HP iPAQ hx2415 Pocket PC Review

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(More customer reviews)The iPaq hx2415 is my second PDA. It is replacing my slower, but still fully functional Compaq iPaq 3635, one of the original iPaqs. I loved it and used it daily for everything from productivity to entertainment. My review is going to be more of a comparison between the two devices.
Expansion/Memory Cards:
The hx2415 is awesome! It's everything I had in the 3635 and so much more. Because my 3635 did not have any built-in expansion card slots, I had the compact flash expansion sleeve, which added bulk and took away from the slim, ergonomic style. In searching for a new PDA, one of my main requirements is that it would have to take compact flash cards natively, without an attachment. There are others on the market, however, I never had any problems out of my Compaq so I wanted to stick with the HP/Compaq brand. Not only does the hx2415 take the compact flash, it also takes the secure digital (SD) cards as well! Great job on providing multiple expansion slots HP.
Display:
I have been doing research and looking at the newer PDAs for about six months. The vast improvement in the displays just blew my 3635 out of the water. The colors are brighter, sharper and much more crisp on the hx2415 and the newer PDAs. Without a doubt, it was much easier on the eyes, even with the screen protector that I put on, right out of the box.
Battery:
I bought my 3635 new in the summer of 2001. I replaced the battery myself with a high-capacity battery. The original was down to about 20 minutes of good usage per full charge! :( After the new battery, I could go for a week and a half with more than my normal daily usage and the backlight on! Having said that, the standard battery of the hx2415 doesn't compare, which is why I'm getting the high-capacity battery for it as well. I love the fact that it is removable and I don't need any tools to replace it.
Design:
When the iPaq was first introduced, it's radical style was on the cutting edge. One of the main reasons I bought it is because it was unlike any other PDA at the time. It made all the Palm devices look like standard calculators. I loved the placement and functions of the buttons. They were all right where they needed to be. On the hx2415, it's even better because the buttons are designed so that it is not as easy to accidentally press one of the buttons, especially the voice recorder.
Networking:
Aside from infrared on the 3635, in order to do any type of networking with my iPaq, I needed to get add-on cards, which I didn't want to do. The hx2415 takes care of all of your networking needs - from infrared, to Wi-Fi, to Bluetooth. It has it all.
Applications:
HP has included great applications that I found were very easy to use. I guess being a previous owner of an iPaq helped too. But it won't be a problem for those just buying their first PDA either.
Sound:
This is probably the only thing that I wish would have been better on the hx2415. The sound is not what I'm used to on my 3635. The speaker was a lot bigger and produced a much louder sound. I very rarely had the volume maxed on it. With the hx2415, the volume is all the way up - all the time.
Overall I am smitten with my new iPaq. I paid over $500 for my 3635 brand new (with cradle, charger, case, and expansion sleeve). I found this hx2415 for $370.00. What a deal! I couldn't be happier.
One thing I would like to mention, which isn't a problem with the iPaq as much as it is a problem with the PocketPC interface. I recommend you get a third-party management utility, such as Wisbar. It makes using the iPaq so much easier and fun. One thing I dislike (and probably most PPC users do as well) is that when you open an application, such as Pocket Word, there is an 'X' button to close the application. However, the 'X' button is more like a 'Minimize' button because the program is still active. You have to navigate through the settings control panel and close it from the running programs in the Memory task panel. So much of a hassle. But not with Wisbar. You'll be glad you did!
I'm sure I'm leaving some other great features out, but these are what really drove me to buy the hx2415. Hope it helps you in your search!

