HP iPAQ hx2000 Series Now Available...In Europe!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF02a/21675-21679-21679.html' target='_blank'>http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/e...1679-21679.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20041117-hx2000.jpg" /><br /><br />Well, it's official! The iPAQ hx2000 series is now available in Europe. Interestingly, there has been no sign of its release on HP's U.S. website as of yet.<br /><br />The hx2000 series comes in three flavours: the low-end hx2110, the mid-range hx2410, and the high-end hx2750. All three units are armed with a QVGA 240x320 screen and run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. They operate on Intel's Bulverde PXA270 processor, and they are all fitted with an SD slot.<br /><!><br />The low-end hx2110 model has a clock speed of 312MHz with 128MB memory (64MB ROM and 64MB SDRAM), and 88MB of this is usable. This includes a 31MB iPAQ File Store. It is priced at £275.<br /><br />The mid-range hx2410 features a healthy 520MHz clock speed, with the same memory configuration as the hx2110. However, it also includes integrated 802.11b wireless, and a 1440 mAh battery (a 2880 mAh battery can be purchased as an optional accessory). This one's priced at £285.<br /><br />Finally, the high-end hx2750 takes it one step further, and is armed with a 624MHz processor, and also a greater amount of memory – 256MB (128MB ROM and 128MB SDRAM). Up to 214MB of this is usable (with an abundant 93MB iPAQ File Store). It features the integrated biometric fingerprint reader technology that was present in the h5550 series. Alongside that, the integrated 802.11b wireless functionality is present, and it is priced at £351.<br /><br />All models also have integrated Bluetooth 1.2, and weigh in at approximately 164.4g. Is anybody interested in making this their next Pocket PC purchase?

[jasondearyou]

I wonder if this is HP's way of putting a tamer over in europe to compete against the loox 720. Or is there just a larger market over there? I just don'g see why I would want this other than it having a fingerprint reader, now if this had everything the loox 720 had in addition to the fingerprint reader, i would rush and choose it over the loox 720. 0X

[ctmagnus]

Is this another 3.5" screen device? 'Cuz if so, this is another device I won't be considering. hx4700: sucky ram configuration; This one: most likely small screen.

[Darius Wey]

Is this another 3.5" screen device?

Yes it is - 3.5" QVGA.

[Darius Wey]

I wonder if this is HP's way of putting a tamer over in europe to compete against the loox 720. Or is there just a larger market over there? I just don'g see why I would want this other than it having a fingerprint reader, now if this had everything the loox 720 had in addition to the fingerprint reader, i would rush and choose it over the loox 720. 0X

To be honest, a £10 difference between the hx2110 and hx2410 is a little small to me. By paying the extra £10, you get a much faster processor, integrated wireless, and a more powerful battery. Then when you go up and compare the hx2750 to the hx4700, you're only looking at a £10-20 difference (the hx4700 being the slightly more expensive unit). But with the hx4700, you get a VGA 4" screen, and a CF slot, minus the fingerprint recognition technology and additional memory. Personally, I'd go for the hx4700, but then again, we should remember that the hx2000 series are designated "business" handheld devices.

[carphead]

If the middle one had 128mb I be on it like a cat on a injured fish. But as it is I think I'll pass.

Now I think I'll go look at those Dell's again!

[ricksfiona]

That high-end model is pretty cool, but with QVGA and that price? Fooooreeeet it... Dell x50V!

[Oleander]

Hmmmm How do I put this politely?

Why don't HP keep this piece of crap and give us europeans the BT keyboard and BT headset instead?

To me, this is more of an insult than anything else. I can hardly see what any of theese models offer that the 5500 hasn't already covered. Nope, I'm going for the much better equipped 720!
At work (a very large university), I'm the one who supports _all_ the pda's (including those odd palm thingies), and guess what? We've started buying Fujitsu-Siemens instead of HP. :evil:

[mr_Ray]

The only slightly redeeming feature - 128/128MB memory configuration. And that's stretching it. To repeat the question from the news item how it should have read... Is anybody interested in making this their next Pocket PC purchase?

Yet another ball dropped by HP, and a "high-end" device with QVGA? Please. To echo everyone else - The Dell or preferably Loox models offer a whole lot more.

[PJE]

The only slightly redeeming feature - 128/128MB memory configuration. And that's stretching it. To repeat the question from the news item how it should have read... Is anybody interested in making this their next Pocket PC purchase?

