Comments on: Palm m125 Review

I have to admit, it has been a long time since I played around with an m100 so my memory of it is weak. Now that you've said it, I remember something about the m100's flip cover being more rigid. But really, what I was trying to say was that the general shape is the same. You should be able to exchange the same cover between the two models.

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News Editor

Hmmm, BTW is it possible to buy new flip cover for m100/105 somewhere?

You can purchase replacement flip covers at the palm web site for $14.95. Here is the link:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z1AC42A2

A Palm in hand is worth two in your pocket.

i just looked at my wife's m100 and the fpli cover on the 125 is shaped a bit differently, sort of splayed out at the bottom, to follow the shape of the blue on the face plate.

Two inaccuracies. The flip cover on my M125 is not the same one as the M100 series. The M125 cover is made of stiff rubber-like material which bends; the M100 series flip cover is hard plastic.
Also, the style for the M125 and M100 series are indeed different; Palm actually sells M125 styli which are labelled for that model only.

Thanks for the corrections, guys. I've edited the article a bit to reflect your changes. Another thing I missed: the m125 is slightly thicker than the m100 series. This means soft cases should fit but hard cases might have problems. I tried it with a Scribble Chameleon and it wouldn't fit.

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News Editor

Interesting to see that Palm sells replacement flip covers the cover on the M100 was so poorly engineered that mine broke off (the plastic 'tube' that grips the metal bar at the top of the handhold just basically crumbled to pieces) after about a month or two of use.

This has left me with a coverless Palm, which is bad: a minor effect is that the screen (including the Graffiti area) quickly gets scratched from riding around in my pocket. A more serious effect is that when it's in my pocket, the buttons tend to get jammed down (either the power button or the up button which turns on the clock), because they're not protected by the flip cover. So the m100 drains its batteries, and goes into a low-power state where I have to reset it to get it going again. And that means saying goodbye to any data I entered since my last HotSync.

Poor engineering leading to repeated data loss has soured me on Palm more than a little. I just don't trust my Palm any more, which is sad.

A better screen than the S320 or Visor Neo for one. And a better value, too. If you can live without a color screen, this is the way to go. I like a cradle, (which the other 2 don't have) and the free sd card is good too.

I have to imagine this does not cost much more than the m105 to produce. So it offers a handheld that they can probably eventually sell for less than $150 (or maybe even at $100) and still make a profit from it.

Then they'll be able to standardize all their devices around SD and their universal connector, from low-end to high-end.

> A better screen than the S320 or Visor Neo for one.
> And a better value, too.

Actually, if you want a better value and a better screen, you can get a HandEra 330 for $200 from Sam's Club or for around $280 delivered from other online sites.

Still, I think Palm is setting the m125 up to be much less expensive than $250 in fairly short time. It is an obvious replacement for the m100 and m105.

I think the above post is right about value. People compare it to the sony 320 for 200 which has rechargable batteries over the 125. I would take the 125 over the 320. You get a cradle which is 59.99 for the sony. If you add the cradle to the 320 now you higher then the 125.

What is the market for this toy with the tiny screen and the huge body?

Did you read the "Rugged" area of the review? It doesn't need a case, it has one already.

What you guys haven't mentioned is that the S320 is only $169 at most e-tailers and retail stores. I plan on getting two for my parents at $149. The screen of the m125 may be slightly less green, but the screen is smaller. The S320 has an internal Lithium-Ion that the m125 lacks. As for expansion, I still can't understand why Palm would place the slot on the side.

Same as Mr. He||Raiser. I still believe that S320 is still better compare with its competitive price, recharged battery, and larger screen.

But don't forget you do not get free office software - Documents to go. A $40 value.

Also, you get free Mobile Connectivity Kit. And another 16-mb SD-card.
Who cares where the slots placed on the m-125? This is supposed to be an-entry level model. People who are interested for this model will only buy sd memory cards. They are not geeks.

Finally, you got a Palm.

P.S. For some amateurs, the AAA batteries are even better because they may forget to charge the battery. Haha. Just kidding.

Then what new features you want?
It can type e-mail for you?
What innovative PC functions have been added lately?
How about Pocket PCs?

Come on, just wake up. Tell me What Sony innovates? What's different from N-760C to S-320? Only mp3 for N-760 C. Period.

For an entry level, you got a m-125, cradle, free office software and a free 16-mb SD card.

