Dell owner about to switch but needs advice

[goirish!!]

I am about to make the change from my Dell Ax5 Advanced to one on the following but can not decide which. Ipaq owners please advise:

1910 - refurb for $152 shipped
or
2215 - refurb for $299 shipped

The price is not the deciding factor. I do not necessarily need the Blue Tooth of the 2215 nor do I foresee the need to add WiFi to my handheld. My problem is the decision between the of size of the two units, reliability, battery life (although I'm never far from a power source), and the screen.

Right now I'm thinking the 1910 + Rhino Alum case $21 = $180 (approx.)

Any reason this would not be the better choice?

[Chris Spera]

Sure...

The SD Slot on the 1910 is not IO compatible. It is NOT user expandable at all. So, you won't be able to add an SD Wi-Fi Card and get connected...

The 2200 may be a bit more expensive, but at least you will be able to add either a SD or CF Wi-Fi card. This is just me, but if I were deciding between the two, I'd go with the 2200. Its about the same size, has more options, more available RAM, and the newer OS. The 1910 will not be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 2003.

Hope this helps.


Kind Regards,


Christopher Spera

[goirish!!]

Okay, the 2210 is still a contender but it seems that I read that the screen is not quite as good as the 1910.

Is this true or not?

Size is a VERY big part of my end decision, so if there were minor diff. only in size and the screen was equal to the 1910 I may have to lean toward the 2215.

[cyclwestks]

One thing I would look at is how long you plan on keeping the device. Even though you don't forsee needing something, things can change quickly. I bought the 1940 simply for the extra ram & newer os, & come to find out I use the bluetooth all the time, & really appreciate the samsung processor. If I was looking for something to run me several years down the line, I'd definetly look at the 2215 over the 1910. But then again I haven't averaged more than 12-15 months with each PPC I've owned.

[ppcinfo]

I had an iPAQ 1910 and was perfectly happy with it, running the "ClearSpeed" application to boost the CPU speed of the device (really noticable when playing graphic games). Although the SD slot wasn't SDIO, it still could be used with SD storage cards.

Recently, I needed to upgrade to a device that had the Mobile 2003 OS (since I'm a Pocket PC software developer), so I went through a similar search as yourself. Size was feel was very important to me, especially after using the 1910. I narrowed my choices down to the 1940 and 2210, and ultimately went with the 1940 because it felt more solid in my hand (it had a metal case instead of the 2210 plastic case), and it was very compact.

Again, I was really happy with my 1910, and if HP offered a Mobile 2003 OS upgrade for that device, I probably would have kept the 1910 and installed the upgrade. My suggestion to you, is to go with the 1910 for now if you don't have a need for the Mobile 2003 OS and if you don't use any SDIO cards/devices. Then, next year buy something better that is cheaper and has more builtin features than the present devices.

Regards,

ppcinfo

[animlmed]

I thought the h1940 had a plastic case, like all of the other iPaqs?

[ppcinfo]

I thought the h1940 had a plastic case, like all of the other iPaqs?

You know, it might be plastic, but it sure feels like metal. The 2210 definitely feels like a plastic case (maybe because it feels lighter also).

ppcinfo

[Chris Spera]

goirish,

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you're asking us to talk you out of the 1910. If you've already made up your mind, there's not much you're going to find here that will change your mind.

However, consider this: the 1910 is a retired device. It is no longer being actively supported by updates, etc. by HP. It is a bargain device and has some very serious limitations (no expansion, not SDIO compatible, only 48(?)MB of 64MB of RAM available).

Cyclwestks makes a good point. If you plan to keep the device for longer than 12 months, the 2200 will be a better buy. It has 2 card slots, BlueTooth, SDIO compatibility, use of 56MB of 64MB of available RAM and a decent screen.

No, its not the screen on the 1910; but honestly, IMHO, the 1910's screen is the ONLY plus it has. I wouldn't get the 1910. I just don't think you're going to be happy with it 3-4 months from now.


Kind Regards,


Christopher Spera

[goirish!!]

goirish,

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you're asking us to talk you out of the 1910. If you've already made up your mind, there's not much you're going to find here that will change your mind.

I think you might be more right than you think. No matter which device I get my turn about is averaging <12.

EM500
Audiovox Maestro
Dell Ax5 Advanced
Compaq ??????

As far as you guys not changing my mind that is not entirely true. As you can see I've never had a Compaq for various reasons (price being a biggie), but I have always envied the screens that these devices have. The Dell was such an improvement over the Audiovox it was a no brainier and at the time I was torn between it and the 1910.

I've got a 256Mb SD so memory is not an issue. I want a GREAT screen. I've just found a screen comparison from a PPT review and there is a definite difference between the two units.

For $150 it's almost disposable if I don't like it. From what I've seen the upgrade to the 03 OS is not that much of an improvement so again a point for the 1910.

I really appreciate everyones thoughts and input. Regardless of my choice it does appear that I am about to join the ranks of the Compaq owners. :D