It comes down to the market the device is aimed at. The only redeaming feature for QVGA *at the moment* is games. Thus high end corporate PDAs should have VGA to enhance the ability to view data... and low end consumer units should have QVGA to run the current stock of games. In the future when VGA games using the 2700G become the norm I see VGA taking over completely.

[jnajera]

All of HP's current offerings are to high in price, it seems that they are going back instead of foward. Come to think of it all PPC screens should have VGA by standard now with no price difference.

[carphead]

Hmmmm How do I put this politely?

Why don't HP keep this piece of crap and give us europeans the BT keyboard and BT headset instead?



Take a look here .... http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=HPYA04012

It's special order but Insight are normally pretty good at getting things if there listed on their website.

[christheswiss]

great looking device......anybody know the dimensions, I cannot find them anywhere... :cry:

[Doug Raeburn]

great looking device......anybody know the dimensions, I cannot find them anywhere... :cry:

According to Dave's PDA, here they are:

Size: 4.60" x 3.00" x 0.60"
Weight: 5.80 oz

Edited:

Just found this update on Brighthand... thinking this is more accurate:

They will be 4.7 inches tall, 3.0 inches wide, and 0.65 inches thick (119 mm by 76.6 mm by 16.3 mm). They will weigh 5.8 ounces (164 g).

[jasondearyou]

HP hope you're listening, the people have spoken take heed and do something about it.

[ctmagnus]

I like the translucent covers on the 4700/2000 series so much, I've started usng the cover pack on my 5550 again. Being able to turn the device on and immediately check what's happening on it, without opening a case while still having it somewhat protected, is extremely useful.

[christheswiss]

Thanks Doug for the size on this device. That's what I was afraid of... nothing will ever come close in size and weight to the 1945 or the 4100 series IPAQ's. Doesn't size matter any more ? I had a 3630 and then a 5450 and now it is my trusty 1945 and find that I carry the device much more often simply because of it's size and weight. :D

[Darius Wey]

Thanks Doug for the size on this device. That's what I was afraid of... nothing will ever come close in size and weight to the 1945 or the 4100 series IPAQ's. Doesn't size matter any more ? I had a 3630 and then a 5450 and now it is my trusty 1945 and find that I carry the device much more often simply because of it's size and weight. :D

I know what you mean. However, there are times when you consider size vs. performance. I love the form factor of my 1940, but at times, I'd wish that I had an X50v (or some other beast) instead. And if you were to ask me now, I'd definitely offload the "impressive size" of the 1940 and make the move to the bulkier and more powerful X50v. :)

[bnycastro]

I don't care for VGA as much mainly because I think there are still too many apps that don't use it yet. Maybe a year or 2 more then VGA will be on my list of attributes of a good pocket pc. For now I am content with QVGA; I am not content with what hp is rolling out though and I might finally jump ship and get an i-mate JAM because I would like to lessen my gadget load.

[NLS]

just wondering - any of the people that are content with QVGA, have seen VGA?

[bnycastro]

personally I haven't seen a VGA device upclose and pesonal (the screen shots alone make me want one), but I still stand by my earlier statement that what we have in the market (in terms of applications) are yet to take full advantage of VGA and so I feel it is more of a want factor instead of a need. make no mistake about it if I had more cash I would also probably get a VGA device but since I don't I intend to get a PPCPE that's QVGA I feel it has more value for money... this is all a little off topic. Back to these new line of iPAQs these look really bad, I like the 'new' look of the hx47xx and even the rz (or is it rx) 3xxx, but this? IMHO it's not stylish like the older iPAQs (38xx, 39xx, 55xx, 19xx, 22xx, 41xx) or industrial/professional looking as the current line (hx47xx and r series) it looks fat like the older dell models (sorry to dell users but the x50 is the only dell design that looks nice for me, the rest are not pleasing to look at)

[Darius Wey]

just wondering - any of the people that are content with QVGA, have seen VGA?

I own a QVGA device. While I'm quasi-content with it at the moment, I have definitely seen a number of VGA devices. Everytime I do see one, my heart stops beating for about 10 seconds.

Once you learn to appreciate this new resolution, you'll never look back to QVGA. So having said that, my next device will definitely have VGA no matter what. I like to glorify myself with extra screen space whenever I can, so VGA would definitely be a welcome addition to my mobile gadgetry. :mrgreen:

[Darius Wey]

but I still stand by my earlier statement that what we have in the market (in terms of applications) are yet to take full advantage of VGA and so I feel it is more of a want factor instead of a need.