What more do you want? A 50% discount?

You are paying $250 and you want more features? You want your Honda Civic to have include any new features? Go dream on.

> Then what new features you want?

It's because of idiots like you that Palm is going down the drain.

> "Tell me What Sony innovates? What's different from N-760C to S-320? Only mp3 for N-760 C. Period."

Oh please! The Clie 760 has a higher resolution display (320x320) as apposed to 160x160 on all other Palm devices (except Handera). That alone is a huge innovation. Even the new T415 has true audio output instead of the lame piezo buzzer found in all current Palm devices. Sony is an innovator...Palm isn't. Neither is Handspring.

You guys are nuts or what. You expect to pay $250 for innovations?

I can tell you what Palm m505 innovates, but I cannot tell about M125 and so did Sony 320.

It's about price/innovations. You guys may dreaming that you can pay $250 to get a device that has more innovations than palm 125. If you cannot find one unit that has more innovations than Palm m125 yourself, please keep your voice down about what Palm m125 lacks because your points becomes invalid.

Or simply put - Can you get a handheld for $250 yet get more features than the m125? The answer is no.

Handspring innovates! Does Palm or Sony have a phone attachment? Can Palm or Sony have MMC/Memorystick/Springboard/CF/CF II/SD and other expansion methods? I don't think Handspring is the biggest innovator, but right now they seem to be so much more consumer-friendly than Sony that is very much niche (not a bad thing) and Palm which is just trying to stay alive.

> "Does Palm or Sony have a phone attachment?"

No. And neither does Handspring. VisorPhone is dead, it was a flop.

Uhh Foo, ever hear about the TRIO from handspring? I guess you don't get out much.

"You guys are nuts or what. You expect to pay $250 for innovations?

I can tell you what Palm m505 innovates, but I cannot tell about M125 and so did Sony 320.

It's about price/innovations. You guys may dreaming that you can pay $250 to get a device that has more innovations than palm 125. If you cannot find one unit that has more innovations than Palm m125 yourself, please keep your voice down about what Palm m125 lacks because your points becomes invalid.

Or simply put - Can you get a handheld for $250 yet get more features than the m125? The answer is no."

I'm no HandEra fan myself, just too blocky and big and old-skool but, I don't think I even need to add any comments to this quote from a higher post in order to make my point:

"Actually, if you want a better value and a better screen, you can get a HandEra 330 for $200 from Sam's Club or for around $280 delivered from other online sites."

You don't get free software and the batteries are the same. So that's not a deal.

If ignorance is bliss, there are really some blissful people around here

Palm m125: 4.8 by 3.1 by .9 inches
Handera 330: 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 in.
So they virtually are the same size, with the same processor, same memory.
The Handera has a bigger screen in physical size and with the virtual silkscreen and high res you'd really have a hard time convincing anyone that the m125 screen is better. The Handera has a SD _and_ CF slot.
Included software? The Handera's got Quickoffice and others. Built in microphone and speaker and jog wheel. And all of this was delivered how long ago?
Handera innovated.
The Palm m125? Maybe if it came out a year ago it would be considered innovative. Not today.
And I don't own a Handera, but it just might be the replacement for my Palm III if I can get to Sam's Club in the near future. I can use my current cradle, sync cable, and keyboard. I believe I can even use my spare stylus.

"You don't get free software and the batteries are the same. So that's not a deal."

Are you talking about the Neo? You didn't say. If so, the Neo doesn't come with a cradle and the m125 does. The m125 also comes with a 16 meg SD card. And don't dismiss Docs to Go. Its a great proggie. Such a deal!

Why do you guys think the neo doesn't come with a cradle? It does. My brother in law just got one, crade included.

I have a Visor Neo and it comes with a cradle. It actually got a high grade from Visorcentral for being translucent. Not that it's an innovation or anything, but it's a nice little addition...

Allright folks this the deal, I just purchased the m125
at Office Max for $199.00 w/craddle, software,OS 401
and "get by mail" 16 MB expansion card. That's for $199.00. Don't you get it!!! For the price, the m125 is a deal that can't be beat! Now, if you insist on comparing Palm with a Sony Clie, at least use the right comparison a m505! Not a m125!! Nitwits you are comparing apples to oranges! The review was "ON THE DAMN MONEY" It is what it is, a pretty good deal for $200.00 bucks. And on top of everything you get $250.00 worth of coupons for more software! Stop being "doinks" and learn to compare correctly.

