PalmOne m130 Handheld

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. 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:

• Inexpensive, full-featured color PDA
• 58,621-color display looks great
• Loaded with software extras
• Rechargeable battery

• Stylus doesn't register, at times, around the edges

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.

What's in the box

• Palm m130 handheld
• USB HotSync cradle
• Getting Started manual
• CD-ROM with Palm Desktop software, bonus software, and complete documentation

However, keep in mind that this is still a compromise unit, with several drawbacks relative to the higher-priced m515, or to the color Clie models.

The m130 is functionally identical to the m105 (which costs about half), with the exception of an expansion slot that you will probably never use, a faster processor, a fast USB cradle,a couple of software doodads, and now the color screen and rechargeable battery.
If you want the cheapest PALM-branded model with color and expansion capabilities, then the m125 is it. (You can get a used color IIIc model for a lot less, check around).

This model is still plagued by a small screen, and it's low-res at that.
With the built-in difficulty of pointing and clickin on a Palm device, size matters. But the color makes it far easier to see, so it's a trade-off.
The color Visor Prism has significantly greater screen real estate.
If you want to stay with Palm, consider the Palm m515. It comes in a super-slim package with a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery and a full-size screen (although low-res).
In that price range, however, a Pocket PC might make more sense (Palm still can't compete with the gorgeous iPaq active color screens).
Here's a basic product guide:
Palm m100/Handspring Visor -- Bargain basement models with 2 MB of Ram. Good starter models for the price. Distinguishing characteristics: Visor has significantly larger screen/expansion slot and fast USB cradle. Palm has slower serial.
Palm m105/Visor Deluxe/Visor Neo -- Workhorse models with 8 MB of Ram (plenty for monochrome models). Visor has bigger screen/USB/expansion slot. Neo has faster processor.
Palm m125/Visor Platinum/Visor Pro -- Upper middle class models. Visor has larger screen. Both have USB/expansion slot.
Palm Vx -- Classic, not significantly expandable. Smallest full-function PDA with lithium rechargeable battery. Sharp, full-size mono screen.
Visor Edge/Clie slimline -- ultraslim mono models sell at a premium.
Palm m130 -- Fills consumer color niche. Compare to color Clie models, Visor Prism. Small, bright screen, rechargeable battery, expandable.
Palm m515 -- top of the line. Screen is now brighter, 16 mb included, now we want higher resolution. Still, a great improvement over the horrible washed-out color on the Palm m505. Compare with top Sony models/iPaq.
Enjoy!


Best PDA Deal for the Average Consumer   September 15, 2002
Mr. JKW (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
66 out of 68 found this review helpful

The Palm m130, for its price and what it offers, is probably the best deal on the PDA market right now.

The m130 offers the same basic functions like any other PDA on the market: address book, calendar, notepad, beaming and other tools and accessories. Like most other PDA you can also upgrade it and download additional tools and utilities to it. The HotSync feature with your PIM software (Outlook, Palm Desktop, etc) is still there (and gradually getting better). Its biggest advantages over its competitors are simple, but important.

1. IT'S IN COLOR!!! For those of us who grew up in the "Gameboy generation" users will quickly come to appreciate it's easy-to-read color screen and you'll save yourself a few trips to the optometrist this way. Previous generations of PDA (and most current ones) are still on small screens (or even bigger screens) that are black and white and still difficult to read. Readability is not an issue for the m130.

2. Built in lithium batteries. No more Energizer or Duracel worries as this babies basically like a cell phone with Lithium batteries that are easily rechargeable, like your cell...

If you are looking for a fairly inexpensive, high-quality PDA, this is a good start.

Highly Recommended


Big improvement from m125, but still a compromise   January 20, 2003
Steven Dennis (Reston, VA USA)
62 out of 69 found this review helpful

I've slammed the earlier version of this device (the m125) for its SMALL SCREEN, but adding color (and TFT at that) and rechargeable lithium battery are significant improvements that puts this unit into the realm of contenders.

However, keep in mind that this is still a compromise unit, with several drawbacks relative to the higher-priced m515 or Tungsten T, or to the color Clie models.

The m130 is functionally identical to the discontinued m105, with the exception of an expansion slot that you will probably never use, a faster processor, a fast USB cradle,a couple of software doodads, and now the color screen and rechargeable battery.
If you want the cheapest PALM-branded model with color and expansion capabilities, then the m125 is it. (You can get a used color IIIc model for a lot less, check around).

