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I was one of the first to buy a US Robotics Pilot 5000 quite
a few years ago, and I only changed that unit with the advent
of the Palm IIIC. Recently I received a Palm 505m as a present.
So let me explain you what each unit is good at, so that
if you need one you select the one that you need and that fits
your budget.
Palm IIIC vs Palm 505m
*** Palm IIIC ***
The Good:
256 color display, excellent contrast even in bright light
The backlit of the display turns on automatically.
8Mb of (Formated) memory
After setup most of the 8Mb is available for applications
Very LONG battery life, you only need to recharge your IIIC
once a week if you don't use games every day.
The power up button is placed such that it is difficult to
switch it on by mistake.
Recharging is quicker on the IIIC then on the 505m even so
that the IIIC has longer battery life!
The Plam OS 3.5 has an upgrade to 3.5.3 and it's very stable.
You can upgrade to Palm OS 4.01 which adds a few neat features.
Like all Palm units you can send applications and data around
using the IR port.
Silver an application which enhances the look of the Palm OS
interface runs very well on the IIIC, this is a big PLUS!
When you recharge your IIIC there is a light that goes
off when it is fully charged.
The bad:
No expansion slot
Only 256 Colors
It's bigger then the Palm 505m
The CPU is only 1/2 as fast as the 505m
*** Palm 505m ***
The Good:
65000 Color display.
2x as fast CPU then IIIC unit
Expansion slot.
You can buy a games card.
You can buy a backup card (must have)!
You can buy memory expansion cards.
The unit is quite small and light weight.
The OS 4.0 has more features then OS 3.5.x
Like all Palm units you can send applications and data around
using the IR port.
The bad:
Out of the 8Mb of memory only 7.7 remain after startup
as memory needs to be formated.
The battery life is short and needs to be recharged
every 2 days if you use your 505m every day.
If you play games, you will need to charge 2x a day :(
Applications can not all run from the memory expansion
cards... so its more like a backup device... rather
get the backup card.
The ON switch is outright dumb, it's far to easy to turn
on the 505m by mistake, and when you need it the battery
is low.
The backlit does not turn on automatically.
Contrast is poor... the backlit feature is weak...
Like for the memory, expansion cards need formating
and thus a 16Mb card converts into 14.7 after formating.
Silver does not support the Palm 505m game card. Thus
no need to spend money for the current version of Silver
or for the game card...
You need a proper home office space for the 505m so that
you can recharge your 505m with ease every day.
The OS 4.0 is less stable then 3.5.x or 4.01 used on the IIIC...
When you charge your 505m there is no indicator on when
the battery is fully charged.
Conclusion:
In the end for the regular Palm user than needs his phone
records, his appointments, a few games etc. The Palm IIIC is
the better choice as it has better battery life, better
display and thus will allow its user to use it longer between
recharging. Only options you need are the Palm 4.01 OS and
you should get Silver and a few games... You will only
need the travel kit if you travel on a regular basis
as the battery life is good enough for short trips.
The 505m is better only if you have the money to spend on the
travel kit, and all the other options you will need to get
the most out of it. It is a far more expensive solution
and its only big plus is that it runs applications faster.
Considering that you will need the travel kit where ever
you go... and maybe 2 of those as you might need one at your
office to recharge it there... it turns out to be heavier
to carry around then the Palm IIIC.
So which one should you buy... If you have money to burn the 505m
otherwise you will get more out of the IIIC for the real Palm
applications. The IIIC will quickly turn out to be more reliable
longer alive and less expensive to own then the 505m.
If you have a IIIC... keep it and don't spend money for a 505m.
Rather get Silver and a few other options for your IIIC.
Regards,
Coolknight
posted by 212.77.4...
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