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Entering data and navigating are now faster with the Treo's built-in QWERTY keyboard. You can look up a phone number, view your calendar, and switch applications easily with one hand. Or use two thumbs for fast typing of notes and e-mail.

Display
The Treo 90 delivers text and graphics in vivid color with its 12-bit display. The transmissive color STN display offers a backlight for easier viewing in a variety of lighting conditions and supports over 4,000 colors.

Expansion
With the Treo 90's integrated Secure Digital (SD) expansion slot, you can easily add a variety of applications--from games to databases--as well as family photos without compromising size or sacrificing memory. It is compatible with both SD and MMC cards. You'll also be able to add more functionality using optional SD cards, which will be available in the future.

Operating System
The Treo 90 runs the popular Palm operating system (OS) and is compatible with thousands of applications that use this platform--from games to enterprise business software. It includes all the classic applications that you've come to expect from the Palm OS for Handspring, including Date Book Plus, To Do List, Memo Pad, Advanced Calculator, and CityTime world clock. It also features a few new applications, like Contacts (an improved Address Book), that includes Instant Lookup. This new feature enables you to find any contact, usually within three taps of the keyboard.

Handspring provides its own version of the Palm operating system--Palm OS 4.1H--which seems older than the current Palm OS 4.x now available. Handspring continues to make its own versions of the Palm OS, some of which are given back to Palm and incorporated later, and some that are only available in Handspring products.

Extra Software
In addition to the built-in applications that come with Palm OS 4.1H, the Treo 90 offers the following applications on the included CD-ROM: the Blazer Web browser, One-Touch Mail (POP3 compatible), SMS messaging, phone drivers for connecting to compatible GSM phones, and the WordSmith word processing application. WordSmith features rich formatting capabilities and offers seamless integration with Microsoft Word.

Synchronization
The Treo 90 comes with a USB HotSync cable so you can instantly back up, update, and exchange information between the Treo handheld and your desktop computer. (An optional recharging USB HotSync cradle is available separately.) A CD-ROM is included with the Palm Desktop and HotSync Manager applications for both Windows and Mac; you can also choose to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook for Windows.

Compatibility
Like other Handspring handhelds, the Treo 90 is compatible with the following Windows and Macintosh computer systems:

• Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP with USB port (USB cable included); Windows 95 and NT 4.0 with serial port (serial cable sold separately)
• Mac OS 8.5 through 9.x with USB port

In the Box
The Treo 90 comes with a USB HotSync cradle, travel charger (100 to 240 volts), metal stylus, and CD-ROM with Windows and Macintosh desktop software. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Another leap for Handspring was recognizing that the Springboard modules they had previously been using with their other PDA's was outdated (and I might add overpriced, too) and moved UP to the amazingly productive and versatile multi media cards which are incredibly small (especially compared with the Springboard modules) and definitely seem to be the wave of the future. The color screen really is rather impressive considering how tiny this unit is. Sure it only supports 4,000 colors compared with 65,000 available with the Palm m515, but seriously, by comparing these products side-by-side, you would be hard pressed to see the difference...although your pocketbook definitely WOULD see a HUGE difference ... . The standard 16mb of memory is also a great move up, too. In taking on the Palm m515 head-to-head I would have to give the edge to the TREO in a BIG way. Where the Palm has the lead is in offering OS 4.1 where the TREO still uses OS 3.5. This can be a problem, but one in which I understand Handspring will be correcting in the very near future, and from what I can tell, doesn't effect the use of the product at all -- yet. If this becomes a problem in the future, I certainly WILL bring it up in a re-vision of my review.

Overall, Handspring has managed to leapfrog ahead of Palm (for a change) and delivered literally the smallest & lightest PDA available today (seriously, if there is one that offers this much at this price and is smaller, I'd like to see it) plus comes with the innovative miniature keyboard (instead of graffiti), standard 16mb internal memory, fast processor, color screen, a cover plate which you can see through (which is pretty cool, too), the multi media card expansion slot -- when you consider ALL of the options, you would be hard pressed to find a better PDA on the market today -- especially for the money. Very COOL indeed.


Handspring has a winner on its hands, but it's not perfect   May 28, 2002
68 out of 88 found this review helpful

Handspring has almost got it right with this PDA. The Treo 90 enters a saturated PDA market but here are the features that make the Treo 90 stand out:
* Built-in Keyboard - a feature that puts Handspring in a category almost by itself - RIM being the other company that has a built-in keyboard in their devices and Sony who recently added a keyboard to their high-end and expensive CLIE NR-70
* Color screen - same resolution and brightness as Palm's m130 and m515
* 16 MB RAM - Handspring started this trend with the Visor Pro last year and its competitors are still playing catch up in this area
* Secure Digital Card slot - Handspring is aligning itself (finally!) with an industry standard type of expandable media, thus dropping the Springboard expansion ability that was part of the VISOR line and perhaps sending it to its death
* Weight - at 4 oz., it is the lightest PDA out there
* Price -... and with the features above, Handspring should have a winner on their hands

The only drawback that I have found is that the current Palm 4.1H OS does not support SD I/O - i.e. you can't buy and use the Palm Bluetooth Card on it yet. Although, Handspring has said that they could release an OS update that would allow the Treo 90 to use this technology.

All-in-all, the Treo 90 from Handspring should stand out and make other take notice with its feature set and price and should offer excellent competition for the Palm m130. And in the end, competition is best for the consumer as it drives companies to produce better products.


It's innovative, but is that enough?   June 16, 2002
Tony Ursillo (Norwood, MA USA)
66 out of 84 found this review helpful

Handspring continues to define new ground with its Palm-based handhelds. But, frankly, the Treo 90 isn't "the PDA you've been waiting for." Here's why:

- The color screen is a nice break from monochrome, but the resolution still clearly lags that of the Windows-based devices. Specifically, the Treo 90 only displays roughly 4000 colors vs. 65,000 colors for other Palm O/S-based devices. Visually, I was disappointed, especially when comparing it side-by-side with an iPaq or Journada. And if you're not accessing Web sites or storing pictures of your kids, you're not getting your money's worth for a color PDA.
- It runs on an older version of the Palm O/S (a Handspring-adapted version of Palm 3.5), which may limit your ability to take full advantage of more recently introduced or upcoming applications.
- You can't input data through graffiti, only through the Blackberry-like keyboard (on which you use your thumbs to type). It takes some getting used to, but you'll be a pro in a few weeks. And despite how small and compact the keys are, I was surprised how firm they are and how few times I depressed an adjacent key by accident. You'll have no more errors than with the imperfect graffiti recognition system. Still, I have gotten pretty handy with a stylus and since you need the stylus to scroll down pages or select certain menu options anyway, it makes switching to input data a bit awkward.

As I stated above, the Treo 90 does introduce some features that make it worth a look, especially if you don't own a PDA yet:
- It is the thinnest and lightest basic handheld on the market and even compared to my Palm Vx, I was impressed with the "footprint" - you could stick this thing anywhere to carry it.
- It has an expansion slot (though not a Springboard slot, which Handspring is apparently abandoning). This Secure Digital slot allows you to add a few features, such as photos or memory-intensive games. But it can't make the Treo 90 a cell phone and won't play MP3s.
- The flip cover protects the screen while allowing you to view the screen's content. You can view the basic applications (calendar, address book, etc.) by using the shortcut buttons, but inputting requires you to flip open the cover.

As I said, I own a Palm Vx and I am waiting for a few things before upgrading. First and foremost is version 5.0 (I may even wait for version 5.1) of the Palm O/S, which is due out this Fall. That version will be able to better handle email from various sources and will be able to access Web sites in their native presentation, not altered as Web clippings for Palm users. I'd also prefer Blackberry-like always-on email and instant messaging functionality, which the Palm i705 currently offers. And my hope is that the new O/S supports a better resolution color screen. So, I'm passing on the Treo 90. If you don't own any PDA, this one might fit the bill, though I think you'd be better advised to go very low end (Palm m105/125 or Handspring Visor Neo or Edge) to start.


Great PDA, for those looking to upgrade   September 19, 2002
Ricks (Laurel, MD USA)
42 out of 57 found this review helpful

After years of using a paper organizer, (college and post-dorm life--WORK) I bought a Palm IIIe. I loved it so much I told myself, "I'll never go back to paper again." I didn't.

So here's a graffiti question: What's the point in using an organizer if you have to write your notes twice? Face it, the graffiti was tricky, at best. Even once you got it down pat, did you really think it would be used anywhere else? I didn't.

Sure you could buy a fold-up keyboard, lug it and your PDA to meetings. But why do that? I didn't.

Enter my new Treo 90. I find that the SD slot alone is a plus. I hated the "springboard-thing" anyway. (Yes, I had a Visor, and returned it within 2 days) I love my Treo 90! The keyboard is small; so is the PDA--that's the beauty of it! The color screen does look better on the Palm m515 but are you going to pay and additional $100 just for that? The amount of space is outstanding. The speed is amazing. And the resolution is really not bad for having less colors. Another nice touch is the see-through-flip-up cover.

To all the reviewers who think this is "limited." If you want to listen to MP3s, stare at photos and call your friends on one device, go buy the Nokia 9290 Communicator + the Sony CLIE.

Answer these questions to help aid in your PDA decision:

- Do you have an older PDA?
- Did you hate having to learn graffiti?
- Did you hate to "re-write" your notes?
- Do you just want to keep track of dates, numbers?
- Want to quickly add a note or two?
- Want to get news web-clips in color?
- Want to edit a Word documents w/o the need of another "typing device"?
- Do you have a mobile phone?
- Do you have a CD or CD/MP3 player?

Saying yes to 2 or more of the above question means the Treo 90 is the PDA for you.


Great Product, you won't understand til you see it yourself   August 21, 2002
39 out of 55 found this review helpful

First of all the Treo 90 is an awesome product that you can't judge until you have seen it for yourself. It is tiny and amazing. The color screen is great, compare to palms disastrous m505 and you'll appreciate it a thousand times more even though it lacks 16-bit colors. (65,000 colors)
Second of all, (for previous reviewers such as scott spears)if you think the keyboard is too small, you obviously have only looked at it on your computer because when you start using it is amazing. It is so easy to use, graffiti doesn't stand a chance against the errorless speed of the keyboard.
Third, like many reviewers have said and like it states in the amazon.com technical data, the treo 90 runs on palm OS 3.5h but that is false. I don't know where that idea came from because it runs handsprings version of palm OS4.1 (handsprings version includes better calculator, world alarm clock, and updated versions of datebook, to-do and contacts to work best with the keyboard.)
The treo 90 is an awesome product. Handspring pulled through this time!!