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Combining high performance excellent connectivity and expandability and enhanced security this iPAQ is ready to help you meet all your daily business and personal needs--all while fitting conveniently in your pocket or purse! Includes hx2415 Pocket PC Removable/rechargeable lithium-Ion battery AC Adapter Charger adapter Desktop cradle Plastic flip cover Stylus Getting Started Guide and HP iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD.* Automatically back up applications and data and store in the main memoryor iPAQ File Store or on a memory card.* Stay connected in and out of the office with the integrated 802.11b forhigh-speed wireless access to the Internet e-mail and corporate datasolutions.* Take advantage of the Bluetooth wireless technology to communicate withother Bluetooth devices create personal area networks using peer-to-peercommunication and wirelessly print documents e-mail brochures andpictures to a Bluetooth-enabled printer.* Exchange data with Serial-IR-enabled devices.* Protect your iPAQ and wireless connection with the HP ProtectToolsfeature (in collaboration with CREDANT Technologies) which lets you usea PIN or password to control access and impose industry-standardencryption to protect stored data and provide fail-safe action it is lostor stolen.* Carry easily with the soft rubberized side grips and slip-free grip.* Keep the display clear with the plastic flip cover that preventsscratches.-- SPECIFICATIONs -----------------------------------PROCESSOR - Intel PXA270 520MHz ProcessorMEMORY- 128 MB total memory (64 MB ROM and 64 MB SDRAM) Up to 65 MB user available memory that includes 20 MB iPAQFile Store.DISPLAY - Type : Transflective TFT QVGA color with LEDbacklight with power save mode.Modes: Portrait and landscapeof Colors : 64K color (65536 colors) 16-bit Touch Screen: Yes Resolution : (W x H) 240 x 320 pixels Dot Pitch : 0.24 mm Image Size : 3.5 in (89 mm)BUTTONS - Power soft reset 5-way navigation voice record calendarcontact...

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HP iPAQ 2215 Pocket PC Review

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(More customer reviews)Should you get a PocketPC? Should you get the Ipaq H2215? Depends of course on what you want to do, what difference it will make in your life, is it worth the money. The price of the unit is without a memory card...and yes you will need a memory card. I have a 1GB card and it was worth the money. Was the Ipaq worth it? For me yes.
I also bought a foldable keyboard so add that to the price. I am a graduate student and I bought the Ipaq knowing it had a recording function. This is very handy for me in interview situations. I like being able to display PDFs, PowerPoints (not very usable but a nice 'toy' this since the slides are so small), word documents, EXCEL, etc. The addition of the keyboard actually allows me to create files and I really like the size of the Ipaq even with keyboard compared to a laptop.
Of course it is not all work. I had an audible.com subscription for a couple of years and can play my library on this. If you have never tried audible with a pocketpc...it is a worthwhile experience. I am an avid reader but I have found that there are times when listening to a book is just the thing. With 1GB it is not an Ipod but it gets the job done for me and the sound is very good with MP3s. Add avantgo, ebook reader, and ahem, Pocket Everquest and it is a pocket entertainment center.
It is also extemely verstile. To get an idea of what a pocket PC can do for you visit a website that had downloads of applications. I found a very nice scientific calculator with graphing functions that would be at least $70 or more dollars for $12 as a download today. I am also trying out something called pocket earth that is very interesting.
Why 4 stars? I didn't really need bluetooth and there are other products out there a bit less exsepsenive if you don't need that. But HP customer service is A1. If you ask an email question they usually reply within 24 hours although for my old Jornada it use to be within in an hour. The unit comes with a CD-ROM with multiple utlities that you will find useful. In addition to price (and it is a very fair price btw overall) I feel the battery life could be better. Granted size played into that but you will find yourself recharging quite often. In a way that is a backhanded good thing though, it means you are finding uses for it, even if they are frivolous. So if you are willing to spend the money for the unit AND the money for a memory card big enough to serve your needs AND the money for a keyboard if you plan on actually creating documents with the Ipaq and it still seems worth it, enjoy your new pocket computer and your new toy. I am.

