Confessions Of A Reluctant Upgrader

[Brad Adrian]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcaddict.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1530' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcaddict.com/modul...iewtopic&t=1530</a><br /><br /></div>What happens when an iPAQ 3635 (OS2000) owner finally decides to make the leap to a new Dell Axim x3i 2003 device? Hantra over at PocketPCAddict.com finally did a serious upgrade of his toys and has put together some of his thoughts. What I like about Hantra's perspective is that he describes how dramatic the change has been for him, since he moved from the very first Pocket PC operating system directly to the most modern one. <br /><br />It's clear that it's been a double-edged sword for him though:<br /><br />"The one bad thing about the Dell is the WAF (wife acceptance factor). It seems that I am CONSTANTLY online now. I never used to take the Wifi laptop to bed, but with the Dell, it is easy to just surf myself to sleep."<br /><br />Be sure to read all of his comments and his unique ideas for testing just how "boxy" the x3i is. ;)

[Philip Colmer]

I'm hoping to make a similar change around February. I've currently got an iPAQ 3660, although it has been upgraded to the 2002 OS.

I had a chance to play with the X3 Advanced a little bit over Christmas - we'd bought one as a present for someone :wink: and it is very fast compared to the iPAQ.

I'm now looking forward even more to getting the X3 :)

--Philip

[PocketPC Addict]

Hi Brad, just a small correction...the article is by Hantra, not me. Between you being named Brad, and me being named Brad, it's easy to get mixed up... :lol:

But after reading Hantra's thoughts on the subject, I wish I did have one of those Dells ;) AND one of those machines to test aerodynamics 8)

[corphack]

never used to take the Wifi laptop to bed, but with the Dell, it is easy to just surf myself to sleep."]

Ahh, but has the wife caught him surfing the web from the toilet yet?

[SeanH]

I am one of those iPAQ 3650 users right on the edge upgrading to a new PDA. The iPAQ 3650 is about 3 ½ years old now. When I bought I picked up a 1GB IBM Microdrive and made a really thin sleeve. www.mbu.com/ipaq/ About two years ago I picked up a CF WiFi card. The only problem I have with the current iPAQ is the built in battery. I can not justify spend $100+ on a new battery when new PDA’s are so cheap.

I am still waiting for the Perfect PDA with these features.
400MHz PXA255 or better
128MB SDRAM
4” 480X640 Display
WiFi
Bluetooth (this is the year for Bluetooth)
SDIO (with a 1GB SD card)
And the form factor of the HP 4150

The e805 has all those features except Bluetooth and its larger then the 4150. The 4150 has all those features except it only has 64MB of memory and a 3.5” 240x320 display. Soon a PDA will be out will all those features.

Sean

[David Prahl]

I'm working on a review of the X3i this week - expect a big review in the next two weeks! :)

[Jeff Song]

I am one of those iPAQ 3650 users right on the edge upgrading to a new PDA. The iPAQ 3650 is about 3 ½ years old now. When I bought I picked up a 1GB IBM Microdrive and made a really thin sleeve. www.mbu.com/ipaq/ About two years ago I picked up a CF WiFi card. The only problem I have with the current iPAQ is the built in battery. I can not justify spend $100+ on a new battery when new PDA’s are so cheap.

I am still waiting for the Perfect PDA with these features.
400MHz PXA255 or better
128MB SDRAM
4” 480X640 Display
WiFi
Bluetooth (this is the year for Bluetooth)
SDIO (with a 1GB SD card)
And the form factor of the HP 4150

The e805 has all those features except Bluetooth and its larger then the 4150. The 4150 has all those features except it only has 64MB of memory and a 3.5” 240x320 display. Soon a PDA will be out will all those features.

Sean

You won't get a 4" screen with the form factor of a 4150 though.

[Janak Parekh]

Hi Brad, just a small correction...the article is by Hantra, not me. Between you being named Brad, and me being named Brad, it's easy to get mixed up... :lol:
Fixed. :)

--janak

[bleeman]

I was a 3635 user and upgraded to the 3835 awhile back. This year "Mrs. Claus" gave me a 5555 for Christmas (It doesn't arrive until Friday though :( ). I mention this for two reasons. One it can use the same sleeves as your 36xx systems as most of you know, and more important she got this for me off the HP Outlet Site, http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/generic_store/generic_landing_view.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1533781230.1072917629@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccejadckfljimgdcfngcfkmdflldfjk.0&landing=outlet_store, for $421!! They're having a Red Tag sale right now and the 5555's are going for $467, but she's a student and HP's Academic Purchase Program works on their Outlet site too hence the $421 price.

I had been saving for a 4155 as I couldn't justify the $649 for a 5555 although I lusted :twisted: for one as I wanted the 128mb, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and the backward compatability with my accessories. Even without the Academic pricing, I think the extra $18 over the retail price of the 4155 is worth it. Yes, the 4155 is lighter and smaller, but if you're already used to the larger 36xx size you might want to check this out.

[cpoole]

I have a Ipaq 3670 (almost 3 years old) and have been thinking about doing an upgrade. The Ipaq still works great, mostly because of the 3 year warranty I bought with the computer. After seeing the new Toshiba 8xx series, I am really getting excited about an upgrade, it has all I want in a PocketPC except that it needs a few hacks to make it work right (such as the high res screen). Is this really the right way to go... expecting to use a machine for 3 years and hoping that the hacks will survive that long?

And when reinstalling all the software... I assume that some will not make it back on but how good is everyone at keeping all those old registration keys? I now email myself my registration keys, many are already in email since they were bought over the web but even with a store bought one, I will email myself the key and drop it into a "registration" folder. Just make sure that autoarchive is turned off for that folder!!!

[SeanH]

You won't get a 4" screen with the form factor of a 4150 though.
With less of a shroud around the display I think it’s possible. If it does not fit HP can add a 1/10 of a inch to make it fit. The e805 is a big PDA compared to the 4150. The e805 has a CF slot that makes it a little larger. With BT and WiFi built in I do not see a need for a CF slot or a sleeve. All the old devices we used to use a sleeve for will be replaced with BT except PMCIA or ext. CF storage. A 1GB SD card will work fine for that.

Sean