PalmOne Zire 31 Handheld

by Palm

Product Details

Product Manual [2.09mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 2 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 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: B0001KWGOW
• Item model number: Zire 31
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (179 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #52 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > PDAs, Handhelds & Accessories > PDAs & Handhelds
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 21, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Zire 31, the successor to Palm's Zire 21, is designed for value-conscious students, parents, and anyone who wants to keep their most important day-to-day schedule and contact information close at hand. The bright color screen lets you show off your favorite snapshots (stored on optional expansion cards) to friends, family, and coworkers. The Zire 31 also offers a built-in MP3 player and Secure Digital card expansion for storing digital audio files and photos. The 16 MB memory (14 MB user available) can store thousands of phone numbers, addresses, lunch dates, meetings, birthdays, doctors' appoinents and shopping lists.

 

Upgrade Features The Zire 31 offers the following improvements to the Zire 21: Color display (versus the Zire 21's monochrome screen) 16 MB of Memory (versus the Zire 21's 8 MB) MP3 digital audio capability Palm OS 5.2.8 (versus 5.2.1 for the Zire 21). Display The Palm Zire 31 features a 160 x 160 color STN screen that displays thousands of colors and features contrast and brightness controls. Audio The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3 music files stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker or optional headphones/ear buds. RealPlayer for Palm OS makes it easy to transfer your personal MP3 music collection to expansion cards and organize your songs by creating and editing playlists right on your handheld. It also offers an auto-dimming capability to help conserve battery power.

The Zire 31 features a 160 x 160 color STN display with contrast and brightness controls.

Connectivity and Expansion The Zire 31 uses Multimedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space. You can synchronize to your desktop PC via the mini-USB connection on the side of the handheld. Operating System and Software The Zire 31 is powered by Palm OS 5.2.8, which provides higher performance, enhanced multimedia features, and enterprise-class security. It useses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize calendar, contacts, tasks and notes with Microsoft Outlook.

Track expenses on the go with Splash Money

The Palm OS features the following organizer applications: Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and it adds new contact fields for more phone numbers, multiple email addresses, instant messenger IDs, and a website for your contacts. Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due and important email, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your Calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, into the larger Memos and Notes fields on the handheld. Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important comments.

Along with the standard Palm software, you'll receive a Software Essentials CD-ROM containing RealOne Mobile Player (Windows only desktop application), PalmOne Photos, Solitaire, powerOne Personal Calculator, Handmark Splash Money, Handmark Mobile DB (keep track of birthdays, auto maintenance, and more), and Audible Player for palmOne handhelds (Windows only).

Compatibility
The Palm Zire 31 is compatible with PCs running Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and with Macs running Mac OS 9, version 9.1 or higher, or Mac OS X, version 10.2 or 10.3.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Zire 31 handheld, built-in rechargeable battery, protective flip lid, mini-USB HotSync cable, power cable, stylus, CD-ROM with Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Macs (as well as bonus software), and printed Getting Started guide. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a battery life of up to a week under normal usage or around 6 hours with continuous digital audio playback.

Product Description

The Zire 31 handheld from palmOne gives you outstanding organization at an affordable price. Take, for example, its bright, easy-to-read color screen. Or the wide range of organizational features - from contacts and calendar to memos and a note pad. Not to mention the MP31 player that lets you carry your tunes wherever you go. An Agenda view lets you stay ahead of your day, and the ability to attach a photo to a contact means you can always put a name with a face. Synchronization with Outlook and color-coded categories make it easy to track your schedule - and everyone else's, too. Manage your money, track car maintenance, view photos - then play a game, read a book, even listen to audio books2. It all comes right in the box. Listen to your tunes on the go using the speaker, or add stereo headphones1. Play MP3s while you're scheduling appointments, adding contacts, or just enjoying a spare moment. With software included in the box, you can use your desktop keyboard to enter information to your Windows or Mac computer, then transfer it to your Zire 31 handheld. That way your information is always safe and secure.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

456 of 462 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's All You Will Ever Need If You Only Want The Basics, October 26, 2004

By 

J. Flaggs "Princess Jasmine" (San Francisco, California (USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PalmOne Zire 31 Handheld (Office Product)

