Though the Visor Platinum is just a step up from the first generation of Visor handhelds, its new metallic case and faster processor will appeal to corporate users with the budget to afford top performance.

The Platinum outruns all Palm handhelds and includes a docking cradle with USB interface -- unlike the standard serial connection on most Palms. It may not be the most affordable handheld, but the Visor Platinum tops most Palm OS-based PDAs in terms of power and storage

When Intel releases a slightly faster version of a processor, it's referred to colloquially as a speed bump. Similarly, the Handspring Visor Platinum -- one of two new models from Handspring -- is a speed bump in the popular Visor product line, and most of the changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary.

The only visible change in the Visor Platinum is its more conservative, metallic case. This new design is clearly meant to appeal to corporate types (those who were a little put off by handhelds in colours such as orange and blue) who typically opt for the Palm Vx.

However, the Visor Platinum is still exactly the same size (12.2 by 7.6 by 1.8 cm) and weight (153 grams) as the entry-level Visor and the Visor Deluxe. Like those other models, it uses two AA batteries rated for 6 to 8 weeks under normal usage and includes a docking cradle with a USB interface -- unlike most Palm handhelds, which currently ship with the slower serial connector, still an option with any Visor. The Visor line works out of the box with Macs, as well as Microsoft Windows Me, Windows 98, and Windows 2000. (If you're still using Windows 95 or NT, you'll need that optional serial cable.) Like all Visors, the Platinum offered the simplest, fastest out-of-box experience of any handheld.

The key feature of the Visor Platinum is its faster processor, a 33MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ; the fastest Palm handhelds top out at 20MHz. Handspring claims the Visor Platinum is 50 percent faster than a Visor Deluxe handheld. On our tests using Quartus's Benchmark 2.0, the Visor Platinum ran 41 percent faster than a Visor Deluxe and 82 percent faster than a Palm Vx.

Its backlit, 160-by-160 screen displays up to 16 shades of gray (4-bit grey scale). The quality is on par with other grey-scale PDAs based on the Palm OS, but for viewing images you'll really want a colour display such as the Handspring Prism or a Pocket PC.

In addition to the latest version of the Palm OS (3.5.2H), the Visor Platinum includes all of the standard Palm applications as well as Date Book+ (which includes floating appointments, integrated to-dos, and a journal), scientific and business calculators, and a world clock for frequent fliers. The Platinum also supports infrared data synchronisation -- a feature of Palm OS 3.5 and later. The device includes 8MB memory, which Handspring claims is sufficient for 12,000 addresses; 10 years of appointments; 6,000 to do items; 6,000 memos; and 400 email messages.

The Visor Platinum doesn't really break any new ground for handhelds. But if you've got your heart -- or budget -- set on a Visor, and you want the ultimate in power, storage, and expandability, the Visor Platinum is the way to go.

Handspring Visor Platinum
Company:Handspring Australia
Ph:02 9425 8073
Price: AU$699
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