Which PPC VGA... again! Sorry!!

[acetuk]

I am really unsure which VGA based PDA to get. And I mean really unsure.

I have looked, read, re-read, looked more and have now come down to two, so much so that I have both on back order. I need to decide soon and get one of the orders cancelled before I have both in my hands and no cash at all!

I am thinking about either the hx4700 or the Loox 720. My reasons so far are confused (too much thinking I guess with no clear decision) but the following main points are sticking with me -

hx4700
+ Big screen making it very easy to read
+ Fast without overclocking
+ Metal body which I guess means it will last quite some time
+ Great file store making my data safe
- The largest of the vurrently announced new VGA machines (not including the E800 in that and the E830 hasn't officially been announced)
- Limited memory
- Heavy, but partly due to the metal body (you can't have both I guess)

Loox 720
+ Small, about the same size as my iPaq 2210 from what I have seen
+ Goods reviews so far
+ USB host (although I am not sure if I will use it, at least it has it)
+ Great ram making things run really quickly
- Small screen, it's difficult to know how usable WM2003SE will be on the smallest screen on the lot announced so far
- The camera doesn't interest me at the moment (if I have one I may find a use for it but I won't miss it if it isn't there)
- I've never owned anything other than a HP before

The last point is an interesting one and something I think that is playing on my mind. I know HP PPCs, never had a problem with the two I have had so far (Jornada 568 and iPaq 2210) but I have read negative things about early Loox models and that makes me nervous.

My real problem comes down to not being able to try these babies out. There just isn't anywhere nearby that I can go and hold these and try them. Equally this is a serious amount of cash for me to spend and whatever I get will need to be with me for at least two years.

My uses are really spreadsheeting (in PlanMaker), books, PIM (using PI which I own already so the hx4700 having it pre-installed doesn't effect me) and soon word processing and databasing. Films doesn't interest me and I have a dedicated MP3 player which lives me when I am away on my business trips.

So can any of you can add anything to the above? For those of you that have already decided what was the most definitive reason / feature, other than the screen?

Thanks for spending the time to read this.

[Fishie]

Toshiba e830 if you want the big screen and dual wireless witouth the funky touchpad thingy.

[yanathin]

I'm having pretty much the same dilema... except I also want the a730. So if you want to make your decision even harder than it is already, I suggest you read this. :wink:

The Loox720 and the ASUS a730w are very similar. Both sport a 1.3mp camera, both have the same processor speeds, and both don't have 4" screens. Those are the three main differences between the hx4700 and the Loox720 / a730w.

If you don't think the 4" screen on HP's model is an absolute must, then I suggest not getting it. That's pretty much all it has going for it. With me, the camera and 4" screen are both equally important, however since the 4" screen makes the device so much larger, it's making me lean towards the Loox720 / a730w. I also think HP really screwed up with its navigation pad... Having a processor that speedy is begging to have games played on it, but the navigation pad is scaring them away. Oh, and we can't forget the price. I just don't think it'll fit well in a pocket if you carry around a cell phone, too.

Now, between the Loox720 and a730w, it's a really touch decision (if you were also considering the Asus). The Loox model has more RAM, it's width is smaller, and it has a much larger battery. With the a730w (when the WiFi version IS released), its screen is slightly larger, its buttons are more arranged toward the classic PPC, and its height is smaller. Both are the same width, both have the same camera, both run at the same speed (however in the past, the Asus PPC's usually end up having a slight edge in speed), and both will probably end up being the same price.

So there's my argument between the three devices. It may or may not have helped you, but I think I finally made myself realize that for what I want, the hx4700 is out. A good camera (keyword: GOOD) is really important to me, and even though a 4" screen would be nice, it's not worth the enormous size increase. Now it's between the Loox and Asus for me. Since you were only interested in the HP and Loox, then go with the Loox. :D

[spinedoc]

I've gone thru this dilemma as well. Originally thought I wanted the 4700, then was sure I wanted the Asus, now I expect to receive my Loox 720 in a week or 2 and am very happy with my decision (until the Dell comes out!).

The 4700 turned me off for a couple of reasons. No USB host, I have a very small 60gb usb hard drive that I can velcro to my PPC, so was looking for this. The way HP allocated their RAM versus ROM was not the best decision IMO, with limited memory more should have been allocated to RAM. The biggest reason was size, the 4700 is HUGE, of course every user is different, but I am looking for the smallest unit that has everything.

I would have gotten the Asus as well, but am not willing to wait till Oct/Nov for the dual wireless model.

[yanathin]

Where did you buy your Loox720? Are they even releasing it in the US? Als, how much? If the 4700 had a USB host, I'd go for that... A 4" screen connected to my 80gb external hard drive would equal the perfect movie machine. That's my only gripe about the Loox... the screen is gonna be incredibly small for my car (just like how my 4150 is now). But since that's the only thing I can find wrong with it at the moment, it's got everything I need.

