Some iPAQ questions

[manli]

I used to be an iPAQ owner, I owned a 3600 series model and a 3700 model. They were my favorite Pocket PCs, but I switched over to a Toshiba Genio and then to a e740 because that is where my father was employed. I have just gotten fed up with my e740 and getting ready to switch back to the beloved iPAQ but it has been a few years since and I have a couple of questions.
First: I am planning on going to a 5450. Is this the right choice or is the 3900 better. I need Wi-Fi (that was the only benefit of the e740 when it worked).
Second: What have been the major changes since the 3700 line? Are there any huge innovations or tweaks to the devices other than the screens and the innovations of the 5450?
and Finaly, third: I have a specific question on the Expansion Pak Plus. Do the batteries require a special charger or will the one that comes with the iPAQ charge the expansion pak also?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I feel like its almost a home coming going back to the good ol' iPAQ.
:D Thanks

[Pony99CA]

First: I am planning on going to a 5450. Is this the right choice or is the 3900 better. I need Wi-Fi (that was the only benefit of the e740 when it worked).

Well, if you need WiFi, then the 5450 is probably better than the 3900 series. With the 3900 series, you'll have to add WiFi with a sleeve and WiFi card, but the 5450 has WiFi built-in.


Second: What have been the major changes since the 3700 line? Are there any huge innovations or tweaks to the devices other than the screens and the innovations of the 5450?

The 3800 and later series have the following "new" features:

Integrated SD slot (SDIO on the 3900 and 5400 series)
65K color scrrens (transflective on the 3900 and 5400 series); the 3700 series only had 4K colors
Bluetooth on some models (3870, 3970 and 5450)
iPAQ File Store user-accessible ROM storage (I don't think the 3700 series had that)
Support for simultaneous button pushes (good for gamers)
Dashboard light and iTask built-in software
48 MB ROM on some models (3970 and 5450)
Consumer IR with Nevo remote control (3900 and 5400 series only)
Improved backup software (3900 and 5400 series only)
Built-in WiFi (5450 only)
Fingerprint scanner (5450 only)
Vibrating alarms (5450 only)
Hardware volume control (5450 only)
Combined microphone/headphone jack (5450 only)

Is that enough? :-) (I probably forgot something, too.)


and Finaly, third: I have a specific question on the Expansion Pak Plus. Do the batteries require a special charger or will the one that comes with the iPAQ charge the expansion pak also?

I don't have any of the Plus sleeves, but I believe they will charge as your iPAQ charges in the cradle. There is also make a special charger for them if you have more than one that you want to charge.

Steve

[Chris Hendriks]

removable battery (5450 only)
extended battery (5450 only - not available yet)
internal speaker at the top
internal microphone at the bottom
USB charging (5450 only)
new cradle
uses sync port for charging and syncing (since 3800 series)
cleartype support (5450 only)

[pepemosca]

I'm going to receive my 5450 on wednesday, but i never undestood what is the "Combined microphone/headphone jack".

Can someone explain that to me? THANKS!!

[Chris Hendriks]

it means that a combined stereo headphone and external mic
or
a combined mono headphone and external mic
or
extenal mic (with correct plug)

can be plugged into the bottom jack

why? VoIP (using like a cell w/ a headset/earbud) or maybe you need an external microphone for recording

mic input is mono

[pepemosca]

Oh... now i get it
Thanks Chris Hendriks for the information!

[manli]

Thanks for the help. I was leaning towards the 5450 and now I am going to order one. I look forward to being an iPAQ owner again. :D

[jimski]

Do the batteries require a special charger or will the one that comes with the iPAQ charge the expansion pak also?


With the expansion pack plus (expansion pack w/battery) attached to your iPAQ, the cradle or travel charger will charge both the iPAQ and expansion pack batteries. You can purchase a separate charger for the expansion pack battery ($59.95 US) which will charge up to two batteries at the same time.