View Full Version : MobileTechReview Reviews HP's iPAQ rx1950
Janak Parekh
10-07-2005, 04:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/iPAQ-rx1950.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/iPAQ-rx1950.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"HP's first Windows Mobile 5.0 introductory level Pocket PC is a winner. It's got good looks, an impossibly thin design, an excellent display and WiFi wireless networking. Gone is last year's harshly angular HP design for consumer-oriented PDAs: with the rx1950 they've returned to the more attractive days of old, with a design that harks back to the ever-popular iPAQ 1940. HP learned their lesson with last year's poorly received introductory level rz1715 which was lacking both in looks and features for the price. The rx1950 delivers style and bang for the buck. At $299, currently the lowest price you'll find for any Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC (Dell's base model is priced the same), the rx1950 makes a good value proposition."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20051005-MobileTechReview-iPAQrx1950.jpg" /><br /><br />As usual, MobileTechReview has an extensive article on the ups and downs of the rx1950 (and, fortunately, there are very few downs). If you're looking for a WM5 Pocket PC, you may be interested in this article.
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 04:42 PM
Nice intro piece; however, all potential HP customers should ask a current customer about HP's dismal track record of customer, hardware or software (including OS upgrades) support for the iPAQ line.
Caveat Emptor!
possmann
10-07-2005, 05:15 PM
Nice - but why are we still letting vendors get away with releaseing QVGA? Would it have killed them to pump up the display quality?
All I want is a thin VGA PPC with an SD slot only... When is that going to happen?
Sooner Magic
10-07-2005, 05:57 PM
No Bluetooth? Forget it!
As someone who has owned 5 different iPAQs and has been loyal to the brand, it is time to migrate somewhere else.
The lack of understanding about what the end user wants (and needs) coupled with a declining customer service experience is amusingly dysfunctional.. The last decent iPAQ was the 4150 IMHO.
stevelam
10-07-2005, 06:04 PM
Nice intro piece; however, all potential HP customers should ask a current customer about HP's dismal track record of customer, hardware or software (including OS upgrades) support for the iPAQ line.
Caveat Emptor!
I'm quite free to talk to if any one needs someone :D
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 06:08 PM
Nice - but why are we still letting vendors get away with releaseing QVGA? Would it have killed them to pump up the display quality?
All I want is a thin VGA PPC with an SD slot only... When is that going to happen?
The answer is two fold -
1) The quick-buck profit motive. The vendors are not really interested in the customer relationship. If they were, they would consult current and former customers about their satisfaction - and strive to maintain a stellar track record. How many iPAQs are orphans right now?
2) Arrogance - Simply, they "know" what the customer wants before the customer knows.
If you're talking about what makes a great PPC - I think you touch on an important point - why does the market continue to support manufacturers who release products with yesterday's technology in it? What we need is a PPC consumer French Revolution - force them (the manufacturers) to eat their bad decisions. Do not buy these lowest-common-denominator products - let them rot on the shelf. Taken one step further, actively advise others not to buy the dog*&^# products.
In my perfect world, manufacturers would sell and support their hardware and software, including the OS, for at least 18 months.
<sigh>We do not live in a perfect world</sigh>
No Bluetooth? Forget it!
As someone who has owned 5 different iPAQs and has been loyal to the brand, it is time to migrate somewhere else.
The lack of understanding about what the end user wants (and needs) coupled with a declining customer service experience is amusingly dysfunctional.. The last decent iPAQ was the 4150 IMHO.
My exact same thoughts. No BT? and with BT becoming much more common in Nth America.. (cell phones, PCs and I'm gonna say the next iPod as well ;-)
Do any of the reps for PPC manufacturing companies ever speak to end users or actually know what we think of them and their decisions ??
These guys need a good kick in the pants.. you choose whether that be the front/back.. :devilboy:
b
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 06:29 PM
No Bluetooth? Forget it!
As someone who has owned 5 different iPAQs and has been loyal to the brand, it is time to migrate somewhere else.
The lack of understanding about what the end user wants (and needs) coupled with a declining customer service experience is amusingly dysfunctional.. The last decent iPAQ was the 4150 IMHO.
Welcome to the Dark Side!
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 06:39 PM
No Bluetooth? Forget it!
As someone who has owned 5 different iPAQs and has been loyal to the brand, it is time to migrate somewhere else.
The lack of understanding about what the end user wants (and needs) coupled with a declining customer service experience is amusingly dysfunctional.. The last decent iPAQ was the 4150 IMHO.
