Looking into Pocket PCs' whats the best one to get?

[KDOG]

Does any one know when they will be equipped with that Imagine Tech. graphics chip? Wasn't ATI making one? And as far as the Pocket PC itself goes, Compaq or HP?

 

[stonecold3169]

Really depends on your exact uses for it. Also, you would probably wanna wait a few months, the x-scale devices seem to be coming along a bit quicker then expected, and I believe Fuji has already announced the detailed specs for it's x-scale devices (X-scale is the new processor, supposed clockspeeds 400+mhz)

 

[kgraeme]

The Ipaq is a nice device, but the short battery life and the lack of a built-in CF slot are real detriments. I have the Jornada and really like it. The Audiovox Maestro looks quite nice as well. And the Fujitsu LOOX with X-Scale will be coming out at the end of May. Here's my read on why I like the Jornada:

Everything the Ipaq has plus:

Longer battery life.

Hot-swappable battery with no data loss. Also the ability to replace the standard battery with an extended life battery with an advertised 24hours of continuous use. (Compared to Ipaq at about 6 hours.)

The screen "pixels" are aligned correctly for ClearType; whearas, the Ipaq can have red color streaks because the elements are apparently aligned 90deg off.

Built-in flip-top screen cover. This is a surprisingly important feature if portability is a factor to you. You can just flip the cover closed and slip it in your pocket with no worries of scratches on the screen.

Built-in CF slot. No need to add a sleeve to be able to add wireless networking or a GPS for instance.

Optional MMC/SD slot that is integrated with a replacement battery so as to not need a slider.

The Ipaqs are certainly nice devices, but these features make the Jornada a winner over the Ipaq IMHO. The biggest complaint, and it's a very valid one is the Jornada's collect dust under the screen, something that Compaq fixed with their latest models. Mine has gotten dustier, but it's not enough to bother me since I know that I'm going to do a warranty swap for a new one and then immediately sell it for an X-Scale unit.

 

[jlemieux]

I use an IPAQ and have no complaints. The battery life is good enough for me because I took a week off work and did not recharge it once. Used it every day and it still had almost half the battery life when I got back to work. The screen is clean and sharp both indoors and out. Another great feature is that it is very slim. Since the IPAQ uses sleeves to add CF cards and so on it is smaller and easier to carry around. I only use the sleeves for scanning in inventory and connectivity which is not something I do all the time.

I think it depends on what you need. If you like smaller device and don't need the CF slot at all times then go with IPAQ and you won't be disappointed. If you need the CF slot at all times and don't care about the larger frame go with Jornada.

 

[Jejunum]

ii like the new ipaq but its pricey
it has built in sd! (secure digital)

16 bit color

 

[anthrax]

I would recommend the Toshiba......E570..
I currently use the Ipaq 3850 which is fairly good...IPAQ has the biggest screen.which displays the best colors......However, I find th device abit too bulky althou the cover pack is very well designed........

The main reason why I would recommend toshiba e570 is becuase it has a SD -slot as well as CF type II ......you can use micro drive with it...
The HP jodana 56X series only has a type One CF.....

 

[aka1nas]

Are there any good PDAs that have a Smartmedia slot built-in or will take a sleeve? I have all Smartmedia devices(DigiCam, MP3 Player, etc)

 

[kgraeme]

<< I think it depends on what you need. If you like smaller device and don't need the CF slot at all times then go with IPAQ and you won't be disappointed. If you need the CF slot at all times and don't care about the larger frame go with Jornada. >>



Ipaq 38xx: 5.3" x 3.3" x .62"; 6.7 oz.

Jornada 56x: 5.2" x 3.01" x 0.68" ; 6.1 oz

The Ipaq is .6" thinner but slightly larger in the other two dimensions and slightly heavier. It's generally negligible though except for the fact that the Jornada has the built-in CF slot. The Ipaq with sliders is considerably thicker and heavier than the Jornada.

I like them both, but the Jornada's features are just a better deal for the money IMHO.

 

[anthrax]

Doesn't the toshiba E570 have both and cost less than the Jordana...?.....the IPAQ over pack is really nicethou....
I havan't seen a PDA with smart media before...

 

[NFS4]

<< Doesn't the toshiba E570 have both and cost less than the Jordana...?.....the IPAQ over pack is really nicethou....
I havan't seen a PDA with smart media before... >>



I had an iPAQ for over a year. I loved it and sold it for a Jornada 567 to get the onboard CF1 slot. The Jornada was excellent in its speed, huge amount of memory (64MB) and superior battery life. Just one problem. DUST!! I had 3 replacement and each one was dustier than the one before it. I got fed up with it and sold it on EBay.

I recently bought an Audiovox Maestro (Toshiba e570 clone with only 32MB RAM) for $299 ($200 less than what I paid for the Jornada). It has dual memory slot; CF Type II (Jornada only has Type I) and SD/MMC. It is smaller, but a bit heavier. Battery life is about the same as the iPAQ. It looks better and it has NO dust. Even after having in my pocket for the past two weeks. And having only 32MB RAM doesn't bother me b/c I use a 256MB CompactFlash card at all times. I LOVE IT!!! 😀

 

[JackMDS]

The PDA to get, is the Wait few weeks one.

In few weeks the New PDAs will start to be available. The Next level of PDA is a move to higher level CPU. I.E Intel Xscale. (Like moving from 486 CPU to Pentium.)

If you can not wait, iPaq 38xx, or the Jornada, go to a big store, take a look, and see what you like.

 

[kgraeme]

<< The PDA to get, is the Wait few weeks one. >>



Agreed.

Though the X-Scale is more like the Athlon to the Athlon XP. My understanding is that it's just a smaller process which lets it run faster and cooler, but the design is otherwise the same as the current StrongARM, which is great because it means there won't be any changes needed to software like with past CPU upgrades.