I Don't Pack My iPaq
Written: Aug 17 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: somewhat adjustable backlight, PCMCIA support/extra battery life via addon sled
Cons: outlook on Windows only, battery hog, screen somewhat pixelated, no built-in expansion, bulky and heavy
The Bottom Line: If you want a large, heavy PDA with very poor battery life, the iPaq 3650 is for you. Every one else, stay away.
|
|
|
| quasar's Full Review: Compaq iPAQ H3650 Pocket PC |
I've been having a long debate with myself over whether to write an iPaq review. I really hate my iPaq but much of what I hate is the confusing and convoluted operating system and not the device itself. I feel pretty strongly about separating the OS from the device in these reviews, and frankly I wasn't sure I could with the iPaq. Finally after many months of internal debate I decided to give it a try. If I didn't like the the results I would simply not post the review. I think I succeeded for the most part but if you disagree please rate and comment accordingly.
Basic Specs
The iPaq 3650 uses a 206 MHz ARM processor with 16MB of Flash ROM and 32MB of RAM. It has a 240x320 pixel screen with 12-bit color (4096 colors).
The iPaq is 5.11 inches x 3.28 inches x 0.62 inches. According to the specs it weighs 6.3 ounces but it feels heavier. It uses a Lithium Polymer rechargable battery and includes a voice recorder and stereo sound.
Look and Feel
I am not one to care that much about what a device looks like. I am much more interested in its features and ease of use. That said, I must admit I like the stylized silver look. However I do not like the rounded base. It makes it very difficult to prop up the unit.
The iPaq is large and heavy even without any sleeves. I find the weight to be particularly problematic. I often carry my Palm in my pants pocket. The iPaq is heavy enough that it pulls down most of my pants. My hand also got tired from holding it after a few minutes.
The Screen
Anyone who reads my Palm reviews knows I am very very picky about PDA screens. I have a problem with pixelation effects on color Palms where a black grid formed by pixel borders covers the screen. I am sorry to say that I have the same problem with the iPaq screen, albeit to a lesser degree.
The iPaq uses the same type of reflective TFT screen used in the Palm m505. Unlike other types of color screens this screen is fairly easy to see outside in bright sunlight. The iPaq offers the same type of side lighting as the m505, but unlike the m505 the iPaq has five brightness settings varying from unlit to really brightly lit. Although I would have preferred a brightness slider, I like having the ability to adjust the brightness level to some extent.
The Stylus
The iPaq comes with a long plastic stick stylus. It's not a horrible stylus, but it feels just a little too light (probably because I've gotten used to metal stylii).
The stylus is stored in a spring loaded compartent opening at the top right of the device. I have had some difficulty getting the stylus out of the silo although most of the time it comes right out. The stylus snaps back into place easily.
Power Consumption
I like PDAs that use AAA batteries because I know I can carry spare batteries with me and always have a useable device. Non-removable rechargeable batteries do not offer that luxury.
I know color screens draw more power than monochrome screens and accept that they should probably use rechargable batteries (although I'd really like to see rechargable packs). This is especially true for the iPaq as it draws more power (without addons) than any other PDA I've ever used. A charge rarely lasts an entire day for me with some use of the device, and averages 2-3 days of charge without any use. Ouch.
Expansion
The iPaq offers no onboard expansion slots. Instead you can purchase one or more of a series of expansion sleds offering PCMCIA/PC Card slots or Compact Flash slots. Unfortunately these sleds greatly increase the size and weight of an already large and heavy PDA. The PC Card sleds include extra batteries, and as such answer some of my power consumption concerns, but they are very expensive (starting at $150) and really make the device hard to hold. The CF sled isn't that expensive at only $40, but it still adds bulk and weight to the device. Unlike the PC Card sleds, the CF sleds do not have extra batteries.
While CF offers cheap storage, modems, and a few other addon devices, PCMCIA devices are cheaper and more plentiful. It is nice to have the option of using a PCMCIA wireless internet card, and you can always get a cheap CF PCMCIA card to use CF with the iPaq. If you decide to get an iPaq and can afford it, I'd consider getting a PC Card sled for the emergency battery feed and the wider flexibility of addin options, assuming you can afford it. Just remember these advantages go away if you don't carry the sled with you so weigh that in the equation when deciding if you need an expansion sled.
Accessories
I admit that I haven't done a lot of research on accessories for the iPaq. Many PDA cases and stylii are universal, aimed at both Palm and Pocket PC PDAs. Of course, the iPaq with its rounded bottom will not fit in too many of these generic cases. I know that there are many form-fitting cases made directly for the iPaq but I haven't tried any of them. I actually like the leather sleeve case (reminiscient of a larger Palm Pilot Professional sleeve) that comes with the device and use it on those rare times when the iPaq leaves the house.
I haven't seen replacement stylii that fit the iPaq stylus silo, but they could exist. That said, if you are willing to use a stylus that doesn't fit in the silo there are many many wonderful stylii available at http://www.styluscentral.com and elsewhere.
I haven't seen a lot of other accessories (mainly the Stowaway keyboard), but in fairness this could be because of my lack of interest in accessories for the iPaq since I rarely use it.
Desktop Compatibility
This is really an OS issue, but I think I would be remiss in not mentioning it here. An iPaq running the default Pocket PC OS will only synchronize its data with a 32-bit Windows system running Outlook. If you use a Macintosh or an Amiga or run some flavor of UNIX you will be unable to synchronize with your desktop machine or use it to add third-party applications or data files to your iPaq.
The iPaq comes with a USB cradle. If you use Windows 95 or NT or have a machine without USB ports you will need to purchase a serial cradle. When I got my iPaq last fall these cradles were nearly impossible to come by. I believe it is easier now, but check before you buy if you need one to sync the device.
Summing Up
I am not fond of my iPaq. I don't use it much, and although I chalk much of that up to the Pocket PC OS I don't like, I also have some legitimate problems with the device itself. I find the screen slightly pixelated, enough so that it inhibits lengthy continuous use. The battery life is attrocious, particularly when the device is not in use. The iPaq has no internal expansion slot, instead supporting expansion sleds that add extra bulk and weight to an already large and heavy PDA. Also, be warned that unless you use Outlook on Windows you will not be able to synchronize data to your desktop machine.
I freely admit that I am a Palm lover who got an iPaq to try out a Pocket PC device. I did so with the intention of honestly evaluating if it would meet my requirements for a PDA. I feel I did an honest evaluation and found the iPaq lacking. Much of that lack was in the operating system, and perhaps one of these days I'll write a Palm vs. Pocket PC editorial to explain my issues with Pocket PC. I considered flashing Linux onto my iPaq, but decided that the hardware limitations were enough that I still wouldn't be happy with the device.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 499
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.