This model is still plagued by a small screen, and it's low-res at that.
With the built-in difficulty of pointing and clicking on a Palm device, size matters. But the color makes it far easier to see, so it's a trade-off.
The color Visor Prism has significantly greater screen real estate.
If you want to stay with Palm, consider the Palm m515. It comes in a super-slim package with a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery and a full-size screen (although low-res). The Tungsten T is even more gorgeous, with built-in bluetooth, a drop-down graffiti pad and a high-res screen and the latest Palm 5.0 software.
In that price range, however, a Pocket PC might make more sense (Palm still can't compete with the gorgeous iPaq active color screens).
Here's a basic product guide:
Palm m100/Handspring Visor/Palm Zire -- Bargain basement models with 2 MB of Ram. Good starter models for the price. Distinguishing characteristics: Visor has significantly larger screen/expansion slot and fast USB cradle. m100 has slower serial. Zire has rechargeable battery. Skimpy memory can not be upgraded on these Palm models.
Palm m105/Visor Deluxe/Visor Neo (hard to find) -- Workhorse models with 8 MB of Ram (plenty for monochrome models). Visor has bigger screen/USB/expansion slot. Neo has faster processor.
Palm m125/Visor Platinum/Visor Pro -- Upper middle class models. Visor has larger screen. Both have USB/expansion slot.
Palm m500 -- Classic. Smallest full-function PDA with lithium rechargeable battery. Sharp, full-size mono screen and expansion slot.
Visor Edge/Clie slimline -- ultraslim mono models sell at a premium. Edge is nearly discontinued and has a reputation for breaking. Sony models, while the new leader in price/performance, have a reputation for less-stellar customer service.
Palm m130 -- Fills consumer color niche. Compare to color Clie models, new color Handspring models (some with phones), Visor Prism. Small, bright screen, rechargeable battery, expandable.
Palm m515 -- the old top of the line. Screen is now brighter, 16 mb included, now we want higher resolution. Still, a great improvement over the horrible washed-out color on the Palm m505. Tungsten T -- The new top of the line. Triple Aces design, with top notch screen, bluetooth and drop-down graffiti pad. But no phone? Compare with top Sony models/iPaq.
Enjoy!


Best value for the money   April 26, 2003
Aaron (Indiana)
54 out of 54 found this review helpful

If you are thinking of buying this handheld, make sure you understand what you are getting. It is not top of the line anymore. It does not have a high-resolution (320x240) screen, a super-fast ARM processor, built-in wireless connectivity, and it cannot play MP3's or videos. If you want these features, take a look at the Tungsten models or the Zire 71.

That being said, however, this handheld is simply the best in its price range. Indoors, the color screen is phenomenal and outdoors it is readable except in the most direct sunlight. The battery life is quite reasonable and the battery charges quickly. The m130 comes bundled with DataViz Documents To Go, for easy editing of Word and Excel documents on the go. DocsToGo also lets you view PowerPoint shows. There are hundreds of free games available for download, as well as both shareware (Liberty) and freeware (Phoinix) Game Boy emulators, which further expand the library of available games.

If you ever *do* decide you want some more advanced features, many are available with add-on accessories. The m130 may have only 8MB of memory built in, but the SecureDigital / MultiMediaCard expansion slot provides virtually limitless storage. It may not have built-in Bluetooth, but the Palm Bluetooth SDIO card, which snaps into the SecureDigital slot, provides this capability. The Palm Universal Connector on the bottom snaps into a lot more than just the charger / sync cradle, including wired and wireless modems, digital cameras, keyboards, printers, and GPS units!

If you want an afforable handheld with a high "cool" factor and lots of room to grow, the m130 is the best pick.


Best PDA I've Ever Owned!   August 12, 2002
Sam Bethune (Lincoln, Nebraska USA)
46 out of 48 found this review helpful

The M130 is my 6th PDA, having previously owned the m100, m125, m500, Sony CLIE PEGS320, and a Handspring Visor Prism. In terms of form factor, features, price, and dependability it blows them all out of the water! I bought my m130 the day it came out on the market (March 7, 2002) and I haven't been disappointed one bit. It's been completely trouble free, hotsyncs every time without fail, and has a brilliant color display that in my opinion is superior to the m515. I personally prefer the m130's slightly thicker form factor and smaller screen over the m515, and I really like the ability to change faceplates to suit whatever mood I'm in at the time.

I've heard that the m515 has the same manufacturing glitch that has plagued the m500 and m515 and after three warranty exchanges on my m500 I cannot in good faith recommend the m515. I can and do recommend the m130 though.