HP iPaq rx3715 - Multiple Options for the Power User
Written: Mar 09 '05 (Updated Mar 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nice package, nice features, pretty screen, cool remote control software
Cons: WiFi and bluetooth not enough for universal connectivity, "short" battery life even in standby mode
The Bottom Line: This is a nice multimedia PDA, that is good for someone who wants a lot of options on their PDA, so long as 100% connectivity is not required.
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| mrisch's Full Review: Hewlett Packard iPAQ RX3715 Pocket PC |
I just received the HP iPaq rx3715 as a gift. I must say that I am thrilled to have the gift - this is one of the nicest I have received.
The rx3715 is a nice choice for a high end PDA. I have been a user of PDA's for many years - I had an early Palm, then a Palm IIIc, and now I use a Samsung i600 cellphone. I can say without qualification that the iPaq rx3715 is a nicer PDA than all of those devices.
PocketPC
This PDA uses the WindowsMobile 2003, second edition (i.e. PocketPC) software, and it works quite well. I won't make this a review about PocketPC v Palm software as you can read that about any device. I do think that the PocketPC offers a lot of flexibility for Windows users, and certainly more than with WindowsMobile phone edition.
For example, the different ways to input data (touch keyboard, "graffiti" emulation, handwriting recognition) is like any other PocketPC device. There is no built in external keyboard.
Memory
The iPaq comes with 64MB of RAM, which is enough to load a fair amount of software, though after the default programs there are maybe 30MB remaining. One problem (and maybe this is true on all devices) is that most of the program data is in volatile RAM, meaning that all data is lost if the battery dies. I left my iPaq unplugged and unused for 2 or 3 days, and I lost all my data - luckily I had synced. Maybe this is true for all similar PDA's but I would like to see the standby time last longer.
There is some (100MB) non-volatile memory in addition to an SD card slot. However, even when I put an SD memory card in, diverting all settings to that memory is not really easy to do on a global basis - it seems like every program has to be reset.
Infrared
The infrared sender/receiver on this PDA is really versatile. It syncs up to my Dell 300m laptop without any problem. I am also able to beam (but not sync) to my Samsung i600 phone. Even more cool, this model comes with Nevo HomeControl, which allows me to set up a universal learning remote. I can drive my TiVo, Aiwa receiver, Panasonic TV, etc. In fact, this is the only universal remote I have seen that had setting for my TiVo and Aiwa bult in without learning.
Multimedia
The iPaq rx3715 comes with a whole host of multimedia applications. First, it has a 1.2 megapixel with 4x optical zoom camera. The camera is so-so. If you want resolution better than 320x200, it is blurry. I hardly ever use the camera. I go to court a lot, and cameras are not allowed, so I can never take this into the courthouse, so the camera doesn't do much for me - it might do more for you.
There is also a lot of Nevo (and other) software for multimedia use, including software for the PC. One of the cool applications from Nevo (a company that makes software) is a multimedia client/server. Any PC can act as a server for the iPaq. The software searches for music and pictures, and then serves that data over the WiFi connection (see below) - in essence, your iPaq becomes a player/picture viewer even though it has no data on it. Of course, if you get an SD card, you can also use it remotely to store alot of music or photos.
There is a rudimentary speaker that sounds OK, and there is a headphone out and microphone (with notes software).
Network
This model comes with dual networking - WiFi 802.11g as well as bluetooth. The bluetooth is cool, but mostly useless for most people right now - there may be more applications. On the other hand, the WiFi is very nice - I use it on my home network, at work, and on the train. The signal is pretty strong.
Setting up and remembering different WiFi profiles is a little bit complicated and not at all intuitive, but it seems to work consistently once you figure it out.
That said, the network is not enough. I routinely check my email on my cell phone when I am travelling - I find that the iPaq's failure to have cell based wireless features is the single reason I don't use it as much as would I like to.
Software
This PDA comes with Pocket Outlook, Word, Excel, HP Image Zone, HP Photosmart, Nevo Home Control and Multimedia server, Pocket MSN, MSN Messenger, and PocketTV Pro.
Summary
In sum, this is a really nice PDA with some really nice features. Unfortunately for me, it is right now a really expensive universal remote. I will likely try to get a GPS SD card so I can get more use out of this. I am probably going to wind up getting the new Samsung i730, which will have a cell network as well as WiFi so that I can get internet connectivity everywhere.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
Recommended for: Gadget Lovers - Trendy and Hip
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