iPaking with a Punch
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Author's Rating:
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Pros: slim and powerful
Cons: battery power is not the best
The Bottom Line:
Really cool but I think I paid too much for it.
Author's Review
iPaking with a Punch
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I have had my iPak for about 2 years. At first I had difficulty switching over from using a written filofax to the iPaq. The beauty is that the calendar diary on this is absolutely fantastic, it remembers, and it lets you know when you need to do something.
My biggest difficulty and I suppose a bug bare I have with it is that it's hard to get programs for the iPaq. I have in effect what came with it along with a few I have bought from the HP site.
Another problem with it is that its really hungry on power. I find it runs down its charge quite quickly. Its important that you get a case for it to stop it scratching, and get extra pens for it, as they tend to go missing, or maybe its just me.
I have it connected through my wifi and its superb little browser, both at home outside when I want to check email. Make sure if you use the client that you use an imap so that it does not remove the original email from the server so that you can download it to your main computer.
My girlfriend went for the Palm, ands its good but it was HP for me due to the backup of HP and most importantly the WiFi capability and MS suite of software that came with it. You get Ms Word and Ms Excel, so you can read your docs on the run and also produce material which you can use on your desktop or note book later on. This is real power computing on the small manageable mobile platform.
I bought it in my local PC World, in Sprucefield. They were inexperienced and not really able to help me out with my purchase, lucky its not them being reviewed. Make sure you do your research and know in advanced if its this model or one of the others you need. The product is more specialised and the retail staff in a lot of the stores frankly are not up to speed enough with what they are selling you.
I could not get it to Bluetooth with my Motorola Razor though and have never been able to work out why, as it should have been able to.
Specification
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Operating system installed
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Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC, Premium Edition,
Mobile Versions of Microsoft® software are included (Word® Mobile, Excel® Mobile, PowerPoint® Mobile and Internet Explorer Mobile)
Display features
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3.5" transflective TFT QVGA, 64K colours, LED backlight with power save mode, portrait and landscape modes
Keyboard
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Options: Foldable keyboard, Bluetooth foldable keyboard, Micro-keyboard
Wireless technologies
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Integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth® 1.2, IrDA
Software included
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HP exclusive applications: Bluetooth Manager, iPAQ Wireless, Bluetooth Manager, iTask
Display features
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3.5" transflective TFT QVGA, 64K colours, LED backlight with power save mode, portrait and landscape modes
Processor
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Intel® PXA270 Processor 520 MHz
Memory type
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256 MB total memory (192 MB ROM and 64 MB SDRAM), up to 128 MB user available persistent storage memory, certified up to 1 GB
Power features
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Battery: removable/rechargeable 1440 mAh Lithium-Ion (user changeable), optional extended 2880 mAh
Keyboard
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Options: Foldable keyboard, Bluetooth foldable keyboard, Micro-keyboard
Pointing device
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Touch-sensitive display for stylus
Connectivity / GPS
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Wireless technologies
Integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth® 1.2, IrDA
Synchronization tools
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USB desktop synchronisation cradle
Expansion slot
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I/O Slots available for additional devices: SD slot supporting 1-bit SDIO and 4-bit SD/MMC type memory standard, Compact Flash Type II slot
I/O port
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1-22 pin connector for synchronization and charging, integrated infrared (SIR), USB 1.1 Client, Serial RS232
Memory slots
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SD Slot: supports 1-bit SDIO and 4-bit SD/MMC type memory standard
Software
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Pre-installed software. Operating system applications: Calendar, Contacts, Messaging, Tasks, Voice Recorder, Notes, Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile, Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, File Explorer, Infrared Beaming
Software included
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HP exclusive applications: Bluetooth Manager, iPAQ Wireless, Bluetooth Manager, iTask
Security management
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HP ProtectTools secured by CREDANT Technologies, iPAQ Persistent File Store
Internal audio
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Integrated microphone, speaker and one 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
Power requirements
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AC Power - AC Input: 100~240 Vac, 50/60 Hz, AC Input current: 0.3 Aac max, Output Voltage: 5 Vdc, Output current: 2 Aac
Ergonomic features
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4 programmable application quick-launch buttons, 5-way navigation joystick, voice record button, volume button
Warranty
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1 year pick-up and return service, 90 days technical support for softwares, may vary by region
Warranty options
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HP Care Pack (2 or 3 years pick-up and return extension or 1/2 or 3 years next day exchange extension)
What's in the box
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Removable/rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, AC adapter, charger adapter, stylus, protective plastic flip cover, USB desktop synchronisation cradle, HP iPAQ Product Information Guide and Getting Started Guide
Cool Sites to Link too
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http://www.hp.com/uk
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=126056
http://www.supergps.co.uk/hp-ipaq-hx2490-usb-desktop-sync-synchronisation-cradle-charg-p-927.html
Extras
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HP iPAQ Batteries
HP iPAQ Stylus
HP iPAQ Cases
HP iPAQ Car Kits
HP iPAQ Sync Cradles
HP iPAQ Car Chargers
HP iPAQ Mains Chargers
HP iPAQ Screen Protectors
HP iPAQ Memory Cards
Overall
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The Ipaq is the expensive option in the PDA market, but it is the backed by an industry giant and it works so very well. Have no hesitation in recommending this to everyone.
Copyright 2008 Bigfatdogs, Greg Smyth
