Palm IIIc
For a long time, Palm resisted the temptation to produce a model with a colour screen in the face of an onslaught of colour devices based on Microsoft Windows CE and, now, Pocket PC. But in early 2000, Palm finally heeded the call and introduced its first colour model, the Palm IIIc. Unfortunately, the Palm IIIc's colour screen is nowhere near as crisp and clean as those offered by the Pocket PC-based devices from Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and especially Casio. To make matters worse, there are only a few token apps that really take advantage of the colour capabilities.
That said, there are some things to recommend about the Palm IIIc. The bright 256-colour screen is much more readable indoors than the grey scale models and is even fairly workable outdoors. The white background allows for a higher contrast with the text and icons on the screen. And the unit comes with the fastest processor (20MHz) in the Palm III line.
Like all Palms, the Palm IIIc uses Graffiti, a handwriting-recognition alphabet, as well as an onscreen keyboard for data entry with the pen stylus. Both methods are cumbersome, especially when you have more than minimal data input. If you need to type a lot of email on the road, get one of the new collapsible keyboards, which are about the same size (when collapsed) as the Palm itself.
The other way to get data to your Palm, of course, is via your computer and the HotSync cradle. Synching was fast with the Palm IIIc, except in our initial database download. A PC serial cable is included; Mac users need to buy an adapter (both serial and USB port kits are available).
You can also link to common applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, ACT!, and GoldMine. Some people just use their Palm as a stand-alone device and never bother with synching, but it's a great way to take advantage of your computer keyboard for heavy data entry. The Palm IIIc also comes with AvantGo's colour Web channel software. You also get a backgammon game, Photo Viewer, and a couple of other colour doodads, but, otherwise, colour support is quite limited. For example, the main Palm applications (address book, calendar, and to-do list) don't let you colour-code records.
The colour screen sure likes to eat batteries. The Palm IIIc has a much shorter battery life than that of any other Palm organiser, but it's still not as short as a Pocket PC-based device's. Instead of one to two months, the Palm IIIc lasts for one to two weeks. The Palm IIIc cradle comes with a power adapter, however, so the unit gets recharged whenever it's in the cradle. It's hard to imagine a situation in which you would need to go more than two weeks without putting your Palm in the cradle for a short spell.
The Palm IIIc looks like the rest of the III line, although it's a little longer to accommodate the rechargeable battery pack. At 6.8 ounces, it's only slightly heavier than the Palm IIIe, although it's much thicker and heavier than the Palm V, which is only four ounces. The case has the same matte black finish as the IIIxe and Palm VIIx. In terms of capacity, the Palm IIIc's 8MB of memory holds all the appointments, to-do list items, addresses, and notes you could possibly want. To fill it up, you need to have a ton of email, colour photos, or add-on applications such as Web surfing software, games, financial programs, and so on.
Colour junkies and heavy AvantGo users will appreciate the Palm IIIc, but if you're just looking for a premium Palm, consider the Palm Vx, Palm VIIx, or even the Sony CLIE first - at least until more Palm apps take advantage of the colour screen.
Palm IIIc
Company:Palm Australia
Ph:1300 360 558
Price: AU$729
Rating
7%
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