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iPAQ 2215 Pocket PC. Integrated Bluetooth technology allows communication with other Bluetooth devices. Transflective liquid crystal display with over 64,000 colors works in all light conditions. Local and corporate-class network printing available with free downloadable software (link provided on each units CD). Manufacturers one-year limited warranty . 64MB memory, 32MB Flash ROM. Powerful 400 MHz Intel® XScale™ processor for super-fast multimedia and multitasking Offers optimal features and performance. Includes Secure Digital and Type II Compact-Flash card slots for media, wireless options and additional storage. 900mAH. 3.5" Touch Screen and iPAQ Task Manager access and launch programs easily. Integrated and visual equipment. Adjustable standby settings. Powered by Microsoft® Windows® Pocket PC 2003 Premium Edition. Includes iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD software, USB Desktop cradle/ charger, AC adapter, slipcase, rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery (charges up to eight hours) and charger adapter.

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HP iPAQ 1945 Pocket PC Review

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(More customer reviews)The iPAQ 1945, also sold as the iPAQ 1940, is the first in a line of planned successors to the iPAQ 1910. HP has addressed many of the concerns that 1910 users had, namely that the 1910 was too slow and lacked hardware expansion options. The 1945 is powered by a new 266MHz processor from Samsung which rivals, and sometimes surpasses, the usable speed of many XScale chips from Intel. Other features of the iPAQ 1945 include 64MB of RAM (56MB of which are user accessible), a crisp, bright transflective color screen, onboard Bluetooth wireless, and a Secure Digital slot which can use SD flash memory cards and SDIO peripherals such as 802.11b WLAN cards.
Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC replaced Pocket PC 2002 as the most current Pocket PC OS in June 2003 and comes installed on the 1945. While the version of Windows Mobile 2003 pre-installed on the iPAQ lacks a few minor applications (such as Microsoft Reader), each can be downloaded for free. Because HP left the choice to the end-user, the iPAQ File Store - unused space on the ROM - has over 13MB free for software, files, etc.
As I mentioned before, the Samsung processor keeps the 1945 moving along very well. Having recently used an iPAQ 5450 (400Mhz PXA250 XScale), a Toshiba e755 (400MHz PXA255 XScale) and a Toshiba e355 (300MHz PXA255 XScale), I can say that, from a casual use point-of-view, the iPAQ 1945 surpasses the speed of the iPAQ 5450 and Toshiba e355 and feels basically on level with the Toshiba e755. One of the touted benefits of the Samsung processor is long battery life, and while I didn't get the eight hours that HP suggested I might, I got almost seven hours use out of the 1945 with the backlight on its lowest setting before I had to recharge; a very good result.
There is only one real drawback to the iPAQ 1945, as I see it, and it's relatively minor and completely fixable: the 1945 ships with only a USB Sync cable, not a cradle. While some might actually prefer this, I miss not having a cradle to rest the iPAQ in while it's not in use. The good news here is that there is a cradle available (the same cradle that works with the iPAQ 1910), and you can purchase if you want it.
All-in-all, the iPAQ 1945 is an amazing addition to the Pocket PC family. If you like small, light PDAs with oomph, the 1945 might be right up your alley.

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This slim and sleek, feature-and super-value-packed Pocket PC is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse yet substantial enough to keep your life in order. It includes multimedia, Bluetooth (wireless ready with SDIO WLAN 802.11b card), and plenty of room to expand and accessorize!Be productive wherever you are with popular applications, including Microsoft Office (Pocket Outlook, Word, and Excel), varied features, and large storage capability. The HP iPAQ h1945 fit in your purse or pocket: at 2.75" wide and 4.37 oz., it's easy to keep with you. Access the Internet, e-mail, and corporate data at home, at work, or on the go with the optional SDIO WLAN 802.11b card. Print documents, e-mail attachments, and pictures straight from your HP iPAQ h1945 to a local printer (printing software included). Be entertained by your favorite multimedia, right at your fingertips. Enjoy brilliant color and image sharpness courtesy of the transflective TFT LCD (64,000 colors). Be ergonomically correct with the touch-sensitive display for stylus, built-in speaker and microphone, four programmable launch buttons, and more. Do more as your needs grow by expanding via the integrated SD slot.

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