If you've managed to avoid buying a Palm so far, it may be time to look twice. Palm wants to convert even more fans with its latest device, the Palm m100. Although it has a smaller screen and a few less programs than higher-end models, first-timers should be drawn to its rock-bottom price of AU$329 and curvy shape.
Lower-priced Palm units have tended to be boxy and bland. That's clearly not the case with the tapered m100, which weighs in at a hand-friendly 141.7 grams. Palm has even lifted a page from mobile phone design and offers snap-on cases in five different colours.
The screen is around three-quarters of the size of previous displays, but a higher resolution allows it to fit the same amount of detail onscreen. Still, you may find content like street maps more difficult to read. But the smaller screen gives the unit a sturdy feel, especially when combined with the windowed flip-cover. Unlike previous covers, which jutted off at an annoying angle, this one rotates a full 360 degrees and lets you view a clock/calendar when shut with the push of a button.
The Memo Pad button has been replaced with a key for a new Note Pad jotter program (Memo Pad can be accessed with onscreen icons) and the Expense, E-mail, and Microsoft Outlook Sync functions have been omitted. Otherwise, the m100 retains Palm's user-friendly interface and apps, providing simple yet comprehensive management of contacts, appointments, tasks and memos, not to mention thousands of third-party extras.
With 2MB of RAM and an IR port, there's plenty of room to swap contacts and games with other Palm fans. And the unit should last about a month on a pair of AAA batteries. Synchronising with your desktop PC remains as effortless as ever, though the m100 comes with a serial cable instead of the traditional cradle (which is available separately).
The m100 is a pocket-friendly unit that's sure to help Palm win over lots of beginners. While the corporate crowd may be better served with more advanced models, it's only a matter of time until they're beaming appointments to their m100-wielding kids and kin.
Palm m100
Company: Palm
Ph: 1300 360 558; Fax: 02 9273 5934
Price: AU$329.
Rating: 5 Star
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