What so good about the rechargable battery in Sony? It's average life is about 2 years and it is not replacable. On the other hand, with the alkaline batteries, the m125 can last a very long time. The choice is obvious. Stay with Palm. My fellow workers have been using the old Palm 3x for more than 3 years. Not a single problem. Any reason for upgrade? None.

As a new owner of the m125, I must say that I'm pretty impressed with it. It cost me $200 (which is what I paid for the m105 that the 125 is replacing), but it improves on it in several ways, most notably the expansion slot. It's not "the best one out there," but for me (a poor clumsy disorganized grad student), it's just what I need.
One of the best things about it, IMHO, is its durability. When you hold it in your hand, you get the impression (without it being too bulky) that you could toss it against a wall and not worry about it being broken. I didn't get that impression from the Handeras I saw at Best Buy. On the numbers, the Handera seems to have an edge on the m125, but if you drop the Handera, the numbers you'll be more worried about will refer to pieces in the bag you'll be carrying it home in.
I have to disagree with the reviewer on one point related to this; the danger of snagging an card on your pocket. My expansion cards haven't arrived yet, but the little placeholder chunk of plastic the M125 came with hasn't given me any fits at all in that way. Unless the expansion cards extend out further than the placeholder, I don't see any danger with always keping a card in the slot.
By and large, the review was on the money. I also agree that Palm should have called it the m300 or some such thing. I now have to replace my keyboard, though I chalk this up to my own short-sightedness in not originally buying a Palm with the UC port.
All in all, I'm far more happy with the m125 than I was with the m105 (and she was my baby). Viva m125!

I got my palm m125 for christmas for 200 bucks and I just love it. It's design is great, when I hold it in my hand it fits in perfectly and it feels as though it will never fall out, also the expansion cards aren't brittle and are pretty hard to break. I love to be able to transfer files from palm to card and vise versa. Even though the ir port has been a standard feature for awhile, I love it, it is the coolest thing, I like to send and recieve files, and chat, and control tvs. All in all I would recommend it to anyone since it is totally the best

palm sucks!!!
my girlfrien own one for 3 weeks and she change the batteries 3 times. the m125 is a battery sucker or what?
she no abuse it, no use the back light, no games, only datebook for appointments, and palm support can't help her, so , palm sucks!!!

i own a clie and is perfect!!

Why do people quibble over the little things? I guess I'm jsut a novice Palm user, but my m125 works perfectly for me...

Well, IMHO, as a brand new 125 user (practically virgin) no prior PDA experience... I like the size, screen (and my eyes are not good), was able to hotsync the first time no problem, only cost $149.99 including cradle and free shipping from circuitcity.com.......still working on software but that's mainly due to lack of time today....I'm pleased as punch (whatever the heck that does mean?) plus peace of mind knowing my vital *stuff* is with me..(if you'd lost three years of addresses due to a backup****up you'd understand.) Thanks for readin' my rant George

>>"Universal connector??" Then how come it's only on 3/5 handhelds you offer?

Actually its been on 3 out 3 handhelds since the UC was introduced.

Try Again

The review was about the m125, not the m505.

Prism has a great screen, and Springboard is, for the time being, a viable expansion method. However, the Prism is a BRICK--even bigger than the standard Visor line. What's more, Springboard is dying. Take a look at the Handspring website. Treo is where Handspring is placing its muscle now. Hawkins knows Springboard's dying--look at one of his main concerns with handhelds: SIZE. The Springboard requires more size than people really want. This is why the Edge is a failure--adding the Springboard makes it too big. So Hawkins & Co. are now focusing on the Treo line of products (which is really cool, BTW). I'll even bet the Treo will eventually include an SD (yes, SD) slot on future models, after the I/O modules begin appearing.

Enjoy your Prism while it's still top-of-the-line, but realize it's dying...

For those who choice Handspring due to its expansibility, how many modules do you actually get? They all are very expansive. For the price you pay, you can get the top of the line color PDA. Some people are so naive.

So are you...

i see you guys really love to quarrel and pick fights all the time here at PIC... if not this would really be a good place to share discussions.. and for months the Clie vs Palm war has been going on... all because of some people who have nothing better to do.

