Good Choice - Good Price

This is not a new Palm but still one of the best available. It is also a relative bargain nowadays if you shop for it. I did a simple internet search on one of the shopping sites and found prices ranging from $200 to $300.

While there are better options than this at the high end of the price scale this might be a good choice for you if you pick it up for $225 or under.

While all the other Palm devices give you either 2MB or 8MB of memory, the Palm IIIx offers an intelligent choice at 4MB. (The new SONY CLIE has 8MB internally and another 8MB on the included Memory Stick.) 4MB is more than enough for most users.

I’m gearing this review more towards first time Palm buyers and to give you an example of what 4MB of memory will give you in practical applications it will allow you to store:

>>> 10,000 Addresses

>>> 5 Years of Daily Appointments

>>> 3,000 To Do Items

>>> 3,000 Memos

>>> 300 to 500 Email Messages

In addition, you can download a seemingly endless supply of software applications from the Palm, and other, web sites. There are more software applications available for the Palm OS (operating system) than for the Windows CE, Pocket PC or Helio OS combined. If Palm has no other advantage over it’s competition, the amount of available software makes it #1.

Again, for those who are not familiar, the standard package of Palm application software included on this, and other, Palms is as follows:

>>> Address Book

>>> Date Book (Consider downloading Datebook 4 at a $25 cost for the absolute best scheduler available. The included scheduler is fine, however.)

>>> Email

>>> Memo Pad

>>> To Do List

>>> Expense Report

>>> Basic Calculator

>>> Games (of course!)

The Palm HotSynchs to your desktop via the included cradle, cable and software. It synchs to either Outlook, if you have it, or the Palm desktop software. At each synch you are exchanging files back and forth between your Palm and your desktop so that they both will be on equal footings. Should data be lost or corrupted on one, a backup is always available on the other.

Your Palm WILL crash or need a hard reset at some point and you will need to replace your data and programs. It’s thus important to synch your Palm at least once per day – more if you are a heavy user making many appointments or entering other data.

There are 4 ways to enter data on your Palm IIIx:

>>> Stylus Keyboard. You call a tiny QWERTY keyboard up on the screen and tap in the letters using a stylus which tucks into a slot on the back of the unit.

>>> Graffiti. Palm has its own patented handwriting recognition technology. You write on the screen using the shapes you learn by practice. Personally, I use this to input a word or two but use the stylus keyboard for most of my writing. Graffiti is not hard to learn but it does have a learning curve to it and it requires patience to acquire the skill.

>>> Stowaway Keyboard. This must be purchased separately at a cost of $99 but is one of the greatest inventions. Read my separate review of the Stowaway Keyboard and do yourself a favor. If you buy a Palm – buy the keyboard. It folds up to the size of the Palm but about twice as thick. It amazes me every time I use it!

>>> IR Port. You can “beam” virtually anything to or from any device which has the same capability. This is now a popular way to exchange business cards.

The best thing about the Palm OS is its simplicity in helping to organize your life. If you want more high tech features look at the Pocket PCs. My favorite is the Compaq iPaq H3650. The Palms are the best if you are simply looking to help organize your life in a more efficient manner.

The Palm IIIx also has expansion capabilities, synchs with Outlook on your desktop, and has thousands of programs available to mold this to your specific needs – you can even add a modem and send email from anywhere there is a phone.

If you cannot find the Palm IIIx at a substantial discount, you may want to consider the Palm IIIxe with 8MB of memory for $249. If your needs are more modest check out the 2 Palm entry level models – the Palm IIIe or the Palm m100. If you go to my profile page the reviews will be listed.

Whatever you buy, make sure to also purchase a sturdy case. Don’t believe anyone who tells you these are virtually unbreakable. They have plastic cases and thin glass screens. Palm charges $100 to replace either and they aren’t covered under the warranty. You may want to consider an extended warranty that Palm now sells which will cover the unit for another year and will pay for ONE screen replacement if needed.

All in all, the Palm IIIx makes an excellent choice for most people. Be sure to shop around for the best price from a trusted vendor.