HP iPaq?

[Mark29]

Anyone gone over to the dark side with one of these devices? I'm considering what I might do should the TH55 experience a catalysmic failure. I'm sure the Palm TX will be around for a while, but I'm not confident of Palm's support in the long run. I don't want to be stuck with another dead-end product, and I'm not impressed with the lack of Vista support.

I'd love to go with a smart phone with the same form factor, but I'm locked in to Verizon for another 18 months and they don't really have anything I'm interested in now.

The HP ipaq devices look like the best alternative, I'm just wondering if anyone's gone this route and what your experience is.

Thanks,
Mark

[Tenex]

Anyone gone over to the dark side with one of these devices? I'm considering what I might do should the TH55 experience a catalysmic failure. I'm sure the Palm TX will be around for a while, but I'm not confident of Palm's support in the long run. I don't want to be stuck with another dead-end product, and I'm not impressed with the lack of Vista support.

I'd love to go with a smart phone with the same form factor, but I'm locked in to Verizon for another 18 months and they don't really have anything I'm interested in now.

The HP ipaq devices look like the best alternative, I'm just wondering if anyone's gone this route and what your experience is.

Thanks,
Mark
There is a get out on the Verizon contracts I believe something to do with inaccessibility? Find somewhere they can't service and complain about it eg. its important for you to have access etc - from memory

I recall a podcaster using it as his loophole to dump Verizon and buy an iPhone.

[Mark29]

There is a get out on the Verizon contracts I believe something to do with inaccessibility? Find somewhere they can't service and complain about it eg. its important for you to have access etc - from memory

I recall a podcaster using it as his loophole to dump Verizon and buy an iPhone.

I'm not sure the iPhone will suit my needs. Until the apps start appearing from 3rd party developers, it's a big unknown. That, and no external memory. I like having that option to move files to & from a desktop if necessary as well as running apps.

Besides, with the exception of overseas travel (but only on business), Verizon coverage has been great for me. What I'd really like is for Verizon to bring in some HTC devices. They made some noise not long ago about allowing unlocked devices to work on their network, but I haven't heard much about it since then.

Mark

[_Em]

Just remember: iPaq is a product line, not a device. The actual devices vary widely in capabilities, price, and stability. I've used various iPaq products for years; they're generally good at specific tasks, but not as good as an all-round portable device compared to Palm devices.

The new Nokia devices are also worth looking at; PIM support is still weak, but it's getting there, and all the other features beat Palm and MS functionality hands-down.

[tonyreynolds]

As soon as I can get the cash, I plan on getting the new IPAQ 212. I have been wanting a VGA device for a long time, and I can't wait for Palm anymore with my TH55 getting older and older. I don't like the current Palm offerings and based on what's happened with them over the past 8-9 months or so with the Foleo, etc, I just can't trust them to produce a device that meets my needs, i.e. a small, POCKETABLE device with a decent-sized screen and resolution.

I honestly can't say at this point if I'll sell my TH or keep it as a spare.

[FIA WRC]

Remember if there is a Palm program you like you can buy StyleTap and run it on your HP.

[harpgliss]

Hi,

Tonyreynolds plan is much the same as mine except I am replacing or using in combo with an Axim x50V.

All the threads I have read on this device is that it is a very good all around device and more than a match for anything Palm has out right now.

FIA WRC has a good point for migrating and not having the big drop in not having your favorite program from your Palm.

As for Ipaqs not being good all around devices, this is a judgment that varies greatly upon the user and needs.

David

[tonyreynolds]

I've been looking at the Aximm X51v for the last couple years, hoping that the price would come down, and it has, but HP surprised everyone and actually produced a new, VGA PDA.

Though I can get a refurb'd Axim fro about $250 right now, the extra $200 for the IPAQ is worth it because of the greatly increased battery life of the IPAQ over the Axim as well as the stability of the newer version of WinCE.

I still have apps from my Toshiba Genio that I could run on the IPAQ, but I'd most likely get new versions, plus use StyleTap as suggested.

The one problem I foresee is that I use Grafitti 1 (I replaced Grafitti 2) on my TH-55 and though I can come close with WinCE, it's not quite the same, plus the fact that most people are saying that the IPAQ takes more pressure on the screen to register strokes, making text input harder.

:)

Tony

Hi,

Tonyreynolds plan is much the same as mine except I am replacing or using in combo with an Axim x50V.

All the threads I have read on this device is that it is a very good all around device and more than a match for anything Palm has out right now.

