Size difference between single and dual PC sleeve?

[WhitE_RabbiT]

Hello all,

I was wondering, is there much of a size difference between the single and dual pc sleeve.

I have purchased the 5gig Toshiba PC card hard drive, and was thinking about the possiblity of gaining a serial port thru a pc card. Is the size difference anything substantial? How different do they feel in your hand?

Thank you all in advance for your imput...

[Janak Parekh]

It is very substantial. See http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/iPAQ/DualSlotPC/dualslotPC.htm

--janak

[Bob Anderson]

Yes... It is very substantial... but then again it gives you an amazing amount of flexibility with TWO batteries to run your hard drive and another accessory.

I love my dual pack... even if it is rather big!

[Pony99CA]

It is very substantial. See http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/iPAQ/DualSlotPC/dualslotPC.htm

I'd say the difference is obvious, but not very big. Of course, it's relative. :-)

The comparison photo (http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/iPAQ/DualSlotPC/P2120047.JPG) on Dale's site makes it look less than 1/2" thicker. For that extra bulk, you get an extra slot and a bigger battery. I thought that was worth it.

Steve

[Sven Johannsen]

was thinking about the possiblity of gaining a serial port thru a pc card...

Do you mean, on top of the one you already have?

[Janak Parekh]

Do you mean, on top of the one you already have?
Good point! :D

BTW, I wish Compaq made a Dual Sleeve+, with the option to use either the slim or the thicker battery. With the hardcover and the slim battery, the dual sleeve would be substantially thinner than it's now. But I suspect it's a fairly niche item -- I agree it's immensely useful, but it's for those who are going to use it heavily in the car or other environs, as opposed to literally your pocket. :)

--janak

[spg]

The difference is very noticeable to me. I thought about both the PC Card and Dual PC Card sleeves, but they were both just too thick for me. So I have a silver slider CF sleeve, which is much smaller, but not PC Card.

[Pony99CA]

Do you mean, on top of the one you already have?
Good point! :D

Are there adapters to turn the iPAQ's proprietary serial port into a standard serial port, though? Can you just connect the sync cable and hook a gender-changer on the cable and use it as a normal serial port without any additional drivers?


BTW, I wish Compaq made a Dual Sleeve+, with the option to use either the slim or the thicker battery. With the hardcover and the slim battery, the dual sleeve would be substantially thinner than it's now. But I suspect it's a fairly niche item -- I agree it's immensely useful, but it's for those who are going to use it heavily in the car or other environs, as opposed to literally your pocket. :)

I agree that a Dual PCMCIA Sleeve + would be very cool. I don't view it as that much of a niche product, though -- it's the only sleeve from Compaq that supports two cards.

As for pocketing your device, I wonder how many people actually carry their Pocket PC in their pockets? I didn't see a poll about this, so I created one. Check out my "How Do You Carry Your Pocket PC?" poll (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6804).

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Are there adapters to turn the iPAQ's proprietary serial port into a standard serial port, though? Can you just connect the sync cable and hook a gender-changer on the cable and use it as a normal serial port without any additional drivers?
Yes, you can. I've done it to pop up the boot loader to load Linux on the device, fix a nuked ROM, etc. HP also offers a short cable with the gender changer "built in", so you get the male serial port as you need -- it's very useful if you don't want to buy a special cable and already have a serial cable for your cell phone.

I agree that a Dual PCMCIA Sleeve + would be very cool. I don't view it as that much of a niche product, though -- it's the only sleeve from Compaq that supports two cards.
I mean, it's a niche product in that it's only for users who don't want to pocket their Pocket PC.

As for pocketing your device, I wonder how many people actually carry their Pocket PC in their pockets?
So far, the pockets are winning ;) I used to carry mine in my bag, but found that exceedingly annoying. My first requirement for any organizer I now carry is that it's always pocketable. My 3870 with CF+ just fits that requirement fine.

--janak

[WhitE_RabbiT]

hrm, im really indecisive about the dual or single+...

i know the + has a extra battery to run with your main battery...

does the dual have this?

the way i see it, if im going to make my ipaq fairly large with the single, why not just make it 1/2" larger now

[Pony99CA]

I agree that a Dual PCMCIA Sleeve + would be very cool. I don't view it as that much of a niche product, though -- it's the only sleeve from Compaq that supports two cards.
I mean, it's a niche product in that it's only for users who don't want to pocket their Pocket PC.

By that definition, that would make almost any sleeve a niche product in many people's eyes. :-)

Steve

[Pony99CA]

i know the + has a extra battery to run with your main battery...

does the dual have this?

the way i see it, if im going to make my ipaq fairly large with the single, why not just make it 1/2" larger now
All of the PC Card sleeves have had batteries. The PC Card Expansion Pack Plus includes a removable 920 maH battery; the Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack comes with two 950 maH batteries, for a total of 1900 maH, but they aren't removable.

The dual-slot version also includes a CF-to-PC Card adapter, but no screen cover.

If you haven't read Dale Coffing's review of the dual-slot sleeve, go to Pocket PC Passion (http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/iPAQ/DualSlotPC/dualslotPC.htm) now. :-)

Steve

P.S. You really could find this out easily yourself. Going to www.hp.com and clicking four times takes you to the iPAQ Expansion Sleeve page (http://h20022.www2.hp.com/busprod/pocketpc/options/expansion_packs/?lsidebarLayId=823), which lists several sleeves, including all of the PC Card ones. Unfortunately, they didn't give the battery specs of the dual-slot sleeve for some reason. :-(

[Janak Parekh]

By that definition, that would make almost any sleeve a niche product in many people's eyes. :-)
Except, as I say, the CF+. I've got it in my pocket right now. :)

--janak

[WhitE_RabbiT]

sorry, i would have looked at hp, but i was also looking for those lil user comments as well that u get w/ forums :)

sometimes the opinions make a differences...
but at any rate, thank you all for your imput. due to the battery size, i believe i shall go with the dual, especially since my 5400 gets HORRIBLE battery life. its usually dead within a couple hours :-/