Handspring Visor Pro (Silver)

The Handspring Visor Pro comes with 16 MB of memory, more than enough to store thousands of e-mails, addresses, and memos--more than any other Palm OS-based handheld currently available. A superfast 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor launches the Visor Pro to the top of the list in handheld computing power. Enter data in seconds with Handspring's easy-to-use address book, to-do list, memo pad, date book, advanced calculator, and world clock applications.

The Handspring Visor Pro runs the popular Palm operating system, so it is fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS applications. Plus, Handspring has added features to the Palm OS, like an advanced datebook, calculator, world clock, and built-in floating-point math support. Enter memos and notes into your Visor Pro with the easy-to-use Graffiti handwriting software.

Expand the capabilities of the Visor Pro with the built-in expansion slot, which lets you turn your handheld into an MP3 player, pager, modem, and GPS receiver. Just slide an optional hardware or software Springboard module into the slot on the back, and your Visor Pro takes on a new function with no configuration or additional software required.

The Pro's infrared port lets you beam data to other handhelds, and it also has a built-in microphone for use with digital voice recorder modules.

With the Visor Pro's speedy USB connection, synchronizing data with your desktop has never been easier. Just place your Pro into the included USB cradle and exchange data with the touch of a button. The Visor Pro features an internal rechargeable lithium ion battery that quickly recharges in the cradle.

The Handspring Visor Pro comes with a USB HotSync cradle, stylus, snap cover, desktop synchronization software for Windows and Mac, software link for synchronizing with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only), AC power adapter for recharging the internal battery, and a one-year warranty. E-mail support is included for Microsoft Outlook, Lotus cc:Mail, and Qualcomm Eudora.

What's in the box

• Visor Pro
• USB HotSync cradle
• 16 MB RAM
• AC power adapter
• Snap cover
• Stylus
• Desktop synchronization software for Windows and Mac

I'm a RN so I wanted at least a decent Rx database. Now that there is the Davis Drug Guide for the palm I couldn't resist. And there are loads of apps for the palm (check out palmgear.com). The palm has a big user base so most of the plentiful apps are either very cheap or free.

Palm devices are up against the wall though, since the standard 8MB is laughable for anyone wanting more than an address and date book. I like having all my personal info but the Handspring Pro comes with 16MB letting you get down to business, so to speak. I loaded it with lots of apps: Davis Rx, ePocarates Rx, and other medical stuff like ACLS, gtt calculators, lab values... and I even threw in Froggie in case I get some free time =)

I am at 13.5MB with all the medical apps, as well as, noah's dictionary and thesaurus, and hope that I will not exhaust the remaining limit.

Color would be nice! I would not get a color Palm device though. Especially since they don't have any with >8MB. If you are going all the way (with your money) and don't mind the size, a CE device may be ideal.

The Handspring Pro is great for carrying in the front pocket of your scrubs, with all the med information you could dream of moments away. It is easy to use. Long battery life. Seems durable. Hope this helps =)


Outstanding device using Palm platform....   November 12, 2001
R. Shaff (USA)
56 out of 57 found this review helpful

I have been an avid iPaq user for about a year now. And while WIN CE can be a bit quirky at times, lets face it, iPaq's color screen and agility between applications makes up for Microsoft's shortcomings. However, about 3 months ago, I lost the "partnership" (the connection between the iPaq and the PC) and despite countless attempts to reconnect (by myself and a hired IT consultant), we never could reconnect. (Phone calls to CPQ and MSFT were fruitless.)

Because I really needed a device to handle PIM duties, I began reading the reviews (...) for Palm and Handspring. I had heard good things about the Visor products but had yet to experience them (long ago, I owned a Palm III...less than satisfied). After much trepidation, I took the leap on the Visor Pro. The final feature selling me on the Pro was the resident memory (16 MB) and the ability to extend through add-ons.

