iPAQ Review Roundup

[Jonathon Watkins]

A fair few folks have had time to play with the new slew of iPAQs on the market. If you're considering the rx1950, you can find reviews at <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1863393,00.asp?kc=PCRSS02129TX1K0000530">PC Mag</a>, <a href="http://davesipaq.com/articles/iPAQ_HP_Microsoft_Mobile%205_rx1950.html">Dave's iPAQ</a> and <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_iPaq_rx1950/4505-3127_7-31516364.html?tag=pdtl-list">CNET</a>. If the hx2490 is more your cup of tea, then browse on down to <a href="http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ipaq-hx2490.htm"> MobileTechReview</a> who have had a look at the beastie. Finally, the hx2795 is reviewed at <a href="http://davesipaq.com/articles/iPAQ_HP_hx2795_review.html">Dave's iPAQ</a> and the hx2790 is checked out at <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_iPaq_hx2790/4505-3127_7-31516363.html?tag=pdtl-list">CNET</a>. <br />Would someone please wake me up when a decent iPAQ appears on the scene. :sleeping: Thanks. :wink:

[Dyvim]

I can't believe they cut the RAM from 128 MB to 64 MB on the 2790. The 128 MB of RAM was IMO the one big plus this series iPaq had on the 4700 series. I know WM 5 is supposed to run fine on 64 MB RAM, but it seems like you end up with an anemic 34 MB after everything is loaded and you only start with 56 MB (where's the 64?). Yeah they give you a measly 64 MB more ROM (compare that to the Dell x51v which added 128 MB ROM to the x50v) but with dual expansion slots I count ROM in terms of GB not MB anyway - I'd rather have the RAM. I think I'd rather buy the 128 MB RAM 2750 + an upgrade CD than the 64 MB RAM 2790. I know more RAM means shorter battery life (especially when the device is asleep) but for me the main point of WM 5 is being able to run your battery dead without having to worry about your data any more.

[UnLoGiC]

Being a Dell X50v owner I am currently this attracted :pukeface: by HP's mentality and the PDA's they are producing...it's like they lost all sence off innovation and customer satisfaction :!:

Note: this may be hard words coming from someone who has never owned a HP PDA, but if you own a HP PDA and think I've got it all wrong please feel free to tell me what I'm failing to see...

[kiwi]

yeah, I came up throught the PPC ranks with a Casio E11..E105 etc to a Compaq ipaq 3600 series.. HP took over well.. the 1945/2200/4150 series.. and nwo - the lack of f@rkin upgrades on some of the devices is annoying me.

I was eyeing up a dell but battery life was an issue with the x50v..

Would be nice to throw tomatoes at these guys..

[WillyG]

Being a Dell X50v owner I am currently this attracted :pukeface: by HP's mentality and the PDA's they are producing...it's like they lost all sence off innovation and customer satisfaction :!:

Note: this may be hard words coming from someone who has never owned a HP PDA, but if you own a HP PDA and think I've got it all wrong please feel free to tell me what I'm failing to see...

As a loyal HP customer, sitting here with a iPAQ hx4700 (my 5th iPAQ by now), i find your statement perfectly appropriate. It looks like HP are searching for a ways to kill the PDA market. Im willing to bet that the one who said "the PDA is dead" in some way or another is connected to HP.
More than once lately (the last year) i have observed Hewlett Packard have "invented" strange buisness decisions regarding their PDA line. Right now they are doing everything right.....if their goal is to lose customers fast.

[Patrick Y.]

Would someone please wake me up when a decent iPAQ appears on the scene. :sleeping: Thanks. :wink:

Count me in. :sleeping:

[aNiMeMaN14]

Word, what's really good with HP nowadays? Once considered the innovators of the PDA market, they're now desperately trying to find ways to be like the other guy, with no innovation whatsoever.

Talk about a fall from grace. :roll:

[cursor]

Do you guys think that this is because Dell is putting so much price pressure on HP?

[Darius Wey]

Do you guys think that this is because Dell is putting so much price pressure on HP?

I think it's because HP fail to gauge just how important consumer response and consumer support is. If they could value these two points, they'd be up there with Dell et al.

[serpico]

I'm sticking with my 4150 and passing on this round of wm5 devices. It does everything I need in such a slim case. I've never seen a device with a VGA screen, so I don't know what I'm missing, if there is. HP seems to have no direction at the moment.

[Patrick Y.]

I'm sticking with my 4150 and passing on this round of wm5 devices. It does everything I need in such a slim case. I've never seen a device with a VGA screen, so I don't know what I'm missing, if there is. HP seems to have no direction at the moment.

You never seen a device with a VGA screen?? 8O 8O You just got to see it!!! You won't believe how incredible VGA devices are.

Before I saw a VGA device, I lived in my own little world enjoying my good, old Acer n10. Though, my n10 suddenly seems so shabby compared to x50v beautiful screen, design, and functionality.

[serpico]

The Dell looks nice, but the thickness of the second slot, I believe it's the CF slot, makes it thicker than my 4150. Not sure if it's worth the upgrade.

[Patrick Y.]

The Dell looks nice, but the thickness of the second slot, I believe it's the CF slot, makes it thicker than my 4150. Not sure if it's worth the upgrade.

I believe that ALL VGA Pocket PC are thicker than 4150 due to CF slot, not just dell. Though, Dell still small enough to fit into my pocket with a case comfortably. Dell is fairly small compare to other Pocket PC. I promise that you won't complain about its size once you see the device yourself.

[Darius Wey]

The Dell looks nice, but the thickness of the second slot, I believe it's the CF slot, makes it thicker than my 4150. Not sure if it's worth the upgrade.

