Rumor: m125 Price Drop, New Cases, and More (Updated)

Posted By: Ed Wednesday, December 5, 2001 4:20:35 PM

An anonymous source inside Palm has leaked that the company will be dropping the price of the m125 tomorrow by $50 to $200. The m125 debuted in late September so this is a rather quick drop in price. Even at its release, many thought it was a bit over priced compared to models with similar features, like the Sony S320 or Visor Pro. This new price will take effect tomorrow morning.

Update: As predicted, the Palm m125 dropped to $200 today on the Palm Store.

Palm will also begin selling several new cases. The most interesting of these is the long-awaited m500 series Hard Case, which will sell for $40. There will also be the m500 Coach Zippered Deluxe Wallet Case for $110 and the m500 Dooney and Bourke Slim Case in black or red for $50.

It will also begin selling the PalmPak Language Translator Card for $40.

These new products should be available later today or tomorrow.

Palm will also add to its refurbished offerings. Reconditioned models of the m505 will be available for $280, while a reconditioned m500 will be $230. A reconditioned m100 will be $70 while a m105 will cost $105. These are sold only when Palm actually has some in stock.

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M125 is a FLOP!

Foo @ 12/5/2001 3:59:17 PM #
If Palm is cutting the price on the M125 this soon, that's a good sign that its not selling well at all. Not surprising, given its lack of features. Same old story.

RE: M125 is not a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 4:04:16 PM #
I posted a month ago that the price of the m125 would drop soon. Not because it wouldn't sell, but because they wanted to clear out their stock of m10x's first. Soon, all the Palms will have a universal connector, and likely an SD expansion slot.

RE: M125 is NOT a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 4:35:56 PM #
Its a good hand held but cost to much at $250.
The CLIE S320 is about the same but cost $170.
M125 will sell better at $200.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 4:43:28 PM #
If a sync cradle is important to you, at $60, the S320 is actually more expensive than the m125 at the reduced price - $170 + $60 = $230, so the overpriced argument may not hold much weight. Nor do I think a flash ROM plays a big role in purchasing decisions at this price level. I contend that the real reason why someone may choose the Clie over the m-series is based on the look of the devices. I bet more people consider the Clie a better looking PDA. Conversely, the Palm name still probably has more cachet than the Sony, specifically in regards to PDA's.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 5:56:11 PM #
It is convenient to add the price of a cradle to the Sony to put it into the same price range as the m125, but don't forget that the Clie has a rechargable battery, whereas the m125 is still on AAA's.

So, even with the $50 price reduction the m125 is only competitive (at best) and still overpriced (at worst).

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
peter167 @ 12/5/2001 6:20:33 PM #
But the M125 comes with Documents To GO.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 6:22:41 PM #
And you get a free SD card till January 7.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
peter167 @ 12/5/2001 6:24:45 PM #
It is hard to compare two different devices.

But we can only say that the M125 and Sony S 320 has their own problems/advantages.

M125 vs. Sony S 320
1)no rechargeable batteries on M125
2)no cradle on Sony
3)no Documents to Go on Sony
4)cheaper base price on Sony
5)16 MB SD-card on M125
6)no more expansion for Sony S 320
7)Flash ROM on Sony S 320

PLEASE don't tell me one does not need that or what. Everyone has his/her own needs. Unless it is very extreme, do not put your values as the benchmark of what M125/S320 should be.

Thank you.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 6:37:02 PM #
actually sometimes it could just be that CHRISTMAS is here! makes sense...
PDANature - http://pdan.has.it - Great hourly refreshed pda news, discussions, chat, reviews, commentarys, software, software update notices, features, and what not! Simply the best. http://pdan.has.it

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
Coyote67 @ 12/5/2001 7:02:42 PM #
Isn't the s320 the clie model that can't use the gps device and tv tuner memory sticks? If it is, why would you want to invest in a product thats pretty much unexpandable from the getgo?

---------------------------------------
Stuffing feathers up your ass does not make you a chicken.
RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 7:15:17 PM #
> the Clie has a rechargable battery, whereas the m125 is still on AAA's. So, even with the $50 price reduction the m125 is only competitive (at best) and still overpriced (at worst).

I don't like rechargeables. AAA's are much better. Just trying to make the point that putting in a rechargeable doesn't mean it is worth more to everyone.

PLEASE, save the snide remarks. RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 8:11:54 PM #
It is hard to compare two different devices.

But we can only say that the M125 and Sony S 320 has their own problems/advantages.

