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Handspring Visor Edge

Review Handspring made its name by coming up with a Palm clone that went one better - offering improved expansion options in the shape of Springboard modules, plus a USB connection at a lower price. However, with the Visor Edge, it looks more like the innovator has turned imitator. The VisorEdge looks uncannily similar to the Palm V, with its brushed metal case and slim silhouette.

However, it is playing catch up a bit too late as Palm has already announced the latest additions to its m500 series, and the Visor Edge's specification of 8MB of memory and 33MHz DragonBall VZ processor adds nothing that these don't also offer.

The Visor Edge is the slimmest Visor to date at just 11mm, and it looks very slick. However, we were less than impressed by the detachable metal cover for the mono screen. This comes in three metallic covers - red, blue and silver - but is rather awkward to use, as it doesn't flip all the way back over the unit. It is also a pain if you use Springboard modules, as you must detach it and attach the slot to add these - not a very elegant solution. The VisorEdge comes with the extras you’d expect, including a USB docking cradle, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and infrared port. On the software side, Handspring provides Graffiti handwriting recognition tools, a diary, to-do list, contacts book, world clock, calculator and memo pad, plus the Palm Desktop package for use on your computer.

The Visor Edge is a good-looking device, but we'd hold off before buying as the Palm m500 might well be the better deal. ®

Info

Price: £271
Contact: 020 7309 0134
Website: www.handspring.co.uk

Specs

Operating System: PalmOS
Weight: 136g
Ram: 8MB
Screen Size: 160x160
Colour: No
Dimensions: 119x79x11mm
Modem: No

This review is taken from the July 2001 issue.
All details correct at time of publication.

Copyright © 2001, IDG. All rights reserved

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