The logical upgrade from the m105

[tstoc]

:confused:
I've had an M105 for about a year now (my first PDA) and it's proved it's value to me (got it free at an IBM conference... can't complain about that!)

Last summer my wife went to England to do research, so I bought a keyboard for the M105, and she took to it. (Much better than lugging a laptop into obscure back-alley libraries.) It proved to be an even bigger success than either she or I imagined.

So now it's Christmas time and she's dropping hints that she'd like one. I had promised to give her mine when I got the next free one :D

Anyway, went to Staples and discovered that the M105 is no longer being sold. They've got that other thing starting with a Z in that price range, and it's totally not up to the job for either her use or my use.

So, what is the next logical upgrade? Neither she nor I need color, but we do need to connect to download our computer PIM info and we do need to use the keyboard that we have. Oh yeah, and we actually "like" the use of disposable batteries over the kind that you have to plug in for a couple of hours. Sometimes we're places where a plug is the most confusing electrical gadget we're confronting (back and forth to Europe, etc.)

What's the next step?

[JohnKes]

Unfortunately, all products using the m105 connector have been discontinued. You will not be able to buy anything that can use your m105 cradle or keyboard.

Now you will have to think about other Palm PDAs which use AAA batteries. [DON'T GET THE ZIRE!] There is the Palm m125, which looks like the m105 but is much faster and has the Palm Universal Connector. There are plenty of accessories that use that connector, including the Palm Portable Keyboard (the best money can buy).

Palm 125 prices:
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/resellers/0-205442-311-7266228-3.html?fl=0&tag=st.sh.205442-311-7266228.sort.price

Sony makes the SL-10, which is not bad either. You get a higher resolution screen, but fewer accessories available. And you only get a HotSync cable, not cradle.

SL-10 Pricing:
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/resellers/0-205442-311-20171591-3.html?fl=0&tag=st.sh.205442-311-20171591.sort.price

Check these out at a local store to see which you like.

I agree about traveling. Last time I went to France, I had trouble charging my laptop because the plug wouldn't fit their sockets.

[Telyx]

I'll throw in my vote for the m125. They're cheap these days, and I've never had a problem with mine.

[Palm Cow]

Go for the m125 or SL10. I know those are about the only ones to have been suggested, but...

Since you don't like the rechargable battery, those 2 are the best choices. Everything else has the lithium-ion battery. You can still get a new m105 at

www.amazon.com

I think. If you're not carefull with your PDA, get the m125. Its the same price, with a worse res, but color, screen and it's tougher. Or the SL10 is a bit more fragile, but won't blow up unless you're evil to it. Personally, I'd go for the SL10 in your situation.

[Telyx]

The SL10's battery life is supposedly about 3 weeks... I get about 4 with my m125, under relatively heavy use. The SL10 has a high-resolution screen, though. And I think the SL10 looks a lot better and I like the small size.

I might end up with a SL10 if I keep talking about it like this... but I've heard of problems getting non-Sony devices to sync once Sony's desktop is installed, and I do have a Visor Deluxe as back-up to my current m125.

[schmuck]

Hey..

I myself had a 105.. loved it to death ( literaly ) and went to the Sony sl-10

I love the damn thing... wouldnt go back for anything. it's everything my 105 was + better resolution, smaller size, memory stick, quality, the works.

Couldn't ever ask for more...

[palm boy]

Take a look at the handspring visor neo. It uses AAA bateries, has the springboard slot and I think has several keyboards.

If you don't like that, go with the m125

[JohnKes]

Handspring is the best cheapskate's way to go because all the accessories are going on clearance sale. However, memory expansion is a bit more complicated compared to an m125. You need to decide which format flash memory works best for you (CF, SD, SM, or MS), then get a matching MemPlug module to use it with the Visor. On an m125, just pop in an SD card and off you go.

I have a Handspring Prism with MemPlug and 128MB CF card. It works great with just about any PalmOS software that I have tried! I also have a Stowaway keyboard, which is awesome. [Same design as a Palm Portable Keyboard, but with a Visor connector.]

[palm boy]

One of the reasons the I recomend the Neo is the spring board slot. It is much easier to change the GPS, Camera or perifials than the universial connector.

[little-man]

It may be a little easier with the springboard slot, but it is more expensive. For example, a GPS for Palm is $100, while for the Visor it is $150. I'll take a little less convienience for a lot less money. Also, Handspring is not producing accessories for the Visor anymore. They are trying to get rid of the visor, and only sell Trios. Visor accessories are already getting hard to find. One more problem with visors is their easy-to-break screens. Do a search for "Handspring" on eBay, and you'll see that every third listing says "broken screen."

[JohnKes]

And there's a guy on eBay who has dozens of m1xx Palms with broken screens for sale too.

What pricing source do you have for GPS Springboard modules vs Universal Connector sleds?

Please use real information when posting.

[little-man]

I saw it in a staples catalog, but I just looked at it again and saw that the springboard was $130, not $150. There are probably other GPS's that are cheaper, but that's the one I saw.

[palm boy]

On a different note, It is much easier to insert the neo into the craddle than he m125. I have a m130 and I hate the craddle for it, at least the neo's craddle is made for it.

[Palm Cow]

BY: palm boy
On a different note, It is much easier to insert the neo into the craddle than he m125. I have a m130 and I hate the craddle for it, at least the neo's craddle is made for it.


What shape did you expect the m1XX cradles to be?

The same cradle is used for all visors, that's what Palm is doing with the Universal Connector and SONY with the...well, it doesn't have a name!

You should get an SJ20. I've said this before (I think), so get it. I have spoken.

PS, palm boy, it's "cradle," not "craddle."

[palm boy]

Thanks palm cow. I'm new at this.

[Telyx]

>The same cradle is used for all visors

If I'm not mistaken, the Prism and Edge use different cradles than the "plain" Visors (2MB/Deluxe/Neo), as they are thicker (Prism) and thinner (Edge) and both need a recharging connection. The Pro might use a different cradle yet--or does it use the Prism cradle?