Favourite Pocket PC of 2005

[Darius Wey]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051118-WM.gif" /><br /><br />2005, a year of years. The announcement of Windows Mobile 5.0 back in May was the catalyst for the release of many new Pocket PCs left, right and centre. Of particular note was the trend towards convergence. Without doubt, more Pocket PC Phone Edition devices have been seen this year than in any other year in the history of Windows Mobile. So with that in mind, which Pocket PC was your favourite this year and why? The awesome HTC Universal, the HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger, Dell's powerful X50/X51 series, or something else? Make a wish and you might even get it for Christmas. ;)

[bridgecrosser]

I had been using the iPAQ 4150 since it's release, but dropped it one day in November and ended up purchasing a iPAQ 2795. It's an awesome unit, for sure, and has everything I need and only lacks a VGA screen and a hard drive.

My wish would be a PPC Smartphone so that I could carry everything in one device.

[macattack]

I think the various forms of the HTC Wizard will end up having the biggest impact on Windows Mobile users in 2005 (and into 2006). This device blends the best of many good things:

1. A relatively large thumbboard for fast and accurate text input.
2. A small size, relative to many of the past phone edition systems (Magician, excluded).
3. WM 5.0
4. Convergence!
5. Acceptably snappy performace but low power drain processor.
6. A ton of ways to get connected

I would love to have one. Unfortunately $700 to replace my HP 4355 is not found anywhere in my budget. :( Oh well, maybe next year.

[jnajera]

With all the issues in Windows Mobile 5 ( SLOWW and Buggy) , I would have to say that my favorite was the Dell Axim X50 with Windows Mobile 03 SE. It is still one of the fastest PPC"s ever. :)

[WillyG]

Another vote for HTC Wizard.

I have one, and love it!
Replaced my Ipaq hx4700. Never looked back. Except when i looked at it the other night and thought woow did i carry that huge brick around 8O (+ a cellphone)

[alese]

I guess out of all 2005 WM5 machines the Universal and Wizzard stand out, each have their strengths and weakneses but both are pushing the limits of the platform.
The others, M600, X51 are more incremantal upgardes that are just not as cool, even though they can be more usable than the both HTC devices.

[Ed Hansberry]

No question, the Wizard, AKA the K-Jam is the killer WM5 device. :way to go:

[piperpilot]

I would love a Universal, but I know for a fact that I'm getting an X51v and am all psyched up about it. :)

[Clinton Fitch]

I'd have to vote for the Universal and Wizard as the top devices of the year.

[rhelwig]

I'm still dying to get my hands on a Universal. Not sure its what I'd really like, but so far its the only one that has minimal specs.

At this point anything with lower resolution than VGA isn't even worth insulting.

[jickbahtech]

The Universal is really cool, but having had my hands on a couple different WM5 phones, I'm most impressed with the PPC-6700 (HTC Apache).
Fantastically clean, and it will most likely become my next phone when I'm done with my 2750.

[sooby77]

My vote is the Wizard. I am amazed the at the OMAP processor's ability to conserve battery. My last PDA was the Toshiba E755 and the battery would last the most 3-4 hours. Wizard's battery life was a significant improvement over that! Amazing!

I remember the days of E750 with the first generation of XScale and PPC2000. It was slow as hell until the second generation of Xscale came out with better optimized PPC2002. There was a massive increase is snappiness. The present Wizard situation and WM5 reminded me of that.

[jewelhux]

Without a doubt, my X50v is the coolest device I've ever owned. I couldn't go back to a QVGA screen. The size and specs are almost everything I'm looking for. I admit to a some envy of the X51v's larger ROM, but since I'm not running WM5 yet, I'm a happy camper.

[thenikjones2]

I bought an x50v at the beginning of the year - very cool, VGA rocks.

Needed a new phone in June - iMate JAM - very good

Recently bought a Universal (JasJar) on eBay - combining the features of the 2 devices above - we have a winner! :lol:

[SteveHoward999]

The one that's got my juices flowing is the HTC Universal.

I've been using the Toshiba E830 for most of this year, and there is NO WAY I could go back to a QVGA device.

The Universal seems to have everything I want, and a little bit more.

