Refurbished NEC MobilePro 780 from $279.99

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=235874/ut=44938f58ff38847b' target='_blank'>http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabbe...4938f58ff38847b</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://ai.pricegrabber.com/product_images/235000-235999/235874_125.jpg" /> "Designed for people who need to travel light, who are on the job even when not at their desks, and who perform best when they stay in touch. Introducing the MobilePro 780 Handheld PC! This Handheld PC Companion is a communications platform, productivity station and presentation tool for mobile professionals. At under two pounds and just 1.1" thin, it provides instant access to e-mail, business applications, contact files and the Internet. Back in the office, you can synchronize the MobilePro™ 780 with your desktop or notebook PC. The MobilePro 780 sports a peppy 168MHz NEC VR4121 processor, 32MB RAM, 640x240 64K color display, and a built in 56K modem. The list of bundled software is huge and includes many of the best CE applications available. You’ll discover that the MobilePro 780 Handheld PC offers demanding mobile users a portable solution for quick and easy email and Internet access!"<br /><br />I know there are some HPC fans out there, so if you've been looking for an excuse to pick up one for cheap, this is it - $279.99 USD is a steal for a device that originally sold at over $800 USD. HPC make great devices for students as well. [Affiliate]

[dmacburry2003]

This device is GREAAAAT! It is fast AND has a TON of included programs.

The only think I don't like is that there is only a mono earpiece/microphone, it has no stereo output. It does have good sound quality through the speaker (loud, too) and through the earpiece.

The keyboard is also VERY easy to type on. Its great.

I highly recommend it :D

[ojleblanc]

I read that this device has USB. Does that mean one can connect it to a USB printer and use it essentially as a low-end laptop?

[Jason Dunn]

I read that this device has USB. Does that mean one can connect it to a USB printer and use it essentially as a low-end laptop?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but no, I don't think so. The USB would be for synchronizing.

[dmacburry2003]

I read that this device has USB. Does that mean one can connect it to a USB printer and use it essentially as a low-end laptop?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but no, I don't think so. The USB would be for synchronizing.

Nope Jason, your wrong about that too :twisted:

I had the 880, the model with the USB (same exact thing, bigger screen; and the 780 may or may not have USB, let me check). The only thing I could use the USB for was a mouse (it is a host, don't believe slave came out untill the 900; I always used an optical mouse with it because the stylus broke and I didn't want to scratch the screen (not too many protectors big enough)). There are no other drivers to be found (I searched and searched) except for a specific USB floppy driver driver. You might have to request drivers on you own to use other devices except for a mouse.

Alrighty, then?


Edit: The 780 can only sync via serial (slow 115K, or quick 4 MBps infrared).

Edit #2: Nope, sorry :( I don't even think it supports USB. This was offered on the 880 because it was a bit bigger and more for enterprise (I read that somewhere). You can check the specs here (http://support.necsam.com/mobilesolutions/hardware/Handhelds/mobilepro780/)

[Hal Goldstein]

&lt;I know there are some HPC fans out there, so if you've been looking for an excuse to pick up one for cheap, this is it - $279.99 USD is a steal for a device that originally sold at over $800 USD. HPC make great devices for students as well. [Affiliate]

Wow we Thaddeus Computing at www.usedhandhelds.com have been selling the NEC 780 for months at $295. How's this for an offer:

When you order from UsedHandhelds.com and in Comment field state: "Pocket PC Thoughts discussion price", we'll sell it to you for $250. Note that we have an unconditional 30-day return policy. If you don't like it you can send it back.

Hal Goldstein
CEO Thaddeus Computing
Publisher, Pocket PC magazine, UsedHandhelds.com
[email protected]

[element]

&lt;I know there are some HPC fans out there, so if you've been looking for an excuse to pick up one for cheap, this is it - $279.99 USD is a steal for a device that originally sold at over $800 USD. HPC make great devices for students as well. [Affiliate]

Wow we Thaddeus Computing at www.usedhandhelds.com have been selling the NEC 780 for months at $295. How's this for an offer:

When you order from UsedHandhelds.com and in Comment field state: "Pocket PC Thoughts discussion price", we'll sell it to you for $250. Note that we have an unconditional 30-day return policy. If you don't like it you can send it back.

Hal Goldstein
CEO Thaddeus Computing
Publisher, Pocket PC magazine, UsedHandhelds.com
[email protected]


Great, does this mean PPCT is going to become a posting board for used stuff?

[Jason Dunn]

Great, does this mean PPCT is going to become a posting board for used stuff?

Nope. I've posted a couple of refurbished offers from Pricegrabber over the past month just because they seemed like a cheap way to get hardware, and some people don't mind getting a used item to save some $$$.