Not entirely true IMO. Some people may definitely see it as a need as opposed to a want. For the person that has a number of PIM data and needs the extra screen space, the concept of VGA will definitely be enticing. I mean, you could still call it a want, but once it reaches that barrier of QVGA-frustration and VGA-freedom, it's certainly safe to say that VGA can be considered as a "must" in somebody's next PDA... er, I'm actually one of those people. :P

[bnycastro]

Well put Darius :)

[NLS]

personally I haven't seen a VGA device upclose and pesonal (the screen shots alone make me want one), but I still stand by my earlier statement that what we have in the market (in terms of applications) are yet to take full advantage of VGA and so I feel it is more of a want factor instead of a need. make no mistake about it if I had more cash I would also probably get a VGA device but since I don't I intend to get a PPCPE that's QVGA I feel it has more value for money... this is all a little off topic. Back to these new line of iPAQs these look really bad, I like the 'new' look of the hx47xx and even the rz (or is it rx) 3xxx, but this? IMHO it's not stylish like the older iPAQs (38xx, 39xx, 55xx, 19xx, 22xx, 41xx) or industrial/professional looking as the current line (hx47xx and r series) it looks fat like the older dell models (sorry to dell users but the x50 is the only dell design that looks nice for me, the rest are not pleasing to look at)

I hate to tell you, but there are OTHER brands than HP (and Dell).
(there seem to be people that only look for a PDA at HP, not realising that other brands actually make them BETTER)

[bnycastro]

I hate to tell you, but there are OTHER brands than HP (and Dell).
(there seem to be people that only look for a PDA at HP, not realising that other brands actually make them BETTER)
Well put also NLS :) but for me options are more or less limitted to hp (DELL, ain't even here!) because these other brands DO NOT have a pressence in my country (you can get them in some shops as imports) and thus I won't be able to get any good support (maybe software issues can be addressed over email or the internet but what about hardware?) hp is the only one with a local service center and their service centers aren't even certified to 'open' and 'repair' iPAQs (so they have to send it to hp singapore). I know there are a lot of brands and am actually looking at jumping ship and going with i-mate JAM (they also don't have service centers here or even an office or distributor) but the sad reality is (atleast in my country the Philippines) I won't be able to get after sales service that I want. For me and I'm sure for alot of others after sales service counts. And if I need to ship my device somewhere else just for them to fix it while I'm still in warranty then that ain't good service at all (especially if you pay for the shipping also)...
True story :D : I bought my iPAQ 2210 in hong kong. The side grips fell off (yeah some do make them better) a few months later (already back in the Philippines) and a rubber piece got stuck in the device (you could hear it when you shake the device). I went to hp to have them remove the bit cause I was worried that the bit might hit a chip or some important part. hp philippines said they can't 'open' and 'repair' iPAQs and it would have to be sent to hp singapore. I said this was not acceptable and they should just replace the grips here. They couldn't do that also so I said I want a new one since I was still in warranty so they gave me a brand new iPAQ after 4 days and even transfered my old screen protector. I just showed them my reciept.

I can't expect this from TOSHIBA, DELL, ASUS, ACER, I-MATE, LENOVO (LEGEND), FUJITSU-SEIMENS, or OTHER BRANDS that make better or cheaper Pocket PCs. After all the Philippines is a 3rd world country and these other companies didn't think to invest on a service center/office here since demand is low which is logical (I think, some like TOSH and FS have factories but only make components and don't sell they export these to make the finished goods elsewhere). If you live in a country where you can get these PPCs and get great support/after sales service well congrats. But for me... it would be a gamble to jump ship.

The world is smaller because of technology... IMHO sadly we are being left behind. Did you know the Philippines is not recognized by PayPal (so I can't buy anything that wants payments thru PayPal), Handango I had to email customer service several times and to fax in my details just to get an account activated since the Philippines was also not recognized/banned, and many websites don't even have us listed in their drop down lists of countries they entertain or ship to.

I'm not ignorant or hp-centric I just don't have much of a choice as of now... hopefully in the future I'd be as lucky as you NLS. :D Mabuhay!

[Darius Wey]

It's not on HP AU's website yet, but I can confirm that the hx2700 will be available in Australia for A$999.