Why SHOULDN'T i buy a 4150?

[shark-e]

Currently I'm an owner of a well worn, but much loved 3850. I upgraded it to PPC 2003, but I've found I really would benefit from wifi and bluetooth connectivity. So I though about 4150 - nice balance between cost and features.....


...but before I part with my hardearned cash is there anything I should be aware of or other IPAQs i should consider

[Don't Panic!]

The HP2215 (http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/product_detail/product_detail_view.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0784890015.1082121524@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccejadclfeedgmjcfngcfkmdfondfgg.0&landing=null&category=handhelds&subcat1=handhelds&product_code=FA159A%238ZP&catLevel=3) works well with a bluetooth phone and you could get either an SD or CF Wi-Fi solution and still have one or the other slots available for data. Voicestream is in the works to offer the HP6300 (http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page748.html) series a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM/GPRS converged iPAQ (http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page746.html) sometime soon also. But over all I prefer the convienience of two card slots in one device myself. So even though the 2215 doesn't have the built in Wi-Fi it's my recommendation. At least until the ASUS 730 (http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=1958) comes out.

[hang5lngbd]

The only caveat that I have found to the 4150 is the slight yellow hue that the screen has when viewing it at a slight angle. It doesn't bother me anymore, but it was a bit disconcerting the first couple of days of use. Looking at it straight on the display is perfect, but when viewing at a slight angle you can see the yellowing that takes place.
Here's a short video to show you the yellowing. I show you the normal viewing angle, then rotate through the slight yellowing to the bad yellowing (one wouldn't operate it at this angle anyway)
ftp://daleonline.com/4150.wmv
Hope this helps you in your decision.
The yellowing is a very small matter on a great device. built-in WiFi is awesome!
I had a WiFiCF card for my 2210, but I didn't use it very often because I didn't want to lug around a separate card "just-in-case" I got to a spot with WiFi.

[Kowalski]

i would wait for asus a730 too because it will be the most advanced device up to the date. and i dont think that there will be real comperators for a couple of mounhts.

[Wiggster]

Since we're so close to WM2003 and VGA in devices, I think it's worth waiting just a little longer for the next cycle of models (or for the new OS in the current models). Show that 3850 how much you love it and hold tight for a few months :wink:

[wizardmaster2k]

I have a 1945, and the size of the unit is a big concern to me. the ipaq 4150 is just as small as the 1945 IMO, and it has faster cpu, wifi/bt, standard headphone slot, ect. It is a really nice devise because of all the beef you get in such a small size. If having a big display and vga is important, then prepair for a bigger devise. what i would do, if you want the 4150 cause size+features=good, is wait till the next gen comes out. the price of the unit will most likely go down and will be a good buy.

(if only it had consumer IR and Nevo... damn would be sweet)

[shawnc]

I LOVE my 4150, but have to agree with Wiggy. With VGA and new enhancements right around the corner, I think I'd wait.

[L.Rentz]

I agree, I love my 4150 but I think I would wait a little for the new vga devices.

[Ripper014]

Like everyone else I would suggest waiting for the next generation of devices... they should include more of everything. It should also drive the price of the existing units down.

[Jeff Rutledge]

Add one more vote for "wait for VGA." 8)

[Wiggster]

I LOVE my 4150, but have to agree with Wiggy. With VGA and new enhancements right around the corner, I think I'd wait.

I have to agree with Shawn agreeing with me. I love my roommate's 4155, it's a wonderful device. But it'd be so much better with VGA, or even WM2k3SE.

[outdoor]

people always say "hey vga is almost coming out! wait for it!"... this is true, but ask yourself, will you buy this device right away once its released in the market?? Remember all new handheld's price is at the peak at first, and gradually comes down (before you even know it). In addition, buying a new released handheld could be risky, as first-buyers are the 'guniea pig' ... it's cool to have new gadgets, but there may be a lot of bugs, incompatiblities (wait for a while before all software supports new technology on your pda)...


if you thought about this stuff it will make you wait even longer to buy a new handheld. 8O i bought my 4150 just over a month and a half, and didn't regret of buying it too late. besides, there's already an abundance of help topics in case you're stuck with a problem. ;)


just my 2 cents.......

[Trimac20]

VGA? Big deal. I don't really rank it high on my requirements for purchasing a PPC. Anyway, go for the 4350 for several reasons: integrataed thumpad/keypad (trust me, it is VERY useful) which in many cases also allows you to navigate your PPC WITHOUT the use of a stylus very handy. Then there's the better screen: brighter, no 'yellow tint'. And of course the best part of the battery lasts at least 2 hours longer. Especially useful for Wi-Fing. What's more you'll hardly notice the extra size. Now if only it could be used as a phone...

[mdavidm]

VGA? Big deal. I don't really rank it high on my requirements for purchasing a PPC.

I agree. The screen on the 41/43 series is very good anyway. I opted for the 4150 and am extremely pleased. It is by far the best PDA I have ever owned. The flexibility to use WiFi and/or BT is wonderful, providing me with connectivity almost anywhere I go. Even better, I bought my unit slightly used in excellent condition on eBay for only $255!

[mattp]

Don't forget also to consider your price point. While the A730 mentioned above will be the new top-of-the-line, pricing hasn't come in yet and indications are that it will be around $550. Last I checked a new 4150 could be had for $350-$400. For alot of people, the A730's faster processor, integrated camera, and VGA will be more than worth it. But, for others, it won't be necessary.

[JGRicci]

i'm sick of integrated cameras on every damn device!!#$

[mdlsimpson]

VGA is a great option but on a device as small as the 1945/4100 series it will be much more difficult to read because of the smaller font size.... I know you can adjust font size on the new VGA devices but to take advantage of the VGA ability, your screen will have to be at least as large as the Toshiba 800 series or the iPaq 5500 series... and it is still too small for my 40 yr old eyes....
I will be happy with a 4100 series size device with 320x320 or 320x480 resolution vs the 320x240 currently on PPC.... :D

[Zack Mahdavi]

Since we're so close to WM2003 and VGA in devices, I think it's worth waiting just a little longer for the next cycle of models (or for the new OS in the current models). Show that 3850 how much you love it and hold tight for a few months :wink:

I agree... besides that, however, the iPaq 4155 is a great handheld. I love mine.. I have no complaints whatsoever.

[Gavin Henriques]

people always say "hey vga is almost coming out! wait for it!"... this is true, but ask yourself, will you buy this device right away once its released in the market?? Remember all new handheld's price is at the peak at first, and gradually comes down (before you even know it). In addition, buying a new released handheld could be risky, as first-buyers are the 'guniea pig' ... it's cool to have new gadgets, but there may be a lot of bugs, incompatiblities (wait for a while before all software supports new technology on your pda)...

I agree with this. We still do not know when the new devices will be released. There are bound to be bugs with the new hardware and the new software. The 4150 is tried and true. Also, it will be upgradeable. It really is a great, dependable and pocketable device!

[mdavidm]

This is an age-old debate - whether to buy now or wait until the next generation arrives. I started in the computer business selling Apple II machines back in 1980, and the same debate constantly raged back then.

I have a solution! I choose the device I want to own. Within about a month of release, somebody who bought one decides they wish they hadn't, and chooses to sell it on eBay. Further, they are stupid in the way they write the title and description on eBay, and no one notices it is for sale except for me. I buy it at the last second and own the latest and greatest for a very low cost! I bought my h1940 for $115 last year, turned around and sold it a few months later for almost $200, and bought my h4150 for $250 with additional accessories!

So those of you who want to wait and buy the next generation, go ahead while I enjoy my h4150. When you decide you need some money to pay the electric bill after paying too much for your next-generation iPAQ, I'll gladly take it off your hands for half the price you paid!

Have fun!
David

[juni]

mdavidm: Funny :D

I'm quite pleased with the device I have at the moment, but as soon as something new and shiny comes out I will start desiring it. Early adopter hell. :drool:

[Ryan Joseph]

I have a solution! I choose the device I want to own. Within about a month of release, somebody who bought one decides they wish they hadn't, and chooses to sell it on eBay. Further, they are stupid in the way they write the title and description on eBay, and no one notices it is for sale except for me. I buy it at the last second and own the latest and greatest for a very low cost!

Amen! It's good to see others practicing the same technique. I've been doing this for years. It's how I get all my new devices. eBay is great and if you know how to navigate and search, you can get some real steals! :mrgreen:

[Zack Mahdavi]

I have a solution! I choose the device I want to own. Within about a month of release, somebody who bought one decides they wish they hadn't, and chooses to sell it on eBay. Further, they are stupid in the way they write the title and description on eBay, and no one notices it is for sale except for me. I buy it at the last second and own the latest and greatest for a very low cost!

