So, what are the benefits of a color screen? Since I started using a color device, in my case the Palm IIIc, I can't imagine going back to grayscale. I like the rugged thickness of the m100 series devices, and the new two-tone color scheme of the m125 is appealing, but I've resisted using one because of the lack of color. The Palm m130 has changed all that.

Color screens are great because they're easy to read, and they make digital pictures a lot easier on the eyes. A color screen can also enhance charts and graphs. Figure C shows a color Palm m130 screen displaying a revenue bar chart.

FIGURE C

Bar charts look great in color. Click picture for a larger image.

I'm also looking forward to trying out video clips on a Palm handheld, and that would be a lot less fun without color.

The Palm m130 also has a color version of the Note Pad application, so you can customize the "pen" and background color.

Here's a complete run-down of the features of the Palm m130:

• Two-tone design with flip cover attached, customized faceplates available (sold separately);

• Color screen supports 65,000 colors;

• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery;

• Palm Expansion Card Slot;

• Palm Universal Connector;

• Palm Mobile Connectivity Software included for access to email and the Internet when used with a data-enabled mobile phone or modem.

At a street price of U.S. $279, the Palm m130 is also the least expensive color handheld on the market, making it an even better deal for the budget conscious corporation.

Palm m515
Not only has the Palm m515 improved on the color screen of the Palm m505, but it has also gotten roomier. It's been bumped up to 16MB of SDRAM (4MB RAM), compared to the m505's 8MB. This increase in memory could be particularly useful for storing large corporate databases.

Of course, with the Palm m515, you've still got the rechargeable lithium ion battery and the built-in dual expansion. It's also got the same brushed-platinum finish found on the other Palm m500 series devices. The Palm m515 is priced at U.S. $399. You can get another look at it in Figure D.

FIGURE D

Applications just look better in color. Click picture for a larger image.

Bonus software
Both the Palm m515 and the Palm m130 come with about $100 worth of bonus software in the box, such as Documents to Go by DataViz (at http://www.dataviz.com), which lets you view, create, and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files and view and share PowerPoint files; MGI PhotSuite Mobile Edition (at http://www.mgisoft.com), which lets you view photos and video clips and save them to expansion cards from the desktop; and Palm Reader, ebook reading software that now lets you simply tap on a word to get a definition.

Both devices utilize version 4.1 of the Palm OS. Together, they make fine additions to the entire family of Palm OS products.

Steve Niles is Senior Editor for ZATZ Publishing. He is also an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. For more information, visit http://www.sn-films.com.