It's Pretty But....
Written: May 09 '00 (Updated Aug 12 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great screen, better than earlier versions
Cons: Everything else
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| RichBoston's Full Review: Hewlett Packard Jornada 545 Pocket PC |
...it's no Palm. There, I said it. I love gadgets but they must qualify for my attention by way of making my life better, being an improvement over whatever I'm currently using that I'm replacing, must be logical (the Mr. Spock in me)and...be fun to use.
I've become a loyal user and lover of the Palm IIIxe (check out my review of my IIIxe) but my loyalty extends only until something better comes along. On this third try to compete with the Palm I expected much better of the new Microsoft OS.
THE GOOD - This version is much better than prior tries by MS to compete in the PDA world. I give them credit for not trying to copy the Palm OS but in attempting to create something unique. It has a beautiful, colorful, easy to read screen.
THE BAD - Everything else.
At $499 it's twice the cost of my Palm IIIxe and is bigger and heavier. If I'm going to live with these shortcomings it better have a BIG upside. I'm sorry to report that isn't the case.The Palm OS integrates itself into your life by its simplicity and ease of use. The Jornada reminds me of those things that you anxiously bought but because of their flaws ended up in the closet. (Hmmm...where IS my hot dog steamer?)
While the Palm coexists peacefully with your desktop, the Jornada tries (as the Pocket PC name suggests) to allow you to take your desktop with you. MS has never gotten off this idea in three versions and while the Pocket PC is their best yet it still cannot do what my Palm can. What does the Palm do? It allows you to manage your life simply and logically (Mr. Spock again). It doesn't get in the way of your life - it works WITH your life.
OK MS listen up - maybe your designers should talk to us "real people" next time before your FOURTH try. Too complicated means I'm not going to use it. Palm = ease of use. Ease of use means I'm going to use it. I wonder how many MS employees secretly hate their company's attempts to compete in the PDA world because they wouldn't dare be caught dead carrying a Palm even though they know it's better.
Like I said, this is better - much better - than the two earlier MS versions. If you've never owned a PDA before you MAY be happy with this. But why not start with a smaller, lighter, much less expensive, simpler and better designed Palm?
With the Jornada you get a pretty screen and useful tool. With the Palm, you get something that will work its way into your life and make it better. I love my Palm IIIxe and plan to keep it forever. Forever in the gadget world though, is only until something better comes along. The Jornada doesn't qualify by that definition.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>UPDATE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE HP WEBSITE:
HP believes that its Jornada handheld computers offer consumers excellent connectivity and functionality at a great price. Nevertheless, some have suggested that the features and functionality of new HP Jornada 540 Series Color Pocket PC and the earlier Jornada 400 Series may have been overstated.
In particular, some materials concerning the HP Jornada 540 Series Color Pocket PC and the 400 Series may have incorrectly indicated that they display 16-bit/65,536 colors. However, HP recently learned that a particular electronic component contained in the Jornada 400 and 500 Series limits the images that are displayed to 12-bits, or a maximum of 4,096 colors. HP has taken immediate steps to clarify the color resolution in all HP communications, and apologizes for any inconvenience or confusion that this issue may have caused.
Customers should be assured that this difference in color resolution does not compromise any other functionality of the devices or affect their reliability in any way.
HP prides itself on standing behind its products and wants its customer to be fully satisfied with them. Therefore, any customer who purchased a Jornada 500 series handheld computer in the U.S. before June 30, 2000 may return the product for a full refund of the purchase price (including all taxes) either to HP or to the reseller from whom the product was purchased. Also, any customer who purchased a Jornada 400 series handheld computer in the U.S. before June 30, 2000 may return the product for a full refund of the purchase price (including all taxes) to HP. All shipping expenses relating to the return of the product will be paid by HP. This offer applies to products returned to resellers or shipped to HP on or before September 1, 2000. HP welcomes these returns for any reason whatsoever.
Any customer who wishes to return a Jornada 400 or 500 Series handheld computer to HP should call HP’s Customer Service Center at (970) 635-1000 for details on how to return the product and obtain a full refund. In addition, the customers who purchased a Jornada 500 series handheld computer are welcome to return the product and obtain a refund from the reseller from whom the product was purchased.
If you require further clarification or information, please e-mail us at or contact our support staff at (970) 635-1000.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 134 members
About Me:
I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
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