Independent Reports

Palmone M505 Color Handheld @ Amazon.com

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ReviewThe release of the Palm m515 handheld proves that Palm listens to clients and is more than willing to make changes. Thanks to the indifferent client response to the lackluster color screen of the Palm m505 (released in 2001), the Palm m515 boasts a much more splendid display and contrast controls that were missing in it is predecessor.

We were amidst the numerous who voiced disappointment with the Palm m505, and while the m515′s color screen still isn’t at the top of the class, it’s an apparent and welcome improvement. With display aid for over 65,000 colors, icons and images (viewed in the included PhotoSuite application) have a nice richness and depth of color. However, as the screen solution is only 160 by 160 pixels, the m515 doesn’t achieve the crispness found in the Sony T615 (which has a 320 by 320 pixel resolution). But ultimately, unless you need a high-end multimedia viewer integrated into your handheld, you will have to be suitably happy with the m515′s display.

There are only three levels of luminance contrast control–high, low, and off. At initial we were taken aback by the “off” setting, as it rendered the screen closely invisible in our office, but it’s fine for outdoor usage and will aid conserve battery power.

With it is curved angles, thin design, and light weight, the Palm m515 feels very comfortable, both in the palm of your hand and resting in your pocket. Also, with the m515′s 33 MHz DragonBall VZ processor, we found switching apps to be very fast.

The apps and desktop software (version 4.01 for Windows and version 2.6.3 for Mac) haven’t changed, and that’s just fine with us. (Note that a beta version of Palm Desktop 4 for Mac OS X is available for download.) The Palm interface is one of the most graceful and simple to understand–yet powerful–operating systems around.

But Palm adds more power with a assortment of add-on apps that you may choose to install, ranging from Documents To Go for watching and editing Word and Excel documents, to Palm’s collection of mobile connectivity apps, to the aforementioned PhotoSuite for observing images and short movies. Our bestloved is AvantGo, an app that downloads Web content to the m515 whenever you synchronize, which enables us to keep up with the latest world news as well as Aussie Rules Football scores. You may add even more content and apps thru the elaboration slot, using optional Secure Digital or MultiMediaCard memory cards.

You may choose to synchronize the Palm m515 with the Palm Desktop application or link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only). Palm Desktop is more than adequate, but if you are in a corporate surroundings and Outlook is your scheduling/e-mailing/tasking brain center (which it is for us), the synchronization is seamless.

Overall, we’re very happy with the Palm m515–it’s quick on it is feet, has a nice color display, and is loaded with great software additions that may heighten both your productivity and your fun. –Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

Improved color screen–brighter, with contrast controls
Good range of further and added software, from Internet connectivity to e-book reader
Expansion slot enables you to add even more content and apps to custommake the m515 to your needs
Easy synchronization with Palm Desktop or Microsoft Outlook

Cons:

Continued use of high luminance level may wear on batteries
Palm Desktop for Mac still behind the times, but new software on the way

The ultraslim, lightweight Palm m515 handheld has all the classic info management features you suppose from Palm, as well as a bright color display with support for over 65,000 colors. It’s likewise loaded with priceless productivity and connectivity software and has a built-in elaboration card slot for further and added memory storage, applications, and content. It comes with 16 MB built-in memory, sufficient to store thousands of addresses, years of appointments, hundreds of to-do items, and more than 50 software applications.

The elaboration card slot is a dual-purpose slot that may hold Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards. Both types of cards are small, inexpensive, and easy to plug in. Much like computer diskettes, they hold info for upload or download onto a handheld. With them, you may without any delay add software programs, e-books, huge databases, graphics, or even video files to your handheld without sacrificing memory space. The Palm Universal Connector (at the base of the m515) enables you to add peripherals such as a keyboard, GPS receiver, and more.

In addition to Palm’s built-in institution apps in Palm OS 4.1–including Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, and Note Pad–the Palm m515 also features the following bonus software: Documents To Go by DataViz (for synchronizing Microsoft Word and Excel documents), Pocket Mirror (for linking to Microsoft Outlook), MultiMail SE, MGI PhotoSuite, AvantGo, Palm Reader, and Palm Mobile Connectivity software.

The native USB HotSync cradle allows you to quickly back up and interchange info amid your handheld and your PC or Mac. The Palm m515 handheld comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery, which is charged using the HotSync cradle. Palm Desktop software is compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and Mac OS 8.6 through 9.x. Note that for connecting to Windows 95 and NT you will need an optional serial cradle or cable.

The Palm m515 comes with a stylus, USB HotSync cradle with 120 VAC/60 Hz charger, internal rechargeable battery, Palm OS 4.1, and an infrared port. It is backed by a one-year warranty.

What’s in the box

USB HotSync cradle with built-in battery charger
Getting started manual
CD-ROM with: Palm Desktop software and bonus software
Complete documentation
Protective flip cover

Most helpful customer reviews

169 of 175 people found the following review helpful.
Palm finally gets it right…
By Steven Dennis
I slammed the earlier version of this device (the m505) for its horrible color screen, but adding active TFT and 16 MB standard makes this a near-perfect PDA. It’s nice to know that Palm can learn from their mistakes.

