From keyboard to stylus?
Written: Sep 23 '00 (Updated Dec 28 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: New found portability, great multi-media!
Cons: No modem or CF Flash
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| pkitch's Full Review: Compaq iPAQ H3650 Pocket PC |
This is an overview switching from a keyboard Phenom Express HPC to stylus entry Pocket PC Compaq ipaq.
I have been an avid PDA user for about 13 years or so. Starting off with simple (now) Casio Organizer type devices, then as technology improved I moved into the more sophisticated arena of the Sharp wizards then the Zaurus which took a step closer towards being ‘more’ than an organizer.
Then came the HPC, upon first inspection seemed a silly ‘look-alike’ of the Windows OS and initially scorned it sat there on display in the CompUSA’s etc with little or no fanfare. I suspect I was not alone in underestimating their potential as well as feeling they were ‘over fussy’. I finally gave in and bought one after a friend (somewhat of a PC expert) gave me some ideas on it’s potentials, and the advantages of linking with a PC, and more so the idea of synchronizing with the PC something I had never really thought about before.
I have now made the transition from the HPC (keyboard) format to the new Pocket PC format without sans keyboard. I suspect that I am not alone in this difficult decision – ‘I really like the new Pocket PC’s and their diminutive size, but am appalled at life without keyboard and modem’.
As The ‘Jupiter’ format of HPC seems to be dwindling, only the NEC 7700 and the Jornada 690 (a new 720 will offer updated operating system and should be an excellent product) are current choices, or the full laptop sized NEC 8000 and Compaq’s which in my mind almost defeats the object of having a small handy digital assistant. So is this a logical and acceptable progression?
I had toyed with the Palmsize PC (PPC) for a year or two, even buying my wife an early Cassiopeia, which was not (surprise) a big success. At this point I played with the format extensively, and found it no match for the keyboard based system, although I liked the idea, I stuck with the idea that I preferred the portability of the smaller device, but loved the keyboard and built-in modem of my Phenom Express HPC Pro. As new models came and went, color was added etc again and again I was tempted, but I couldn’t face the loss of the keyboard and modem.
I have settled on a Compaq ipaq, and have compared to the competition is very noticeably faster at opening tasks than it’s sibings. It has a 209mhz processor vs. the Jornada's (I think 133mhz) ditto the Casio E-115 this has to make a difference. The ipaq also has a self adjusting backlighting feature which I like though at times does not reflect my taste at that moment. The killer item though is the screen. The ipaq is a reflective screen so you can read it outside in full color. I think it is slightly sharper outside than backlit inside. Side by side, the screen is sharper and contrast is better than the Jornada, but is not as beautiful and as rich as the Casio's.
Cosmetically the Compaq is a winner too, only a little bigger than the Palm V and significantly smaller than either of these two. Only downside in my opinion is the lack of a compact flash slot. The idea of interchangeable jackets is great, but CF Flash is pretty much a necessity with all the media capabilities, and also the headache of actually getting one of the sleeves (they ARE available keep looking!).
My first step towards my decision to leave my HPC format was my switch to a cable modem at home. This service meant I would have to pay extra for a dial up connection that would support the handheld. This was a ‘want’ for me not a ‘need’, so I dropped the dial up and thus no longer really used the handheld foe e-media as I now used soley my desktop.
The final step came with the launch Pocket PC devices, (I REALLY liked the idea of the Reader software) especially the Compaq ipaq which was gorgeous. This was it, I couldn’t give in any longer, and I rushed out and bought one, and was lucky enough to actually get one…
This meant some changes in the way that I used the device. I now would realistically not do any writing on the device, write e-mails, edit texts etc. due to lack of keyboard. I would not be able to sit in front of the T.V and web surf as I had with my Phenom Express HPC Pro, although I could get a modem for it, I would not enjoy broadband connection speed…
I have now enjoyed this new format for about 4 months now and have not looked back. sometimes I do miss the keyboard; no longer can I sit on a plane and write letters and do any real editing. Same with spreadsheets unless you are very patient.
I painlessly set up Avantgo software and have about 15-20 channels that deliver user definable content to the device each time I sync it. Again this is not a new concept, but unless you have had to use this type of media (a la Palm users – no modem) you probably wouldn’t have. Where this does not substitute for web browsing, it is surprisingly cool to have items of interest delivered without thought. You can also set up offline WebPages for viewing offline, but these very quickly eat-up memory and I think for most; news (I have National US, UK news and local Orlando set up), weather, stocks and the like will be more than sufficient. I also recommend setting up a 'My Yahoo' homepage, which will allow all your desired info for a homepage and deliver it into the device again via Avantgo.
E-mail also works very well. Usually I only need to tap in quick responses to e-mails, and this can usually be done sufficiently well with the handwriting recognition for a few quick words. If not. Use the PC when you return home or office.
The data entry method of choice currently is the ‘pop’ up keyboard; although slow and awkward it is reliable for editing text and small entries, especially punctuation. The ‘jot’ business might as well be Cyrillic and is about as appealing. I do not have the time or inclination to learn a new deviant written language (my handwriting has suffered enough over the last few years in relying on typing instead of writing) without training myself in this new script. I am though forcing myself to use the excellent transcriber software, which allows for cursive and printed input, and if you have consistent handwriting, you will fare very well. I don’t but am trying to learn to control it all over again. (I think in time this will become the sole method of input, but for now the errors can become a little frustrating). With a little practice a 95% accuracy is not unrealistic.
Overall my switch has been pretty painless, and I found the added abilities that I get from having a smaller device with me more often, far outweighs the loss of the modem and keyboard that went with my beloved Phenom Express HPC. I now have more information at my fingertips, I have value added features like Audible books that read me a bedtime story, MP3 (and now Mpeg videos with Pocket media Player 7) playback and management, all my favored PIM functions and my favorite MS Reader which tops it all for me. In the end a great move!
I hope you enjoy this 'review' and find it useful. Feel free to e-mail (pkitching@cfl.rr.com) me if you have any questions I might be able to comment on.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499.00
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Epinions.com ID:
pkitch
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Member: Paul
Location: Orlando, FL
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 2 members
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