HP's iPAQ 910: Swing and a...Hit?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.phonemag.com/hp-ipaq-910-business-messenger-full-review-073920.php' target='_blank'>http://www.phonemag.com/hp-ipaq-910...view-073920.php</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"HP's iPAQ range used to be the doyenne of the PDA world, back when cellphones were cellphones and anything more complicated than an alarm required a standalone PocketPC (or Palm, depending on your preference). Years later, and the PDA in general is a much-diminished force; the line between smartphones and cellphones has blurred and customers expect to be able to do much of what their laptops can while they're mobile. Into this competitive market HP have launched the iPAQ 910 Business Messenger, a Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro smartphone with full QWERTY keyboard. After our unboxing video we promised you a review; read on to see whether HP are likely to take back their top spot."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1216852473.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p>HP's had some bad stumbles in the past few years related to phone-based devices, but it looks like the iPAQ 910 might finally break that bad streak. The battery 1940 mAh battery is certainly worth writing home about: that's a lot of juice. The 320 x 240 screen, less so - but at least it's not 240 x 240. I have a fondness for front-facing keyboards, and since HTC seems to have all but abandoned that form factor, it's nice to see other companies (Samsung, Motorola, HP, etc.) continuing to support this design. The HP iPAQ 910 won't win any beauty awards, but with a good keyboard and great battery life, it looks like a competent work-horse.</p>

[efjay]

Have a look at howardforums for user's first hand reports of poor battery life, unresponsive scroll wheel and flaky software. Sounds like a miss to me.

[aNiMeMaN14]

I want this phone. I want any decent Qwertybar WM6 Pro phone really. I've been eyeing this phone since September of last year!! I hope AT&T picks this one up by the fall. My contract's already up, and I really wish to upgrade!!

[alandashby]

Have a look at howardforums for user's first hand reports of poor battery life, unresponsive scroll wheel and flaky software. Sounds like a miss to me.

I have been using one for a few days and get about a day and a half on a full charge. It seems that the first 10% runs down alot faster then the last 10%.

[kanzlr]

tempting, really.

this, or the i780?

i780: faster CPU, higher res, bigger screen
914c: standard resolution (compatibility), real dpad, most likely better keyboard, more responsive touchscreen

decisions, decisions....

[gavinfabl]

tempting, really.

this, or the i780?

i780: faster CPU, higher res, bigger screen
914c: standard resolution (compatibility), real dpad, most likely better keyboard, more responsive touchscreen

decisions, decisions....

I have the i780 as my main personal phone. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Brilliant, light and practically flawless.

Another option maybe Nokia E71. Does MS Exchange.

[chrisspera]

...HP's had some bad stumbles in the past few years related to phone-based devices, but it looks like the iPAQ 910 might finally break that bad streak...I have a fondness for front-facing keyboards, and since HTC seems to have all but abandoned that form factor, it's nice to see other companies (Samsung, Motorola, HP, etc.) continuing to support this design. The HP iPAQ 910 won't win any beauty awards, but with a good keyboard and great battery life, it looks like a competent work-horse.</p>

I agree. I like this form factor a lot, as its easy to get to, easy to communicate with, and (above all) is comfortable to use. I'd love to put this and the reported BJ3 in a head-to-head and see how the devices fare.

[kanzlr]

my main issue with the i780 is the missing dpad (forget playing krally...).
the non standard resoultion will be ok i guess. for most apps at least.

if the little HPs screen were just a bit bigger.

[RayanMX]

Hello folks, first time poster, long time reader!

Well not really, I used to have another account but lost the password and lost email account to recover, but here I am... :D

Please do read the threads efjay recommended over at HoFo before you make a decision. Check THIS (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1233334)and THIS (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1396492) threads.

A flaky device if you ask me. At least on the most important aspect for me, the battery since I'm pushing 3 email accounts over 3G (HSDPA) and IM on all day.

HP decided to use the old Marvel PXA270 processor which (according to reports) is not really power efficient and I guess that's what's eating the battery. At 1900+ mAh it was supposed to last more than reported at HoFo.

Cheers!
RayanMX

[whydidnt]

I have to agree with the previous post regarding this device. I've been using this as my primary phone/PDA for the last 2 weeks and it's been a bit frustrating. I was expecting fantastic battery life, but truthfully, it's not better than my AT&T Tilt and maybe worse, despite the huge battery, which takes FOREVER to charge, BTW. It's pretty unstable, I can't seem to narrow down the issue to any third party software, either. For example today, I had only the stock email, contacts and calendar apps open, with Exchange AS push running. I turn the device on to check email and can't enter my password to unlock the device, no input allowed. Have to reset to use. I regularly have to reset, probably at least twice a day.

I also can't get sound notifications for new mail or reminders to stick through a reset. I set the sound and it works until I have to reset and then I'm left with no reminder notification sound, just a message above the left softkey. If I don't look at the device, I don't know there is new mail or an appointment coming up. Another complaint is HP's decision to remove the capability to rotate the screen rendering some software titles unusable, despite the somewhat standard resolution. I'm really growing tired of fighting with this thing and HP has an AWFUL record regarding upgrades to address issues such as I'm experiencing. I really have no faith we'll see any updates within the near future to address my concerns.

I love the form factor of the device, it feels solid and looks good, IMO, but these issues are probably going to lead me to return the unit and wait for either the Ommia, or the i788 to make there way to our shores. Hopefully Samsung will hit the sweet spot for a WM device. I've considered the Treo 800w, but the reported battery life really seems like a show stopper.