At 0.44 inches thick and weighing only 4.8 ounces, the Edge feels more like a futuristic data pad (which it should) than a deck of cards containing electrical circuitry. It's far more comfortable to slide into a purse or shirt pocket, and its anodized aluminum case is likely to withstand more bumps and jostles than earlier plastic cases. Further, its superior aluminum cover is the best available screen protector we've seen that ships with a PDA. Its hinge is spring loaded so that it snaps into place at a 145-degree angle. You can push it back farther, to about a 260-degree angle, but unfortunately you can't rest it flat against the back of the Visor. Our only other minor complaint is that it takes a bit of practice to quickly release the cover's tab from the bottom of the device.

Another joy is the weighted metal stylus that comes with the Visor Edge. Earlier styluses were plastic afterthoughts that cheapened the experience of using a Visor. This one is the exact opposite: the barrel is slightly swollen where you rest your fingers, giving the stylus more heft that translates into a better feel for writing. The stylus attaches onto the outside of the Edge's edge by clipping a retractable post into a small groove at the top; the writing tip sits snugly in a holder at the bottom. Releasing the stylus is a matter of pushing a rocker switch to disengage the latch at the top--a motion that will take some practice. But although the stylus is clipped to the side of the Edge, it's remarkably sturdy and never came close to falling out during our testing.

Of course, slimness isn't the Edge's only advantage, even if it's the most notable. The Visor Edge packs in features common to Handspring's line of handhelds: it comes with 8 MB of memory, runs the Palm OS (version 3.5.2H, which unfortunately can't be upgraded due to the type of memory it uses), has a crisp gray scale screen, and includes Handspring-only software like Date Book+, City Time, and an advanced Calculator application. The Edge runs on an internal battery that's quickly recharged when you put it into the included docking cradle (which is a minimalist piece of art by itself).

A new software addition is Fast Lookup, a slick feat of engineering within the Address Book application. Press the Visor's scroll-up button to enter Fast Lookup mode, then use the other application buttons to tap out the name you're looking for. For example, the Date Book button represents letters A-L of a person's last name, while the Address Book button counts for letters M-Z. After a few presses, the name you want appears in the contact list. It's also worth noting that the Edge can perform a HotSync operation out of the box via infrared to your computer (earlier Visors couldn't).

The most noteworthy Visor feature is the Springboard expansion slot, which on the Edge turns out to be both an advantage and a detractor. To achieve the Edge's thin profile, the Springboard slot is no longer a part of the handheld itself. To add Springboard functionality, you must connect a rather bulky adapter onto the back of the Visor Edge, then slide Springboard modules into the adapter. On the plus side, you can use any Springboard module you like just as you would with any other Visor; the downside is that it ruins the thinness factor of the Edge.

However, if you think you'll use Springboard modules only occasionally and want the advantages of a slim and lightweight handheld organizer, you'll want to head for the Edge. --Jeff Carlson

Pros:

• Thin and light
• Best screen protection on any handheld
• New Fast Lookup feature in Address Book
• Rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Springboard adapter ruins thinness advantage
• Sometimes hard to release stylus and cover
• Operating system not upgradable

In addition to such standard Palm OS applications as an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, Handspring adds extra features such as an enhanced datebook, advanced calculator, and a world clock. Plus, the Visor Edge has new usability features like Fast Lookup, silent alarms, wireless synchronization, address duplication, improved security, and enhanced navigation. And since it uses the Palm OS, you can download thousands of Palm-compatible applications and beam information to other Palm users.

Using its unique detachable Springboard expansion slot, you can add a wide variety of Springboard modules whenever you want--from digital cameras and MP3 players to wireless modems and modem connectors to cellular phones.

With a fast USB connection, synchronizing the Visor Edge handheld to your PC or Mac is simple and faster than a normal serial connection. (An optional serial cradle also is available.) HotSync technology ensures all your data is backed up to your desktop PC.

The Handspring Visor Edge comes with a metal stylus, metal flip cover, USB recharging cradle, AC power adapter, and detachable Springboard expansion slot. It also includes Palm Desktop software (for Windows and Macintosh) and a link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).

Important note to customers: Your Visor comes with a free USB cradle, but not all computers and operating system are USB compatible. If your computer uses Windows 95 or NT or Mac OS 8.0 or below, or if your computer is not equipped with USB ports, you'll need to purchase a serial recharging cradle to synchronize your computer with your new Visor.

What's in the box

• Visor Edge
• USB HotSync cradle
• 8 MB RAM
• Internal rechargeable lithium ion batteries
• Matching metal flip cover
• Weighted metal stylus
• AC power adapter
• Detachable Springboard expansion slot
• Palm Desktop software