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View Full Version : Need some help. RX3115 and HX2415


playtothebeat
05-28-2005, 07:33 AM
hello,
this is my first post here, so i hope its in the right place. here's my situation..
i've been looking at getting an ipaq rx3115. i can pick it up brand new for $43. i work at bestbuy, so the employee discount brings the price down to $293, and i can get a $250 mail in rebate on top of that through HP.
sounds great and all, but i'd like your input on whether that is a good solution for me.
i was thinking of buying an ipod, so that i can listen to mp3s in my car (through an fm transmitter), as i only have a regular cd changer in there right now and its kind of a hassle to change CDs every time. but then i realized, that while an ipod + accessories will cost me about $250, i can pick up the rx3115 for roughly the same price. then i found out that i can get it extremely cheap ($43). on top of that, i would need a 1 gig card (i assume that's good size for having about 200+ MP3s on it) and the same FM transmitter, plus a car charger. all in all, it will end up at roughly $180, i believe.
now, here are my questions:
1) i would probably not use the PDA all too much, though if i do get it i think i could find some convenient features in it, especially since im in college. the built in wi-fi is great! does it support VPN clients? in my school, you have to be logged in through a VPN client if you're on a wireless network so this is EXTREMELY important. i was playing around with the pda today at work and i thought i saw something about "Set up VPN connection" when looking through Settings->Connections.. just making sure that's what i need.
2) what are the differences between the rx3115 and the hx2415? i can get the same $250 MIR on the 2415, so im wondering if the price difference is worth it, since as far as i remember the difference is roughly $100.
3) how well does the 3115 perform? the processor seems a bit slow, from what i read, but i was unable to find any specific information on how well it performs with general tasks such as internet browsing, and occasional light gaming
4) whats the battery life like on the 3115?
5) i assume it comes with basic Office software such as Word and Excel. i would use Word for taking notes in class at shool, occasionally. so, for that, how well does the hand writing recognition work?
6) as far as accessories go, what is the best place to get a car adapter?

i would mostly use the PDA the same way i would use an iPod basically, so do you think it's smart for me to go with the 3115 instead of a dedicated mp3 player, since it's somewhat bigger? i dont like listening to music "on the go" so to say, so i wouldn't carry it around too much while walking around campus..
the only jogging ill do will be on the treadmill, so i can always set the ipaq down and listen through headphones that way, so i dont necesarily need to have it strapped to my body either.

just wondering what you guys what do if you were in my situation, and if you could answer some of my questions, that'd be great too. thanks!

Link
05-29-2005, 09:43 AM
Here are my thoughts on this comparison...

the 3115 (media companion)
+ If I remember correctly has more memory which is a plus

- Has a slower processer

- Only has SD memory slot

the 2415 (pocket pc)
+ Has a faster processor (better for watching videos)

+ Has both SD and Compact Flash Memory slots and can be used at the same time

- Has less installed memory (can be fixed by installing software to a seperate CF or SD card)

For me the choice was easy, I wanted a PPC that would allow multiple memory cards and/or adapters installed and used at once... Plus I already had some Compact Flash cards lying around needing a new home. The way I plan on using it is buying a large SD memory card (probably 1 GB) and using the Compact Flash Slot as a permanant adapter slot for use with GPS, camera, and for storing MP3s and WMV files.

Now I just bought my HX2415 a few days back, can you tell me about that rebate you mentioned becuase I do not see it mentioned on the HP website. That could save me a few bucks!!!

playtothebeat
05-29-2005, 10:17 AM
the rebate only applies to employees of retailers that sell HP.
www.hpinfolab.com is a website where employees learn about HP products, take quizes about them etc and accumulate points which can later be redeemed fro rebates such as the one i mentioned..

Link
05-30-2005, 12:38 PM
well damn... I really wish my sister still worked for best buy right now... She was always getting killer deals like that.

Anyway, I hope the info and opinions I gave you helped you make a decision. Good Luck!

playtothebeat
05-30-2005, 05:07 PM
its not JUST bestbuy. a bunch of places that sell electronics have partnerships with HP.
just check out www.hpinfolab.com and see if you can register. if the place you work for is on the list, then you'll be able to .