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Palm's m130 enters the handheld market as one of the least
expensive color units available. Basically a colorized version
of the earlier m125, the m130's bright backlit screen displays
thousands of colors on its 160 x 160 pixel screen.
It also boasts an 8 MB memory with an expansion slot that
accepts both MultiMediaCard (MMC) and Secure Digital (SD) cards
for adding both memory and special applications (such as the
Rand McNally Road Atlas). The SD card slot will also connect to
SDIO (Secure Digital Input/Output) devices, including Bluetooth
cards for wireless connectivity, and upcoming peripherals like
digital cameras and bar code scanners.
You can also attach peripherals to the base of
the unit via the Palm Universal Connector, which enables you to
use the m130 with keyboards, modems, and GPS receivers that are
also compatible with the i700 and m500 series handhelds.
The universal connector is where the handheld
meets up with its USB cradle, which not only serves to sync up
the m130, but to recharge its lithium-ion battery as well. On
the highest setting (you can drop it down a notch in well-lit
environments), the display backlight sucks juice at a moderate
rate. But since the battery recharges at each sync-up, it's not
much of an issue. Even if you run out of battery life and your
m130 shuts down, you have about a week to recharge it before you
lose the data on your Palm.
Nicely contoured, with an attachable faceplate
that flips up (letting you play Captain Kirk and Dr. Spock, if
you're so inclined), the 5.4-ounce m130 rests solidly in your
left hand with the right manipulating its standard buttons and
screen with the stylus. One complaint we did have with the m130:
at the edges, the screen doesn't appear to be as sensitive as in
the middle and it can sometimes require a repeat tap with the
stylus before it registers.
In addition to the standard Palm Desktop
software, the m130's impressive handheld software bundle
includes Palm Reader (for taking e-books along with your Palm),
DataViz's Documents To Go (for viewing and editing Word and
Excel files; Windows users can also view and edit PowerPoint
documents), and MGI PhotoSuite Mobile Edition (for viewing
images and videos on the full-color screen).
An IR port on the top of the m130 lets you
beam contact information, such as your business card, or even an
application, to another similarly equipped handheld.
An inexpensive color handheld with a decent
amount of memory and lots of room for growth, the m130 makes a
great PDA for users looking to add color to their portable
world. --J. Curtis
Pros:
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Inexpensive, full-featured color PDA
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Color display looks great
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Loaded with software extras
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Rechargeable battery
Cons:
Description:
The curvy Palm m130 handheld has all the classic information
management features you expect from Palm, as well as a bright
color display with support for thousands of colors. Plus, it's
loaded with valuable productivity and connectivity software and
has a built-in expansion card slot for additional memory storage,
applications, and content.
It comes with 8 MB of built-in memory, enough to store thousands
of addresses, years of appointments, hundreds of to-do items, and
more than 50 software applications. The expansion card slot is a
dual-purpose slot that can hold Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard
(MMC) memory cards. Both types of cards are small, inexpensive,
and easy to plug in.
Much like computer diskettes, they hold information for upload or
download onto a handheld. With them, you can instantly add
software programs, e-books, large databases, graphics, or even
video files to your handheld without sacrificing memory space. The
Palm Universal Connector (at the base of the m130) enables you to
add peripherals such as a keyboard, GPS receiver, and more.
In
addition to Palm's built-in organization applications in Palm OS
4.1--including Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, and
Note Pad--the Palm m130 also features the following bonus
software: Documents To Go by DataViz (for synchronizing Microsoft
Word and Excel documents), Pocket Mirror (for linking to Microsoft
Outlook), MultiMail SE, MGI PhotoSuite, AvantGo, powerOne Personal
Calculator, Palm Reader, and Palm Mobile Connectivity software.
The native USB HotSync cradle allows you to quickly back up and
exchange information between your handheld and your PC or Mac. The
Palm m130 handheld comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion
polymer battery, which is charged using the HotSync cradle. Palm
Desktop software is compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000,
Me, and XP and Mac OS 8.6 through 9.x.
Note that for connecting to Windows 95 and NT, you will need an
optional serial cradle or cable. The Palm m130 comes with a
stylus, USB HotSync cradle with 120 VAC/60 Hz charger, internal
rechargeable battery, Palm OS 4.1, and an infrared port. It is
backed by a one-year warranty.
Features:
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Bright
and easy-to-read color screen with support for thousands of colors
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Built-in
8 MB memory stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do
items, and notes
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Expandable
via Secure Digital and MultiMedia cards--add memory,
applications, and content
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Features
Palm OS 4.1, USB cradle, rechargeable battery, and add-on
applications including Documents to Go, powerone Personal
Calculator, MultiMail, and Palm Reader
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Windows
and Macintosh compatible--includes desktop software for both
platforms
Technical
data:
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Standard
memory: 8 MB
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Maximum
memory: 72 MB (with optional 64 MB
expansion memory card)
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Expansion
slot: Compatible with Secure Digital
and MultiMedia (MMC) cards
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Display
type: STN color screen technology
with brightness controls
Display:
Color
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Display
size: 160 x 160 pixels
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Display
backlight: Yes
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Processor:
33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ
processor
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Operating
system: Palm OS 4.1
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PC
compatible: Yes
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Mac
compatible: Yes
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PC
system requirements: Windows 98,
2000, Me, or XP; available USB port; Windows 95 or NT require
optional serial cradle
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Mac
system requirements: Apple Macintosh
OS 8.6 to 9.x; available USB port
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Handwriting
recognition: Yes
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Keyboard:
Onscreen
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User
controls: Stylus
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Memo
pad: Yes
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Address
book: Yes
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Scheduler:
Yes
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E-mail:
Yes
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Web
browser: No
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Security:
Yes
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Stereo:
No
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Built-in
speaker: No
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Headset
jack: No
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Voice
recorder: No
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MP3
playback: No
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Audible
content playback: No
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AC
adapter included: Yes, via HotSync
cradle
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Battery
type: Rechargeable lithium-ion
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Batteries
included: Yes
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Average
battery life: Up to 3 weeks
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Desktop
import/export formats: CSV, tab
delimited, TXT, vCard, and vCal; direct export to Microsoft
Word and Excel
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Serial
port: Yes; optional serial cradle
sold separately
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USB:
Yes
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Infrared:
Yes
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Wireless:
Yes, via compatible cellular phones
using Palm Mobile Connectivity software
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Docking
cradle: Native USB cradle with
battery charger (120 volts AC, 60 Hz)
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PC
cable: No
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Software:
CD-ROM with Palm Desktop software
for Windows and Macintosh plus Documents To Go by DataViz,
MultiMail SE, MGI PhotoSuite, AvantGo, Pocket Mirror (link to
Microsoft Outlook), powerone Personal Calculator, Palm Reader,
and Palm Modem Connectivity software
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Width:
3.1 inches
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Height:
4.8 inches
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Depth:
0.9 inches
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Weight:
5.4 ounces
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Warranty,
parts: 1 year
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Warranty,
labor: 1 year
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