What's next then?

[hshortt]

So the 1900 and the 5400 series are out the door.... nearly. So what's next?

Will we see a continuation of the 5400 form factor or will we see the next generation using the 1900 series form factor?

Personally, I think it will all go the way of the 1900, I'd say that the 5400 series was the last of the Compaq designs and all future models will be based on the 1900 form factor.

So, a 'new' version will be available in under six months time with some if not all of these specs.

Bluetooth,
WiFi,
400Mhz X-Scale
128MB RAM, 48MB ROM

What do you think?

[techie]

I agree. Size is a *big* factor in the future
of PDAs. Units the size of the 5450 just wont
become consumer items (the way Palms did) because
they are bricks. Try putting an IPAQ + sleeve + CF in your pocket.

Form factor of the e310 and 1910 must become the standard.

Cheers.
Techie

[Pony99CA]

I agree. Size is a *big* factor in the future
of PDAs. Units the size of the 5450 just wont
become consumer items (the way Palms did) because
they are bricks. Try putting an IPAQ + sleeve + CF in your pocket.

Form factor of the e310 and 1910 must become the standard.

Nothing precludes multiple form factors. HP has said it will support the sleeve format for some time (was it 3 years?). I hope they will, because I don't want to have to buy another GPS solution for whatever comes next (unless GPS is bullt-in :-)).

Regarding pocketing your PDA, I'm not sure it's that important. It certainly is to some people, but what percentage? Do most people put their cell phones in their pockets, or do they hang them on their belts? I have holsters for both my cell phone and my iPAQ 3870.

The 5450 will be even more pocketable, not because it's smaller, but because it won't have the need for sleeves as much as the older iPAQs -- WiFi and Bluetooth are built-in, and SD memory card prices are becoming more reasonable.

As a test, I just put an iPAQ in the cover pack in my front pants pocket, and it didn't feel bulky or uncomfortable. It also was fine in the leg pocket of my cargo pants. So I think that the 5450 would be pocketable unless you had a need for a sleeve.

As for being "bricks", I get really annoyed with that term. I wonder if people who use it have seen or felt a real brick. :-)

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

As a test, I just put an iPAQ in the cover pack in my front pants pocket, and it didn't feel bulky or uncomfortable. It also was fine in the leg pocket of my cargo pants. So I think that the 5450 would be pocketable unless you had a need for a sleeve.
Even more so, the CF sleeves are not thick. I have a 3870 + CF+ sleeve (using the integrated hard cover), and it's perfectly comfortable in my pocket. I've also gotten no comments of having weird bulges: the 3870+CF+ resembles the thickness of my wallet, which is in my other pocket.

--bdj

[enemy2k2]

As for being "bricks", I get really annoyed with that term. I wonder if people who use it have seen or felt a real brick. :-)

Steve

Yes, I'm extremely annoyed with that term as well. I just received my Axim yesterday and it's nowhere near deserving of being termed a 'brick'. Those who call it a brick surely need some weight training in their lives - male or female. I'm not a big guy by any means, heck - I'm not even in shape, but the Axim is absolutely in no way a BRICK :!:

Any of you who are put off by the idea of an Axim by some weaklings posting their pathetic thoughts should not worry, it's really not a brick, nowhere near it in fact.

I actually thought it was a bit too light when I first held it, but now think the weight is ideal - just enough to let you know it's there :)

As for the 1910 becoming the high end iPaq any time soon. I wouldn't hold my breath. HP doesn't have sorcerers working for them. This form factor will come with more features as technology allows. I'm sure they could have put a faster CPU in there, but at the expense of battery time. Bluetooth I'm sure will not take too long to implement, there's a lot being done to make it even smaller and more efficient. More memory, again, at the expense of battery life. I think you'll agree the battery life acceptable now, but not the greatest - from the reviews I've heard any way.

[Pony99CA]

As for being "bricks", I get really annoyed with that term. I wonder if people who use it have seen or felt a real brick. :-)


Yes, I'm extremely annoyed with that term as well. I just received my Axim yesterday and it's nowhere near deserving of being termed a 'brick'. Those who call it a brick surely need some weight training in their lives - male or female. I'm not a big guy by any means, heck - I'm not even in shape, but the Axim is absolutely in no way a BRICK :!:

Any of you who are put off by the idea of an Axim by some weaklings posting their pathetic thoughts should not worry, it's really not a brick, nowhere near it in fact.

:rofl:
I'm an iPAQ guy, but mainly because I now have an investment in it. I think the other Pocket PCs (Toshiba, Dell, etc.) all have good things offer, so I'm agnostic if I have to recommend one. When I read negative comments about the Dell's size, it did bother me, but not as much as insulting my beloved iPAQ. :-) But I'll agree with you -- pfeh on them!
:2gunfire:

Steve