FIA WRC has a good point for migrating and not having the big drop in not having your favorite program from your Palm.

As for Ipaqs not being good all around devices, this is a judgment that varies greatly upon the user and needs.

David

[harpgliss]

Hi,

I've been looking at the Aximm X51v for the last couple years, hoping that the price would come down, and it has, but HP surprised everyone and actually produced a new, VGA PDA.

Though I can get a refurb'd Axim fro about $250 right now, the extra $200 for the IPAQ is worth it because of the greatly increased battery life of the IPAQ over the Axim as well as the stability of the newer version of WinCE.

I still have apps from my Toshiba Genio that I could run on the IPAQ, but I'd most likely get new versions, plus use StyleTap as suggested.

The one problem I foresee is that I use Grafitti 1 (I replaced Grafitti 2) on my TH-55 and though I can come close with WinCE, it's not quite the same, plus the fact that most people are saying that the IPAQ takes more pressure on the screen to register strokes, making text input harder.

:)

Tony


For the graffiti issue, there is a program called "Calligrapher" that may help there.

The screen issue appears to be getting better as more units are sold, i have seen reports of later buyers not having the same issue as early buyers.

David

[Mark29]

Remember if there is a Palm program you like you can buy StyleTap and run it on your HP.

I didn't know about StyleTap, that's good to know.

Mark

[jj2me]

Love the simple Palm OS interface and the TH55, but the Evernote 3.0 Beta (http://evernote.com/), which will initially only be supported by Windows Mobile, is driving me to Windows Mobile.

While their initial PDA support plans from a couple of years ago were to first support the Palm OS, there isn't any recent mention of Palm support in Evernote's plans.

Dismaying that other app vendors may also be thinking this way about Palm support.

[tonyreynolds]

I already do a lot of the things they highlight in the video, but the app would give me a better way of orgaanizing my data. Very cool...

[broadus]

Anyone gone over to the dark side with one of these devices? I'm considering what I might do should the TH55 experience a catalysmic failure. I'm sure the Palm TX will be around for a while, but I'm not confident of Palm's support in the long run. I don't want to be stuck with another dead-end product, and I'm not impressed with the lack of Vista support.

I'd love to go with a smart phone with the same form factor, but I'm locked in to Verizon for another 18 months and they don't really have anything I'm interested in now.

The HP ipaq devices look like the best alternative, I'm just wondering if anyone's gone this route and what your experience is.

Thanks,
Mark

I had just started wondering the same and opened 1src to see your thread on top.

Bill

[jj2me]

I already do a lot of the things they highlight in the video, but the app would give me a better way of orgaanizing my data. Very cool...

And you can also call in a voice note to Jott and have it delivered to Evernote as a text note (http://lifehacker.com/373815/jott-your-way-to-evernote-bliss). (Or into Google Calendar, etc.)

But there's a caveat. It's possible that either or both of these services, Jott and Evernote 3, may eventually introduce some monthly charge for their "cloud" services.

[tonyreynolds]

It's possible that either or both of these services, Jott and Evernote 3, may eventually introduce some monthly charge for their "cloud" services.

Yeah, ain't it the truth, ain't it the truth...

(So said the cowardly lion...)

[Mark29]

I'm glad my post generated some discussion, but I'm wondering if there is anyone with experience on any of the HP IPaqs.

Mark

[aaronchow]

I have the iPaq 212. In general, it's a very powerful device. Compared with other PDAs, it is big and heavy. You probably won't carry it in your pocket like most smartphones do. The phone responds fast, but you still need to reset it from time to time to make sure things go smoothly. But, like many devices, you have to spend time tweaking the registry and customizing the softwares before it shines. It will be a different experiences than using Palm. Not bad experience, but need time to adopt the new environment.

[Mark29]

Phone? I wasn't aware it has a phone function...

[_Em]

HP has broadened their iPaq line -- there are now PDAs, phones and GPS units, and I think they've branded them all with iPaq.

Back when Palm was still making new devices, HP produced an iPaq to compete with each one of the higher priced models. Now they seem to have switched to competing with the Treo.

Think of the iPaq as being a mix between PalmOS and Windows XP, and you aren't far off. The interface is overly complex in some areas (borrowed from desktop computing) but it can generally hold its own when it comes to getting stuff done.

[Mark29]

But specifically, the 212 does not have a phone function as far as I can tell. The smartphones are an entirely different line than the iPaq 1xx and 2xx.