M125 vs. Sony S 320
1)no rechargeable batteries on M125
2)no cradle on Sony
3)no Documents to Go on Sony
4)cheaper base price on Sony
5)16 MB SD-card on M125
6)no more expansion for Sony S 320
7)Flash ROM on Sony S 320

PLEASE don't tell me one does not need that or what. Everyone has his/her own needs. Unless it is very extreme, do not put
your values as the benchmark of what M125/S320 should be.

Thank You

PLEASE, actually do the research before mouthing off.

The S320 does have expansion: memory stick.

Other than that, your list is right on. But as much as you make a big deal out of rechargable not being an issue for some, a cradle is also not any issue for many.

Overall, the S320 is a much better value than the m125, even witht he price difference, although now they are *competitive* Notice I said competitive. Before the price reductiont he m125 were by-and-far and clearly inferrior.
The m125 looked just as bad compaired to the Visor Pro and Neo and Deluxe.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 8:12:38 PM #
The best thing Palm did was to license their PalmOS to others. The next best thing they did was to sack Yank-clown-ski. The next next best thing was to start spinning off their software/hardware division.

Will be interesting to see if the myopia is with the hardware or software spinoffs. For now, whomever is running the hardware is the next clown that Palm should sack. How can a company with over 70% lead in the handheld market slip so badly?

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 8:55:56 PM #
"Isn't the s320 the clie model that can't use the gps device and tv tuner memory sticks? If it is, why would you want to invest in a product thats pretty much unexpandable from the getgo?"

You can still use memory stick, but where did you get the TV Tuner MS Module ?? LoL

Why would I want to invest in a product that's not expandable, good question.
Maybe because
1) it's cheaper than Tero (even after adding wireless capability)
2) It's more expendable than Tero (in a way that u can add MEMORY STICK, WIRELESS CAPABILITY, AND PLAY MP3)

Why would anyone want to buy an overpriced PDA with phone capability, but can't even use any Springboard device or Springbaord memory caard!? .. beats me .. LoL

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
peter167 @ 12/5/2001 10:45:19 PM #
Hey for the IM poster who said I am wrong for the part Sony S-320 cannot expand, I have to defend myself.

Sony does not plan any more accessories for the S-320 anymore, even though it has a memory stick slot. It is good for only memory.

NO EXPANSION. The camera will not work; the GPS will not work. Nothing will work on that anymore. Even the new devices connect to the bottom connector (what's that called?) will not be compatible anymore because of the T series.

Am I right?

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 11:01:19 PM #
Well, as far as that goes, I don't think Sony plans to use the flash ROM on the S320 for anything either.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 11:25:57 PM #
ok, I am not that IM poster who said you are wrong, but adding mp3 function, wireless internet access function, even adding memory to it is a kind of expension.

You could use the word less expension, but I don't see Sony S-series has less expension toys than m1xx series, maybe even more.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
Coyote67 @ 12/6/2001 1:09:08 AM #
The really sad thing is that s320 has more expansion then the m125. When the hell are those SDIO devices coming out. Its been long enough, you agreed on your standard, notgo make something with it.

---------------------------------------
Stuffing feathers up your ass does not make you a chicken.
RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 8:30:14 AM #
> The really sad thing is that s320 has more expansion then the m125.

It does? If it does, it isn't by very much. I don't think any of the Memory Stick expansions other than memory work with it (and those devices aren't released or even announced outside of Japan anyhow). The m125 can use pretty much anything made for the m50x's SD slot or universal connector. In the long run, there will be far more expansions available for the m125 than the S320, if there aren't already.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 11:30:15 AM #
Have you even check ??
The only expansion SD card can offer are SD cards with information or programs in it, which is like .... lame ....
http://palm.com/products/accessories/expansioncards/expansioncard_catalog.html

So it's pretty obvious that S-series hase 2 times more expension than the current M1xx series.

RE: M125 IS a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 11:37:56 AM #
It IS a flop! Who would want to get a non-feature laden blob of plastic?

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 12:14:20 PM #
> Have you even check ??
> The only expansion SD card can offer are SD cards with
> information or programs in it, which is like .... lame
> ....
> http://palm.com/products/accessories/expansioncards/expansioncard_catalog.html
>
> So it's pretty obvious that S-series hase 2 times more
> expension than the current M1xx series.

Where are you people coming from? First, we're talking about the m125, not the m1xx series. Second, Sony isn't offering any Memory Sticks that are something other than memory either (not even ones with programs on them). Every non-memory Memory Stick on Sony's list is "announced" not "available", except the Bluetooth one in Japan only. Most of the announced Memory Sticks Sony has already said aren't even compatible with the S320 (camera, GPS).

