Help! Looking for advice

[Indra]

I'd like to buy my first PDA, but don't want to spend a lot of money. I found this site during my "research phase" and have ruled out the Palm Zire (thanks!). How's the Palm m125? They seem to be in ample supply on e-bay.....and what is a good price to pay for one? I am looking to simply organize my personal stuff, but might like to use a keyboard to take notes. I guess I don't need a great deal out of a PDA, but if I'm going to do it, I'd like to get something decent. I'm grateful for any information/suggestions you might have.

[Jacob]

If you have an extra $50 or so, look into a m130. It is essentially the same thing, only with a remarkable color screen and a rechargable battery. But I've heard that m125's are great little handhelds - it depends on if you want color and a few more features or not. Hope this helps.

[RichardA]

I would spend the extra for the color screen (the M130). Color is a huge improvement and the rechargeable battery is nice as well. As a new PDA user, you'll find more and more uses for it and you'll appreciate the color.

[Telyx]

I'll toss in my recommendation for the m125, since I own one. It's a nice little unit. I've never had a color PDA, so I don't mind the monochrome screen. I go camping and take the occasional weekend trip, so not having to bring a charger along for a rechargeable device is handy for me--but I do spend more money on batteries than a m130 user would, naturally. I get about a month from a pair of AAA cells.

It depends on your needs which would be better. If someone would come out with a color unit that uses AAA or AA cells, and doesn't suck them dry in a couple of weeks, I'd probably buy it in a minute.

But then I'd wonder how long the same unit with a monochrome screen would go between battery changes...

[Indra]

Thank you all for your comments. I know the color would probably be nice, but I have access to an unlimited supply of batteries at cost......and I've heard some people have problems with the rechargable batteries. As far as functionality goes, is there a difference between M125 and M130?

Also, please advise: what is a good price to pay? It's easy to get carried away on e-bay. I'd like to be a smart shopper.

[Jacob]

Originally posted by Indra
...please advise: what is a good price to pay? It's easy to get carried away on e-bay. I'd like to be a smart shopper.

I bought my m130 from a great company called ReturnBuy (http://www.returnbuy.com/) - They have great deals on Palm devices (usually they save you about $50+!). I haven't checked there in a while but I'm pretty sure the m125 has dropped to at least $100. Hope this helps. :)

[palm boy]

Not considering the color screen (nice:) ) they both have the uni conector and sd slot.

[ebisix]

First of all, good job for ruling out the Zire.

I use the m125 and it is a great little machine. However, if you have some extra cash, definitely go for the m130. The color display and rechargeable battery make a big difference.

It all depends on if you will really need or want color and the rechargeable battery. Personally, I think that you will be happy with both the m125 or the m130.

Good luck.

[tuffguy]

Except for the color screen and the batterys which have already been beat to death, the 130 and 125 are exactly the same. As a matter of fact, they even look the same. I have a 130 and wife has a 125. We had to put custom faceplates on because we kept getting them mixed up in the morning.

My vote is for the 130 if it matters.

[Indra]

:) Thank you all very much. I appreciate your help. Hopefully, I'll be the happy owner of a Palm soon.........and then I'll be coming to you with who-knows-what kind of questions! Thanks!

[ebisix]

You're welcome.

[m130]

Just to give you some prices.
m125 - Max $90

m130 - Max $150

Good Luck

[Indra]

Great!! I feel armed and ready - especially with the pricing guidelines. It is so easy to get carried away with that bidding thing!

Has anybody had any trouble with the rechargable batteries? I've heard horror stories and it sounds like it might be easier to stick with the old-fashioned AAAs. (and I can get those, cheap!)

[hcamstra]

If you're really strapped for cash why not go for a new M105? There must be a few around still.

And for a bit of advice: Do not (that is NOT) use rechargeble batteries for anything with RAM memory (for flash it is OK); they always die on you suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, and you'll never remember what data you've lost. Alkalines give you ample forewarning of low voltage, and can be bought anywhere.

[JohnKes]

We generate so much trash already. Rechargeables are a good way to help out. Very likely you will not recoup the cost, though.

When I was using NiMH batteries in my Visor Deluxe, I never let it get below 20%. I always had a set of alkaline AAA nearby just in case, but never needed it. It was a plug-in type of battery pack, so I did not have to take them out of the Visor - I just plugged in once a week like my cell phone. Never had a problem. I haven't seen such a thing for the Palm m1xx series.

[hcamstra]

Assuming you, like any good citizen, will hand in your dead batteries for recycling, I stand by my advice on AAA's. PDA's take up just a minute proportion of battery consumption (compared to walkman, gameboy, crap-radio and such) and rechargeable NiMh AAA's do not really not compare at all to the built-in LIon battery packs.
It is a somewhat academic question of course, because all screens will be color is a year or two and therefore need the LIon pack (or Lithium polymer, or the hydrogen cartridge). Hopefully all personal audio will go rechargeable as well.

[Trinity]

I would have to say go with rechargeable NiMH. I have use them in my palm and my CD player. In the CD player, they hold up really well time after time as with the palm. If your worried about the batteries suddenly dumping on ya, then just get X-Master and battery hack so you can monitor the batteries, oh and don't forget to hotsync. hotsyncing is your best protection against losing info!

[JohnKes]

Well, there you go! No need to live in fear.