Mark

[aaronchow]

My bad, the new 200 series is a PDA with no phone functionality. Most people compare the iPaq with the Axim X50v line, as they both have a large VGA screen and both SD and CF slots. I've owned an Axim before, but when Dell released a newer X51v, they left the X50v owner in the dark especially for updating to WM6.0.

But as the above post has said, it is a very powerful PDA. It has strong performance in multimedia side, but it feels larger and bulker than the Axim when holding in my hand.

[Forest_Noggle]

Hey Mark29:

I have had several devices including a Clie NX70V, iPaq 1930, Hitachi G1000 and a Centro.

So as you can see, 2 devices from Win Mobile and 2 Palm.

I have found ways of doing all of the major tasks and apps on either platform. I actually like both and when I first played with the iPaq found several things that really amazed me as compared to the Clie.

It really depends on what you want to do but I have found there to be no real "Dark Side" with either platform.

Oh, and the iPaq... I actually got it to work with Skype and MADE PHONE CALLS with it! That would never happen with the Clie!

Let me know what it is you are wanting to do and I can give you specific info.

Jay

[tonyreynolds]

Mark,

I decided to go with aa VGA Windows Mobile, specifically the HP HX4700. I tried one for a few days this last week and really like the screen. Palm has abandoned PDA users by placing their emphasis on Smartphones, as has most everyone else.

My TH-55 will be going up for sale, along with a couple TG-50's.

I'll run my Palm apps under emulation and with an OS upgrade on the 4700 will have a very nice device (WM 6.0) for half the price of the newer iPAQ 210/11/12, plus a magnesium alloy frame, great battery life (for a PPC device) and tons of PPC ssoftware I already own.

I'll miss having a camera in my device, and have enjoyed the TH-55 thoroughly, but I have to move on. I think you'll like the iPAQ 210.

Good luck.

Tony

[Mark29]

Interesting choice - the HX4700 seems to be an older device - why did you go with this rather than something more current?

Mark

[broadus]

Interesting choice - the HX4700 seems to be an older device - why did you go with this rather than something more current?

Mark

I was wondering the same.

Bill

[tonyreynolds]

It's half the price of the 210, with a better, trans-reflective screen that reads better outside. The ROM can be cooked to version WM 6.0 and with dual slots it can have loads of memory. Many people have reported that the CF slot on the 210 drains the battery at 1-2% per hour when the unit is "off".

For the price of a 210, I can buy TWO HX4700's. I get a better-built unit that is more solid and comes with a cradle, whereas the cradle for the 210 is extra.

:)

Newer is not always better.

[Mark29]

It's half the price of the 210, with a better, transreflective screen that reads better outside. The ROM caan be cooked to version WM 6.0 and with dual slots it can have loads of memory. Many people have reported that the CF slot on the 210 drains the battery at 1-2% per hour when the unit is "off".

For the price of a 210, I can buy TWO HX4700's. I get a better-built unit that is more solid and comes with a cradle, whereas the cradle for the 210 is extra.

:)

Newer is not always better.

Where are you getting a price of half the 210? I did a quick search, seems to be about the same or slightly higher.

[tonyreynolds]

Where are you getting a price of half the 210? I did a quick search, seems to be about the same or slightly higher.

Well, I don't know where you're looking, but I can't find a 210 from a reputable dealer for less than $399.

I just got a 4700 in pristine condition, with an extra battery and charger for $200.

Tony

[Mark29]

Well, I don't know where you're looking, but I can't find a 210 from a reputable dealer for less than $399.

I just got a 4700 in pristine condition, with an extra battery and charger for $200.

Tony

Where did you get the 4700 for that price? This is what I'm saying - I don't see it on any 'net price search for <$400.

Mark

[tonyreynolds]

Where did you get the 4700 for that price? This is what I'm saying - I don't see it on any 'net price search for <$400.

Mark

Well, I looked at craigslist and did searches on the net for "FS: iPAQ 4700 mint" and stuff like that. I found an ad on a programming bulletin board that the guy had forgotten he'd posted. One guy on craigslist wanted $500 for his. The guy was nuts. I offered him $250 and he said he'd rather give it away as a gift.

I also looked at eBay, which is where I got my first one. Almost picked up a new-in-the-box unit for $299, but decided against that one. The new, unopened 4700's are, as you say, about the same price as a new 210.

Ya just have to be creative and keep looking.

Tony