I moved from an h1940 to an X50v. If you know anything about the h1940, you'd know how compact it is (just a tad smaller than the h4150). With all the extra features included in the X50v, you'll soon get used to the added thickness of it (and trust me, it's marginal).

[Menneisyys]

Do you guys think that this is because Dell is putting so much price pressure on HP?

I don't think so - other PDA manufacturers are still bringing out killer PDA's which offer far better battery life/better (more saturated / with better landscape viewing angle) VGA screens/far more stuff (jog dial, CIR, 128M RAM, VoIP speakers, camera etc.) than even the x50v/x51v. For example, the Fujitsu-Siemens.

It's certainly HP's lack of innovation and common sense that their PDA's are that bad, compared to Dell's/F'S' devices.

[Menneisyys]

Speaking of the reviews themselves, PCMag (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1863438,00.asp) states the following:

"The rx1950 is better suited for work than play. Its 300 MHz Samsung SC32442 processor works fine with both PIM and Internet applications, but is too slow for full-screen, full-motion video. The five-way navigation button is also too cramped to provide a great gaming experience. Programs have 23.75MB of RAM to call on and there's another 37.65MB of storage space"

Does it really have 23.75MB, or did the PCMag staff just mistake total to available memory? According to Installer @ BH (http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=120600), it only has 12.81 MB free. I think Installer is right, not PCMag. Your opinions?

(BTW, it's funny these three reviews all praise the rx1950...)

[serpico]

It's too bad that I can't get my hands on a Dell before ordering. Now you guys have me curious!

[Patrick Y.]

I don't think so - other PDA manufacturers are still bringing out killer PDA's which offer far better battery life/better (more saturated / with better landscape viewing angle) VGA screens/far more stuff (jog dial, CIR, 128M RAM, VoIP speakers, camera etc.) than even the x50v/x51v. For example, the Fujitsu-Siemens.

It's certainly HP's lack of innovation and common sense that their PDA's are that bad, compared to Dell's/F'S' devices.

I think you forgot to mention USB host on 720. I wish that my x50v has it..... :cry: This is kind of off-topic, but what's the difference between CIR and IR? Thanks.

[Patrick Y.]

(BTW, it's funny these three reviews all praise the rx1950...)

Yeah..... I don't get how people can live with such little memory. I saw a lot of complains that 64MB of memory isn't enough and now they only have 30MB?? 8O

[Patrick Y.]

Now you guys have me curious!
Now, our goal is to make you dream about the device day and night. :devilboy:

[serpico]

Today I went to check on those HP models at my local store and they are nothing special. Why are these 'brick' type PDA's coming back?

They also had a Palm Lifedrive, what a joke. Big brick I've seen in awhile. 4G harddisk instead of a 4G flash chip? C'mon. I bet these things aren't selling.

I got a coupon in the mail from Dell worth 25% off selected items. Maybe the Dell x51v is a selected item to try. Going to their website to check it out. Is it worth getting the top of the line or mid level model?

[oljaitu]

Why does anyone even bother talking about or covering HP or Ipaqs any more on this site or any other for that matter? Doesn't Dell now own the Pocket PC market with their superior service, pricing, and products? Does HP even sell any Pocket PCs any more? I don't think I have seen a good review of any Ipaqs in years so who is buying these things? Certainly no one on this site right? Everyone says the 6500 screen is too small, the 6315 did not work, the 17xx/3xxx series was junk, the 4700 does not have WM5 and HP does not care about any customers or upgrades? I guess I thought HP was going out of business anyway soon...
I just don't know why they merit any more press on this site???? Am I being too harsh?

[Patrick Y.]

I got a coupon in the mail from Dell worth 25% off selected items. Maybe the Dell x51v is a selected item to try. Going to their website to check it out. Is it worth getting the top of the line or mid level model?

Only the top of line model is VGA :wink: If you're really serious about the model, you should check out Aximsite for more information if you haven't done so already. Aximsite's forum is very active and has of valuable infomation.

P.S. WOW! 8O I have actually convinced you to buy it! :devilboy:

[Patrick Y.]

I just don't know why they merit any more press on this site???? Am I being too harsh?
Maybe a little... :wink:

[serpico]

The coupon didn't work. $600 CAD is alot for a PDA. That costs more than a new Xbox 360 premium package that will be out next month for $499. I don't know now... very tempting. Picking up GTA for my psp too this month. Money, money, money. :lol:

[Patrick Y.]

You might want to consider this.... http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&amp;action=filter&amp;lob=PDA&amp;unique=1128571734864&amp;sessionID=DGjy2fpY

Though, it's for US.

[Menneisyys]

(BTW, it's funny these three reviews all praise the rx1950...)

Yeah..... I don't get how people can live with such little memory. I saw a lot of complains that 64MB of memory isn't enough and now they only have 30MB?? 8O

I wish the rx1950 did have 30M available memory :) As opposed to the 12Mbytes, which isn't even enough to run Minimo/NetFront...

[Menneisyys]

I don't think so - other PDA manufacturers are still bringing out killer PDA's which offer far better battery life/better (more saturated / with better landscape viewing angle) VGA screens/far more stuff (jog dial, CIR, 128M RAM, VoIP speakers, camera etc.) than even the x50v/x51v. For example, the Fujitsu-Siemens.

It's certainly HP's lack of innovation and common sense that their PDA's are that bad, compared to Dell's/F'S' devices.

I think you forgot to mention USB host on 720. I wish that my x50v has it..... :cry: This is kind of off-topic, but what's the difference between CIR and IR? Thanks.

Consumer IR vs "normal", short-range IR.

However, much as they aren't explicitly advertised as CIR-capable devices, non-X5 Dell Axims all have very good IR range. Therefore, they can be used as long-range remote controllers as well - just like, say, the rx3715, the iPAQ 2210, the 39xx, the 54xx or the Pocket Loox 7xx.