Don't worry, this won't turn into Garage Sale Thoughts. ;-)

[element]

I LOVE it! That made me laugh. Thanks.

[palmsolo]

Thanks Hal, now you have me thinking what gear I can sell to pick up one of the 780s. I am a big keyboard/thumboard fan and would love to pick one of these up for mobile writing. I have to check around some more and see what software is available for it and what the old reviews said about the unit. I may be ordering from you real soon :D

[palmsolo]

What can you use for WiFi on this device? Can you get a Bluetooth CF card and get connected to your cell phone for mobile communications? Are there any good sites for Handheld PCs or this model that you recommend I check out? Thanks for any guidance.

[MaximumPDA]

Wow, that’s a generous offer from Hal, if I didn’t already have a Jornada 720 I would jump all over that. I really wish there were more Handheld form factor devices, I really like them. The larger screens and keyboard are great!


--bill

[Jonathon Watkins]

Don't worry, this won't turn into Garage Sale Thoughts. ;-)
Why not? One more step towards the empire! :wink:

Pitty the HPC concept has pretty much died. I really hope that mystery iPAQ with with folding keyboard gets made. :?

[felixdd]

What can you use for WiFi on this device? Can you get a Bluetooth CF card and get connected to your cell phone for mobile communications? Are there any good sites for Handheld PCs or this model that you recommend I check out? Thanks for any guidance.

Check these out:
http://www.cewindows.net/peripherals/cfwirelesslan.htm
http://www.cewindows.net/peripherals/pccardwirelesslan.htm

The MP 780 runs CE 2.11

[Sven Johannsen]

All, be aware this is CE 2.0. Probably some software out there for it but not to the extent there is for the PPC. The 780 is huge. I'm looking at mine. 10x5x1 Inch closed. I use it as a terminal with vxHPC and it is wonderful for that, and much smaller and lighter than any laptop, and easier to read and type on than any PPC.

It has no USB, sync is via serial. I have sync'd (sunk) it with AS 3.71 in case anyone cares. Does have a CF and PCCard slot. As far as WiFi or any other card, if you can find CE 2 drivers, I'm sure it will work.

I think for most it would be a collectors item, unless you have a real specific need as I did.

Got mine from Overstock BTW. Will never do business with them again. Their concept of refurbished/reconditioned is very different from mine and what they indicate on their site. I got the unit and a charger wrapped in bubblewrap in a box. That is it. No sync cable, no VGA cable (which was a standard item), absolutely nothing else. It was what I would have expected from an individual seller, not a company. I would have sent it back but I wanted one, and the return shipping and restock fee would have just added to the price of getting it somewhere else. Still I had to spend another $30 on a sync cable just to use it for what I bought it for.

[ojleblanc]

I found this in the MobilePro manual regarding printing capabilities:

"Windows CE provides printing capability using Hewlett-
Packard (HP) PCL Level 3 and compatible printing devices
that support serial or infrared connection. Using the
serial cable or infrared transfer you can print a variety of
high-quality documents directly from MobilePro including: [list of Pocket applications]."

Anyone connect it to an HP Deskjet successfully?

[Mitch D]

What can you use for WiFi on this device? Can you get a Bluetooth CF card and get connected to your cell phone for mobile communications? Are there any good sites for Handheld PCs or this model that you recommend I check out? Thanks for any guidance.

Check these out:
http://www.cewindows.net/peripherals/cfwirelesslan.htm
http://www.cewindows.net/peripherals/pccardwirelesslan.htm

The MP 780 runs CE 2.11

Well this answers my question, think I might just order me one to go with my X3i...

[Mitch D]

&lt;I know there are some HPC fans out there, so if you've been looking for an excuse to pick up one for cheap, this is it - $279.99 USD is a steal for a device that originally sold at over $800 USD. HPC make great devices for students as well. [Affiliate]

Wow we Thaddeus Computing at www.usedhandhelds.com have been selling the NEC 780 for months at $295. How's this for an offer:

When you order from UsedHandhelds.com and in Comment field state: "Pocket PC Thoughts discussion price", we'll sell it to you for $250. Note that we have an unconditional 30-day return policy. If you don't like it you can send it back.

Hal Goldstein
CEO Thaddeus Computing
Publisher, Pocket PC magazine, UsedHandhelds.com
[email protected]

Thanks for the deal Hal, my order will be going in on monday... :D

[felixdd]

I found this in the MobilePro manual regarding printing capabilities:

"Windows CE provides printing capability using Hewlett-
Packard (HP) PCL Level 3 and compatible printing devices
that support serial or infrared connection. Using the
serial cable or infrared transfer you can print a variety of
high-quality documents directly from MobilePro including: [list of Pocket applications]."

