Getting h4150 soon. Need Some Opinion.

[netboy_my]

Hi guys,

I'm obviously new here.
I'm thinking of getting h4150 really soon, could be around this 2-3 days or so. Do you guys think it's worth to get it now? I heard that HP is going to replace its current line of iPAQs with new ones and it's kinda make sense coz the current lines has been in the market for quite some time.

I've also heard about WM2003 SE (Second Edition or Special Edition).. Any idea if I'm able to flash it later on the h4150?

Really appreciate all comments and opinions.

Thanks.

[zilla31]

i just got a 4155 two weeks ago and man i LOVE it. this is the best PDA i've owned for sure... I read somewhere (in my research) that we will be able to flash to SE when it's available so no worries there... can someone else confirm this for me and netboy_my?

[Pony99CA]

i just got a 4155 two weeks ago and man i LOVE it. this is the best PDA i've owned for sure... I read somewhere (in my research) that we will be able to flash to SE when it's available so no worries there... can someone else confirm this for me and netboy_my?
While the 4150 can probably be upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003 SE, HP will have to release the upgrade. When that happens is anybody's guess. After Windows Mobile 2003 was released, it took HP 3-4 months to get an upgrade out.

Also, when they do, HP usually charges $30 for upgrades, unless you bought your Pocket PC within a certain period of time. With Pocket PC 2002, that period started when Pocket PC 2002 was announced. With Windows Mobile 2003, that period started 30 days before WM 2K3 was announced and lasted 90 days after. See the HP Upgrade Web page (http://www.hp.com/sbso/special/ppc_upgrade.html) for more details.

So, if HP follows it's usual trend, you should be able to get an upgrade for free. Anybody who buys one now should also be able to. Of course, this advice is based on history, and may not have anything to do with HP's reality. :-D

Steve

[Zack Mahdavi]

I bought a 4150 in February, and I love it! If any new devices come out soon, they'll only be released when WM 2003 SE is released. Probably the biggest feature the new models will have is a VGA screen, but I wouldn't expect to see a VGA screen in a 4150 form factor any time soon.

My advice.... if you don't think you'll need a VGA screen, then go ahead and get the 4150! I don't think you'll regret it.

[Pony99CA]

I bought a 4150 in February, and I love it! If any new devices come out soon, they'll only be released when WM 2003 SE is released. Probably the biggest feature the new models will have is a VGA screen, but I wouldn't expect to see a VGA screen in a 4150 form factor any time soon.
Actually, I think the biggest feature will be the ability to switch to landscape mode and back to portrait without a soft reset. VGA is nice, but I'm not convinced it will be that useful; landscape mode would definitely be useful.

Steve

[Chris Spera]

I seem to remember HP indicating that the 4100 and 2200 series iPAQ's would get 2003SE upgrades, so you should be fine...

[Don Tolson]

To address the more general issue of 'Is it worth it?' or 'Should I buy or should I wait?'...

We've been around this block many times here at PPCT, and basically comes down to:

a) There will always be the latest and greatest device coming around the corner in the next (2, 3, 6 take your pick) months.

b) Find a device that meets your needs now and get it. If your needs change, then look for a new device (or software). Expecting the manufacturers to provide 'upgrades for life' is probably unreasonable, and chasing the next technological advance is a game for those with large amounts of disposable cash.

[Pony99CA]

To address the more general issue of 'Is it worth it?' or 'Should I buy or should I wait?'...

We've been around this block many times here at PPCT, and basically comes down to:

a) There will always be the latest and greatest device coming around the corner in the next (2, 3, 6 take your pick) months.

b) Find a device that meets your needs now and get it. If your needs change, then look for a new device (or software). Expecting the manufacturers to provide 'upgrades for life' is probably unreasonable, and chasing the next technological advance is a game for those with large amounts of disposable cash.
I agree. However, the corollary to point (b) is that, if no device meets your needs, and you know one is coming that will, then wait.

Also, perform a risk/reward analysis. Is the reward you'll get from having something now worth the risk of feeling bad that something better is coming later. That analysis should also take into account how much later the better item will be. The further off the better item is, the greater the reward for buying something now.

Steve

[Zack Mahdavi]

I bought a 4150 in February, and I love it! If any new devices come out soon, they'll only be released when WM 2003 SE is released. Probably the biggest feature the new models will have is a VGA screen, but I wouldn't expect to see a VGA screen in a 4150 form factor any time soon.
Actually, I think the biggest feature will be the ability to switch to landscape mode and back to portrait without a soft reset. VGA is nice, but I'm not convinced it will be that useful; landscape mode would definitely be useful.

Steve

Steve, I guess you misunderstood me. I was trying to describe the benefits of any future hardware models that are coming up, not trying to pick the most significant feature of WM 2003 Second Edition. Landscape mode will be possible to do even with a current 4155, but VGA mode requires a whole new device.

[jook00]

4155 is the best model out right now. I love it. My friend has every program and game you could ever want. :wink: email me for this amazing guys name.

[Pony99CA]

I bought a 4150 in February, and I love it! If any new devices come out soon, they'll only be released when WM 2003 SE is released. Probably the biggest feature the new models will have is a VGA screen, but I wouldn't expect to see a VGA screen in a 4150 form factor any time soon.
Actually, I think the biggest feature will be the ability to switch to landscape mode and back to portrait without a soft reset. VGA is nice, but I'm not convinced it will be that useful; landscape mode would definitely be useful.

Steve, I guess you misunderstood me. I was trying to describe the benefits of any future hardware models that are coming up, not trying to pick the most significant feature of WM 2003 Second Edition. Landscape mode will be possible to do even with a current 4155, but VGA mode requires a whole new device.
Yes, I guess I did. :oops: However, a VGA screen in a Pocket PC form factor doesn't seem like that big a deal to me. You won't get 4x the information on the screen unless you want things 4x as small. You can certainly get more detailed fonts and graphics, which is good, and you may be able to use somewhat smaller fonts to get some more text visible, but I wonder how much you'll really benefit.

Of course, I haven't seen a Toshiba e800, so maybe I'll change my mind. :-) One of the reasons that I liked my old Handheld PC was the 640 x 240 screen, but it was also not nearly as portable as a Pocket PC.

Steve

[netboy_my]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the valuable inputs/comments! I finally decided to get it and it's now charging! Yes, I don't really need a VGA screen and Landscape is useful but from my research, 4150 would be able to upgrade to WM2003SE isn't it?

Really appreciate all the comments. For $341, I think it's a good buy. Wouldn't really spent $500 or more on a ppc.

In the mean time, which Landscape app you guys recommend for my 4150 before going to WM2003SE?

[Pony99CA]

In the mean time, which Landscape app you guys recommend for my 4150 before going to WM2003SE?
Try looking at the "Screen rotate" thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27817&highlight=dotpocket) for a couple of suggestions. It's not really an iPAQ-specific issue (it's not really a Dell-specific issue, either, but the thread was put there for some reason. :?)

Steve

[netboy_my]

Great! I'm posting from my new love - the 4150! Thanks for all your opinions n thoughts! I sure will hang in this forum for quite some time.