Handspring Visor Deluxe (Graphite)

To set up the Handspring Visor Deluxe, we followed the Getting Started instructions printed on the software CD-ROM case, inserting the batteries, calibrating the touch screen, entering the date and time, connecting the included USB cradle to our PC (an optional serial cradle is available), installing the desktop synchronization software, and synchronizing the Visor with our PC. The entire setup process was straightforward and intuitive, requiring only about five minutes.

Fans of Palm Computing's Palm III line of connected organizers will have no difficulty using the Visor, as it runs on a licensed version of the Palm OS. All the popular Palm personal information management (PIM) applications are included and work exactly the same way as they do on the Palm. The Visor also uses Palm's Graffiti handwriting recognition system for text entry, which takes only a few minutes to learn and a few hours of practice to master. Handspring has added to the Palm OS an advanced date book, calculator, world clock, and support for floating-point math.

The Visor Deluxe comes with 8 MB of RAM, providing plenty of room for thousands of addresses, to-do items, and memos; hundreds of e-mail messages; and several years of appointments. It also includes a USB synchronization cradle, two AAA batteries, a stick-on Graffiti "cheat sheet," a leather slip case, a stylus, a Handspring logo decal, a Quick Reference Guide, inserts describing accessories and cases, and a software CD-ROM. The CD-ROM includes Palm Desktop Software 3.01, a software link to Microsoft Outlook, and the full-length User's Guide. However, the Visor Deluxe does not come with an AC adapter.

Using the Visor was intuitive and fun, just like the Palm III series organizers that it's based on. However, unlike the Palm, the Visor has an easily accessible expansion port that supports Springboard modules. For our tests, we installed a modem module, an 8 MB memory module, the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf game, and a Physician's Desk Reference module (note that you can install only one module at a time). Installing these modules is very easy, and they can greatly increase the functionality, power, and usefulness of the Visor. (For more information, see the descriptions of the individual Springboard modules.

Overall, we were very impressed with the Visor. It takes the best of the popular Palm platform, and adds memory and expandability--all at a great price. --Mike Brown

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use
• Runs the Palm OS and supports thousands of existing Palm applications
• Expandable with Springboard modules
• Good price

Cons:

• No AC adapter included

The Handspring Visor Deluxe offers a fast USB connection, making synchronizing your PC or Mac simple. Exchange of information between your handheld and PC occurs with the touch of a button. HotSync technology ensures all your data is backed up and enables significantly faster synchronization with USB support than the normal serial connection. (An optional serial cradle is available.)

The Handspring Visor Deluxe with its 8 MB RAM also stores 12,000 addresses, 10 years of appointments, 6,000 to-do items, 6,000 memos, and 400 e-mail messages, plus it has plenty of room for add-on applications. This model includes support for Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Outlook, and Qualcomm Eudora. Software to synchronize with AOL, Lotus Notes, Netscape Communicator, and POP3 mail is sold separately.

The Handspring Visor Deluxe is fully expandable with an external expansion slot that lets you add optional software and hardware modules (called Springboard modules) in a snap. Modules like an MP3 player, pager, modem, GPS receiver, or video game can be added to make a new device.

The Handspring Visor Deluxe comes with a HotSync cradle, stylus, snap cover, leather slip case, Palm Desktop software (Windows and Mac), software link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only), two AAA batteries, and a one-year warranty.

What's in the box

• Visor Deluxe
• HotSync cradle
• Stylus
• Snap cover
• Leather slip case
• Palm Desktop software (Windows and Mac)
• Software link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only)
• Two AAA batteries