axxPAC Review
(see bottom of review for updated info)
Woo-hoo! It's like having more RAM!
AMS was kind enough to send me the axxPAC smart media module for the Palm IIIx and I wasted no time in installing it. As a matter of fact, I was so eager to try it, I forgot to take pictures of the procedure, so all you see here is the finished product.
The axxPAC uses the empty expansion slot in a Palm IIIx to add up to 64 MB of RAM via Smart Media cards. The kit comes with a replacement back shell with a slot cut in the side, a small metal 'drive' that the card slides into, as well as a driver for the Palm (and of course, complete instructions). There is no change in the form factor until you insert the Smart Media card, which sticks out the side just a bit.
Discontinued, but not dead yet
Unfortunately, neither Palm, nor any other 3rd party developers other than AMS really took advantage of the expansion slot, and the IIIx is now discontinued. The axxPAC is a great way to squeeze more out of your Palm IIIx rather than upgrading. It works, the price is right and it's pretty darned cool!
The axxPAC is available at AMS for $79 (without the Smart Media card) and is only compatible with the Palm IIIx.
What I like
Relatively inexpensive
What I don't like
Can't access data or apps from the smart media, you must move it to the Palm first
Only works on the IIIx (see below)
4 out of 5 rating
**UPDATE**
The US distributor for the axxPAC is GetHighTech.com. They are selling the IIIx version for $89. They are currently looking for a source to handle upgrades for other models.
AMS will have versions of the axxPAC available for the Palm IIIe and the IIIxe in the near future, HOWEVER, they require some modification and possibly some soldering. If you are not VERY familiar with the techiniques to handle this modification yourself please don't. GetHighTech.com should be able to handle it soon.
(see bottom of review for updated info)
Woo-hoo! It's like having more RAM!
AMS was kind enough to send me the axxPAC smart media module for the Palm IIIx and I wasted no time in installing it. As a matter of fact, I was so eager to try it, I forgot to take pictures of the procedure, so all you see here is the finished product.
The axxPAC uses the empty expansion slot in a Palm IIIx to add up to 64 MB of RAM via Smart Media cards. The kit comes with a replacement back shell with a slot cut in the side, a small metal 'drive' that the card slides into, as well as a driver for the Palm (and of course, complete instructions). There is no change in the form factor until you insert the Smart Media card, which sticks out the side just a bit.
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Choose your storage needs! I went out and bought a Smart Media 8meg card for under $30. Don't make the mistake I did and think that a Compact Flash(CF) card will fit. It has to be the ultra-thin Smart Media card. It slides right into the port and sticks out about 1/4" from the side of the Palm. The Smart Media card is hot swappable, so you don't have to worry about turning the device on and off before you insert it. Just pop it in, run the software driver and you can get to all your apps and databases that you have stored on the card. |
| Installing the software is no different from installing any other Palm software. After a hotsync, you are ready to begin using the axxPAC. The axxPAC shell (seen on the right) and the driver library take just over 50k. When you run the driver, you will see your Palm's contents listed in a DOS style configuration. You simple select the application or data you want to move. You can also copy and delete files from here as well. One thing you can't do is run an application directly from the Smart Media card. You first need to move it back to the Palm. This is my only gripe, but it's just a matter of time before someone fixes this(I hope). |
 |
Discontinued, but not dead yet
Unfortunately, neither Palm, nor any other 3rd party developers other than AMS really took advantage of the expansion slot, and the IIIx is now discontinued. The axxPAC is a great way to squeeze more out of your Palm IIIx rather than upgrading. It works, the price is right and it's pretty darned cool!
The axxPAC is available at AMS for $79 (without the Smart Media card) and is only compatible with the Palm IIIx.
What I like
Relatively inexpensive
What I don't like
Can't access data or apps from the smart media, you must move it to the Palm first
Only works on the IIIx (see below)
4 out of 5 rating
**UPDATE**
The US distributor for the axxPAC is GetHighTech.com. They are selling the IIIx version for $89. They are currently looking for a source to handle upgrades for other models.
AMS will have versions of the axxPAC available for the Palm IIIe and the IIIxe in the near future, HOWEVER, they require some modification and possibly some soldering. If you are not VERY familiar with the techiniques to handle this modification yourself please don't. GetHighTech.com should be able to handle it soon.