PalmOne m500 Handheld

by Palm

• Windows and Macintosh compatible--includes desktop software for both platforms
• Native USB cradle allows faster HotSync operations
• New, advanced monochrome LCD screen makes it easier to see in dim light and in bright sunlight
• Built-in 8 MB memory stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do items, and notes
• New Secure Digital Card/MultiMediaCard expansion slot for additional memory and functionality such as a dictionary/thesaurus, games, and more

Product Details

Product Manual [2.84mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.1 x 0.4 inches ; 4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AWBJ
• Item model number: 3C80800U
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (195 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,538 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #4 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > PDAs, Handhelds & Accessories > Handhelds & PDAs
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com

The lightweight, stylish Palm m500 handheld is expandable, customizable, and Internet capable. The Palm m500 has an expansion card slot for additional memory storage (up to 64 MB) and add-ons such as a dictionary/thesaurus, games, and more. The Palm m500 comes with all the classic personal information management tools you expect: Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Mail, and Clock. It has 8 MB of built-in memory, enough to store thousands of addresses, years of appointments, hundreds of to-do items, and more than 50 applications.

The expansion card slot is a dual-purpose slot that can hold two types of cards: Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard (MMC). Both types of cards are small, inexpensive, and easy to plug in. Much like computer diskettes, they hold information for upload or download onto a handheld. With them, you can instantly add software programs, e-books, large databases, graphics, or even video files to your handheld without sacrificing memory space.

Sleek and lightweight, the Palm m500 handheld has a shiny aluminum casing and is curved to fit in your hand. The display's enhanced technology makes it easier to see at all angles, in dim light, and in bright sunlight.

The new native USB HotSync cradle allows you to quickly back up and exchange information between your handheld and your PC or Mac. The Palm m500 handheld also features new vibrating and blinking LED alarms (in addition to the standard audible alarm) to help you stay on top of your busy schedule. The Palm m500 handheld comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery, which is charged using the HotSync cradle.

The Palm m500 handheld comes with Palm OS 4.0, which provides enhanced security and improved Internet connectivity. Other application features include Note Pad for writing sticky notes, Palm Mobile Connectivity for connecting to the Internet and obtaining e-mail via compatible cellular phones, and AOL for the Palm OS.

The Palm m500 handheld is PC and Macintosh compatible and requires a USB port. It comes with Palm desktop software for both PC and Macintosh. It has a one-year warranty.

What's in the box

• Palm m500
• Stylus
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• USB HotSync cradle
• Palm Desktop software for Windows and Macintosh and Palm Mobile Connectivity software
• Getting Started guide
• Handbook

Product Description

Palm introduced the Palm V as the handheld for elite users: its anodized aluminum finish, small size, and thin profile--not to mention its premium price tag--were supposed to appeal to the upper echelon of executives. When the masses decided that a small and light device was worth the extra bucks, Palm found itself with its top-selling handheld. With the introduction of the Palm m500, it's clear that Palm has learned its lesson and is sticking with the successful form factor, while adding a handful of new features to incrementally advance the entire Palm family.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

254 of 258 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars m500 - thumbs up November 19, 2001

By R. Amaral

Ok...I just finished reading all the reviews between the Palm m500 and the Palm m505 (color). This is my first Palm so this review is coming from a novice point of view. I decided to go with the m500. I made a wise choice! I really don't need a color screen. I don't play games or anything like that. So I decided to go with the m500 and save almost a hundred bucks. I bought it for the address book, the memo feature, the to do list, and the additional memory you can buy. I really don't need to see these things in color. Many people complain about the screen clarity, size etc..etc..I really don't have a problem with it. It is nice and clear. I can see the fonts no problem, and the palm icons are nice and clear. The screen is a good size too. The illuminated light is nice and bright. The screen is dark while the fonts and all the graphics nicely light up. It comes with alot of extra software too. It was also very easy to operate. I started to feel confident within 5 minutes after I pulled it out of the box. It's navigation is very straight forward and easy to understand. I just installed software that allows you to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files right on your Palm!

All in all I am very satisfied with the m500. I would highly recommend it to beginners who want basic Palm functions, but also want the option of exploring and using the other great features that puts the m500 at the top of the line of Palm handhelds. You also save some money too!

134 of 140 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have May 13, 2001

By A Customer

I used to own a Sony CLIE. As most people know, it is a so-so Palm clone with NO accesories. Finally I decided to upgrade to a new m500. It is the smallest handheld running on Palm OS (yes smaller than the Vx and the m505). It also has the clearest screen (far superior to my almost new CLIE). And comes with around $200 of bonus software, something the Vx lacks. I think this handheld is better than the m505 for two reasons. 1, it is cheaper, and 2, the screen is much better (it is not black and white, but displays 16 different shades from black to white), while the m505 has a very dissapointing color screen that is sure to leave you squinting even when looking its best. If you are debating over Palm OS and Windows CE, Palm is the hands down winner for several reasons. One reason is that their handhelds are smaller and faster than Windows handhelds (The smallest windows handheld is equavalent to two Palm V's stacked up). Palm is also more econimical. Palm handhelds batteries last around a month. Windows CE lasts 4 hours. Palm has 10's of thousands of software programs (around half of it is free), while Windows CE has 100's of expensive programs. If you are looking for a PDA with great features, accesories, software, and mobility choose Palm.

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars A lemon--replaced 4 times in 6 months May 23, 2002

By A. Holmes

I really liked this machine when I got it, and I like it now-- when it works. The m500 is runs the programs I need it to run, is light and fits in my pocket, has a long battery life, and is expandable with SD memory cards.

Unfortunately the m500 is so unreliable that I am selling it and buying another brand. My screen developed problems 2 months after buying the machine. That machine was replaced with a machine that developed a screen problem before I had the chance to ship the first one back. The next replacement worked for 4 months with a screen that worked moderately well, then completely died. It was replaced by a machine with a defective screen, which has been replaced yet again with a machine that will last who knows how long. All Palm can do is continue to send me bad replacements, which I do have to admit I get quickly. That's about all Palm can do-- replace bad machines with more bad machines, as quickly and politely as possible without addressing the real problem.

Please do yourself a favor and investigate the product further before buying an m500. I have read reviews on other web sites and am definitely not the only one with this problem. One site shows the m500 with a 52% negative rating for this machine based on 222 opinions, far worse than ratings any other PDA I've seen. Many people who comment on problems seem to be having very similar problems to mine.