PalmOne m100 Handheld

by Palm

Product Details

Product Manual [2.52mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches ; 4.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004VWM3
• Item model number: 3C80700U
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (205 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,665 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #34 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > PDAs, Handhelds & Accessories > PDAs & Handhelds
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you're new to the world of handheld organizers, the Palm m100 may just be the right fit for you. Under the hood, the Palm m100 features much of the same great software and options we've come to expect from Palm, such as scheduling and contact applications and an infrared port to beam information to other Palm users. But Palm has added some new features to both the engine (which runs Palm OS 3.5) and the chassis.

The first thing you notice is the new sleek, curvy design, which helps make it fit more snugly and comfortably in your hand. At just 4.4 ounces, the m100 is far lighter than the Palm III series but features essentially the same dimensions (4.66 by 3.12 by 0.72 inches). You can personalize your m100 by snapping off the faceplate and replacing it with different-colored accessory faceplates. The Palm m100 also includes a removable, double-hinged flip cover, which, with the flick of the wrist, opens like an original Star Trek communicator (though an over-exuberant flick will send it flying off its hinges). You can also display the date and time through a little window when the cover is closed, by pressing the scroll button.

The screen is sharp and has contrast-variable backlighting, though at 2 by 2 inches, it's slightly smaller than other Palm devices. Pressing the buttons at the bottom of the m100 automatically open the Calendar, Address Book, and To Do List applications. The fourth button maps to the new Note Pad application, which allows you to write notes directly on the screen in your own handwriting (though the original Memo Pad application remains on the system).

The 2 MB of RAM may seem puny in comparison to other Palm models (such as the 8 MB Palm IIIxe), and it is not expandable. However, you can still store an amount of data that would normally clog a paper organizer (up to 6,000 addresses and 1,500 to-dos and memos, according to Palm).

A great plus for users on the go is the new HotSync serial cable (instead of a bulky cradle), which is used to communicate with your PC and synchronize your Palm m100 data with data stored in the included Palm Desktop software application. Note that while the Palm m100 ships with software for both PC and Macintosh systems, Mac users will have to order a free serial adapter from Palm (shipping charges are not included).

While the Palm m100 isn't for everyone, it is a fun and functional replacement for your paper-based organizer and a great introduction to the Palm family. --Agen Schmitz

Pros:

• Fits comfortably in hand
• 1-touch access to time and date
• New Note Pad application
• Synchronization using serial HotSync cable rather than cradle

Cons:

• Smaller screen
• Memory not upgradable

Product Description

If you're new to the world of handheld organizers, the Palm m100 may just be the right fit for you. Under the hood, the Palm m100 features much of the same great software and options we've come to expect from Palm, such as scheduling and contact applications and an infrared port to beam information to other Palm users. But Palm has added some new features to both the engine (which runs Palm OS 3.5) and the chassis.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

184 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Palm M100- Super Buy! Highly Recommended, September 12, 2000

By 

mike (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PalmOne m100 Handheld (Office Product)

I Recently bought the M100 after comparing the IIIE, IIIXE and Handspring Visor Models. What made me buy the Palm M100. Three reasons. 1. Palm's reputation of quality, and the look. I'm sorry but it's cool. Sure the screen is a bit smaller, but I'm not writing War and Peace on this thing! 2. The fact that I only wanted to replace my organizer and have room for a couple of games. Actually I have over 15 games on this along with a good chunk of info and still have over 75% of memory. Sure 8 mb is nice to have, but it's also another $100 bucks. I can't see myself spending more money on additional game-boy like cartridges. Sure for developers and heavy power users the visor is probably the way to go, but I didn't like the fact I had to pay $179 for a visor and another 30 bucks to serial link it with my older computer. That's $209 plus tax to start versus $149 for the Palm. Moreover, the Visor 8mb would have been over $279 dollars vs. $149 just to start out. FORGET IT. Like I said remeber what you are buying it for.!! 3. The way the standards are evolving and the way new devices are coming out, the next best thing is always around the corner, so again remind yourself what you are buying this for. The way I figure if something too cool comes out, (say after 6 months or so,when the flash module palms, new visors or the next best pocket pc version comes out, I'll just give the m100 to my daughter.

92 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet price point for a basic organizer, August 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: PalmOne m100 Handheld (Office Product)

I am a computer programmer. Yet I hate to deal with complicated interfaces. I want to press as few buttons as possible to get the job done. This Palm, or any other Palm allows you to do what you want without fuss. With a Palm organizer, you spend far more time using the device than in the care and feeding of the device.

Where this one does well is that it is a perfect entry-level organizer for people who have been put off by the high price of, say, a Palm Vx. It is simple. It is clean. My mom could use it.

Most people need a basic organizer, with maybe, one extra application. For them, this Palm shines. 2MB is a whole lot of memory unless you want to jam half-a-dozen AvantGo channels into it.

That said, the flip cover looks really cheap and does not snap to the bottom of the device. It does not add much protective value to the device. The plastic casing seems sturdy. Mine has already withstood a 7 foot drop onto carpeting with not a scratch. The screen though smaller is sharp (when compared to my older PalmPilot, and easy on the eyes). The clock is a nice additional touch.

If you've been waiting to ditch your paper organizer, this is the time.

168 of 175 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars more of the same, August 11, 2000

By 

"unc219" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PalmOne m100 Handheld (Office Product)

All things considered, the M100 is remarkably similar to the Palm IIIe and also to the Handspring Visor. They all run the Palm OS, have 2MB of RAM, and are powered by AAA batteries. They also all sell for $149. But the monochrome screen on the M100 is just 2 inches square--almost a half inch smaller than the Palm IIIe's screen. It's still large enough to be useful, but it feels cramped.

The M100 does have two handy additions to the Palm formula: the first is an integrated clock, and the other is a piece of software designed to replace Memo Pad. This feature, called Note Pad, allows you to draw and take notes directly on the screen rather than using Graffiti to enter text. I found it very handy for jotting down a phone number, which you can later transcribe with Graffiti. Don't think you must get an M100 to do this, though; third-party software, such as BugMe can do essentially the same thing on any Palm OS device.

By far the most appealing change is the small, light, new body. Although at 4.4 ounces it weighs little more than the Palm V, the M100 is much thicker than that model. When you tire of basic black, just snap off the faceplate and replace it with another color.

A new, double-hinged screen cover has a little window through which you can see a portion of the screen and a hole that allows you to access the scroll button. If you press this button when the M100 is turned off, the clock will be displayed through the window of the cover. When an appointment alarm sounds, you can read it right through the window as well. The cover can be folded behind the device, an improvement over the III series, but it tends to flap around a bit.

I like the price since, for $150, a Palm OS device with 2MB of RAM is plenty of computer. However, I recommend a Palm IIIe or, if you're fond of colors, the Handspring Visor because they offer slightly larger screens for the same price. The M100 is cute and the software tweaks are nice but its not really all that great compared to the IIIe.