Pocket PC Screen Quality Comparisons

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://menneisyys.freeweb.hu/SCREENQUALITY/' target='_blank'>http://menneisyys.freeweb.hu/SCREENQUALITY/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Screen quality is not only dependent on the resolution of the screen; much more that of of the basic "cast" of it (is it yellowish? bluish? purplish?) and whether the colors are vivid enough. Unfortunately, most PDA screens on the market are pretty lousy. The two main reasons for this are as follows: Pocket PC's with QVGA (Quarter VGA) generally suffer from a strong color cast (slight purple on the iPAQ 36xx/37xx series, very strong purple cast on the 38xx and yellow from most of the newer, lower-end iPAQ's, particularly from at angles, mostly from below with the iPAQ 1930/1940 and the 4150). Furthermore, their "contrast" is pretty lowish. "Contrast" means, in this case, that they just can't render some colors as well and vividly as they should be. Most screens have tremendous problems with "warm" colors (mostly with red)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/dec24-screenquality.jpg" /><br /><br />This is a great article that compares the screen quality of various Pocket PCs. Screen quality is hugely important to me, and I'm often disappointed with the screens I have to put up with on otherwise superb devices. :? Give this article a read!

[Menneisyys]

Ohh... thaks :)

There're quite a few other comparative screenshots as well; you can find their already-existing discussuion at http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35630 .

[lisantica]

Although the HP1910 is an older model, I still find that of all the PPCs I've ever owned (about 8 or so), I've liked the screen on the 1910 the best!
Lisa

[marcm]

I've noticed that the screen quality on my X30 is pretty good, but I don't have any other Pocket PCs to compare it to... only Handheld PCs. I tried to compare it to my old Casiopeia E-11, but for some reason, comparing B&amp;W to color just doesn't work... :wink:

[powder2000]

Yep, my eg-800 still has one of the better screens, even today. I have to say that that loox's screen is just gorgeous! 8O

[fivepetpalace]

"newer, lower-end iPAQ's, particularly from at angles, mostly from below with the iPAQ 1930/1940 and the 4150)"

The article must be old because I didn't realize the 4150 was newer...or low end. I'd say with it's small size, 400mhz processor speed, WiFi and Bluetooth, it's still a fabulous unit, that I won't trade until there's a comparable sized PPC w/ vga...unless it's a PDA phone.

0X

[Jorlin]

For Loox720 and Ipaq4700 users:

http://menneisyys.freeweb.hu/VSHX4700

:D

[lisantica]

Looks like I'm a bit behind the times....
Going to have to check out those eg-800s and loox screens!

[yslee]

See, this is what happens when PPCs don't support ICC profiles.. and people still want to edit their photos on them? =P

[Jonathan1]

*kisses his new hx4700* I love my baby. Its screen kicks the snot out of everything else out there IMHO of course. :)

[Kati Compton]

It's a great article - my only concern is that with the devices side-by-side like that, are you getting the same viewing angle for each? 'Cause viewing angle can definitely affect visual quality...

[Lex]

I refuse to look at another screen once I buy a PDA. I made the mistake of looking at an iPAQ 39xx after I bought my 3845. That may have been the best screen ever? But I got over it. Still pokin' the same old unit. See sig.

[Menneisyys]

It's a great article - my only concern is that with the devices side-by-side like that, are you getting the same viewing angle for each? 'Cause viewing angle can definitely affect visual quality...

Visual quality/color fidelity is most affected by the non-front viewing angle with the E-125, and, to a much lesser extent, the iPAQ 2210. The other PPC's/the Palm in the test have very good color fidelity even from the sides (actually, the Palm screen is much better visible / has much better color fidelity even from extreme angles than even the hx4700/PL720). The videos in the hx4700 vs. PL720 test also demonstrate this quite well. This is why I put the 2210 and the E-125 right next to the Pocket Loox, and not on the far sides.

Of course, I've also tried to set all screens facing the camera at 90 degrees, as if the screens had been on the perimeter of an imaginary circle. I'd, therefore, say that being on the sides of the screenshots had no negative effects on the perceived quality.

[Menneisyys]

"newer, lower-end iPAQ's, particularly from at angles, mostly from below with the iPAQ 1930/1940 and the 4150)"

The article must be old because I didn't realize the 4150 was newer...or low end. I'd say with it's small size, 400mhz processor speed, WiFi and Bluetooth, it's still a fabulous unit, that I won't trade until there's a comparable sized PPC w/ vga...unless it's a PDA phone.

0X

"newer": newer than the two tested iPAQ's.
"low-end": price-wise, it is, or starts to be, already (think of the Fujitsu-Siemens PL420,which is electronically exactly the same than the 4150, and in Europe doesn't cost more than the 1940). Of course, it's still a VERY good QVGA machine.

[crwoo]

NOTICE, they dont have a Toshiba E805, Dell axim X50v or a HP 4700 on their list

[Menneisyys]

NOTICE, they dont have a Toshiba E805, Dell axim X50v or a HP 4700 on their list

That's right - this article only compares to some QVGA machines (one, the E-125, of them being famous for its screen quality) and a Palm (also famous for its excellent color reproduction). The two other articles linked from the PPCT topic I've mentioned in my first post, however, both contain comparative images of both the hx4700 and the x50v.