That's a towel. But while we're on the topic, don't miss the opportunity to say something about the ugly wallpaper in the third picture.

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News Editor

I bet if Ed placed his review objects on top of pieces of white paper, someone would chime in with, "gosh Ed, where did you get such ugly paper."
give it a rest and lighten up, there's a war going on you know.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, ugly wallpaper! Have you ever tried licking the glue on the back of wallpaper? It might actually taste worse than the towel looks!

This is how the manufacturers get your money. It is to force you to change your PDA once every 2 years.

Give more strength and every thing will be OK. Maybe the reason is it uses a new screen.

Glad to see that I'm not the only one having this problem. Using the extra pressure does help (& long strokes). Don't get near as many f's and c's now when I'm trying to get i's. Thanks for the tip.

There is a screen defect on the M125's. I have had (2) units and they are both defective. Whenever I create a letter "i" for instance, it thinks it is an "f". "L" turns into an "C". This is because the unit creates these imaginary lines creating different letters than you wrote on the screen.
Also, on notepad, I get stray lines that appear. For instance, when I want to make an "I", a stray line will appear across the screen shooting down at about 4:00oclock. Then it looks like a carrot or an "A".
I have had a lot of trouble with both units and I am not impressed by it. www.pdabuzz.com also has a couple of reviews on this. Another gentlemen has had 3 units and they were all defective.
It's difficult to write anything on it because of the screen problems.

I had the exact same problem. I exchanged my old one for a new unit only to find the problem still there, but it occurs much less. I love this thing so i can let the problem pass by.

I have already had three units, all of them with the same graffiti recognition problem. It is absolutely disappointing. Try writing under graffiti tutorial and you clearly will see how the the interpreter distort your strokes. I feel very angry.

I have had the m125 for about 2 weeks now and i have noticed the stray lines on note pad but they do not effect my graffiti. My problem is the orientation is wrong and i have gone to the digitizer many times but it still seems to be off

The problem is real, it is bad, and it affects all stylus input, be it menu selection or anything else. The good news is that there is a relatively new patch at www.palm.com/support/downloads which has fixed the problem for me. It is finally a pleasure to use.

From Belgium (sorry for my poor English).

I know the same trouble with my Palm 125. I purchased a Palm M125Fr (assembled in Mexico) in January 2002. I use it for 8 months (since 1/05/02) but Graffiti doesn’t work or really bad. I think about 20 characters on 100 are right so I have to use ALWAYS the virtual keyboard. I though Palm products are not really good products for graffiti, but last week a friend purchased a m515 - this product is really perfect for graffiti - so I understood problem was on my Palm 125.

Today I tried the patch from Palm but the result is disastrous!!!! After this Palm recognize then just about one letter on 20. It's worse than before !!!And you can remove this patch easy. The palm 125 doesn’t want. You have to do a reset of your Palm. Of course you can do a synchronization.

I can't understand how I can pay 300 $ for this product. Of course I know "just" this problem. But one of the first advantage of a PDA is normally...that.
If anybody a solution for this problem. Thanks.
ES

Look toHolux

That's what I've been saying!
These nay-sayers and clonderous thunkers!

My wife and I both bought a M125 for $175 this past weekend and are quite happy with it. It comes across as durable as I've thrown it in my backpack or pocket w/o any problems. I downloaded a magazine for use with the palm reader and was able to lose myself in a story w/o thinking I'm reading this on a handheld the whole time. I was quite amazed as any e-reading(long stories or books) on the computer gets old after a short time for me. I was afraid it would turn out to be just an expensive address book and that couldn't be further from the truth. Excellent purchase for me.

I am very happy with my m125. I bought it for $199 and it came with a 32mb SD card. I take it everywhere and use it for everything. It seems very robust I used to have a IIIx I dont anymore because the screen broke but the m125 seems to be much stronger.

Well good for you!
Now go tell someone who cares.
Why don't you come here and talk about MORE stuff that doesn't apply to the TOPIC?

M515s are great,
but,
TELL SOMEONE WHO CARES

It's funny to see these comments as time has passed and the price goes down, huh? I just bought a m125 for 99 bucks with a free 128mb card after 50 buck rebate. It's my first PDA and so far it has been great. Have avant go up and working, with a load of other free stuff I,ve put into the card without making a dent in it's capacity. Only thing that will bum me out will be to check back here in a while and see that someone got one for 5 bucks.