New device recommendations?

[boldbidder]

Hello all, I'm a current T-Mobile PPCPE owner, but I'm thinking of making the switch to a Bluetooth enabled device (e.g. IPAQ 5400 series) and a bluetooth enabled phone. Do any of you out there have this setup? What are the biggest benefits over just having the all in one device ala PPCPE? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-BB

p.s. Any word on availability of the new IPAQ with integrated GSM/GPRS?

[Monty Gibson]

Hello all, I'm a current T-Mobile PPCPE owner, but I'm thinking of making the switch to a Bluetooth enabled device (e.g. IPAQ 5400 series) and a bluetooth enabled phone. Do any of you out there have this setup? What are the biggest benefits over just having the all in one device ala PPCPE? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-BB

p.s. Any word on availability of the new IPAQ with integrated GSM/GPRS?

Question: Why would you want to do this? I too am a T-Mobile Pocket PC user and don't see why it would be feasible to carry two devices.

[boldbidder]

To get the additional horsepower of a newer PPC, to have the expandability of bluetooth and SDIO, etc... Don't get me wrong I LOVE my PPCPE and coupled with the Jabra Freekspeak and Fonix VoiceDialer I'm darn near in heaven. However, having additional RAM would be nice and with these new apps that allow you to overclock an Xscale processor, I find myself a little wanting.

[Monty Gibson]

To get the additional horsepower of a newer PPC, to have the expandability of bluetooth and SDIO, etc... Don't get me wrong I LOVE my PPCPE and coupled with the Jabra Freekspeak and Fonix VoiceDialer I'm darn near in heaven. However, having additional RAM would be nice and with these new apps that allow you to overclock an Xscale processor, I find myself a little wanting.

The "horsepower" of the 400 mHz has been overrated thus far and has not really been that "great" of a chip. It's slightly (if at all faster) than the ARM. What accessory are you really wanting that can support the SDIO port right now? And again, what are your plans for use with Bluetooth up to 30 feet? Just curious... I find myself always wanting, but only for valid updated technology. This; to me, isn't updated technology but additions that most will never use.

[boldbidder]

I would like SDIO mostly for the addition of future iterations of WiFi (as faster standards are created) versus having WiFi hard-wired into the device. Bluetooth I see quickly becoming a necessity as I would be able to use future BT headsets (ala SoundID upcoming BT headset), sync wirelessly with my PC and communicate with various other peripherals. Some of these uses aren't necessarily available this second, but the gadgeteer in me likes the idea of flexibility. My dream device would be a PPCPE with inetegrated thumboard, BT, SDIO, support to be a USB host, and 128 mb ram. An onboard DSP to handle lesser tasks and to offload from the main processor would be beneficial also.

[Monty Gibson]

I would like SDIO mostly for the addition of future iterations of WiFi (as faster standards are created) versus having WiFi hard-wired into the device. Bluetooth I see quickly becoming a necessity as I would be able to use future BT headsets (ala SoundID upcoming BT headset), sync wirelessly with my PC and communicate with various other peripherals. Some of these uses aren't necessarily available this second, but the gadgeteer in me likes the idea of flexibility. My dream device would be a PPCPE with inetegrated thumboard, BT, SDIO, support to be a USB host, and 128 mb ram. An onboard DSP to handle lesser tasks and to offload from the main processor would be beneficial also.

Good thoughts. Wouldn't it be wise; however, just to possibly wait until that technology comes out and then upgrade? Surely by then another pocket pc will be available and probably will be similar to the pocket pc phone integrated device. Also, to sync with your pc you have to be within the 30 foot range... again, what's the use? Just walk 30 feet, dock it, wait about 15 seconds and un-dock it and away you go. An integrated thumboard would be nice. I don't know if the length would be appreciated by other though... thinking of the Sony Clie here... that thing is a gorilla. Bluetooth still really doesn't impress me 30 feet isn't that wonderful if you ask me. WiFi; most will never use this, and as I've mentioned before VPN dial up standards are just as easy, just not as fast. SDIO is nice and I do appreciate that technology as I do see compact flash making its way out eventually... things have to become smaller. But the only thing I've seen for an SDIO port thus far is a camera... not impressive. 128 mb of RAM? Why not a gig :wink:? The more the merrier for me! But 128 would be nice, but I have this anyway, I sent mine to PPCTechs and they gave me my wish. It's nice, but I would rather have the 1-4 gig SD cards that are rumored to be coming out this year. Good luck on your journey... it'll never end :roll:.

[boldbidder]

You're exactly the person I need to talk to! How would you rate your devices stability, battery life, performance, et al... post the PPCTech operation? You're right about the journey to mobility bliss being a never ending one....lol.

[Monty Gibson]

You're exactly the person I need to talk to! How would you rate your devices stability, battery life, performance, et al... post the PPCTech operation? You're right about the journey to mobility bliss being a never ending one....lol.

You know, Jason posted his remarks about this as well and I'd have to agree... I bought the extended battery thinking it would drain the life out of it; but it really doesn't. Granted if you use your pocket pc every second of the day it will, but for the general user (5-6 hours a day) then no, it's not that noticeable. For me anyway. I don't know if it's because I so hopped up on adrenaline or what, but I've noticed only a slight decrease so far in as much as battery life is concerned; and I use mine a LOT. Stability is fine, I soft reset mine probably twice a day by choice, not by need. I just like for it to stay as smooth as possible, I also have SoftWinter's SD cleaner I run ad nauseam and also PocketPC 2002 ClEaner from Ontario, Inc. that I also run ad nauseam. I don't know why; I suppose I am obsessively compulsive about having a pristine pocket pc :lol:. Anyway, stability for me is not an issue. The memory is great; if your looking to swap out for the phone/ppc deal then don't do it because of course it will void your warranty. If your willing to stick it out, I'd say go for it and then save up about $400.00 for the gig SD card when it comes out :wink:. You'd be on your way then :rock on dude!:.