PDA Virgin's Compaq Ipaq 3150 Review in Plain English
Written: Jan 04 '02 (Updated Feb 27 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price, features, programs, ease of sync
Cons: Sometimes difficult to see display
The Bottom Line: The Ipaq is a great PDA for moderate users. It's easy to sync and includes many useful features.
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| lambchops's Full Review: Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC H3150 Personal Organizer |
I’ve never been one to use planners. In fact, I managed to waste my money on a wonderful leather bound example during college. So, when I started my life in the working world it seemed useless to buy another one.
In stepped the Compaq Ipaq H3150.
Since past experience had led me to believe that I am hopelessly unorganized and unwilling to change, the simple fact that I chose to purchase a PDA seemed amazing. At the time, my husband was looking for his own PDA and I joked that if he bought me one, too he could get one. Two days later a surprise package from MicroWarehouse arrived on my front stoop.
After doing some research, I realized that the Compaq Ipaq H3150 was an exceptional value. I really didn’t care whether I had a color screen, so the monochrome display was no inconvenience. And, since I’d never owned a PDA the unit as a whole proved very functional.
At the time we purchased this PDA, it cost $189. Considering that it’s a Windows CE/Pocket PC that was a very good deal. It’s now more difficult to come by the 3150. Compaq has halted production on their monochrome display PDA’s in favor of their more expensive (yet no more useful) color displays. It’s still possible to find refurbished models via the company website for affordable prices.
Upon opening the box, I found that included with the price was an AC adapter, a USB cord, one stylus, software to sync the PDA with your computer, and the unit itself. The 3150 includes an ample 16MB in memory. That may not sound like much, but since the screen isn’t color less memory is needed in RAM.
Loaded on the PDA you find useful programs like Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and Microsoft Money. In addition programs like Solitaire and Microsoft Reader are included for entertainment value (we all know just how helpful Solitaire can be).
The thing about the Compaq Ipaq H3150 and other similar models is that it syncs perfectly with a Windows computer. Without fail, information from Outlook (Inbox, Notes, Tasks, Contacts, Calendar) is zapped to and from the PDA. In my 4-5 months of using this handheld daily I’ve encountered a total of zero errors. Co-workers with Palm OS handhelds seem to have more problems than those of us with the Compaq Ipaq models.
Users have the ability to input data via sync, via tapping an onscreen keyboard, and via writing on the touchscreen with the provided stylus. Even for me, a PDA virgin, the writing proved very simple and quick. It wasn’t difficult at all to pick up on the required strokes to assemble a letter. In addition, the PDA recognizes more commonly used words so you don’t have to necessarily finish each letter.
The 3150 offers some interesting features. You can use the Infrared device to send information from one PDA to another. There is a ‘record’ button on the side that allows users to use the unit as a voice recorder system. For an additional charge (mind you, very large charge), you can add on features like a modem or more memory.
Overall, I have to agree with many other users. The display could be better. As I already mentioned, I don’t have any specific problems with it. It’s just that in bad lighting the 3150 may prove difficult to read. Besides that, this PDA is very useful and more than adequate for a ‘regular’ user like myself.
Even though I’ve never been able to keep track of anything on paper, the Compaq Ipaq H3150 makes it easy for me to carry around my contacts and calendar (my favorite two features). If I get lost while driving, I can refer back to the maps I’ve downloaded via the installed AvantGo portion of Internet Explorer. The 3150 was a super buy and I would recommend that anybody buy even a refurbished model. If you’ve got the cash you may even consider one of the fancy color models. They are very much the same, but are easier on the eyes at times.
I recommend the Compaq Ipaq H3150 to all moderate PDA users. If you are looking for a high-powered unit, turn elsewhere. The 3150 is a great buy and very reliable. I am very pleased with this purchase.
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Thank you for reading this opinion. Since it is my first 'technology' opinion, I'd appreciate any hints or feedback. I can't improve unless you help!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 189
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Epinions.com ID:
lambchops
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Shelly T.
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Reviews written: 1172
Trusted by: 841 members
About Me:
Bye-bye CL hat. Hopefully I'll write some new reviews some time soon!
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