Hi Julie
Well my comments will be less than satifactory...I owned a Velo1 the problems with hinges and instability to run the CE2.0 upgrade were enough to put me of the Velo...My main reason for the Velo was the inbuilt database the manual claims to export selected records after a search...This does not work on the subject of working neither doses my Velo 500 philips have sent me I am waiting a replacement unit....I know I have further problems on the horizon with Philips I have all the software and manuals for the Velo1 ...They only send the 500 no box manuals so I know the software for the modem is not going to work....Philips in my opinion are useless at support...I have several third party database programmes that offer the function I need ...I just need a reliable machine to run them....
Regards
Peter Moore ..London UK

Julie,

After using a Velo 500 for nearly a year, I found your review to be less
than complimentary.  This is an excellent tool!  I don't have the same glare
issues that you experienced so I can't comment.

I don't think of the Velo 500 as a laptop substitute because I have both a
laptop and a desktop.  However, unlike the PDAs out there, I find it to be a
useful tool for meeting notes etc. and you don't need to 'learn' any new
handwriting style etc. to take notes.   Because I am largely a Windows user,
I am very comfortable with key strokes etc. and all of the programs.  Just
so you know, my feeling about PDAs is that the functionality is lacking and
they remind me of those cheezy electronic organizers of the 80's.

Back to the Velo 500...you left out one of its best features...16MB or 24MB
memory.

I thought that you should hear about the Velo from a user's perspective.

Melanie

I am truly impressed with your review. Having owned my unit since
November 1998, I have been very pleased with its performance and
features. Regarding the screen, having been a previous owner of a NEC
Mobilepro 400 I would have to say the screen on the Velo 500 is 100%
better but still could use improvement in the line weight of the text
and icons displayed. The Velo has a sturdy well built feel about it and
it is the same size as my old Nec MobilePro 400 but with a bigger
screen.  I have had absolutely no problem with the hinge and do love the
stiff smooth feel it gives. As for a color screen, as far as I am
concerned at this point they are over rated. Working with High
resolution monitors and fast Tower PC systems at work you get used to a
high quality of color reproduction, clarity and speed. When I went to
review color HPCs I was very disappointed in all aspects of there
screens. So until they improve the color screens on HPCs I suggest that
the B/W monitors are far superior.

In regards to the docking station, yes it is big, but so is every
docking station I saw for HPCs. I personally like it, unlike the docking
station that came with the MobilePro this one has a solid take-the-abuse
feel.  You wont have to worry about breaking this docking station.  For
travel I use the optional cable for that its light and convenient.

The Velo 500 seems to have more going for it then other HPCs and has a
very sturdy feel and great looks!   I feel that the Philips Velo 500 is
truly a handheld PC it is small, easily carried in a pocket and contains
many of the features found in a laptop or table top PC. It  has as a
built-in modem,  lot of memory, a nice collection of pre loaded software
and utilities, the ability to accept new software and decent speed when
running applications.

I really enjoy the Velo 500 very much!

Frank R. James

Julie,

I just finished reading your review for the Velo 500.  Your overview
is right on target . . .!  Excellent Pictures.

Having owned my unit since approximately March 1998, I have been very
pleased with the units performance and features.  The Velo 500 has
greatly enhance my professional and person quality of life.  I have
been able to optimize the balance in my life which is necessary for
success in our busy  and very demanding society.

Additionally, when I've called for technical support, the Philips
Customer Service/Technician listened and did not hesitate to take the
necessary actions to resolve my situation.

Sincerely,

Gerald Bloodsaw
Satisfied Velo 500 Owner in  Illinois

Julie,

   I stumbled across your review by accident while checking out the Velo web
page.  I was really surprised that Philips had a link to it.  Although your
review was, for the most part, positive, you did have some pretty candid
negative comments in there, as well.  I was appreciative of that, that way I
know I'm getting the full objective opinion, not just excerpts.  Anyway,
your review was extremely thorough, just like us consumers want.

