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.
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.