[Fishie]

Where did you buy your Loox720? Are they even releasing it in the US? Als, how much? If the 4700 had a USB host, I'd go for that... A 4" screen connected to my 80gb external hard drive would equal the perfect movie machine. That's my only gripe about the Loox... the screen is gonna be incredibly small for my car (just like how my 4150 is now). But since that's the only thing I can find wrong with it at the moment, it's got everything I need.

Toshiba e800/805/830 has USB host.

[yanathin]

Whoa, I did NOT know that... How big is the 4700 in comparison to the e805?

[Fishie]

They should be about the same size.

128mb of Ram and 32mb of file store.
e830 will be dual wireless as well(the e800/805 is only single wireless)and has dual slots and a 4inch VGA screen

I have owned and used over a dozen PDA´s and its the best one I ever had.

[Janak Parekh]

Add this to your list of bookmarks -- it's a great resource in helping you decide. :) Duncan's done quite a good job in breaking out all the features.

http://www.firstloox.org/VGAppc.htm

--janak

[elbowz]

I'd really have to say that if my e800 experience is anything to go by the e830 is going to be the one to have: dual wireless, dual slot, usb host and a 4" screen.

Given that the e830 is the same shell as the e800 it should be of a similar size and weight as the HP without having to put up with the touchpad (which, to me at least, seems like a completely daft idea and horribly counter-intuitive) or strange memory allocation.

[spinedoc]

I had an e805 and I must say it was a phenomenal unit, only reason I sold it was it was too large for me. If you dont mind size, the e830 seems to be a huge amount better than the 4700. Can't say I really could find any fault with the e805 other than lack of BT, which the e830 corrects.

[Fishie]

Its quite extraordinary to find that a slightly updated e800/805 a year after release can still hang in there with the newest high end devices.

The e800/805 was well ahead of the curve.

[acetuk]

I think that the basis for my original question was nervousness about moving away from HP to a new manufacturer. HP have served me well (hardware wise) so far but their recent lack of support for only slightly older models worries me. As does their heavy handed approach to review sites. I don't like that and that weighs a little on my mind (especially the lack of updates).

But moving to a new manufacturer is also scary stuff. I get the impression here that people are very loyal to their manufacturer of PPC and that interests me. I am not sure I am as loyal. Just nervous as I stated above.

There are rich pickings out there presently (or should I say nearly presently!?) for a user looking for a VGA device. I have a need for such a device, I am a heavy user now who wants -

More screen real estate (a worry I have for the 3.6" screen of the Loox against the 4" screen of the 470)
A faster processor (will I notice the difference between the Loox and the iPaq in real terms - can the Loox be overclocked should I need to and be reliable?)
More memory (I'm really torn between the security of the file store on the HP, filled with all of my main 'must have' programs, against the expected speed of normal ram and lots of it on the Loox, with a smaller file store of still a good size)
Overall size (I take my 2210 in a Vaja wallet case with me everywhere and am nervous that the 4700 will feel too big to do this comfortably whereas the Loox is about the same size as the 2210 so I can't see a problem)

The first and last points are real contradictions - if I want the 4" screen but can't handle the size then I really am in trouble!

Please keep your thoughts coming. I have a similar post over on firstloox.org and they are being exceptional objective on this and not just shouting 'Loox' at me. It is good that as a user I have two real places to get advice when it is needed.

Thanks so far.

[Fishie]

I have had several Ipaqs, Palm´s, Clie´s and handheld PCs, at the moment I am sing a Motorola smartphone wich I will compliment with a Sigmarion3 real soon, until that day I use it with an aging audiovox maestro(thats Toshiba too).

Until I got my e800 I was happily using an Ipaq 2215 and from all the Ipaqs I had owned it was my favourite by far, lost it and took the plunge and bought a e800 despite feeling kinda burned by the e310 previously.

Best PDA I ever had by far.

And this is coming from someone who felt let down by toshiba.

[hickssp]

Same position

I decided that I just need to wait till October then I can read production level reviews on both FS and HP versions.

I am sure my trusty Clie can provide me with my PDA needs until then!

[hollis_f]

I'm mightily attracted to the Loox 720. But past experience with a Loox 600 really, really puts me off. The screen was squishy (you could see it indent about 1mm when you pressed on it), the Bluetooth implementation was totally pants (could only ActiveSync with a Fujitsu BT-equipped PC) and support was dire.

I want something the same size as my 2210 - with CF, SD, VGA, WiFi and BT. And no rotten camera.

[elbowz]

I want something the same size as my 2210 - with CF, SD, VGA, WiFi and BT. And no rotten camera.

I don't think this is unreasonable actually... the 2210 has a 3.5" display, the Loox 720 has a 3.6" one so it shouldn't take a great deal of re-working to squeeze it all in to a similar sized case... Wouldn't like to think what it'll do to the battery life though.

[jkendrick]

While everyone's mileage will vary to me a VGA resolution on a screen smaller than 4" would make everything too small. Of course you can zoom up the text in many programs but then that lessens the advantage of having VGA.