hp 41xx series

[pumadidas7]

I am new to ppc's. I have never owned one before and am thinking about getting one. I have been checking out the 4155 hp ipaq for $450. It comes with integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth®, IrDA. What I want to know is how exactly I will know if I will be able to get a connection where I live. I know that I can connect through my internet at my house, which is dial up, but if I am in town or even school, how do I know if some place has it or another doesnt. Also what is your guys opinon on this ppc. It will probably be a month or so before I will have money to buy it. Do you think prices may go down some when the ipaq 6000 comes out if it is even out by then? I really dont know what to expect. I have started reading reviews and looking at what my best buy would be. Please help by answering some of my questions.

[dangerousdave]

Some here have advised us that it is being discontinued http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24126 However, it appears to be a great unit from what all have said. Also, you can do better than $450. Check out mobileplanet.com and check out the $15 Audible mag subscription for a $50 discount. Other sites may have this deal also. Price with free shipping and no tax is $344 + $15 subsc. Dave

[Pat Logsdon]

I am new to ppc's. I have never owned one before and am thinking about getting one. I have been checking out the 4155 hp ipaq for $450. It comes with integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth®, IrDA. What I want to know is how exactly I will know if I will be able to get a connection where I live. I know that I can connect through my internet at my house, which is dial up, but if I am in town or even school, how do I know if some place has it or another doesnt.
Keep in mind that you'll need more hardware than just the 4150 and a dialup modem to get online. You can get online via the cradle, but you'll need a WiFi router or AP to get online wirelessly. You can also purchase a USB bluetooth dongle to get online via a bluetooth connection, but it will be slower than WiFi.

Also, the IrDA port on the 4150 is on the bottom of the unit and it is NOT consumer grade like most other iPaqs. I can connect it to my laptop (which has an IrDA port) but that's really too slow and unwieldy for internet purposes.

To answer your question about how you'll know if a hotspot is available - you'll basically just need to turn on your WiFi radio. WM 2003 comes with a built-in sniffer that will notify you if there's a wireless network available, and will let you connect if it's a) unprotected, or b) you have the logon and password, like you would at a commercial hotspot (like Starbucks).

Also what is your guys opinon on this ppc. It will probably be a month or so before I will have money to buy it. Do you think prices may go down some when the ipaq 6000 comes out if it is even out by then?
I have a 4150 and I love it. Best PPC I've ever had, everything's built-in, nice form factor and decent battery life. I have no idea if hp will drop the prices once the 6000 series comes out, but I do know that you can pick one up for around $400.

[JGRicci]

hp4150 is my first handheld device ever
and i absolutely love it
it's so small, and manuevable and applicable to just about everything i do! (im a college student)

wifi and bluetooth are cutting edge, and everyone is always tweeked out when i walk around campus streaming mp3's.

I can't imagine them being discontinued for any failures.. IT's been flawless for me thus far! so don't be weary of discontinues, just get a good deal on it, and you won't look back!

[rugerx]

Must agree, the 41xx is the best unit I have owned.

[Dave Potter]

I just traded up to a 4150 from a 1935 a few days ago.

Two observations:

1) The 4150 is the best PPC I have ever owned - without a doubt.
2) The 1935 actually compares pretty well against the 4150 (except for the integrated WiFi and Bluetooth). I was a bit surprised at how close they actuallty are. There is a difference - but the difference is not as great as I thought it would be.