Since I've had the Pro, I must report, first and foremost (to me at least!), I've had ZERO connection issues. Synchronization has been flawless and beautiful. Beyond that, the Pro has all the necessary functions for the manager or executive on the go plus many, many more via download shareware. Additionally, perhipheral add-ons can turn your Pro into a phone, internet browser and Pocket PC without much sweat. The losses compared to the iPaq? I must be honest, all the touting of being able to create/manipulate Excel spreadsheets or Word documents (via the iPaq) is grossly overhyped. Yes, the availability is nice but who in their right mind is going to create any document/spreadsheet on a handheld-size screen? My only complaint is the screen. With a B&W screen, one can expect issues with light, hue, and contrast. However, after getting very comfortable with a color screen, moving back to B&W/monochrome is a tough move. I'll adapt, however, as Pro's other features make this a top-notch product.

For the money, Pro is my choice. I plan to purchase one for my partner and one for each of my mid-level managers (affordability is another incredibly nice feature of Pro). I'm actually thinking of getting a Pro for each of my teenagers. What a great device to get in control of the mundane as well as important aspects of your life.


Awesome PDA!   September 21, 2001
John S. Litton Jr. (Pennington Gap, VA USA)
35 out of 35 found this review helpful

I just can't say enough good things about Handspring! Ever since they have been in the picture, 3Com runs a very distant second place! The upgrade-friendly springboard module is infinitely expandable, and now that we have an extra 8mb of RAM, we are free to use the springboard module for something other than extra memory storage! Thumbs up Handspring! This product is a winner! If you are a physician and need readily accessible information, at the point of care, the Handspring Pro is the hands down winner.


An absolutely wonderful PDA--just fantastic.   January 29, 2002
Jeff Edwards (Twin Falls, Idaho)
33 out of 34 found this review helpful

As an avid Palm user, I got lucky to play with the Visor Pro a couple weeks back and have to say, if I were to purchase almost ANY PDA on the market today, this is the model I'd probably go with. When you consider price (and who doesn't?), expandability, accessories and a built-in memory of 16MB (SIXTEEN MEGABYTES???) there simply isn't a handheld product on the market today (that I am aware of) that can touch the Visor Pro.

I remember when my friend first purchased his original Palm about 4 years ago, and with 2MB I thought, there is NO WAY he'll ever have need for more room than that...little did I realize how useful these little guys can be. As far as organizing your life, a Palm device is almost invaluable -- but they can be so much more. With a little patience, you can find free programs on the web to download that you just simply couldn't live without. Everything from maps to games...plus let's not forget the Springboard additions that truly make this PDA something special and a real honest-to-goodness cut above the rest. What really sets the Visor Pro apart from the vast (and growing) competition out there is it comes with 16MB of memory BUILT IN. No need to purchase more right off...this little guy has about TWICE what the *other* guys come with standard. Pretty impressive when you consider the price of this baby. Plus if you need more, the expansion abilities make this one of (if not THE most) versatile PDA's on the market today.

I am still sold on my little Palm M125, don't get me wrong, but for the price of just one single expansion card, I could buy the Visor Pro outright. Food for thought when you plan on making that jump to a handheld PDA that truly lives up to it's billing as an electronic device you simply cannot live without.


Slick Slick Slick PDA   January 23, 2002
notaprofessional (san francisco, CA USA)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful

I upgraded to the Pro from the Deluxe model after a year of being so happy with the Visor I outgrew my old one. What I like about Visors in general is the springboard expandability option, the way they don't seem dinky as some of their competitors. I like the extra memory (16MB) and speed, of course--and the silver color is nice. After a year of learning what one can do with a handspring, I began to have to choose between less frequently used applications or more downloaded content--and that thing always seemed slow. The Visor Pro has quite a lot of room for storage it's faster--they say that the faster processing speed doesn't increase the speed of the sync, but I could swear it even syncs faster. Another reviewer didn't like the cover it comes with, but I like made an "oooooh" sound when I took it from the box--it's a sleek li'l number.

The big win, however, with the Visor Pro is the rechargeable batteries. These are not the kind you need to fully discharge before recharging, so there's no worry about charging too much. It's nice not to have to worry about the batteries running out on you--I've had mine just over a week and have used it extensively, learning the lay of the land, but have never seen any indication on the device other than fully charged.

As someone who had no complaints about the Visor Deluxe, I was somewhat hesitant that upgrading would leave me feeling like I'd succumbed to marketing rather than having made a wise decision--not the case! I would do it again.