Palm m130 Handheld

OK, standard busy mom life... Hebrew school, PTA stuff, dentist and doctors and sports and family and... And to go along with that we have all the corresponding names, numbers and addresses... Brain Overload!!!

That's where the Palm m130 comes in and saves the day (and my sanity)!

The m130 has 8M of memory and you can purchase media cards for even more storage or back up. Now, I have the included programs from the software for documents and photos as well as several add on programs, lots of information in the date book and address book as well as photos and I have still only used up about one half of the memory space. The color screen is roughly 3 X 3 inches and looks very good. Big enough to read the information easily. Repeated use of the stylus can scratch the screen - like where you keep tapping to play solitaire. Screen protector films are available everywhere and can prevent this.

The operating system is the Palm version 4 on this Palm Pilot. Upgrades are available on the Palmone website but I have had absolutely no problems with this version. Plus, this is the operating system used on other brands as well. You Hot Sync with either the Palm desktop software (included with the handheld unit) or with Microsoft Outlook. I use Outlook but have played with the Palm desktop. Just as simple.

Feature Buttons located on the bottom of the handheld let you quickly access the standard features such as date book and address book. Just use the up/down scroll buttons and away you go even without the stylus.

The stylus is kept in a nice little slot on the back, right side of the handheld. It pops in and out easily, without being too loose.

The handheld unit itself is a nice palm sized unit that weighs just a hair over 5 ounces. A nice, solid feel without being too heavy and cumbersome but still not feeling cheap-light.

The stylus keyboard is accessed by touching the 'abc' symbol at the bottom of the handheld. This keyboard is the standard QWERTY layout and very easy to use!

Hot Sync. This just could not be any simpler!! Install the software. Pick what program you are going to sync with (Outlook or Palm). Insert the handheld in the cradle. Push the button. Within seconds your information is updated! And while it is syncing the information it recharges the handheld unit!!! Oh yes... No more batteries!! What a joy!

The expansion slot holds a blank card when you get the unit. Keep it there just to keep the slot protected. It takes the standard sized memory cards (which the prices are lowering on by the minute).

Applications

Date Book. This program is very much like the appointment feature on Outlook. You can enter information and have alarms, recurrence and category information. For the view you can have daily, weekly, monthly or daily with the task list.

Address Book. The address book is very versatile! I have my addresses divided into various categories - personal, PTA, kid stuff, misc. and so on. It has all the information you could need; name, company, title, home, business, email, URL as well as four custom fields to define yourself.

Graffiti. This is sectioned according to time/date that the information is added to the handheld. The instructions for the graffiti are more intimidating that the actual use is. Simply take the stylus and write. Just be gentle!!

Memo Pad - yet another infinitely useful tool! I copy and paste information onto the notes of outlook. Anything from driving directions to recipes to share with a friend to crochet patterns. Those go right to the Memo Pad of the handheld where again, I can sort them by category.

You can also beam information from one handheld to another. This feature seems neat but in everyday, average life I have had no need to try this.

Optional Software that is included:
PhotoSuite/View. I love this! I have pictures of my boys, pets and vacation on my Palm Pilot!! You can put pictures onto the color handheld or have them on the memory card.
Documents To Go. Another great one! This supports Word and Excel documents. Just open the Documents To Go program and click on the files you want to add. They are added or updated on the handheld when you have your next hot sync. And yep - you can edit them on the handheld!
Mobile Connectivity Software. I haven't used my Palm Pilot for email so I really have very little information on this - but it is time to play with it and see!
Palm Reader for eBooks. Well, I already wear glasses so I probably won't be reading a book from my handheld. But the option is there and books are available.

Other Add On Programs. PalmOne website has software for virtually everything in both shareware to purchase and freeware. I have several fantastic freeware programs on my handheld: CheckBook, Master Gardener Log, Chagim (Jewish Holidays), McScout, Piggy Bank, Timesheet, Tip Pro, Handy Shopper, PetPal... You get the idea. There are games and dictionaries and eBooks and medical references... Through AvantGo and MapQuest, you can get driving directions from your computer to your handheld!

The other add ons don't stop at the website. Portable, folding keyboards (which I am getting shortly), Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus card (must have for students) various covers and holders...

The Palm m130 far outworks any paper organizer/planner. This model is quite the work horse for the company and is perfect for average person use!! Between eBay, Amazon - used, new or refurbished - the prices have come down since I bought mine. I tried the Zire and almost immediately used up the space. I used to have the m105 and just loved it but outgrew that. Put it on your Buy Me This List.