Ooodles of connectivity options (although I would prefer Quad band since I travel internationally), VGA Screen, a usable keyboard, decent amounts of RAM, *two* cameras .... I've not used webcams often, but the idea of the video camera for web-conferencing is pretty cool. Lots more besides.

It's not perfect though - I'd like to see a CF slot. I'd like to see it a bit smaller - I think my E830 is about as big as can be easily toted around in my jeans pocket. Add a faster processor and monitor out (800x600 or better would be amazing) .... and I'd have a device that could replace my laptop for everything but my real work (the software I use will never work on a PPC!).

Lovely device. Makes me drool at thr thought of what 2006 has in store for us.

[Jonathon Watkins]

Go X50v\51v. :mrgreen:

CF slots rock! :rock on dude!:

[pocketpcadmirer]

Well, had it been 2004, i would have said Imate Jam(no doubt it won plethora of awards)

If you take the year 2005, I would say Axim 51V.

You know what..I have started dis-liking my mini..just way too small to do any useful work. Now I think the converged devices are not that great(not to mention hefty price $$$$$$ tags) :twisted:

Sunny

[iPAUL]

Definitely the Dell Axim X51V

It's got everything :D

[robert_biggs]

The coolest device of the year was the Universal. The best performance/value of the year would have to be the Dell X50v/X51v. I would like to see a future Universal with a larger-size screen, faster processor, dual slots, and 2700G graphics chip. That would make it the ultimate device for me. :mrgreen:

[stevelam]

CF slots rock! :rock on dude!:

I love CF! They are just so reliable and there is no way you can drop and lose them. They also dont randomly pop out the top of my h2210. Which is, by the way, THE best pocket pc of 2005. After all I own one.

p.s. Please dont flame me for that but my h2210 seems to run a lot faster than all of the WM 5 devices. :)

[pocketpcadmirer]

p.s. Please dont flame me for that but my h2210 seems to run a lot faster than all of the WM 5 devices. :)

yes you got that right that 2210 is the one I have never ever thought of selling !!

Sunny

[Chris Spera]

I haven't seen one yet; but I think the BIGGEST successful device in the WM arena is going to be the Palm Treo 700w. I'd love to have one of these!

The Treo form factor has been the biggest success for the Palm platform for the last few years. Every Treo owner I have bumped into says that their device, despite any issues they have with Palm or Palm Desktop, is by and large, the best device they have ever used.

The keyboard is the right size and provides an easy way to surf the internet, dial the phone, and respond to e-mail. The screen size on the Treo 650 is great at 320x320. I have a concern about the 700w's 240x240 screen, but I've heard many iPAQ 6500 users say it itsn't all that bad.

The thing that I'm most excited to see is how the new OS integrates with the hardware. Palm has done a lot with the custom Today plug-ins, and I truly believe that its going to be the device to beat in 2006, despite what other Wizard owners say about their devices.

The productivity gains are supposed to be huge with the convegence tools that come with the device, and I'm very anxious to see and compare it to other PPC Phone Edition devices. If the Treo line remains constant, this device will be a huge hit!

[SteveHoward999]

I have a concern about the 700w's 240x240 screen, but I've heard many iPAQ 6500 users say it itsn't all that bad.



Were it not for that screen I would consider the 700w. After using VGA for so long I hate using QVGA, so that 240x240 sounds dreadful.

[surur]

Oh come now! Everyone knows the FSC Loox 720 is still the device to beat for 2005. Its the best device for WM2003SE, and has the best list of features. It even smokes the Universal in most ways. About the only thing that would have put it completely over the top would have been a graphics accelerator.

Go, Loox 720!

Surur

[gibson042]

My favorite device of the year was the many-named HTC Universal; at long last a Phone Edition with a VGA screen to take advantage of all that connectivity! It still has not seen any competition, despite obvious potential improvements like smaller size, a second memory card slot, and face-mounted application buttons (not to mention a North American version with quad-band GSM and EDGE).

But as much as I like the Universal, it was not the best Pocket PC of the year. That honor goes to the Wizard, its smaller, lower-res, more energy-efficient cousin. The Wizard has a plethora of wireless options, manages to be pretty snappy while only sipping power, and has a nice spacious keyboard, all in a package just barely bigger than a Smartphone.