Amen! It's good to see others practicing the same technique. I've been doing this for years. It's how I get all my new devices. eBay is great and if you know how to navigate and search, you can get some real steals! :mrgreen:

Yup! I try to do this too... it's quite successful.

[SOS]

I love my 4150 and I've had no issues with it.

You could wait for a new VGA ppc, but be prepared to shell out more $$$. Also, as soon as you finally buy your vga ppc, within a few months something even better is going to come out.

I thought about waiting too, but then I decided to just go for the 4150 and be done with it. I'm very happy and I'm not looking back.

[Mark Johnson]

I have a 1945, and the size of the unit is a big concern to me. the ipaq 4150 is just as small as the 1945 IMO, and it has faster cpu, wifi/bt...


I'm with you on this one. I really don't want anything bigger than my 1910, but I'd really like VGA. I'm guessing that the 4155 will have a VGA sibling in May/June. The 1910 is 4.4 oz and the 4155 is 4.9 and I wouldn't mind the slightly larger 4100 series size if I get VGA...

[Mark Johnson]

...within a few months something even better is going to come out.


You know I used to completely agree with that kind of sentiment - just expect that you will always want the next thing in a few months so just bite the bullet and buy it. But after I got my 1910 I finally had something sufficently small to keep on me "at all times" and the idea of trying to have a e800 in my jeans pocket is a joke. So for me the "universe of buyable PPCs" is now defined by the size of the 1900 series, and that means there's been nothing even close to tempting me since December of 2002 when I got my 1910.

I'm actually sad about that. I feel like innovation has stopped. Microsoft has really hurt themselves becuase even people like me who were "fanatical early-adopters" now are bored with the releases.

So long story short, I've actually (over years) come to the point where I disagree with the sentiment that you should just accept that you'll always want the next item. I think PPC has "matured" to the point where you can expect to hold onto a device for a couple of years without there being any compelling reason to switch. I'm guessing when I get my VGA 4100 series sometime this summer I'll have it for two years...

[Janak Parekh]

So for me the "universe of buyable PPCs" is now defined by the size of the 1900 series, and that means there's been nothing even close to tempting me since December of 2002 when I got my 1910.
How about the Asus A730? Reports suggest it's about the size of the 19xx devices, but just a bit thicker.

--janak

[BanjoFrog]

Sorry if I've missed this in FAQs, but will HP be releasing an update to install WM2k3SE on current iPaqs?

[Janak Parekh]

Sorry if I've missed this in FAQs, but will HP be releasing an update to install WM2k3SE on current iPaqs?
There is currently no official statement on this. We're all waiting.

--janak

[BanjoFrog]

Ah, ok. Maybe if we all wrote to HP :)

Another question about waiting vs. buying now... It seems to me a higher resolution/VGA screen should take more power than the current 240x320 screens. Unless maybe they switch to OLED, which seems to be about a year out from mainstream. And if we wait a year, we're talking about WinCE 5.0 timeframe, right?

[Duddy]

I am also waiting for the 730 to be released. I love my h2210 but I need built in wifi AND two free expansion slots. :mrgreen:

I really like emulation on my iPAQ but the buttons on the h2210 are too small and hard to press. On the other hand, the 4150s button's are just right for gaming. This is the reason I almost bought a 4150. Then I learned that it did not have Consumer Infra-Red nor Nevo. That was a huge turn off and I decided to wait for a VGA device under $500.

[shark-e]

Well I'm blown away by the response to my post....really appreciate the advice given.

Finally I decided to go ahead and buy the 4150. I was swayed by it's small size, VGA was not that much of a consideration......and my boss offered to pay for it!!! Couldn't really say no.

I've had it now for just over a week and I love it...as god as my trusted 3850, and some.

[Zack Mahdavi]

Finally I decided to go ahead and buy the 4150. I was swayed by it's small size, VGA was not that much of a consideration......and my boss offered to pay for it!!! Couldn't really say no.

Well, you made an excellent decision! Have fun with your new PDA!

[Don't Panic!]

people always say "hey vga is almost coming out! wait for it!"... this is true, but ask yourself, will you buy this device right away once its released in the market??... [snip]Absolutely! I want that 128MB of RAM and WM2003SE.

Don't Panic!
Bobby