I purchased the Palm Zire 31 a couple of weeks ago and so far I love it. I installed the software and had my palm up and running in less then 30 minutes. The CD that is included with the palm allows you to install optional software. When my old Palm M130 died a few months ago I started looking at all of the different handhelds that are on the Market. I ended up purchasing an expensive HP IPAQ due to the fact that it came with a Windows based operating system. I had nothing but problems. I finally decided to go back to Palm. After using the IPAQ for several months I realized that I did not need all of the fancy features that came with it (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc). I need a basic handheld that would allow me to calendar important dates and store information such as addresses, phone numbers, etc. I also wanted one that could store pictures and games and other miscellaneous programs. I originally wanted the Palm Tungsten E but after reading tons of negative reviews on several different websites I quickly changed my mind. So far my palm is working like a charm. I have installed tons of games and programs and I have not had any problems. One thing that I would highly recommend is purchasing a back up program online (I like www.palmgear.com). My palm automatically backs up all of the info on my palm to my SD card every time I sync it. To eliminate the stress of having a faulty palm I would also recommend purchasing the extended 2 year warranty if it is available. I purchased it for an extra $19 and if anything goes wrong with my palm they will replace it with a new one.

The screen is only 160x160 but I am not going to be watching movies or playing high resolution games on my palm. The pictures look descent but I only attach pictures to the phone numbers in my address book. I only play basic games like card games and board games and as far as I can tell, they look fine. The only thing that I don't like about this palm (and the reason I gave it 4 stars) is that the plugs for the sync cable and charging cable are on the side of the palm and not the bottom like on all other palms. Also, the flap that they give you to protect the screen is very flimsy. I use it to protect the screen while it is in my purse but I plan on buying a protective case. Other then that, the Palm Zire 31 definitely suites it purpose.

If you are looking for a basic handheld that is inexpensive and will help you stay organized, the Zire 31 is perfect. On the other hand if you are looking for a handheld with Wi-Fi capability or Blue tooth or if you plan to play high resolution games or watch movies then you might want to look at the higher models (or maybe even consider a high end Dell or IPAQ).

211 of 219 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Purchase, May 5, 2004

By 

Burgess Smith (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PalmOne Zire 31 Handheld (Office Product)

I just picked up a Zire 31 yesterday, and already I'm finding that it's is a pretty nifty piece of equipment. Granted, I did very little comparison shopping before I bought this PDA, but for something that costs half as much as the next comparable model, I couldn't be happier. The user interface is great. The color is great. The sound is great. I guess that the hardcore of the PDA world will complain about the reduced number of buttons, or the 160 x 160 resolution, but I'm a guy who just needs to keep track of appointments and phone numbers, not run my own personal video arcade. A very versatile tool, and unlike 90% of the PDAs out there, something that I can reccomend to my cheapskate friends. Go for it!!

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this review if youre a first time PDA user, June 1, 2004

By 

Dogg Stlyz (Wyoming) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PalmOne Zire 31 Handheld (Office Product)

Ok, this is my first PDA...so i dont know very much about it. But if youre in the same boat, then read on.

I searched and searched...looked at the Zire 21, Sony Clie TJ-27, and every other PDA in this price range.

And then i came across an amazing deal: a Zire 31 for $142...

wow, what a bargain. This PDA does everything i want, and MORE. Not only can i keep track of all my contacts, etc etc...i can view photos (and put them in the background)...

it comes with two e-books...Last of the Mohicans and The Wizard of Oz...

it comes with a really cool Database system that has area codes all over the U.S., airline phone #s, Hotels, dietary info for a whole bunch of foods and drinks...

it comes with solitaire...and an Expenses program to keep track of credit card and bank account balances...

there's an MP3 player included, which i havent used (because you need to purchase an SD memory card separately...and because i just dont want to drain the batteries for that...i mean, for the same price as an SD card, i can just buy a Sony Minidisc player that runs on one AA battery, and save my PDA battery -- which isnt user replaceable, so only has a certain life-span).

Hot syncing...where you transfer info from your computer to the PDA and vice versa is incredibly easy. Just touch the button on the screen, and tada! magic. Done.

This PDA gets a 4 out of 5 for one reason and one reason only: the screen. 160x160 isnt bad resolution...but it isnt good either. I mean, it's just fine for me, because im not using it too much, and im not serious about viewing pictures and stuff like that. However, i often find myself playing around with the brightness, contrast, backgrounds, and color to find something that's easy and beautiful on the eyes. It takes a while, but youll find a setting that makes you happy.

If youre a beginner, get the Zire 31. A big step up from the Zire 21...and better than the Sony Clie TJ-27 in terms of price and practicality...i mean -- who wants a real crappy digital camera anyways? Dont bother with it...if you want digital pictures, get yourself a real digital camera (i.e. Canon Powershot A75).

One last thing -- i almost forgot --... dont listen to people babbling on about the 90 day warranty. As long as you get this PDA from a self-respecting retail store, youll automatically get a one-year warranty from them. And you can purchase an extended warranty for about $20 or so. For something this cheap, they'll most likely replace your PDA right away if there's a serious problem. Check with them first.