Note that both share a common parent in HTC, which somehow managed to be even more amazing this year than it was last year. I forsee good things for 2006.

[gibson042]

Oh come now! Everyone knows the FSC Loox 720 is still the device to beat for 2005. Its the best device for WM2003SE, and has the best list of features. It even smokes the Universal in most ways. About the only thing that would have put it completely over the top would have been a graphics accelerator.
Well, that and a phone... :wink:

[Jonathon Watkins]

About the only thing that would have put it completely over the top would have been a graphics accelerator.

Go, Loox 720!

Or integrated GPS. Come Loox N560. ;-)

[Paragon]

Wizard!

[DaleReeck]

Unfortunately, my favorite PPC hasn't been released yet :)

One of my two, the Universal, comes close. The latest OS, clamshell that also can do tablet, dual cameras, VGA, good precessor, dual speakers, sufficient memory, phone, wifi and bluetooth, all in a decent sized package is a close call. But for me, GSM is still not as strong or has as good building penetration as does CDMA. Also, the 3G UTMS support only will work with European frequencies, not US frequencies being deployed by the likes of Cingular. Plus, only tri band GSM, not quad. Give me this device, but with CDMA and EVDO and now we're talking. But for Europeans and other countries who have the proper UTMS, I don't think the Universal can be beat.

My other device, the Samsung I730, is also pretty close. Small, Treo sized, the only PPC that can truely be used one handed in my opinion, fast processor, sufficient memory, dual speakers, wifi, bluetooth and CDMA/EVDO support is not bad. But lack of VGA and a camera hurt it. Also, the antenna nees to be a tad shorter :)

If the Universal comes with to Verizon or Sprint or the I730 is released with a camera and VGA, then I'll be ready to call one of the the PPC of the year :D

[Amidsin]

I’m currently using iPaq 2215 would like to share my perspective on realistic compromises for my next PDA (still looking).
1. I don’t need CF slot. The price of SD cards is the same.
2. I definitely don’t need keyboard. Actually, I’m quite concerned with increasing number of devices with a keyboard, which cannot be detached. My solution to the data entry is Fitaly. It is very, very fast. Keyboard - be gone.
3. VGA screen is almost a must. Otherwise I would not be able to see web pages as they were supposed to be seen.
4. Optimization of hardware and software to work well together.
5. Compact size. I would really like the device, which is barely larger than 3.7’ screen. Something like those new Acer devices would be nice. I just think that I should be able to count on it after getting rid of keyboard and CF slot.
6. Fast processor. This never hurts. :wink:
7. Convergence. But only if it means 3G networks (UMTS, HSDPA) while being complemented by EDGE and quad band. If I would get it, I’m not sure that I would need Wi-Fi. :D

Sadly, I think that I will have to wait for a long time (if it will be ever there). :(

[powder2000]

I think regardless of all the other new devices, the x50v with WM2003SE is the best of 2005. I may be biased in my decision but I stand by it firmly. The phones will suffer indefinitely until all carriers offer a dirt cheap unlimited data plan.

[JD Silver]

I'm putting my vote in for the HTC Apache, which is called UTStarcom PPC6700 here in the Great White North. I love the size, the keyboard, and all of the connectivity. EVDO is simply amazing!

So far, I've found WM5 to be pretty stable on the 6700. I am hardly ever resetting the unit. Applications load a little slower, and Today plugins do slow up the reboot time, but the ability to reatin data without power is wonderful. From a programming point of view, the new APIs offered in WM5, as well as the .NET CF 2.0 framework, has made code more reliable and offers a much richer environment. On the down side, ActiveSync's inability to sync PocketAccess records has thrown a wrench in my collection of data in the field. Oh well, bring on SQLCE.

[DaleReeck]

[quote=Jonathon Watkins]

p.s. Please dont flame me for that but my h2210 seems to run a lot faster than all of the WM 5 devices. :)

Unfortunately, that is going to be true for WM5 even if we have 1GHZ processors. Until they figure out a way to make ROM and flash memory run as fast as volatile main memory like on every WM 2003 or less device, we are going to be at a permanent speed disadvantage.

[Duncan]

Go, Loox 720!