Anyone connect it to an HP Deskjet successfully?

Not from a MP780, but I did so with my Intermec 6651, which runs CE 3.0. I printed via IR to a HP printer.

The MP780 uses CE 2.11, but AFAIK nothing changed in terms of printing support.

[Palmguy]

I had a 750c and a 770, and loved them both! Great deal there...

[bradolson]

There is also a link that will give you $20 off $250 at Overstock.com, lowering your price to $259.99:

$20 off $250 (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=9QJsOJOFr30&offerid=50897.10000101&type=4&subid=0)

It looks like an affiliate link, but that is the only way I could find to use the coupon.

[Mitch D]

There is also a link that will give you $20 off $250 at Overstock.com, lowering your price to $259.99:

$20 off $250 (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=9QJsOJOFr30&offerid=50897.10000101&type=4&subid=0)

It looks like an affiliate link, but that is the only way I could find to use the coupon.

:?: Sounds like to much hassle to me, plus we are supporting a member (so to speak) by purchasing from usedhandhelds.com.

[Venturello]

What OS does this device has? It is not 2000, right? Sure for this price it is VERY, VERY tempting...

[jet8810]

must fight temptation...I would really love to buy one and get a PCMCIA WiFi card and use this as a cheap man's laptop...

OH WAIT! I don't have $250 to spend anyway! lol...

[amexman]

there are about 6 of these 780's on EBay for $150.

[xoiph]

I agree with amexman, eBay is the way to go. Just remember this has a pretty bad DSTN Passive Matrix screen that might take some getting used to.

[Tom W.M.]

I love my 780! I was really, really lucky and spotted one for $100 on eBay—no sync or VGA cables, and lots of aesthetic scratches. Still a great deal.

It's very useful for me as a student—the keyboard is great. It's really easy to type on, though the arrow key placement takes some getting used to. And there is also a row of keys along the top for launching the ROMed apps. With HiPKeys (http://www.onhiatus.com/Software/HiP Keys.html) you can create [Win]+ shortcuts so that you never have to pull out the stylus to open an app.

As for the screen: no, it isn't the greatest screen ever. But (unlike the Clio's screen) in remains readable in sunlight. Motion blur ("artifacting") is the biggest problem—you wouldn't want to watch video on this device much (it's a pain to get it working anyway—the E10x version of PocketMVP runs, but video won't display, though PocketTV runs well). The redeming factor here is the size. The 8" screen is big. Text is very easy to read—uBook can display two columns for a wonderful reading experience.

[Candygogo]

there are about 6 of these 780's on EBay for $150.

I ordered one for a little less than that from ebay and should be getting it either today or tommorow. I love my HP690, but was really sold on the keboard size of the MP780--I'd be able to do more on the road typing on that.

Now, will it fit inside my soon to arrive Podzilla?! 8O

[Hyestar]

I have had my 780 for two months now, and it has been nothing short of spectacular. Everything from word processing to wireless internet!

The best part of it all? $119 shipped. Ebay! Everything came with it, it is in MINT condition and the battery holds its charge for around 7 hours straight.

I understand that some people dont like the fact that it is bigger than the usual PDA, however, I think of it more as a LAPTOP then a PDA. After all, what PDA has a full keyboard that is SO much like a regular keyboard that you hardly notice the differance.

I have found many game programs, business and utility programs also. I have around 50 MP3s and 5 ebooks on my Mobilepro 780. For storage I purchased a 256MB CF card. Even with all the stuff I have put on my 780, I still have around 100 MB of storage left! The screen is bright and crisp. I have read some peoples reviews saying the screen isnt that great. I couldnt disagree more!

In closing Ill say this: If you dont have to have the smallest unit with you, get this machine. It kicks ass! It amazes me when I take it out on an airplane and EVERYONE around me looks at it, like its some futuristic thing! Get used to people asking you: "What IS that?!" and WOW that is a really small laptop! Its kinda funny. :)

Corey

[Tom W.M.]

Hyestar,
What do you think of the web browser? I haven't seriously considered setting my 780 for web browsing because the browser is simpy obsolete. Did you find a better one? I know that I am far more aware of the capabilities of web browsers than the average user, being into web design, but it seems to me that even the average user would become frustrated by the inability of IE 3.01 to fully display just about any modern web site that makes use of CSS or PNG images. (Of course, 95% of people use the lousy IE 6, so I souldn't be too surprised :? )

[Tom W.M.]

Update!

It's now selling for $200 at UsedHandhelds.com (http://www.usedhandhelds.com/store/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=179&cat=28&ph=&keywords=&recor=1&SearchFor=&PT_ID=1).