I checked out the m505 in the store first. When I saw the color, it took about 5 seconds to purchase the m500. There is no comparison with the screen. The m500 is MUCH clearer than the m505. I needed a screen I could look at quickly, since I do so much with my Palm. I didn't have the time to turn on the backlight (which still isn't bright enough) and take a hard look at the simplist of text. The m500 is rated 5 stars, easy. The m505 is 2 stars. The screen means that much to me. This is why the active matrix screens on laptops are so much more popular than the dual-scans. They're worth the extra money. Palm needs to discontinue this or go back to the lab with this one.