Or integrated GPS. Come Loox N560. ;-)

Yay to the Loox 720 - best PPC of 2005 (indeed of all time). Double yay to the Loox N560... er... 'next high end Pocket Loox whatever it is called' (TM) - joint best PPC of 2006...! :)

[denethor]

Loox 720. No need to argue :devilboy:

[whydidnt]

Unfortunately, my favorite PPC hasn't been released yet :)


What he said. Dale, it's like you were reading my mind when you wrote this post. I was thinking of how to talk about the benefits of the Universal and i730 and you nailed it.

This could be the UBER device of 2006, though:

http://news.com.com/Start-up+merges+cell+phone+and+PC+into+a+handheld/2100-1041_3-5997426.html?part=rss&amp;tag=5997426&amp;subj=news

Finally a compact device that runs both WM5.0 and XP, like some around here have been dreaming of for some time. Oh, yeah it is also a phone! Let's see if they can actually do it.[/url]

[rahuljain]

Wizard was the best in 2005.

I expect 2006 to be much better with the many 3G PPC's in the pipeline.

[Jonathan1]

Pathetically my fav is still the iPaq 4700. :roll:

[forkyfork]

The Wizard, despite it's high price tag, gets my vote.

Although, I was impressed with the i700 as well. Was that released this year?

[adamz]

The HTC Wizard, HTC Universal, and HTC Apache were all released towards the end of the year. The best Pocket PC throughout the entire year of 2005 has got to be the imate JAM. I mean it's still the smallest and most stable Pocket PC Phone around.

Even though my primary is the HTC Wizard right now, the HTC Magician was much more stable, pocketable, and friendly.

[Gerard]

I'll join the camp who say some of the older devices are better. I've seen a LOOX 720, and was somewhat impressed. Slim lines, very sensible size though the screen was a little small for full VGA use, lots of slots and options. Unfortunately the camera really, really stinks, the 'flash' is a joke beyond about 2 feet, and the screen has a yellow-ish tint (at least the unit I tried, when compared to Toshibas and Dells alongside).

The iPAQ hx4700 is nice too, with many of the goodness other classics have while adding VGA and great graphics processing. But it's got that weird touchpad thing... and it's still a tad small for full VGA use.

The newer Dell top end model is nice, but similarly too small. The X51v comes closer than the preceding to what a 'classic PPC user' such as myself would prefer, giving a great overall performance in a neat package, lots of options, and a price tag one can live with. But.

The Toshiba e800 is now 1/3rd its original price, brand new, coming with the dual-USB 'presentation pack' and an extended battery, at numerous online sellers. I bought mine last month, received it about a week ago, and couldn't be a lot happier with this great big screen, dual slots, gorgeous speaker and headphone sound AND very nice mono recording capability with an external microphone. With WM2003SE, a very efficient Symbol Wi-Fi card in the CF slot and a fat SD memory card in the other, this thing kicks butt on anything I've owned before. I use my cellphone for phone calls and like it that way - no soft resets in the middle of calls, the phone just works, doing exactly what it is supposed to do without fail. So integration at this point seems pointless if it means forking over hundreds of extra dollars (my Motorola phone was free with a cheap voice plan) for a converged device.

As for the clamshell/pull-out thumboards... that's a matter of taste, like my taste in big screens. If the option of a 5" or larger screen on a PPC were offered on an otherwise great device I'd snap it up. Same thing for keyboards; my folding Belkin is as small as I'll use, and for anything under a few hundred words I'd rather use a stylus. Thumbing is for thumbers, and to me it just bulks up a device and hogs real estate better reserved for slots and screen size.

So my vote is with the Toshibas. If the e830 had been available when I wanted to buy that would have been the obvious choice I suppose, though the internal 802.11b management has not impressed me when I've seen them in action at the local user group. I get connected to open or encrypted APs (with password of course) in a few seconds. e830 users and even X51v users seem to have a lot of trouble. Reason? Probably that Symbol (and Socket, especially) dedicate far more resources to writing great connectivity programs.

My vote for the future is just wishful thinking; that Toshiba gets back into the game with a mini-tablet running a fully optimised WM2003SE, with a fine rotating integrated 2Mp camera, GSM quad-band phone if they can do it very smoothly, and both CF and SD slots still in there somewhere. USB without a cable or a sleeve would be nice. And stereo-in recording please! Make these things business machines, that's great, but make them multi-media powerhouses too. A teensy screen with a thumboard just isn't for everyone.

