By Dirk

For our St. George's University School of Medicine Class of 2003, with Love J

The Handspring Visor did really well on professional and end-user reviews, as you can see by clicking on the ZDNet review of the Handspring Visor and Handspring Visor Platinum.

Here are some reasons why I just couldn't bring myself to recommend the other models.

1) The Microsoft Palmtops - While the operating system on the Microsoft palmtops has many more features, and smoother integration with the Windows OS that runs on your laptop, most of the features just complicate its use, and they add little to functionality or practicality. In addition, despite Microsoft's ongoing attempts to push their platform, they still hold a smaller part of the market share. (People seem to love the PalmPilot and PalmOS because it's simple and completely functional.) Lastly, the Microsoft palmtops cost more. Cost was a big factor in making my recommendation, not just because of what you originally pay for the unit, but also what it might cost to replace it if you lose it, a realistic consideration considering we're all going to be working in busy city hospitals. So the Microsoft palmtops couldn't get my recommendation.

2) TRG - TRG is a new Japanese entry into the PalmOS clone market, and they boast a nifty expansion port that allows you to put in a IBM microdrive to expand your memory up to 1GB (Wow!). HOWEVER -- The price is higher than the Visor handhelds, to expand up to 1GB is ridiculously expensive (you pay more for the IBM microdrive than for the palmtop itself), and because it's a relatively new Japanese upstart, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable being able to replace it or find parts in a jiffy. (The Handspring Visor is now being sold by WalMart, a sign that they're looking to stay around, unlike the TRG which right now you order directly or through special retailers.)

3) PalmPilot Original - While I still have my PalmPilot 100, I couldn't recommend one of the newer Palms for mainly two reasons. The cost is a bit higher than the Handspring Visor, and you don't have the nifty Springboard Expansion module. While you can get an 8meg starter PalmPilot for $199, the potential for being able to transform your Handspring into a cell phone, into a pager, into a voice recorder, or (hint hint) being able to plug in medical texts into it, was worth the extra $50, to me. However, I have to say, the PalmPilots are so closely in second place that I would still be very happy to have one. But memory may get tight if you try loading medical databases and texts all into the conventional RAM. If someone buys you a PalmPilot, have no fear. Just consider buying some extra RAM (more money), and look for the medical texts (Merck, Harrison's) in downloadable form.

4) Sony's CLIE PalmOS Clone : Sony has come out with a new PalmPilot clone, the CLIE, which has a nifty scrolling mechanism that makes it easier to scroll through a lengthy text. However, it's still too new, not much information is out about it yet, and unfortunately it still costs more than the Handspring Visor. But it may be something to watch if the price comes down.

If anyone would like more information about any of these products, or what to do with them, feel free to go to the ZDNet Handheld Buyer's Guide.

Now, lastly, you can go on to answer the question,

What can I do with my Visor / Palm Pilot / TRG once I get it?