    After reading your column, I purchased a Velo, and I'd have to say that
you were pretty much right on with your comments.  The playback of recorded
notes is so awful, that I almost returned the unit because of that reason
alone (Simultaneously, I purchased Philips's Nino for comparison, and its
recorded note playback is excellent).  However, as bad as the recorded note
playback is, the Windows sound effects are good and clear.  Whatever.  I
guess you can't have it all.

    Philips must've solved the hinge problem, because I really like the
combination of stiffness and smoothness.  I didn't experience any popping
upon initial opening (do your knuckles pop?).

    Regarding the dock, it IS big, but I personally like it.  I wouldn't
want to travel with it, I plan on getting the optional cable for that.  With
previous PDAs, I would position the unit on my desk so that the back of the
open display would rest against something rigid so that it wouldn't move
when I would tap it.  Now I don't have to do that because the base is so
sturdy.

    Where did you get the shareware drawing program?

    Thanks for a detailed, objective review.

-Andy Russell

Well, I must say that I'm very impressed.  After reading review after review of the Philips Velo 500, as well as other units, the Velo 500 just seemed to have more going for it, such as a built-in modem, a nice collection of pre-loaded software and utilities, a very sturdy feel and great looks, decent speed when running applications, ease of use, and a lot of memory!  This is my first PDA.  I had auditioned the Sharp Mobilon HC-4100, the Casio A-20, a Sharp SE-500, and a Casio E-10 as possible contenders and while each had their own strengths, the limitations put upon them when compared to the Velo 500 outweighed the good.  I feel that the Philips Velo 500 deserves the name of a "handheld PC" as it contains more features than most organizers and has the ability to accept new software just like a PC does.  Personally, I doubt that I'll ever add new software and I am using my unit as a standalone device, without Windows CE Services.  The unit contains plenty of software for my needs and serves me well by itself.  I believe that that was $500 well-spent.  I encourage anyone else that's planning to get any form of a PDA to consider the Philips Velo 500 as it (in my opinion) has so much to offer that it easily justifies its price.  It's a great gift for anyone, especially a child, that wants a computer or computer-like device but needs something more portable, reliable, durable, and less expensive than a laptop.  Again, I've very satisfied and I'm sure I'll enjoy using this device for years to come.  Thank you Philips!

Dan Huber

Great review!  I am very pleased that you give the straight-forward truth, and Philips links to your page!  The pictures were great.  I found them to be of better assistance to me than what Philips has on there web site.  Although I don't really have a grudge against the PalmPilot... I didn't see it in your screen comparison picture.  (In the response section, a reader commented how he'd rather have a Pilot based on the READABILITY?!)

Anyway, I have one question... Did you type that page on your Velo 500?  (From Julie: Nope)

OK, two questions... Your hinge is sturdy? Hmmm.... must be a fluke...  (From Julie: Yes, it was fine)

#1 Philips Velo Fan

-Miles Raymond

Dear Julie,

Nice to read your comments about Pros & Cons of Velo 500, though I already
bought it. I completely agree with you that the screen is hard to read in
many circumstances, except you turn on the back light in a dark environment.
Moreover, the pocket versions of MS applications though good are not
providing enough options to fit user's needs. Anyway, the machine is good
and I am glad I bought it.

Finally, your article saves me lots of time reading manuals from Philips &
Microsoft.

Thank you very much.

Tom Tsui

Hi Julie!

Just saw the review of the Velo 500 on your Gadgeteer Web site. I like
your writing style, and with the Velo 500, it really gives a good
overview of what to expect with our handheld PC. With regards to the
stylus, though, don't worry about it! Please send it back with the
original unit.

Kevin Turner
Philips Mobile Computing Group

Thanks for being honest with your criticism of the new Velo 500 and the difficulty you had seeing the display. I've been debating for awhile whether or not to buy one. People at work use the Casio and it's display is also very difficult to read easily.

I think I'll wait for either an improved display from the HPCs or consider buying a Palm Pilot instead for speed and readibility.

P.S. I applaud Philips for having the guts to put your review on their web page!

Mitch Gillman

Great review.

Thanks.
J. James Flynn