[MitchellO]

I probably would have gotten a HTC Universal (had it not cost the same as a decent laptop) because of VGA screen, but went with the HTC Wizard.

I love it! The keyboard on it is excellent, has WiFi + Phone builtin, plenty of memory (even more when I unlocked the Extended ROM for use :D), decent size and excellent screen.

I have been contemplating buying an imate SP5m when they become available and seeing if I could use a smartphone, but for now the Wizard is king!!

I think the Wizard will be a hit, particularly when MS rolls out is Exchange update offering push email. When the Wizard gets that update, it will be a serious competitor for the Blackberry.

My stepmother got a Blackberry from her work the other day, and I love how the email just works. She gets and email, and the device just gets it. No mucking around. It just happens!! Thats my dream on my PPC device. The Blackberry's are just too limited for me or I may have considered one. All you need is GPRS, so a Blackberry functionality on the Wizard will rock! I may have to upgrade to a decent GPRS plan and pay for an Exchange hosting service :D

The HTC Wizard ROCKS!!

[yildi]

Well, my Hx 4700 continues to look gorgeous to me :-) Haven't seen yet a nicer screen and a more comfortable design... Now that I stopped using the Magnum case, it is very thin and light to pocket again and very powerful (HP, where is the replacer of this unit?).

Murat

[horray]

I first fell in love with X50v for its excellent VGA screen and its sheer raw power. Eventually I got one for my wife. From then on, I was determined to upgrade to a PPC Phone with VGA screen (being a H6365 user for some time) and the Universal was a dream come true. Since I am a heavy PDA user, the Universal is a fantastic device and the keyboard is just excellent (not convinced in the beginning but now using it more than the stylus!).

My vote: X50v/X51v for PPC device and the Universal for PPC Phone device. :lol:

[Patrick Y.]

x50v with SE is actually most most favorite device. Very fast, reliable, small and powerful.

[Dyvim]

I have to agree with Gerard and say that I've been underwhelmed with the ppc offerings of 2005. There seemed to be so much more promise back in late 2003 \ early 2004.

I'm still in love with my e830, warts and all - and I loved the e800 I had before it. Dual slots, Dual wireless, 4" VGA screen, USB host, 128 MB RAM, and huge after-market batteries to keep it running on 12-hour international plane flights for watching videos, reading books, and playing mp3s.

[Gerard]

Yeah, those battieries indeed! Next two items on my must-have list are a Mugen 5800mAh battery and a 2GB or bigger CF card for movies. I've just received a Neuros Recorder2 for testing and a review, and need a fat CF card to feed with analog-ripped movies and tunes. And then there's Pocket Artist 3.2 to install tonight and get busy trying out with a backlog of digicam photos.... Gotta love this big screen.

But warts? bah, nothing major there. The odd zit, sure, but nothing so drastic as a wart in my e800. ;)

i think Toshiba set the standard. It's just that the other OEMs haven't really noticed. Has there ever been a finer-looking PPC? My Casio EG-800 came close, fat though it was, wiith the fully rounded corners and soft matte dark blue shatter-proof shell.Toshiba won major style points with the e8xx devices, and even the e4xx was a beauty.

There's another question; what's up with tasteful design being so often missing from these devices? There are a few with nice lines, the odd one with good colour, but for the most part it's a riot of metallic-looking nonsense which might have been designed by a ghetto-blaster maker. The i-Mate Jam is certainly a simple, pretty little thing, but it's too small for anything like serious graphics work or browsing. Why not something like that, only with a 4"+ screen? Why not some units in brushed stainless steel - the Delorean look? Or how about colours, faceplates, that sort of cellphone nonsense which has been so very popular?

[Darius Wey]

So, I'm going to jump in my own thread here, but I'm going to have to say the E-TEN M600, despite its faults.

For a keyboard-enabled device though, it's definitely the HTC Wizard.

[Dyvim]

But warts? bah, nothing major there. The odd zit, sure, but nothing so drastic as a wart in my e800. ;)

The Toshiba BT stack is probably the biggest zit, but I don't really care too much about that.

