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 Electronics : Palm LifeDrive Mobile Manager |
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Rating:  - Not the Best Nor the Fastest
If you are caught between a TX and a Lifedrive--go with the TX. While the LifeDrive has more room, it is lacking in speed when compared to the TX. The TX is seamless when switching between applications. The LifeDrive will hang and freeze, when switching between applications, for what will seem like an eternity no reset is needed--just patience. Many claim that the system has hard reset many times, wiping out the internal memory, in the time that I've owned it, this has not happened. Ranking order for those wanting a Palm device: LifeDrive is good, E2 is better, TX is best.
Rating:  - One of the worst products ever manufactured...STAY AWAY!
I made the mistake of purchasing this product when it came on the market (and paid approximately $400). I was attracted by the capacity of the drive and the large display. Within weeks of using the device it began to freeze up and crash intermittently resulting in repeated data loss. At times the screen would go blank/"white" for no apparent reason when turned on and would require a system reset. The system reset occasionally would wipe out all of the software I installed on the device requiring me to reinstall everything and re-enter all of the product keys (this required hours of time). After several months of this and MANY hours on the phone with technical support the mini hard-drive completely failed: when the device was turned on it made clicking noises but would not boot (in case you're wondering, the device was handled carefully and had a nice Rhino metal case with foam padding: it was not dropped prior to this event). Technical support from the manufacturer was again useless and after returning the device and receiving a "repaired" version I was faced with the same problems. I was informed that a major "software update" was available ("2.0") which would fix many of the issues: after applying the update stability improved - for a while. However, after two months the hard drive once again failed. This time I was one month outside of the one year warranty (the warranty was not extended despite all of the problems with the device). I was informed that I would need to spend approximately $150 if I wanted to have it repaired. After reviewing my options and thinking about all of the misery I experienced with the device I decided it was not worth the cost of repair. I kept it for a while in the box in my closet, but it made me angry each time I looked at the box: eventually I simply threw the useless item away and purchased a Sony Clie UX-50 (wow, what a difference!). While the UX-50 was discontinued in the US, the hardware is VASTLY superior to that of the LifeDrive (I've had it now for two years without a single problem). It has an earlier version of the Palm OS which is more stable and, although it lacks some of the fancier features of the LifeDrive, I'd never go back. There were rumors that a version of Linux was in development by Palm to replace the unstable/horrible operating system on the LifeDrive - in the end I guess they were just rumors. How corporations like Plam get away with selling junk like the LifeDrive is difficult to understand. My next "PDA" will be an iPhone.
Rating: - Palm LifeDrive--don't get it
I've been using Palm products since the original Palm Pilot, and I was thrilled with this when I received it. Then it failed. Customer service was consistently superior to Dell's or HP's, but the refurbished replacement they sent me failed. The next refurbished replacement was defective. The refurbished replacement following that was also defective. They finally sent me a new replacement. That one has just failed, but now it's out of warranty. I will not be buying another Palm product again--ever.
Rating: - Palm Quality is NON existant
BEWARE ... do NOT buy this or any palm handheld. I have had both an E2 and this LifeDrive and both have had loving care but both have died within a year . Palm will "graciously" repair it for $150 (plus shipping). so beware ... there is NO quality to be found here ... I suggest you look at a pocket pc or some OTHER device.
Rating:  - I wonder how long my luck with last???? To Bad...great concept for a product.
It is to bad that others are having such an awful time with life drive. I have had mine greater than 2 years. It has been everything I need with little problems. I like the Wi FI , pictures, and music capibilities. After reading these reviews now I am worried since it seems that it is just a matter of time before something happens to my life drive. At least I won't depend to keep anything permenate on it. My husband got it for me right after my second child was born. I use to spend hours on the internet looking up information while my baby breastfed...it was brillant for me. I viewed all my pics of him on it after I returned to work an while I was on call and missed him. I am now using the music capibilities on it with little problems. It is also nice and mobile to use the internet while letting my toddler play in the yard. It has been a wonderful mobile pda for me. I wish others had a better experience with lifedrive. I have loved mine. It saved my sanity and fed my obcession for my baby while I was away from him 24 hours while on call after I returned to work. After reading these reviews though...my experience with lifedrive seems really lucky. It will be interesting to see how long my luck lasts.
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