My exact same thoughts. No BT? and with BT becoming much more common in Nth America.. (cell phones, PCs and I'm gonna say the next iPod as well ;-)
Do any of the reps for PPC manufacturing companies ever speak to end users or actually know what we think of them and their decisions ??
These guys need a good kick in the pants.. you choose whether that be the front/back.. :devilboy:
b
No - it's obvious that they don't - next thing you know, you won't be able to buy a PPC without some crappy 1.3 megapixel camera built-in.
stevelam
10-07-2005, 06:49 PM
Typical just as Bluetooth is getting more and more popular HP start to drop it. Typical
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 07:13 PM
Typical just as Bluetooth is getting more and more popular HP start to drop it. Typical
This is one instance where I think HP deserves a break - there seems to be a huge issue with BT stacks - I have yet to find anyone who has shipped a product with BT capabilities that works with other BT products.
So HP may be trying to save themselves some support pennies by eliminating the BT worries from their entry level (read low profit margin)machines.
Still they have offended so many people with past practices - I wonder how much longer they'll be in the PPC business.
Sven Johannsen
10-07-2005, 07:19 PM
Nice intro piece; however, all potential HP customers should ask a current customer about HP's dismal track record of customer, hardware or software (including OS upgrades) support for the iPAQ line
OK, you can ask me.
Whenever I have called HP customer service I have found folks willing to bend over backwards to help. They haven't always managed to solve the problem, but they were as courteous and friendly as I was. I haven't had any hardware issues with my HP PPCs ( 545, 568, 4155, 2215, 3715) so I can't comment on their support there, but when my HP Stereo BT headphone had a problem, they cross shipped my a new one next day.
Every HP PPC I've owned has had software updates issued for it. Some for bugs, some for added funtionality. Have any of them gotten an OS upgrade? No. Did they promise me one? No. They promised to support the device I bought, which they did, for at least the warranty period, and some longer if the device was still current. Have some models from HP gotton OS upgrades? Yes, I just didn't own them. Am I bitter? Nah. Actually the HP devices I own are still darn'd good devices. Most of them, someone is still using. Imagine that. They didn't quite working when the new OS came out, or the one after that.
No, HP isn't the only company I can comment on. I've owned Casios (EM500), and three models of Dell, X5, X30 and X51v. My experience with Dell is similar, though I have had hardware issues with my Dells. Sync connector on my X30 broke, and wife's X50v digitizer went flaky. Both were replaced by Dell. My X5 got a 2002 to 2003 upgrade and my X50 is slated to get one to WM5. My X30 was 'abandoned', as was the X3.
Are there horror stories about HP, sure. About Dell, Fujitsu, Tosiba? Sure, again. I would guess those are well voiced, but not overwhelmingly typical. I don't think the companies could continue to compete if they were.
I don't really understand what all the complaining is about this device. No, it doesn't have Bluetooth or VGA but it is a low-end unit!
This is still a great little unit that has what most people will need in a basic unit. The general user is not going to need all of the goodies, and if they did they just choose a higher-end unit.
It would be nice if this was $249 but it certainly is not way out of whack!
I don't hear people complaining about the low-end Axim. It is almost $100 more and does not have WiFi, only BT. For most casual users BT is not going to be as useful as WiFi.
There is really nothing wrong with this unit and with HP simply reusing a popular format. At the price there are going to be a lot who will do absolutely fine with it.
For the record, I have an Axim x50v, so I like the higher-end stuff as well, but I understand that there are a lot of users that don't need VGA or BT.
possmann
10-07-2005, 07:25 PM
I'm not knocking this unit - it is a great little unit, but why release something when technology already supports better. I mean what is the big deal to throw today's display on there rather than the one we have all been living with for years.
It seems like you can only get a VGA display with a device that has all of the bells and whistles. I don;t even own a CF card anymore - why in the hell do I want to buy a device that has to increase it's thickness to satisfy the CF card requirement just because I want better resolution. Resolution that has been out there for close to 2 years now.
Sigh - enough of rant.
Sans display resolution this is a very fine entry-level product even though it doesn't have bluetooth. I'd rather have WiFi in a straight PPC over bluetooth anyway. Now if this were a phone AND no bluetooth then I would complain - but Wifi in this form factor - very nice...
I'm not knocking this unit - it is a great little unit, but why release something when technology already supports better. I mean what is the big deal to throw today's display on there rather than the one we have all been living with for years.
Cost!! To put a VGA screen in would cost more for the manufacturer and therefore drive the price up for consumers.
Seems pretty straightforward to me. :?
By this same argument we should be able to get premium gas for the same as regular...because it is already being made. NOT going to happen!
DarkHelmet
10-07-2005, 08:03 PM
Cost!! Seems pretty straightforward to me. :?
Oh, that's it - it's a cost issue. And all along, I thought it was a profit issue.
Kidding aside, what do these things really cost? What is the cost difference between a low end versus high end PPC?
I really wanna know.
Cost!! Seems pretty straightforward to me. :?
Oh, that's it - it's a cost issue. And all along, I thought it was a profit issue.
Kidding aside, what do these things really cost? What is the cost difference between a low end versus high end PPC?
I really wanna know.
:lol: :lol:
Hmmm...I am trying to figure out the pricing here. If you look at Dell.com (US) the lower end Dell is $397US and the high end is $776US. That is quite a spread in price! On the Canadian site the lower is $399Cdn and $599Cdn. Doesn't really make sense.
If anything, I think the Cdn pricing is correct but the US pricing is off.
Anyway, there is about a $200 difference between low and high end. That is a fair bit of $$$.
ADBrown
10-07-2005, 09:42 PM
This is one instance where I think HP deserves a break - there seems to be a huge issue with BT stacks - I have yet to find anyone who has shipped a product with BT capabilities that works with other BT products.
Funny, I haven't had a single BT problem in all of my four BT-enabled Axims, desktop BT dongle, BT GPS, other BT PPCs and Palms I've had, etcetera. Call me crazy, but if BT didn't work with other BT products, what would be the point?
I don't really understand what all the complaining is about this device. No, it doesn't have Bluetooth or VGA but it is a low-end unit!
$300 isn't exactly low end. The Axim X30 had a 624 MHz processor, more memory, and dual wireless, for a sale price of around $265. Low end is properly $200. Of course, this is HP, who thinks that appropriate high-end pricing is $650.
The basic Axim X50 has the same list price ($300) as the iPaq, not $100 higher, and can frequently be found for under $250. It also includes 2x more memory, dual slots, and a faster processor.
ADBrown
10-07-2005, 09:44 PM
Hmmm...I am trying to figure out the pricing here. If you look at Dell.com (US) the lower end Dell is $397US and the high end is $776US. That is quite a spread in price! On the Canadian site the lower is $399Cdn and $599Cdn. Doesn't really make sense.
You're probably seeing the bundles they sell with extended warrantys for 3 years. Accurate list pricing is US$299, $399, and $499, though they're frequently less than that on sale.
You're probably seeing the bundles they sell with extended warrantys for 3 years. Accurate list pricing is US$299, $399, and $499, though they're frequently less than that on sale.
Ah, thanks. But still, when I look at the Dell.com site it looks like it is $349 on special, with no additional items. We are talking about the x51 here, not x50.
The basic Axim X50 has the same list price ($300) as the iPaq, not $100 higher, and can frequently be found for under $250. It also includes 2x more memory, dual slots, and a faster processor.
First, the Axim x30 is not really a current model and if Dell any units at all there are probably not many. They are being dropped. In fact, Dell only lists the x51 for sale, so we have to use that for comparison. Besides, the x51 is WM5, like the 1950.
Dell has the x51 basic listed at $349 and while it may be offered at less than this at times, so will the 1950. The x51 comes with BT but no WiFi. If you have to go without, BT is the less needed for most people.
The Dell does have a faster processor but I have read that the Samsung 300 performs just as well as a 400+ Xscale processor and uses less battery power. Don't know that for sure but I have read it.
As for the extra memory, again, if this is for casual users they may not really load up many programs if any beyond what comes with the PPC, so the extra storage is not as neccessary.
I still think this is a decent little unit. Until you have owned on of these form factors you can't understand how much nicer it is to have such a sleek little unit. With what comes with it I think it is a reasonable retail price but will probably get discounted by resellers almost right away.
indiekiduk
10-07-2005, 10:07 PM
the 2 year old 4150 in the same casing has a better spec than this. someone will eventually take WM5 from this and get it working on the 4150.
Hmmm...interesting. Never thought of that. I wonder...?
Of course, the 4150 used an Xscale processor, so I don't know if that will make a difference.
indiekiduk
10-07-2005, 10:11 PM
actually naa WM5 wont fit in the 4150's 32mb rom.
unxmully
10-08-2005, 10:36 AM
actually naa WM5 wont fit in the 4150's 32mb rom.
According to the specs for the 1955, there is 36meg of persistent storage free after installing WM5 in a 64meg ROM from which I infer there's at least one version of WM5 that takes only 28meg.
sralmas
10-08-2005, 10:33 PM
Don't you all think it is just a matter of time until HP announces an RX4150?