Next two items on my must-have list are a Mugen 5800mAh battery and a 2GB or bigger CF card for movies

I have the Mugen 5800 battery and it provides loads of power. But I like the stock battery too for the slim and light look when I'm not straying far from a power source (perfect for reading on trains to the city). Probably the main thing I like about the e830 over the e800 is the auto scaling of the PA272 XScale chip which provides pep when you need it (movies on TCPMP play with few dropped frames) and saves power otherwise.

My digital camera uses a CF card and its great to be able to pop that into my e830 and view photos in VGA.

[bbarker]

I don't want a built-in phone or a keyboard and I don't need CF.

My X50v has been the best PPC I've ever owned. It's fast and it's rock-solid reliable. But it's not perfect. It should be lighter and a little smaller and it should have a flip screen cover. My wife's iPaq 1910 gives me size envy, and it's so light. Also, I miss the flip cover of my Jornadas.

For me the ideal PPC would be: A smaller and lighter Dell Axim X50v/X51v without the CF slot and with a flip-up screen cover, or
A smaller iPaq 2750 without the CF slot and with VGA added.I use the X50v with a Bluetooth phone for data and with a Bluetooth GPS. I don't want those built in yet. Maybe someday.

[SteveHoward999]

My digital camera uses a CF card and its great to be able to pop that into my e830 and view photos in VGA.


I voted for a Universal, and I stand by that. But my E830 is such a great machine, even the Universal is not good enough to drag me away from the E830 yet. Something significantly better than the Universal will have to come along before it can convince me to retire the E830 and move up to a new toy!

The E800 is now two years old (I think) and was far ahead of the competition when it came out. The 830 is more than a year old and really there is little to beat it still. I think the Dell about beats it on VFM, especially when you consider that Dell actually pffer ROM updates and still support the machines, unlike Toshiba,but after that it seems to be a matter of personal preference as to which machine is really the best.

I too wish Toshiba had not left the PDA market. I'd love to see a new high-end PDA from them.

[QYV]

Such a difficult choice between the Wizard/Apache (similar though not identical) and the Universal. With the combination of an extremely usable keyboard, WiFi, and VGA, the Universal is finally the device that can replace a laptop for casual use. It's a huge mother, no doubt about it, but it does fit in the pocket of my pants and that's all I really need. Landscape and softkeys are icing on the cake that just make the usability exceptional.

The Wizard is such a great design that I wouldn't argue with any of those who voted for it. I'll take the larger keyboard and screen of the Universal, myself, but the small form factor of the Wizard, while still packing a solid keyboard and WiFi, is a design triumph. Same with the Apache, although hello dorky antenna nub! :mrgreen:

For next year, the Treo will probably win out. I personally want a big, usable keyboard, not the teeny thing they put on that one, but I will admit that for pure one-handed navigation, having the keyboard always available is certainly an advantage. Whoever said earlier in the thread that this year hasn't been interesting compared to 2004 is absolutely nuts - from a hardware and software standpoint, the new WM5 devices are the biggest advance we've seen since the original iPAQ.

[MitchellO]

the Universal is finally the device that can replace a laptop for casual use.

Ya, and it matches the price of a laptop too :lol: Thats why I don't have one.

[delfuhd]

My h2215 that I've had since a month or so after it came is definitely my favorite pocket pc. It is simply the best. It was the best at it's time, and it still competes with the fastest pocket pc's today.

I don't think I'll ever sell it.


I'm sure I'd like a 4700 as well, if I could afford one. But alas, I think the 2215 will always have a place in everyones heart.

[KTamas]

My Blue Angel. It has everything I need (except VGA, but hey, nothing is perfect), and it is relaible, has a good battery life, WM5 and such. Oh, the best in 2005? ;) Hmm...Maybe the HTC Apache, too bad it is CDMA...and the Palm 700w, although the 240×240 screen is not the best...meh, I guess no device from 2005 for me. Oh well, let's hope 2006 brings some VGA Phone Edition device in the form factor of the Blue Angel...

[Kadegboye]

My vote will go for the HTC Wizard although it has some drawbacks. Its not too fast OMAP 850 and its mini-SD card input are its drawbacks. Its small size, big enough thumbboard, bright VGA screen, light weight and its impressive specs are its strengh. HTC universal has almost everything but it is massive. HTC Appache is great but CDMA is not universal.
Kay.

