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(More customer reviews)My Palm Zire 31 recently died of a traumatic screen impact. I had every intention of replacing it with another of the same, but after poking at handheld display models around town, I decided to upgrade from my Palm to a Pocket PC.
I found the Pocket PC to be aptly named. It really is a pocket sized mini-computer. There's a fossil PC in my basement with less memory, less storage, a slower processor, and absolutely no multi-media capabilities. It cost over $3000 in 1996. The iPaq rx3115 cost 1/10 the price and delivers so much more. I am really impressed.
I chose the rx3115 over the rz1715 because the rx3115 has built in wi-fi and bluetooth. You can buy a wi-fi card for the rz1715, but it costs about $80 and takes up your only SD slot. The rx3115 is $100 more than the rz1715, so it seemed more efficient to just spend the extra $20 on the better model. If you never expect to need wi-fi, go ahead and save the $100. Me, I like being able to access my husband's amazon.com wish list from a Panera Bread parking lot.
The rx3115 starts with the same basic features as any handheld: an outlook compatible calendar, address book, and task list.
In addition to those basics, you get pocket versions of Word and Excel. The built in print manager allows you to print wirelessly from network ready printers.
On top of basic workhorse programs, the rx3115 adds built-in Avantgo software, which allows you to select free news and entertainment channels then download those pages onto the handheld. This means you can read this morning's Wired while standing in line at the DMV.
Then, it takes the multimedia capabilities to a whole new level. You can stream video, music, and photos from a desktop or laptop to your handheld, so if you want to listen to your MP3's from the basement, you don't have to bother copying them onto your SD card. If you want to load an album onto your iPaq, you can do it wirelessly on the way out of the house - no messing with the USB cord needed.
It also acts as a universal remote control, usable on any device with an infrared control. This is a mixed blessing, to say the least. Try to use your powers for good instead of evil, people.
The built in one-touch voice recorder works surprisingly well for (so far) unlimited voice memos. You can manually set the sound quality, so you can get incredibly crisp sound if you're willing to take up a lot of space. The built in speaker is very loud and clear for a device this size.
I like a lot of little details about the rx3115 - namely, the fact that it is slim enough to fit into my tiny little purse when in its hard case, the full size screen (no graffiti area unless you call it up), the ability to flip the screen sideways and back at the push of a button, the very responsive mini-keyboard which is a breeze to pull up or shrink whenever needed, and the one-touch voice memo button.
Finally, it's easy to download additional programs ranging from Age of Empires to ListPro (a very useful and highly recommended program!)
Incidentally, if you don't like the goofy multimedia home screen, you can download other free Pocket PC themes from Microsoft.
Cons:
All that said, this is not the most intuitive device I've ever used. The walk-through is beyond useless. (It tells you things you can do without showing you how.) Finding files can be surprisingly complicated. It looks a lot like Windows XP, but doesn't follow the same well established rules, which can result in some initial confusion.
Some features do not have a back button, so there can be an awkward amount of closing the program and starting over.
Because HP assumes people want this handheld for the sake of watching TV and listening to music, none of the buttons take you to normal handheld destinations, such as calendar, address book, and tasklist. You can reprogram the buttons, but it takes some digging to find how.
The Close and OK button are in the same place, so it's very easy to have half a dozen programs open, all hogging your memory, without realizing it. Separate screen buttons would go a long way to clearing this up.
Basically, you have to spend a little time learning the quirks of the system, but when you do, I find it well worth the time investment.
Other:
Some useful links for additional software include:
illiumsoft.com - makers of listpro
handango.com - quality Pocket PC and Palm pay downloads
pocketgear.com - more quality pay downloads
audible.com - audio books and magazines to download and listen to on your palm or PC.
There are free download sites out there, but I find you get what you pay for. While there are some free gems, but you have to dig pretty far to find them.
Finally, BUY A HARD CASE! Handheld manufacturers all include awful cases and HP is no exception. The screen is much more fragile than you think. One impact and you're out $350 for a handheld - and trust me, once you get hooked, you'll NEED a new one. Amazon sadly lacks good rx3115 hardcases, but I found an excellent one at styluscentral.com. You can find plenty of other cases through Froogle.
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HP iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PCHP's new iPAQ RX3115 enables you to access digital content anywhere in your home, as well as edit, share and print photos directly from the handheld. It features both Bluetooth and wi-fi 802.11b wireless connectivity, a fast 300 MHz processor, 56 MB of user-accessible memory, and an integrated speaker and microphone (as well as a headphone jack).
HP's iPAQ Mobile Media software transforms the RX3115 into the ultimate digital entertainment media device by eliminating the need to stand in front of a TV or PC to browse and access media content. Using the deviceÕs integrated wireless capabilities, you can stream content from a PC to play on the HP iPAQ or to a TV or stereo to share and enjoy in any room of a home. You can also wirelessly download music libraries, movie collections and vacation photos from PCs to the HP iPAQ.
The HP iPAQ RX3115 also includes Nevo Home Control software, allowing control of most home and office audio/video equipment with a single device. With the ability to control hundreds of consumer electronic devices, the RX3115 is the only universal remote control you'll ever need.
Powered by the Professional Edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Pocket PC, the RX3115 enables you to easily manage personal information--from your calendar and appointments to your contacts and inbox--while on the go. Additionally, you can easily transfer files to, or access files from, Secure Digital and MultiMedia Cards via an integrated SD slot. Sync the iPAQ with a PC at home and photos and videos are automatically transferred between your PC and handheld using HP Image Transfer with ActiveSync.
Featuring the Microsoft Windows Media Player 9, the iPAQ RX3115 allows you to watch and hear your favorite video and music on the go. The ability to view content in landscape mode on the 3.5-inch transreflective LCD (in addition to portrait mode) ensures a wider screen for playing favorite videos and games.
What's in the Box HP iPAQ RX3115, AC adapter, USB sync cable, stylus, carrying case, stereo headphones
Click here for more information about HP iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC
