PalmOne m130 Handheld

PalmOne m130 Handheld Review

PalmOne m130 Handheld Feature

• Bright and easy-to-read color screen with support for 58,621 colors
• Built-in 8 MB memory stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do items, and notes
• Expandable via Secure Digital and MultiMedia cards--add memory, applications, and content
• Windows and Macintosh compatible--includes desktop software for both platforms
• Box: Palm OS 4.1, USB cradle, rechargeable battery, and add-on applications,alculator, MultiMail, and Palm Reader

Palm's m130 enters the handheld market as one of the least expensive color units available. Basically a colorized version of the earlier m125, the m130's bright backlit screen displays 58,621 colors on its 160 x 160 pixel screen.

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

Cons:

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

Palm M130 Battery. This is a 3.7 Volt, 1000 mAh, Li-Ion Battery . Dimensions: 1.93 x 1.18 x 0.28. 100% OEM compatible.