This is functionally identical to the m130, which is cheaper, but you get what you pay for. The m515 has a significantly larger screen and far less bulk than the m130, easily justifying the higher price. With the built-in difficulty of pointing and clicking on a Palm device, size matters.
The life of the lithium-polymer rechargeable battery takes a hit with the new vibrant color screen, but you can still use your m515 fairly heavily for days before you need a recharge.
The only other compromise is the screen is low-res at 160 x 160 pixels. If you want photo-realism, you can buy a Sony Clie with 320 x 320, but those models have worse battery life and cost much more, so it’s your choice.
The 515, quite simply, is the slimmest and lightest full-featured color PDA.

Here’s a basic product guide:
Palm m100/Handspring Visor — Bargain basement models with 2 MB of Ram. Good
starter models for the price. Distinguishing characteristics: Visor has significantly larger
screen/expansion slot and fast USB cradle. Palm has slower serial.
Palm m105/Visor Deluxe/Visor Neo — Workhorse models with 8 MB of Ram (plenty for
monochrome models). Visor has bigger screen/USB/expansion slot. Neo has faster
processor.
Palm m125/Visor Platinum/Visor Pro — Upper middle class models. Visor has larger
screen. Both have USB/expansion slot.
Palm Vx — A discontinued classic, not significantly expandable. Smallest full-function PDA with lithium
rechargeable battery. Sharp, full-size mono screen. Slow serial port.
Visor Edge/Clie slimline — ultraslim mono models sell at a premium, but have durability questions.
Palm m130 — Fills consumer color niche. Compare to color Clie models, Visor Prism.
Small, bright screen, rechargeable battery, expandable.
Palm m515 — top of the line. Screen is now brighter, 16 mb included, now we want
higher resolution. Still, a great improvement over the horrible washed-out color on the
Palm m505. Compare with top Sony models/iPaq.
Enjoy!

122 of 131 people found the following review helpful.
Great Product
By J. Lara
I’m a huge fan of the m500 series. Despite the reprehensible screen of the m505 after a few weeks of use, it really isn’t that bad. Many people don’t realize that the m505 stayed true to the PALM philosophy of mobility and battery life. Being a former Vx user I was spoiled with low battery consumption. Crossing over to color with the Clie N760 the first thing I noticed (after the absolutely amazing screen) was that I had to re-charge a little more often then I was use to. Although it wasn’t a daily activity, recharging happened more frequently then before. Similarly that was also the case for the Clie T615. It’s really no big deal for me, and to many people but I can see how it can be disconcerting. Expectedly the m515 inherits the long battery life of the m505. Fortunately for PALM they finally found a winner in the m515, unfortunately, the m515 was what the m505 should have been.

The only real reason why anyone would pick the m505 over the m515 is the price. The M515 has a better, brighter screen, and twice as much memory. If you were particular about bundled software the m515 naturally has a better selection.

…

With all things considered the real rival of the m515 is the CLIE T615C. Many real fans of PDA’s will tell you that there is no clear winner when comparing the m515 and the T615C. It’s a virtual deadlock. To the untrained eye the T615 may be the winner with its dazzling screen but one really has to consider many things, not just the screen when it comes to PDA’s. Other then the screen when you consider price, battery life, form factor, and even accessories it’s really a VIRTUALLY deadlock. It really comes down to preference. Many times reviews are written with preferences in mind not an objective overview. Generalizations like, “The m515 is the BEST, or the T615 is BEST!” is simply not true. It really comes down to personal preference. Although I value battery life tremendously, I still prefer a better screen and at the end of the day at the very last possible second of the last hour, I would pick the T615 over the m515. I still think the m515 is a great product and would highly recommend it.

I guess the best way to determine what is best for you is really to read a lot of reviews. Read reviews of many different units to get a general overview of what is available. Amazon has a great selection of PALM OS units, read about all of them!! Also go to down to your electronics store and compare the units side by side to get a first hand look.

Bottom line is, there is a GREAT selection of PDA’s which appeal to practically everyone. Gone are the days when PDA’s were merely toys for computer super geeks (like myself). Everyone gets a PDA and that’s the best part of it all.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful.
Great form factor
By A
I upgraded from a Palm m130 when the m515 price dropped recently. The m515 has a larger screen. The amount of text you see on the screen is the same, but all the letters are larger making it much easier to read. I find this a big plus.

The m515 is nearly 50% thinner (0.5 vs. 0.9 inch) and is lighter (4.9 vs. 5.4 oz) which makes a world of difference if you want to carry it around in your pocket. I found I was always leaving my m130 somewhere due to the bulk, then the annoying task of hunting around to find it – and eventually likely to lose it that way.

I compared m515 vs. Sony PEG SJ33, to my mind its closest competitor and priced the same. Palm wins on the form factor, although the Sony has higher resolution, faster processor and more features. But Sony is thicker (0.9 inch) and heavier (6.1 oz). Caution on this comparison, though: Sony data may include its flip cover, whereas Palm data excludes its leather cover.

By the way, Palm doesnt say much about that cover – it comes with the product – no need to buy a special cover, in my view. This one works fine. Easy on-off if you don’t need it and want ultra-slim for the shirt pocket.

The m515 is a very pleasing product to have and to hold (literally). But I would suggest anyone do a close comparison with the SJ33 and see which one fits your own comfort level better.

See all 140 customer reviews…