[TMann]

I have to admit that sometimes I'm a bit confused as to all of the attention paid to color casts on PDA screen. Are you all doing photo editing on your PDA's? Or is everyone using them as digital photo wallets?

It seems to me that for the typical PDA user, ie someone who owns only one PDA and uses it for standard tasks, such as e-maIl, scheduling, music or web browsing, it is not that critical whether a PDA screen has super accurate color rendition.

Now I will admit that I am probably a lot less picky than some people. I've owned: a 1940, a 4155, two different T3's from two different screen manufacturers, and I've been fine with all of them. I think the fact that many people on this forum change PDA's frequently, or own multiple PDA's causes them to be unreasonably picky about the color rendition of their PDA screen.

If a screen is bright, contrasty and readable in all kinds of conditions, I'm not that worried about a little bit of a color cast. But that's just me, I guess... :D

TMann

[surur]

I have to admit that sometimes I'm a bit confused as to all of the attention paid to color casts on PDA screen. Are you all doing photo editing on your PDA's? Or is everyone using them as digital photo wallets?

TMann

Obviously for people who have already bought a unit it is too late and a done deal, so any revelation or comparison made will not make a difference. However many people, after waiting two years for VGA, are now upgrading.

I think its an issue of setting the record straight. Different people make their purchasing decisions on different priorities e.g price, CF slot, USB host, size, weight etc. and also screen quality. The important thing is having accurate information to base that decision on, which is what this article provides.

Would you buy blind without knowing the size of a unit, because all pocketpc's fit in your hand in any case? To you and most people screen quality wont make much difference, but its good to have it out there so people to whom it matter can know the facts.

Surur

[famousdavis]

I think TMann and Surur have both done a good job of reflecting the different points-of-view regarding screen quality. I agree with TMann that screen quality is important, but in gauging overall product quality and value, I don't have to have the richest, purest, most accurate colors displayed on my PPC. But I certainly understand and can appreciate the quest to determine who really does make the best screen display, because for some, that matters more importantly than, say, the price of a particular PPC.

[dangerwit]

I'll second TMann on this. I always shoot RAW on my Canon, so I can't even view the pix I shoot until I convert them. I just ordered a Dell x50v and I want the readability of the VGA screen, it's VERY easy on my eyes. Pictures and movies are a bonus, but I have my PSP and AV480 if I need that stuff.

There haven't been any logical arguments as to why this is a big deal. The screens on most of these machines are definitely above par and usable in most cases where a PDA (note: not picture viewer, movie machine, etc) would be used.

We're all lucky to have such slick screens available -- back in the Aero/Casseopeia days, there were few choices.

*Phil

[Menneisyys]

I'll second TMann on this. I always shoot RAW on my Canon, so I can't even view the pix I shoot until I convert them.

To be a bit offtopic: there're RAW viewers/editors for the PPC as well, the most important being PQV. I'm just working on a big comparative review of the image editors/viewers available; feel free to check out a very early alpha draft of my article at
http://menneisyys.freeweb.hu/PICVIEWERS .

[powerbook17]

the picture pages couldn't be found!!!!! :evil:

[Menneisyys]

the picture pages couldn't be found!!!!! :evil:

Yeah, the downside of a freeweb server... working on the problem, will move the pages to somewhere else, if nothing else works.

EDIT: working again :)

[rob_ocelot]

Although the HP1910 is an older model, I still find that of all the PPCs I've ever owned (about 8 or so), I've liked the screen on the 1910 the best!
Lisa

I wonder if you can use the 1910 screen in the 4150? Might be worth it to buy a cheap/non-functional 1910 and do a swap.

[rob_ocelot]

NOTICE, they dont have a Toshiba E805, Dell axim X50v or a HP 4700 on their list

I find the e800 screen to be quite nice (in comparison to the HP4150).

The e8xx screen though seems to have a very limited viewing angle -- particularly in landscape mode. If you view it straight on while in landscape the screen washes out and black reproduction just sucks (not that any LCD screen is really any good at black reproduction). I find I have to turn the PDA about 10-15 degrees away to get a good viewing angle.

[Darius Wey]

I wonder if you can use the 1910 screen in the 4150? Might be worth it to buy a cheap/non-functional 1910 and do a swap.

Worth the effort though? :lol:

[Menneisyys]

Although the HP1910 is an older model, I still find that of all the PPCs I've ever owned (about 8 or so), I've liked the screen on the 1910 the best!
Lisa

I wonder if you can use the 1910 screen in the 4150? Might be worth it to buy a cheap/non-functional 1910 and do a swap.

A lot of people have asked this question. So far, I know no success stories of this 'mod', unfortunately. (I would gladly swap the screen of my 2210 to that of the 1910, too :) )

[Menneisyys]

Geekzone has just published their review of the e830 ( http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3945 ). The reviewer states:

"Screen
The VGA screen on the e830 is very nice. The colours are not as bright as the HP iPAQ hx4700, but the “liquid” that is apparent on the hx4700 when you drag the stylus across is nowhere to be seen on the e830.

However, putting the hx4700 and the e830 side by side demonstrates the distance between these screens and personally, I think the screen on the iPAQ leaves the e830 for dead. By comparison, the e830 looks washed out. "