I waited on the PPC sideless for a long time, all the while a hard core PalmOS devotee. The 4150 changed all of that for me. I LOVE my 4150 and have YET to find another device that would draw me away from it. 4150 still the best PDA/handheld I've ever known.
PetiteFlower
10-10-2005, 02:19 PM
Hmmm...I am trying to figure out the pricing here. If you look at Dell.com (US) the lower end Dell is $397US and the high end is $776US.
I don't know what site you're looking at but http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs shows the low end at $269 (regular price $299) and the high end at $449 (regular price $499). Still $200 difference but I've never seen an axim priced at over $700, that would be insane!
PetiteFlower
10-10-2005, 02:23 PM
According to the specs for the 1955, there is 36meg of persistent storage free after installing WM5 in a 64meg ROM from which I infer there's at least one version of WM5 that takes only 28meg.
That may be true, but since you can't install programs in RAM under WM5, this would leave you with only 4 megs of storage space for additional programs or files, and that's pretty unacceptable for most people. In fact it might not even be enough space to store your standard PIM information!
Hmmm...I am trying to figure out the pricing here. If you look at Dell.com (US) the lower end Dell is $397US and the high end is $776US.
I don't know what site you're looking at but http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs shows the low end at $269 (regular price $299) and the high end at $449 (regular price $499). Still $200 difference but I've never seen an axim priced at over $700, that would be insane!
Well, I thought it was insane too and double checked it to make sure I wasn't seeing something that was a bundle.
As you will see from this link:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
...it was priced at $776 but they have already discounted it. You will see that the $776 is crossed out now but still visible.
My guess is they left that much higher price up for a day so that they can correctly claim the discount. ;)
Fishie
10-10-2005, 02:52 PM
Yup:
Featured at
$776
$532
After 20% Off Instantly!
Offer Details
PetiteFlower
10-10-2005, 03:04 PM
The $776 is a package deal with an extra battery, a 2 year warrenty, and a GPS receiver. It is not just the high end model. The list price for the X51v ALONE is $499. Look more closely at the page. The other 2 things listed are package deals also. The link I provided gives the price for the PDA alone with no extras.
Dell Axim X51v Handheld 624MHz
Axim X51v,Intel® 624MHz,256MB ROM,64MB SDRAM, 3.7 inch VGA 802.11b,BT
1100mAh Second Battery
2 Year Limited Warranty2, 2 Year Technical Support, 2 Year Advanced Exchange3
Dell GPS Navigation System with Cabled GPS Receiver
Featured at
$776(crossed out)
$532
After 20% Off Instantly!
That's not too bad a deal then for the exa $33 bucks! :mrgreen:
PetiteFlower
10-10-2005, 04:00 PM
Darn right it's a good deal!
With the help of a couple of coupons, I got my X50v with extra battery and 2 year warrenty for $295. Dell is always offering SOME kind of deal or discount though, whatever the list price is, no one ever pays the full list price. I don't think HP can say the same.
dstrauss
10-10-2005, 05:32 PM
Don't you all think it is just a matter of time until HP announces an RX4150?
I waited on the PPC sideless for a long time, all the while a hard core PalmOS devotee. The 4150 changed all of that for me. I LOVE my 4150 and have YET to find another device that would draw me away from it. 4150 still the best PDA/handheld I've ever known.
Make that two. I've been back and forth between the Palm and WinCE camp for years (USR Palm Pilot Pro and Everex A10 - that's showing the gray hair for you). I just picked up a good used 4155 off eBay and it works great (except for WPA and Bios 1.10 - oh well).
Still, this thing is the best PDA since the Palm Vx, and not much bigger if at all. So what's the big deal about these new models other than WM5?
Fishie
10-10-2005, 11:59 PM
The $776 is a package deal with an extra battery, a 2 year warrenty, and a GPS receiver. It is not just the high end model. The list price for the X51v ALONE is $499. Look more closely at the page. The other 2 things listed are package deals also. The link I provided gives the price for the PDA alone with no extras.
Dell Axim X51v Handheld 624MHz
Axim X51v,Intel® 624MHz,256MB ROM,64MB SDRAM, 3.7 inch VGA 802.11b,BT
1100mAh Second Battery
2 Year Limited Warranty2, 2 Year Technical Support, 2 Year Advanced Exchange3
Dell GPS Navigation System with Cabled GPS Receiver
Featured at
$776(crossed out)
$532
After 20% Off Instantly!
Ah yes, thanks for the correction.
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