PalmOne Zire 21 Handheld

Okay, I'm still sorta old school. I bought my first Palm Pilot maybe 10years ago or more.. I liked it because it was easy to enter info via my computer, and it could store a massive amount of information on it. It was easy to access that info from the device. I ended up having to replace that device, and beings as I upgraded my computer the operating system on the new computer wouldn't accept the Palm disc.. but I had a tech friend from work figure out how to make my laptop link to the device. I'm not even sure how, but I was happy. I also learned that Palm got bought out by HP, and then sorta got dumped. Then my second Palm (Zire 21) died and I had to buy another one. I had to search to find one, but I did through this Amazon site, and I'm glad they were still available. This newest one had a better case, and a better cable link system. and it matched up to the system in my laptop. so I am happy again. I have a droid phone, but I still feel the need for my Zire 21 because of all the type of data I store. That is why I give this product 5 stars; but like I said, I'm still sorta old school.. Thank you. Buzzy

Problems with the product and tech support were very stressful.Re: the product itself, the screen is dark and there's no backlight. The size was perfect (thin and light).I had to return the first Zire 21 as it wouldn't charge after 9 hours. That Palm Tech support person had me do a hard reset and she deemed it "defective" when it still wouldn't turn on. Then the replacement wouldn't hot sync. The first tech support person caused me to lose all of the addresses from my previous Palm IIIe which originally was imported into the new Zire's program. Then her instructions didn't resolve the problem of the handheld not communicating with the program. I called tech support back and after over 2 hours, the problem still wasn't resolved and the tech support person told me that although I had called a toll free number and was well within 90 days of free tech support, that I will be billed for the toll call to the Philippines! I hung up and gave up and am waiting for the phone bill. I don't think her information was correct but it certainly caused a lot of stress!

I was warned and understood that the battery would be old and possibly unusable. I bought a replacement and also understood that I would need to solder the replacement battery connections. I'm not a professional solder tech, but I thought I did a pretty good job. Now the Zire will not respond or charge the battery. It was probably my fault and I don't expect a replacement, but I wanted to send a warning. Plan on having a pro install the replacement battery.

I'VE TRIED CONTACT AND HAVE AMAZON.COM AND THE ONE WHO SOLD ME THIS UNIT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNIT SINCE I'VE HAD IT. THE FIRST DAY IT WOULDN'T BEAM AND NOW IT WON'T ACCEPT BEAMS? AMAZON REFERRED ME TO THE SELLER,I'VE EMAILED HIM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING? LOOK IT ONLY COSTED ME $36 AND THAT I'LL GET OVER BUT TO JUST LET IT GO ISN'T RIGHT. I GOT THIS UNIT BECAUSE I'VE NEEDED ONE FOR SOME TIME WHEN MY OLD ZIRE31 WENT UP ON ME.IT DOWNLOADS AND SEARCHES FASTER THEN MY SMARTPHONES FOR INSTANT EXCESS TO ANYTHING I WANTED TO LOOK UP. I GOT A EMAIL FROM AMAZON.COM TO BUY IT FROM THEM. I DID AND NOW I'M SORRY I TRUSTED THEM TO SELL SOMETHING THAT DONESN'T WORK RIGHT. I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST THIS WEBSITE TO STAND BY WHAT THEY HAVE ON SALE ON THEIR WEBSITE? THEY SEND ME TO THE SELLER AND NOW NOTHING? WELL I WON'T BE BUYING ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS WEBSITE AGAIN. I'M JUST OUT OF $36? I KNOW THIS REVIEW WON'T BE ON THE WEBSITE NOW BUT I HAD TO WRITE IT.OH THEY DID DO ONE THING? WANT ME TO BUY A WARRANTY PLAN.HA!

I just wish it had a book of instructions, I'm sure there is more I can do with it, just not sure how. I'm not good w/ electronics so an info book would help.

This device may seem a candidate for the Smithsonian, but I LOVE that my information cannot be accessed via the internet. It can't get "spam-ed" and the only one who sees my info is ME.

I was prepared to deal with limited memory and the unlit screen. What I wasn't prepared for is the fact that every time I start this thing now it jumps back to Jan. 2003. Every fourth time (or thereabouts) it loses all data and requires a reset (screen centering, date, time, etc.)and then a hot sync to reinstall all of the lost data. Now after six months it when it hot syncs it won't add any new appointments.I bought this because it was inexpensive and I wanted to see if I would get enough use out of a PDA without spending $400 and having it collect dust.I found out three things.1. I think PDAs are a fine idea and I will use one a great deal.2. You get what you pay for and the Palm Zire 21 and Palm's quality and customer service are truly unimpressive (90 day warranty then $25 per call for service and no useful information on their web site)3. I will buy another more sophistcicated PDA from one of their competitors.

Have to return item because the touch screen/stylus don't work