There are also various universal connector devices that work with the m125 as well. I'd guess that a count would show there are already more expansions for the m125 than the S320. Since Sony has essentially written the S320 off as dead anyhow, don't expect too many more either.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 6:10:37 PM #
Dude, - do some research and find out about PDAs these days. Back in the early 60s, when the idea of a palm-sized organizer came along, companies like Mead, and Franklin set to work making smaller datebooks. When people got tired of carrying around so much paper, Computer developers answered the call and made what we know as the Palm. Back then, of course, it was a little over a pound, and was about the size of a small book. People were thrilled. When the silicon market took a crash in the 70's, people could no longer afford the $2500 electronic organizers. Thanks to Reganomics, however, the industry stabilized, and investors were no longer hesitant to invest in research. During this time, Sony was making the S320, (secret to the public) this little device was the size of a wallet, and weighed a few ounces. Yokomoto Shiminoko, CEO of Sony at the time, univentfully named the PDA after the last 4 characters of his license plate number. The soon-to-be rave of the PDA industry never got off the ground, because even the government couldn't afford the $80,000 technology. Years later, with the introduction of the m125 (whose design was inspired by the bottom of the developer's thermometer) Sony released the S320, after the price of silicon and semiconductors fell flat on its face. Now, memory the size of postage stamps and sticks of gum crowd PDA user's mind and money. However, with Sony's undisputed quality and digital camera production, the memory stick soon became the memory of choice for electronically - oriented users. Seeing that the awesomely popular S320 was gouging the m125 sales because of its lack of innovation, Palm cut the price.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/7/2001 7:21:21 PM #
Here's my take on this s320 v. m125 debate. I own the s320 and when I first got it, I oohed and ahhed over its great features and price point over the m125. Several months later, I regret the purchase. It's a great PDA ++but++ it has very little accessories and Sony has seemed to drop support for it, pushing its n and t series Clie instead. If you check the Sony Japan website, you'll see that the s320 doesn't even exist over there so there's little need for them to accessorize it. You can't even find a case specifically made for the s320. Look at the Palm site and you'll see that they've got great support for not only their newest PDAs but they're old ones as well. In the long run, support and accessories play an important role. I should've picked the Vx when they were on sale. It's older and slower than the s320 (and now only $30 more) but look what's out there for it - cases, keyboards, GPS, blah, blah, blah, even the 4.1 OS upgrade! The s320 looks good, runs fast, but it's a dead end PDA. I'd take an m125 over it now because at least in a year I'll know that Palm will still actively support it.

RE: M125 is a FLOP!
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/7/2001 8:28:32 PM #
haha, you people are so cute ...

really don't know what to say, but the facts are so twisted that it's not even funny anymore.

m125 should be $99

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 4:15:55 PM #
m105 should be $75, m100 should be $49.

RE: m125 should be $99
peter167 @ 12/5/2001 4:17:38 PM #
Haha, dream on for the Palm m125 to be $99.

RE: m125 should be $99
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 4:57:06 PM #
It's not a matter of IF but WHEN.

RE: m125 should be $99
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 5:02:40 PM #
It's not a matter of WHEN but WHAT TIME

RE: m125 should be $99
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 5:13:19 PM #
Actually, it's not a matter of WHAT TIME but HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THE M125 cost $99?

Last week m100 WAS $49!! RE: m125 should be $99
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 5:51:48 PM #
LOL;

Last week Circuit City had the m100 for sale for $99 with a $50 dollar rebate. At that price the m100 was actually attractive (althought not nearly as attractive as the Sony S320 at $119 after rebate!)

RE: m125 should be $99
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 7:26:09 PM #
as most of you have known, Japanese version of m100 cost $40, brand new, not re-conditioned...

cases available now

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/5/2001 7:15:17 PM #
check out the hard case it is pimp!

https://store.palm.com/Catalog/productdetails.asp?productnr=P10815U&parent=2035&type=2

RE: cases available now
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 2:06:32 AM #
It's gone... the case is gone from the site... weird

RE: cases available now
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 7:27:05 AM #
anyone else has any pictures of it?

RE: cases available now
Ed @ 12/6/2001 8:41:50 AM #
I've started a separate article about the new Palm Hard Case:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2694

Please continue any further discussion of the Hard Case there.

---
News Editor

What else can Palm do except designing new cases??
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 9:43:37 PM #
Palm is so pathetic.....

Pric cut is true

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/6/2001 9:46:52 PM #
The price is cut to $199.99 I saw it when I went to work today and you are right the thing sells like ice makers to eskimos because it is crap

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