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View Full Version : 4150 Initial Impressions From a Non-Techie


shawnc
12-07-2003, 06:21 PM
I realize I'm in the minority of "regulars" who visit this site, but I'm going to post my impressions on my new 4150. Granted, most of this stuff will seem like childs play to the majority of readers, there may be a few who will find some useful info. Also, please feel free to dispute anything listed as my lack of experience may be more to blame than any limitations with the machine. Here goes:

PRO's
Carrying case - This is, hands down, the best case I have seen included with a PDA. I hate ANYTHING cheap (I would rather receive a high-quality T-shirt than a cheap coat as a gift). I don't know what the material of the included case is, but it beats the heck out of the cheap leather/pleather cases that are normally included. Additionally, while nothing dresses up a PDA like a sexy Vaja case, they are designed to house the PDA while being used. Size is important to me (as I would think it would be to anyone who purchases the 4150) and any case adds size to the PDA. The case included with the 4155 is to protect the unit while being transported, not during use. I love it! And again, the material and construction is high-quality.

Screen - Typical ipaq. A side-by-side comparision with my X5 reveals a NOTICABLE difference. I will also list this as a con because of the well-documented yellow hue.

Form-factor - WOW! Though I prefer the squared bottom of the 2210, the 4150 blows away anything I have seen from either the PPC or Palm camp.

D-Pad - The feel of the 5-way nav pad is MUCH better than my X5. It is a joy to work with.

CONS
Buttons - I like the d-pad, but the other 4 buttons are a little small for my taste. Also, I would like it if they were closer to the bottom of the unit. It's tough to explain, but their position makes one-handed functionality a little difficult, at least for me anyway. However, this is a minor disadvantage.

Screen - I'm hoping for input here. I have heard that the yellow hue is barely noticable and that only extremists would notice/complain. That it is only noticable at the most extreme viewing angles. Well this is not the case with my unit. It is noticable at almost any angle that is not dead-on. Having said that, I don't find it to be that bad. though I would rather it was not an issue. Looking for input because I'm wondering if mine is so noticable because I have a defective unit.

Software - This could be due to my lack of technical expertise, but I find the included software suite to be overrated. And I REALLY miss the switcher bar from my X5. I have already dropped $10 on the SBP task bar. Though it appears to be money well spent, I would rather HP have included this basic functionality in a $400+ unit. I didn't find the iTask launcher very useful with my old 3650, and I don't find it very useful now. Also, I expected to see a pocket version of adobe. Maybe its there somewhere, but I can't find it.

Charging/Syncing - You can't sync without placing unit in the cradle and I don't know what the h*%& the attachment at the end of the charger is for.

Documentation - The included manual is not very descriptive or helpful. Why don't PPC manufacturers include a comprehensive user manual in .lit format so the neophyte can learn about the capabilities while using the PPC.

Wireless - It's probably to early to tell with this one but based on everything I had read I was hopeful that I would turn on the wireless function and it would pick-up my home 802.11g network automatically. That didn't happen and playing with wireless will probably be my last venture as the concept scare the HECK out of me.

Lastly, this has nothing to do with HP, but what the heck is up with activating MS Reader. Requires passport registration and I still can't open two ebooks (one of which I PAID for). It is this type of thing that causes such extreme feelings of dislike toward MS :evil: :evil: :evil: .

OK, back on topic. Assuming that I eventually get the wireless to work, this machine is SOOOOOO worth the money. I haven't been this excited about a new toy in years. It will definitely make parting with my X5 painless.

Sven Johannsen
12-07-2003, 08:43 PM
PRO's
Carrying case
Well, your the first. Glad you like it. I find it too soft, which lets you turn on the device and press the screen while carrying. That sort of thing has darn near drained the battery on several PPCs with that sort of case.
Form-factor
No arguments here. Be nice if it had a CF slot, and both WiFi and BT. I'd even take that in a 2215 form.
CONS
Screen
You need to look at some other 4150s. I really don't find the yellow noticable, though many do. If they all look the same to you, then it is probably a personal sensitivity to the yellow. I don't know if some are actually worse than others.
Software
I like the fact that iTask is alloted a button. You know it is very configurable don't you? Check in the control panels. Adobe Reader is a free download from Adobe for PPCs. It never excites me for an OEM to provide as a "Bonus", what I can get for free online. I like it even less when they provide a trial version of software.
Charging/Syncing -
Maybe not with what it comes with, but there are gobs of sync and charge cables around. The lil-sync ones are real convinient for travel. Especially when you add a USB connectered AC or car charger. The adapter you speak of? You aren't taking about the one that fits onto the AC charger so you can charge it off the cradle are you?
Documentation
Search your CD for either a .lit or .pdf. Don't recall which one is on there. That's as good a manual as any of them have. Odd thing here is that there are two pieces, WM2003, the OS, which is an MS thing, who should provide a decent OS manual, and the HP hardware which also should be documented. My first HP, the 540 actually came with two print manuals. One on Win CE and one on the PPC. Guess that succumbed to the price competition.
Wireless
The WiFi on the 4155 is 802.11b. Is your setup backward compatible?

