A High-Class Handheld

The Palm Vx handheld is an ultra slim handheld packed with eight megabytes (8 MB) of memory, a built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery, and applications to organize your life. However, there is much more exciting information about this PDA. Throughout this review, you will find out about the applications that come with the Palm Vx, its size and weight, the contents that come in the box with the handheld, and the readability of the screen.

The Palm Vx comes with the following applications: Mail, Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Expense, Calculator, and Avant Go. Mail allows you to manage your e-mail with Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, etc., at or away from your desktop. For example, you can reply to or read e-mail offline. However, you must hot-sync with an internet connection to send e-mail. Date Book is a virtual calendar that helps you plan your appointments each day. Address Book organizes phone numbers and addresses of your friends and workmates. To Do List not only organizes what you have to do, but you can also prioritize your tasks. Memo Pad allows you to jot down notes using the onscreen keyboard or Graffiti (handwriting recognition). Expense is a receipt of what you spend each day on food, airfare, taxi, and other services. Calculator is pretty much self-explanatory. Avant Go allows you to download offline web pages like Weather Channel, Yahoo, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and other websites. However, to update these web pages, you must hot-sync with an internet connection.

In order to appreciate the sleek and slim design of this PDA, you must pay careful attention to the exact measurements. The Palm Vx is a mere 0.4" thin, 4.5" long, and 3.1" wide. To top off those measurements, this handheld only weighs 4 ounces. You will not have any problem fitting this handheld in your shirt pocket!

The Palm Vx came with other paraphernalia in the box. It included a HotSync cradle and battery recharger, CD-ROM with lots of desktop software and Palm applications, an instruction manual and Getting Started booklet, a metal and spare plastic stylus, and a flip leather cover. I use the metal stylus, since it is the most durable. I am not particularly satisfied with the flip leather cover, since it doesn't provide that much protection. If you are not satisfied either, there are plenty of companies like Palm and DataSuit that make wallets/cases for the Palm V series handhelds.

The Palm Vx's LCD screen is very clear in most lighting conditions. However, it is not readable in low-lighted conditions, not even with the backlight turned on. When there is hardly any light, the backlight comes in handy. In order to activate the backlight, hold down the Power button for two seconds.

Even though this handheld has all of these features, it costs a lot of money because of style and design. However, if price doesn't matter to you, go ahead and buy the Palm Vx. If expansion slots and more updated features including color interest you, look into buying the Palm m500 or m505, since these handhelds maintain the same sleek design as the Palm V series. Otherwise, buying the Palm Vx will be a wise investment for you if you are looking for all of the features I mentioned.