $100, even on the Rhino site.