Best wireless PPC

[bretzke]

Which PPC is the best out-of-the-box 802.11b wireless unit...I prefer to not have a CF solution unless that is better than the integrated solutions.

What's your thoughts?

[WyattEarp]

That depends on what you mean buy best? Wifi connectivity, power management, ease of use, etc?

I don't own one with built-in wifi but I do know that the Toshiba e740 and the iPAQ 5450 aren't the best at power management. I believe that 5450 has better software and may have better range due to the external antenna compared to the internal one in the e740. But as you can see there is a lot to consider with an all-in-one out-of-the-box solution.

Remember compromises will be made with any wifi solution you purchase. For example, my Socket Wifi card has great power management and good range but at a cost of the card and the sleeve.

[bretzke]

Excellent points. I guess the factors I most value (in rank order) is

1. No sleeve/sled
2. power mgmt
3. Ease of use/setup
4. Range

How is the Dell X5 at power mgmt?

[WyattEarp]

Sounds like you want built-in wifi. You should look at the Toshiba e740 & HP iPAQ H5450. I think those are the only wifi equipped choices out there right now. They both have higher capacity battery options available to increase run time.

Check the forums for other peoples expereinces with them including the Dell Axim. The Axim has had good revues from what I have read around here.

Good luck. :D

[Janak Parekh]

bretzke, ironically, the Axim does fit those criteria too - you just have the antenna sticking out of the CF slot. I've also heard the Dells are among the best in battery life.

Be forwarned, though, like all Pocket PCs extended use of 802.11b does reduce battery life pretty significantly.

As for internal Wi-Fi solutions, you will give up some range. The e740 has the least range as it has no protruding antenna. The 5450 is next, followed by an external CF card. On the other hand, it's incredibly convenient to have a e740 with two free slots even with 802.11b.

In other words, there's no simple answer. ;)

--janak

[Roosterman]

I have the Dell with a CF wireless card. I use the Linksys WCF12. Probably not the most power conserving but it works very well for my needs. Just using the X5, no wireless, I get about 8- 10 hours of solid use. With the wireless, about 3.5 - 4 hours. Not sure what your needs are, but that fills mine well. Good luck with your decision.

[jimski]

For out of the box simplicity, my 5450 was pretty darn easy. I have had no problem connecting to my office or home WiFi networks (haven't tried to connect at Starbucks yet).

But the WiFi does eat up battery power. Unfortunatly, even though the 5450 has a removable battery, HP has not made either the standard nor the high capacity battery available yet (I have filed a formal complaint with HP on this one).

As a result, I am stuck with limiting my WiFi experience to a few minutes here and there, unless I want to stay plugged in to an AC adapter all day.

Until HP makes spare batteries available, I would look elsewhere.