Travel Technology - Palm TX

I had returned my first Palm TX because it had taken me a long time to install the software on my laptop. The CD that came with it was uninstallable because the software did not support VISTA. I had found the right software on Palm's web site. Other than that it was fine. I returned it as a matter of protest.

About two weeks after I returned it, I received an offer in an e-mail, that was $100 less that what I had paid and it included a keyboard too. So I bought it again.

While I was on my way to BKK, my wife called me to tell me that the box indicated that the charging unit worked on 110-32 V/60 Hz. I didn't have the time to re-examine the charger as again as the print on it was too small for my eyes. The 32 did not make sense in the charger specs. Moreover, I had read the sepcs on the charger that clearly said 110-230 V and 60/50 Hz. I had taken the first Palm TX with me to Bulgaria and and had used the charger without any problems. Just to make sure, I had her call Palm. Their customer support affirmed that it's for use in US/Canada only and that it is supposed to work on 110 Volts only as, listen to this, they sell a transformer for international use. Later on, I looked at the larger in good light with a magnifyer and this one also says 110-230 V. Apparently either PAlm doesn't know the specs of their products or the the Chinese mislabelled the charger. But when I used it in Bulgaria, on 220-240 Volts outlet, it did not fry the unit.

It's rthaer dumb to sell a PDA with a charger that works only on 110 Volts. All the quad band GSM phones and lap tops I have owned work on either of 110 Volts or 240 volts, with a proper adapter for the outlet configuration.

I don't think I should be worried. Should I be?

The Palm rep your wife spoke to may have only been half wrong. Perhaps the truth is that Palm means only that the transformer is for use on North American outlets and would require a plug adapter elsewhere. Maybe they sell a transformer with interchangeable plugs for the various global outlets. I have transformers like this, which is nice when I can put the UK or European plug on it and not need a universal or US-UK / US-EU plug adapter.

The Palm rep your wife spoke to may have only been half wrong. Perhaps the truth is that Palm means only that the transformer is for use on North American outlets and would require a plug adapter elsewhere. Maybe they sell a transformer with interchangeable plugs for the various global outlets. I have transformers like this, which is nice when I can put the UK or European plug on it and not need a universal or US-UK / US-EU plug adapter.

That's 2 trikes for Palm.

How is that strike two? No manufacturer of any common consumer level PDA, laptop or other electronic device I've purchased (save for a "Dry & Store" hearing aid conditioning box) ever came with anything other than the standard, polarized, sometimes grounded North American plug. I can't plug my Dell Lattitude laptop into a UK, EU, African or other outlet despite the fact the included AC Adapter operates on 110/220 volt 60/50 Hertz. I need an adapter.

Now, if the Palm TX does in fact ship with a 110V adapter only (which I don't believe based on your experience of using yours overseas), then that's a major strike. My Dell PDA worked on 220V. My cheap electric razor works on 220V as well. Ridiculous for common electronics not to be dual voltage.

How is that strike two? No manufacturer of any common consumer level PDA, laptop or other electronic device I've purchased (save for a "Dry & Store" hearing aid conditioning box) ever came with anything other than the standard, polarized, sometimes grounded North American plug. I can't plug my Dell Lattitude laptop into a UK, EU, African or other outlet despite the fact the included AC Adapter operates on 110/220 volt 60/50 Hertz. I need an adapter.

Now, if the Palm TX does in fact ship with a 110V adapter only (which I don't believe based on your experience of using yours overseas), then that's a major strike. My Dell PDA worked on 220V. My cheap electric razor works on 220V as well. Ridiculous for common electronics not to be dual voltage.

You are confusing plug adapter with a transformer. Think about it. You will get it.

You are confusing plug adapter with a transformer. Think about it. You will get it.

Perhaps we're both misunderstanding each other. I'll restate my point hopefully with some more clarity.

I was stating that the Palm CSR possibly meant that the AC/DC adapter shipped with the PDA only has the typical US style plug - but is actually dual voltage, and so would only require the usual $3-$5 plug adapter for the rest of the world.

I don't see that being a strike against Palm, as I said, as most all consumer electronics tend not have interchangeable plugs for global travel even if it's dual voltage. Or else a strike against Palm is a strike against other consumer electronics companies as well.

Perhaps we're both misunderstanding each other. I'll restate my point hopefully with some more clarity.

I was stating that the Palm CSR possibly meant that the AC/DC adapter shipped with the PDA only has the typical US style plug - but is actually dual voltage, and so would only require the usual $3-$5 plug adapter for the rest of the world.

I don't see that being a strike against Palm, as I said, as most all consumer electronics tend not have interchangeable plugs for global travel even if it's dual voltage. Or else a strike against Palm is a strike against other consumer electronics companies as well.

But the CSR did not say that. The CSR said a transformer, which is quite different from an adapter. If the CSR misspoke it is indeed a strike against Palm for having a poorly trained CSR.

It does appear that that there was misunderstanding between us. I still maintain, and I hope you would allow me that, a transformer clearly indicates it's not meant for dual voltage use. In the light of the fact that the box says 108-32 Volts A/C. It would be a rare person who would try to use a two pin (flat pins, polarised or unpolarised) in a socket not designed to accept it. Moreover, the price that was quoted for the transformer was $60. Who would buy an adapter for $60? You were going out of your way to bat for the CSR, which isn't necessary.