[QYV]

Its small size, big enough thumbboard, bright VGA screen, light weight and its impressive specs are its strengh.

The Wizard has a QVGA screen, not a VGA screen. If you're going to knock the Universal for its size (and hey, fair enough! :mrgreen: ) you gotta give it props for having the nicer screen.

[Jason Dunn]

The Wizard has a QVGA screen, not a VGA screen. If you're going to knock the Universal for its size (and hey, fair enough! :mrgreen: ) you gotta give it props for having the nicer screen.

True, but it's interesting that the Wizard LOOKS like it has a VGA screen because the DPI is so much higher with QVGA on a smaller screen. In some ways that's even a bit better because you get enhanced crispness, no VGA slowdown, no pixel doubling, etc. Gee, I think I'm talking myself into getting a Wizard. :lol:

[mar2k]

Gotta be the Acer N311 with that 3.7" VGA screen taking up almost the entire casing and built in Wifi/Bluetooth. If this thing gets anything close to decent battery life and the screen is bright enough, it could be the best Pocket PC form factor ever....

Now if they can only be convinced to release it in North America....

[follick]

I vote for the Toshiba e800.

I just recently upgraded from an hx4700 with WM2003SE to a Toshiba e800 with WM2003FE+MyVGA. It's fast, snappy and runs video great.
It has a beautiful 4" VGA screen and a huge 2640 mAh battery, with a Mugen 5800 mAh battery available.
I've found it to be extremely stable and comfortable to use.

[WorksForTurkeys]

The Magician was probably "it" for me, although I really want a Universal with the same form-factor and at least the same CPU (a minimum 400MHz) as the Jam.

[fackert]

Well, they all sound great - but decided for numerous reasons to go with the Axim x51v. The price was good I thought. Bought the high-end unit with xtra 2-year warranty, extra metal case, spare battery, car kit, house &amp; USB kit, and universal power supply kit for under $500 out the door. Next thing is the bluetooth GPS nav for it.

The screen is amazing &amp; WM5 is flawless so far. It's not too big - therefore easy to wear &amp; carry around on the job without being a problem when I sit, especially with the aluminum case.

Have not had a single program display any problems so far. Have noticed the cradle turns on the device by itself after a period of time, but if that's all there is - I can live with that....

Letting my wife borrow it for her schooling is an added benefit - just unfold a keyboard &amp; type away, still leaving room on the desk for the books due to its smaller formfactor - something the portable could never do..not to mention all the weight saved. She can also access the internet in the classroom with it to do on-the-spot research...

[Don't Panic!]

I cast my vote for the Samsung SCH i730 for Best Pocket PC Phone Edition of 2005. The Dell Axim X50v/X51vs get my vote as best Pocket PC of the Pocket PC era to date.

[Bacco]

Wizard, hands down. It's the best convergence device I've ever had.

[jlp]

UNarguably the very best PPC is the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720:
It has everything the others have:
- CF + SD
- VGA
- a fast CPU
- Wifi
- BT
PLUS all of what the others lack:
- the best screen quality (shared with the HP 4700, it's the same manufacturer)
- side scroll
- CIR (long range Consumer-grade IR)
- an IR window located at the top
- USB host
- a dedicated VoIP speaker
- small size
- but large battery
- AND 128 MB RAM

Far ahead of ALL the others combined!! 8)

I long to have one soon!!

[stevenmh]

UNarguably the very best PPC is the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720:
Far ahead of ALL the others combined!! 8)



I've had the 720 for a year and love it. I agree that for a PPC-only device, it's the best out there. I haven't seen a new PPC in 2005 that's made me want to upgrade.

To be fair, though, the fact that US users have to import it and forego a warranty on a new $700 device must be factored into the equation. As a computer / tech geek, I weighed the risk and took the plunge. When making recommendations to non-technical co-workers and friends, though, I go with the Axim x50v. Similar features, much less expensive, can be serviced under warranty in the US, and readily available 3rd party accessories.

I'd love to give the Universal a try, but converged devices aren't an option for me until CDMA units become as popular as GSM units or GSM coverage improves in non-metropolitan areas.

[pocketpcadmirer]

No doubt FL 720 is the best pda upto date..hands down :werenotworthy:

Sunny