Handspring Visor Platinum (Graphite)

by Handspring

Product Details

Product Manual [3.09mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005AQ29
• Item model number: 1017NA
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,164 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Color: Graphite

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, providing sharper graphics output for games and applications. It also features 8 MB of memory like the Visor Deluxe, providing plenty of room for storing contacts, notes, and e-mail.

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 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 gray scale 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 the 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 graphite 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New PDA user--love the Platinum, March 22, 2001

By 

Patrick Anderson "Patrick" (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handspring Visor Platinum (Graphite) (Office Product)

Ok...I admit. I'm a brand new PDA user. I came into some money, and bought myself a Handspring Visor Platinum. And I love it.

While I won't say, "I can't figure out how I lived without it." I admit it is great.

I have owned it a week. It took me 20 minutes from walking into my house to entering data in the address book, and most of that time was spent unpacking the box.

Good points: Large memory. 8 megs is a lot. I am a law student and have downloaded alot of the laws that I work with in my classes. I have downloaded a free image viewer and a couple of images. I have 3 or 4 games and other utilities that are just for fun. And I still have about 6 megs of memory left.

Speed. I can't say much to Handspring's claim of "twice as fast as the Deluxe", but it is fast.

Quality. The thing feels good. It has a solid feel, and it has taken a week of my beating on it. The stylus is a joy, although I will get a full sized pen stylus. It would be nice if the plastic cover was a flip cover, but I can take it off the front, and put it on the back of the Platinum.

Springboard. While I haven't gotten to use it, I think it looks like a good idea.

PalmOS. Enough said.

Bad Points: Battery Power. The battery life in the batteries that came with it are probably only going to last another week or week and a half. A rechargable battery would have been a nice addition.

Leather Case. Its good leather, but kinda cheap in its design. I'm buying a new one soon.

No flash ROM. Realistically, I don't think this will be a problem. I talked to a number of PalmOS users who really don't do much upgrading of software, and software patches work well enough. But I figured that for the sake of completeness I'd add this.

I bought the Handspring instead of the Palm models because of the Springboard module. I bought the Platinum for looks and speed. I know, speed isn't so important yet, but I suspect it will be.

Overall, I am now officially addicted to PDAs, PalmOS, and Handspring products. I will never go without one again. :)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Product, Awesome Price, September 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Handspring Visor Platinum (Graphite) (Office Product)

I debated the merits of various PDA's for well over a year before settling on this product as my choice. I had previously purchased a Pocket PC, but felt that the technology wasn't there at the time (this was 1 1/2 years ago). So why did I choose a Handspring Platinum? Simple: durability, expandibility, and cost. As an Army officer, I typically beat tech products up - I've destroyed at least a couple of laptops, handheld radios, calculators, and other items during the conduct of my typical duties, and was very hesitant to put my "paper planner" in a desk drawer. Upon receipt of my Platinum, I tossed the complimentary leather case, and purchased a padded neoprene zippered binder for it. The only other item I've purchased so far is the Backup Module, which, according to my Palm-owning coworkers, is the best thing on a PDA they've ever seen (apparently, their Palms keep crashing). Most Palm owners are in disbelief when I show them my Handspring. The Springboard Modules will kill them (check out Handspring's website for a list - it's all-encompassing). The Platinum writes better than a Palm IIIxe or Vx, the screen's MUCH clearer, and it's a heck of a lot more durable (I've probably dropped it at least a dozen times in the last month). The price? ...you won't find a better deal. One more thing - it is true that Handspring is coming out with two new models...one is the "replacement" for the Platinum (but it's nothing more than a simple product rename), and will most likely still carry the [same] price. The other... includes the same processor, along with an additional 8MB on built-in RAM. So what's the bottom-line? This is the best deal going on PDA's - get one, today, and you'll never regret your decision.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Construction Use, May 27, 2001

By 

Eric V. Robison "Contractor" (MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handspring Visor Platinum (Graphite) (Office Product)

I am a Construction Supervisor and have found my Handspring to be invaluable. Because I can customize my contact fields it allows me to have a homeowner, employee, suppliers, sub-contractor and more databases in the address file. The only draw back was the USB cable that was shipped did not work for me and I had to purchase the serial cable to be able to hot sync. Also because I have large hands I need the Targus keyboard for ease of data entry. I would recommend this for anybody that carries a clip board or address book. Remember after you purchase yours to visit the many sites that offer free software for your Handspring.

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