e750 - IPAQ 5455, decisions, decisions

[tialoc]

Hi all,

I've been a Palm user since the Handspring Visor hit the market, within the last year I traded up to a Sony Clie N760C which I like but I'm getting frustrated with the Palm's limitations, just getting MP3's to play correctly is a hassle...

Anyway, I'm considering a PocketPC and I think I've narrowed my choices to the Toshiba e750 or the IPAQ 5455 and I need some input.

I love all the features of the e750 but it just seems that there are more accessories for the IPAQ on the market currently. I don't really need bluetooth at this time but I could always add a card to the e750.

I 've read far better reviews for the e750 than the IPAQ. I guess I'm confusing my self the more I research. Can someone with a good bit of PocketPC knowledge help to "Stop the Madness"?

-TIA

[pro_worm]

I was in the exact same boat you are in - I take it you are also a big fan of WI-FI. The KEY differences between the two devices:

iPAQ has bluetooth; it is a non-issue if you don't have a bluetooth phone.
iPAQ looks sleeker, but also more geek-like with that antenna and finger scanner. Toshiba has a simple, get-to-the-point look about it. I prefer the latter's design.
iPAQ has finger scanner, and it is all but useless.
iPAQ fits sleeves - but you won't need them, since it has EVERYTHING built in. However, this also means it fits the dozens of sleeves released for the much-loved original 3600 iPAQ. Therefore, no problem finding accessories.
iPAQ is made by compaq, which is a better company than Toshiba PPC wise (Toshiba recently decided not to upgrade their e750 predecessor, the e740, to the new OS. Shame!)
iPAQ better for games, since the Toshiba has a BUTTON LAG of .5 seconds. Meaning Mario won't be able to jump out of the way of the turtle fast enough. I saw this for my own eyes, and it is sad.

Toshiba weighs 1 oz less (6oz vs. 7oz)
Toshiba is nicer looking (to me)
Toshiba is faster, and has new 2003 OS (both these advantages dissapear if you compare it to the new 5500 series, which has those two aspects updated as well.)
Toshiba is typically cheaper, especially if you are considering the new iPAQ 5500 series (the latter costs costs $650, and comes with new OS and uber-fast processor.)
Toshiba doesn't have potentially useless feature (finger scanner and bluetooth)

The answer?

Buy the new iPAQ 2215 :)
That is what I did, and I couldn't have been happier. It is TINY compared to the above two. The screen is 3.5" not 3.8", however, I got used to it even though that was my main concern. Things look sharper on a smaller screen, which is great. The screen is still larger than most (all?) Palm screens.
It doesn't have wi-fi - this was another major gripe of mine - however it has a CF slot; even with a wi-fi card it is smaller than the iPAQ or the Toshiba. Just think of it this way - it is like having removable built-in wifi, that you can take out when you want to save on size.
It weighs 5 oz.
Plus, it is very popular already, so you can expect oodles of accessories!
And it plays Super Nintendo ROMS :) NOt that I would know ;)

Good Luck - you will NOT be dissapointed by Pocket PCs.

[tialoc]

Pro_Worm,

You're a day late and a dollar short but I really appreciate the input. You're the only one who replied in 19 days. 8O

I went ahead and purchased the e755 the day before MS released PPC2003. For some reason Circuit City had them with the new OS already.

I couldn't happier, my only issue is getting PPC to recognize my handwriting in the transciber. BTW, you're right, I am a fan of Wi-Fi and just having installed Wi-Fi at my home I am really enjoying my new toy.

Unfortunately at work I sync with notes so it looks like I am going to have to buy cadenza which is really a sweet app.

Oh well, thanks again for you're input.

-tialoc

[Janak Parekh]

You're a day late and a dollar short but I really appreciate the input. You're the only one who replied in 19 days. 8O
Your thread must have slipped through the cracks. Sorry! ;)

Enjoy your new e755, it's a very solid Pocket PC.

As to recognizing handwriting, the key is to make sure you use cursive, connected characters. Discrete characters will work much worse. Also, there's a "training" option in Transcriber where you can tell it which strokes you use most.

--janak

[tialoc]

Thanks Janak, I went through it and it seemed to help a little. I guess I'm astonished that it even recognizes my chicken scratch at all.

All those years pecking away in grafitti didn't do me any good. :lol:

[pro_worm]

Well I'm glad you found something you're happy with - The Toshiba is a genuinely excellent decive if high-speed button-mashing games are not your top priority. In fact, I would own one right now if not for the fact that they were out of stock when I went up to the counter to buy one :)

Pity about the slow response to your post - this was my first time visiting the Palm->Pocket PC forum and I was looking around for posts with 0 replies. So I answered yours 8)

Good Tidings!

[Steven Cedrone]

You're the only one who replied in 19 days. 8O

Hmmm...

Janak is supposed to answer every new post, I wonder what happened??? :wink: :lol:

Steve