Palm V

Palm V
Palm V in its dock (Feb 2011)
Developer3Com
Product familyPalm
TypePersonal digital assistant
Release date1999 (1999)
Operating systemPalm OS 3.0
CPUDragonball EZ
Memory2 MB
Display
Connectivity
PowerLithium-ion battery
Dimensions
  • 4.5 in (110 mm) tall
  • <0.5 in (13 mm) thick
Mass4 ounces (110 g)
PredecessorPalm III family

Palm V is a personal digital assistant (PDA) by 3Com.

Released in 1999 by 3Com,[1] the four-ounce (110 g) PDA has an aluminum enclosure containing a Dragonball EZ central processing unit[2] (capable of overclocking to 39 MHz) and 2 MB of memory.[3] Measuring 4.5 inches (110 mm) tall and less than 0.5 inches (13 mm) thick, the device's 16-shade grayscale display[1] has a backlight and increased resolution from the previous-generation Palm III.[2] Unlike that older device, which uses disposable batteries (AAAs), the Palm V has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an expected charge lasting 1–2 weeks. Palm Vs are equipped with a serial port that is electrically though not physically compatible with the EIA-232-D telecommunications standard[1] (the redesigned enclosure design prevents Palm III-compatible accessories from connecting to the port)[2] and a Consumer IR transceiver.[4]

Upon launch, the Palm V cost about US$500 (equivalent to about $910 in 2023), though it had reduced to $300–400 by January 2000 (equivalent to about $530–710 in 2023). Units sold in late 1999 came pre-loaded with Palm OS version 3.0, though 3.3 was available to download and install.[4] The IBM WorkPad c3 is the Palm V, relabeled.[1]

Ars Technica's Will Smith raved about his Palm V in 1999, recommending it to all interested, excepting Palm III users for whom the technical-specifications upgrade wasn't substantial enough.[2] Writing for TechRepublic in January 2000, Jeff Thompson was enthusiastically full of praise for the Palm V, both for personal and enterprise uses.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference 2001 Palm™ Enterprise Applications was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference 1999 Ars Technica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2001-10 Maximum PC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference 2000-01-10 TechRepublic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).