HP Announces HP iPAQ 1915 - Without Bluetooth...

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.compaq.dk/news/releases/default.asp?Year=2003&amp;ID=354">http://www.compaq.dk/news/releases/default.asp?Year=2003&amp;ID=354</a><br /><br />Not much new here other than the sleek 1910 that has been available in North America for several months is coming to Europe. It uses the same PXA250 X-Scale Processor running at 200MHz and despite rumors, bluetooth is <b>not</b> included. It has the same 16MB ROM, which means it is Pocket PC 2002 Professional, not Premium. So the spell checker is not there and apps like Reader and Windows Media Player are RAM installable.<br /><br />This is a fantastic device, especially for those that have no PDA or have an aging monochrome model. This is about the same size as a Palm V. In fact, you can hide it behind a Palm V, though it is slightly thicker. 16bit color screen, SD (not SDIO) slot, stereo output, etc.<br /><br />The price isn't cheap though. Am I reading this right? 3,200KR, which is a Danish Kroner. That converts to $474USD or $430EUR. That compares to $299USD for the 1910, though you can get it for $279 at some online retailers already. In fact, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00007B6L5/jasondunn-20">Amazon</a> has it for $269.99 after a $25 mail in rebate.

[jizmo]

Oh no, why ruin such a great device with 200mhz processor and not even give us the opportunity to buy 400mhz version with extra expenses. I just love the 1910, but I won't go for slower speeds than my e310.

Let's hope that Viewsonic has the nose for the business and that it'd release a upgraded 400mhz version of its device. It'd be a winner in this race ..

/jizmo

[T-Will]

So the 15 in 1915 just means it's sold in Europe??? That's gay. I thought they would have at least added SDIO..... :roll:

[karinatwork]

But... then why is it called differently? Is there ANY difference at all (other than maybe another language in the system)?

Just curious... 8)

[Seraph1024]

19(10/15) is the business strategy. Now in Europe, if you have the 1910, HP can refuse to take care of it when it comes ot issues such as warranties or just plain old help from service centers.

The price is about right. Any given device costs more on the other side of the ocean.

L

[Ed Hansberry]

But... then why is it called differently? Is there ANY difference at all (other than maybe another language in the system)?
That is just how they do it. :? There is no difference between the iPAQ 3630 and 3650, 3975/3970, 3855/3850, 3950/3955, 3870/3875, etc. They just like to change numbers to track where sales go instead of tracking sales by customer. :roll:

[Janak Parekh]

That is just how they do it. :? There is no difference between the iPAQ 3630 and 3650, 3975/3970, 3855/3850, 3950/3955, 3870/3875, etc. They just like to change numbers to track where sales go instead of tracking sales by customer. :roll:
Indeed, the numbering is what told me that it would never have Bluetooth. Them calling it the 1915 and having Bluetooth would have broken their product numbering scheme entirely.

We'll just have to see if the rumors of the next iPaq work out. 8)

--janak

[ricksfiona]

No Bluetooth or SDIO? What a wasted opportunity. If HP doesn't get on the ball, they could blow the PDA market like they did with the desktops.

[JMountford]

Now didn't I say in Previous threads that HP/Compaq would make no changes to this device?

Ummm yes I did. :lol:

I know I am a smart ass but I direct those who thought I was wrong, and yes there were some to read my quote.

I'm out....

[Duncan]

Indeed, the numbering is what told me that it would never have Bluetooth. Them calling it the 1915 and having Bluetooth would have broken their product numbering scheme entirely.

That doesn't actually fit the usual HP strategy. The 3970 in the 3970, the 5450 is the 5450 - whether sold in the UK or the US. We don't get the 3975 or 5455 numbering over here - but I believe that purely reflects a software difference - I don't think the licencing for all the software on the '5' models covers Europe as well.

Confusingly PC World - our equivalent of CompUSA etc. - is fully expecting to sell the 1910 and several online UK retailers are selling (UK badged - I've seen the packaging) 1910s. So why the number change to 1915 I don't know - unless the '5' is being used in a different way in Europe - perhaps simply to mean - 'non-English OS'?

The price is about right. Any given device costs more on the other side of the ocean.

Generally yes - European prices include VAT (sales tax) and incorporate import duty - for the UK this usually means adding 17.5% (VAT) and 2.5% to the base price. Some European countries have lower VAT, some higher.

A 5450 from Expansys.com is £527.58 - remove the 20% add-on and the equivalent dollar price would be c.$709 - comparable to the CompUSA price of $699.

Some stores in the UK will charge more - but that reflects the fact that it is still regarded as 'new' and the price is still coming down to 'post-early adopter' levels.

[fivespeed]

They don't want to include 400 mhz, BT, or SDIO because if they did nobody would buy the 3900 or the 5400 which I'm sure the make a pretty penny off of.

[thø]

>The price isn't cheap though. Am I reading this right? 3,200KR, which is a Danish Kroner. That converts to $474USD or $430EUR.

You are reading it right - that is the price in Denmark, including the danish VAT (Which is 25% added to the the price) - but you can't compare it like that. We danish are used to paying more that anybody else (With an income tax at about 50% of the income, and a car tax at 200% of the value) - so you should compare it to other PPC prices in Denmark. The Dell Axim basic model is priced at 3,045 KR, and the advanced is at 4,448KR (The Dell prices include shipping, but that is below 100KR) - so the price for the iPAQ 1915 is not that high - we danes just pay that much more for PPC's and PC's (or buy them abroad)

[jizmo]

They don't want to include 400 mhz, BT, or SDIO because if they did nobody would buy the 3900 or the 5400 which I'm sure the make a pretty penny off of.

I'd pay almost the price of 5400 to get a full featured version of 1910, simply because the form-factor is that much superior to other PDAs.

Is buying bulkier devices the only way to get the full 400mhz speed from PPCs these days? Is Toshiba the only company that provices full features in tiny package?

/jizmo

[Ed Hansberry]

(With an income tax at about 50% of the income, and a car tax at 200% of the value)
:crazyeyes:

Note to self: Never move to Denmark.

[T-Will]

(With an income tax at about 50% of the income, and a car tax at 200% of the value)
:crazyeyes:

Note to self: Never move to Denmark.

HOLY CRUD!!! :shocked!: And there hasn't been a revolt yet?

[Fishie]

(With an income tax at about 50% of the income, and a car tax at 200% of the value)
:crazyeyes:

Note to self: Never move to Denmark.

HOLY CRUD!!! :shocked!: And there hasn't been a revolt yet?

Even I have to admit thats quite high.

Over here in Belgium income tax is between urm nothing and 80% depending on how much you make(highest tax brackets can deduct a lot of stuff so in reality nobody pays that much).
VAT stands at 6 and 21% and import duties between 5 and 8%.
Regardles, an Axim X5 advanced costs 349€ without VAT over here so we pay a Euro for Dollar price at the moment.

[Ed Hansberry]

According to http://h71010.www7.hp.com/produkte/handheld/ipaq/h1900/techspecs.htm the 1915 has SDIO, not plain old SD. Hmmm......

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I'm becoming more convinced that for me to buy a "one-slot" device, it must at least have BT built-in. Even if such a device has SDIO, you're limited with memory options considering that the device has less onboard to begin with.

I agree with Jizmo, outfit the device with connectivity and beef up the CPU and internal RAM, and I'd pay a premium for such a device.

I don't think it's technically feasible yet though. Such a device would also need a beefy battery which can't be outfitted onto this device without enlarging it significantly.

[Ed Hansberry]

Keep in mind this is not a power user's device. I would say an incredibly large number of people, especially in the US, don't have any urge to get online with their PDA. If we could take a poll, I'd bet tons of PPCT members own a modem, WiFi or some other card, but I'd be we are the minority when you consider the 3+ million Pocket PCs sold. Maybe when 3G wireless comes out at reasonable prices.

That makes the 1900 series a great device for them. Like you, I want a device similar in size to the 1900 but with more power, but I also don't expect the same price point. If the rumors of the 2200 are true, then we may have that device whenever that ships.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

That makes the 1900 series a great device for them. Like you, I want a device similar in size to the 1900 but with more power, but I also don't expect the same price point. If the rumors of the 2200 are true, then we may have that device whenever that ships.
Yup. I was speaking strictly for myself. The 1910 is actually the first device I tell people about when they ask about my iPaq.

It's just tough to see a device with such sensational form factor (by far the best of ANY PPC IMO) and not be able to use it in ways you'd like to use it.