Overall, you seem happy with your purchase. I'm happy for you. I like mine too.

shawnc
12-07-2003, 09:27 PM
Carrying case
Well, your the first. Glad you like it. I find it too soft, which lets you turn on the device and press the screen while carrying. That sort of thing has darn near drained the battery on several PPCs with that sort of case.


I hear ya, and my impressions may change after a few weeks, but man I love this case.


No arguments here. Be nice if it had a CF slot, and both WiFi and BT. I'd even take that in a 2215 form.

Whew, are you tough :wink: . Actually, no CF was a selling point for me. I have dual slots on my Axim and never use the CF. I wanted the smallest form-factor possible. The integrated wireless made it a no-brainer for me.


You need to look at some other 4150s. I really don't find the yellow noticable, though many do. If they all look the same to you, then it is probably a personal sensitivity to the yellow. I don't know if some are actually worse than others.

Thanx for the advice.


I like the fact that iTask is alloted a button. You know it is very configurable don't you? Check in the control panels. Adobe Reader is a free download from Adobe for PPCs. It never excites me for an OEM to provide as a "Bonus", what I can get for free online. I like it even less when they provide a trial version of software.


I saw that iTask is configurable. I just don't find it very useful. Again, could be my inexperience. My goal with this PPC is to try and get comfortable with EVERY feature, then decide which ones are most useful. I think I tend to work with only those that I have become comfortable with. One of the disadvantages of not being very technical.


The WiFi on the 4155 is 802.11b. Is your setup backward compatible?

I thought all 802.11b/g was backward compatible. I didn't realize I needed to do anything special with my setup. I thought it was automatic. But I'll play with this when I get up the nerve.


Overall, you seem happy with your purchase. I'm happy for you. I like mine too.

So far I'm estatic. As far as I can tell, the only thing that will dull my enthusiasm will be an inability to get wireless to work.

CESkins
12-07-2003, 11:23 PM
Charging/Syncing - You can't sync without placing unit in the cradle and I don't know what the h*%& the attachment at the end of the charger is for.
The adapter at the end of the power cord is to allow for charging the 415x when it is not in the cradle. Just attach it to the tip of the power cord and then plug the power cable with adapter into the bottom of the 415x. That's it. I have stopped using the cradle for syncing and charging as it is difficult to align the connector with the PDA and I fear breaking something if I push to hard while trying to align the two. The 2215 cradle has guides that allow for proper allignment of the cradle & PDA connectors. Why guides were omitted from the 415x cradle beats the heck out of me. I now use the adpater mentioned above that comes with the power cable for charging the PDA (I also have a Sync-n-Go cable that I can also use) and Bluetooth for synchronization (I use the 100 ft range BT adapter from Belkin)

shawnc
12-07-2003, 11:39 PM
Thanx CESkins. I had actually figured it out prior to my wife taking it from me :evil: (she actually let me play with it much longer than I expected since it is supposed to be a xmas gift).

I agree that it is difficult to insert the unit in the cradle. It felt like I was going to damage something. I'll probably get one of those dual sync/charge cables after xmas.

Thanx for the info.

dh
12-08-2003, 01:45 AM
No arguments here. Be nice if it had a CF slot, and both WiFi and BT. I'd even take that in a 2215 form.
I wonder if HP intend to develop the 2215 model? If it ever has WiFi and 128MB, I'd be an HP guy right away.

Trouble is, HP are becoming the Sony of the PPC world, bring out a bunch of new form factors, non of which really seem to have quite the right features.

jeasher
12-08-2003, 07:50 AM
[quote=shawnc]Charging/Syncing - ...and Bluetooth for synchronization (I use the 100 ft range BT adapter from Belkin)

Is your adapter a PC card or USB?

CESkins
12-08-2003, 08:52 AM
jeasher the BT adapter is USB.

jeasher
12-08-2003, 09:13 AM
jeasher the BT adapter is USB.

Is there anything wrong with getting a bluetooth PC card? Known issues? I just thought it would be better so I can leave it in my laptop all the time.

Bluetooth noob here.

:iamwithstupid: