Rating: 
Summary: Stunning!
Review: This is my second handheld device and I must say, I'm a very happy user. It is very fast, elegant, loaded with software and it has HP engineering all over it! It was very easy to setup the synchronization with my PC at home and the one at work. The ARM processor is quite fast for all the applications that I've been using so far. The installation CD is loaded with many useful applications as well.A fully-charged battery seems to keep going on forever. However, you must be careful with the back-lightening function and other intense programs, such as games. The only problem that I had so far is to install Microsoft Outlook 2002 on my Windows XP machine. Outlook 2002 is included on the software CD and it is recommended to install it prior to installing Microsoft's ActiveSync application.
Rating: 
Summary: Why only 97% satisfied? (Now 49% see update)
Review: (My original review was 4 stars. Now, after a year of ownership- I give the Jornada an average rating. HP service is fine, however. Just wish there was no need for it.) I did a lot of research on the Jornada 568 vs the newest iPaq . After 4 days use ( being a bit of a geek-head) I'm about as satisfied as I expected to be, (fair-to-middlin') as I get familiar with it after 8 years with various laptops, but no prior experience with PDA's I strongly believe that the Stowaway keyboard is an essential, worth getting. BUT...the power cord which inserts so easily into the Jornada, is a tough and ugly fit into the Synch Cradle. I do like the combined power cord/USB connection with the Cradle. I also like the weight and stability of the rather "paper-weight" design of the Cradle. Perhaps I got a very small lemon here...
otherwise I like the Jornada unit, its intended use. (A long trip to Portugal sans my laptop.) Microsoft needs to keep revising its AutoSynch program however! It is still poor even in the 3.5 incarnation. FOLLOW-UP: March 2003- I'm on my 3rd replacement under warranty for the HP Jornada. I only use it when traveling for long periods overseas- and it has given up the ghost twice, in the midst of 3 month trips. HP Service has always been fine, replacements come within a few days of calling... but!....I'm not sure that the Jornada was what I wanted, in the end. Unfortunately I have too many software programs and accessories just to abandon the PDA altogether. In more ancient times I kept an old-fashioned bound note-book while traveling. And I may go back...
Rating:
Summary: A Step up from the 548
Review: I have to agree with several other reviewers, this time HP got it right! While the old 548 was very useful, it had several problems that kept it in the "not quite right" category. First was that humped back battery pack that could not be replaced. Second was that back lit screen that totally faded out in sunlight. Third was that flimsy little door over the CF1 slot(mine broke off after two weeks in my pocket). I applaud HPs answers to these problems. I love the speed that the 568 boots up with and loads programs, and I really love that long battery life. Two small problems exit, though:
1) the colors on the screen are not as bright (contrast wise)as they are on some other Pocket PCs, and
2) the cover is only plastic.
I know that they want to save weight, but is the cover of the 568 as tough as the one for the 548? I tripped and fell against the corner of a table while I had my 548 in my pocket. I hit so hard that I put a big dent in it (and a big bruse on my thigh) but there was zero damage to the 548. I can only hope that the new plastic cover is just as tough. Bottom line: You wont know how you got along without one. P.S. Buy the folding Targus keyboard and you won't need your notebook computer anymore!
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT, BUT 2 DRAWBACKS
Review: I really liked the features once I was able to get it set-up - it came with a USB cradle and my laptop, 2 yrs old didn't have a USB, so had to order a serial cable - was very difficult to set up thru serial cable, but managed it with phone call to tech center because documentation doesn't address this option. THEN, the case is so slippery that it almost literally jumped off the book it was laying on when titled just a degree or so, threw the battery out and lost all the data - TWICE. To me, this is a major drawback which i guess hp expects you to get around by purchasing one of the leather, etc. cases for the handheld. i didn't want to spend the money because its the SLIMNESS of the product that i like, so i ended up sticking 4 rubber feet on the back of the thing to keep it from making suicide jumps off most surfaces. otherwise, its been a great little device!
Rating:
Summary: Great product, but. . .
Review: The 568 is definately the best Pocket PC out there (today). The mobile conversay program is excellent, allowing you to speak your commands (great interpretation, even in a crowded room).
[...] I have owned a Palm Vx for the past year and it has gone through hell and back (I carry it in my back pocket, work, movies, camping, hiking, working in the yard, playing with the kids). I have the metal case for it. I have dropped the palm no fewer than 5 times from about 5 feet on wood floors, concrete, tar, etc. The thing just won't die!! I take it on business trips (< 1 week) and leave the cradle at the home office, the batteries last forever. I only got about 2 - 4 hours on the batteries before having to recharge the thing. I don't listen to MP3s and wasn't using the digital recorder AND wasn't on the thing for 2 - 4 hours straight! Though there is no scientific proof to this next claim, I feel that it is more delicate than the Palm. [...] It's a great tool if you are willing to commit the cash, use it for work only, and get an extra battery or two. . .
Rating:
Summary: Very pleased
Review: I cannot understand the few comments I've heard about poor screen brightness. I compared the screen side-by-side with other makes / models and the Jornada's was by far the best. I use MS Reader and am halfway through a novel and have had no problems reading the screen for extended times. Windows for Pocket PC 2002 is a very nice OS. Lots of functionality. Very smooth syncronization with Outlook (included). I like the Pocket versions of Word and Excel. Especially like the note function - I don't have to take paper into meetings any more. If you use your Pocket PC at home and work (like me), you will probably want to buy a second cradle and power adapter. Battery life is good compared to other Pocket PCs, but not nearly as good as Palm units. I expect to be buying an extra standard or extended battery in coming weeks. Although I still don't have a modem or ethernet card for mine, I like using AvantGo to get web clips during sync to my desktop. Very nice feature. Overall very pleased. Better than a laptop / notebook computer (except for screen size).
Rating:
Summary: Great colors, great applications...
Review: However this Pocket PC WON'T synchronize with a Windows 95 PC, only Windows 98 and up.
It came with CodeWallet a great application to keep all sorts of information in a secured way if you want to.
I love the Targus keyboard, you get used to it very easily.
The infrarred port synchronization is very handy.
Another drawback that I think you finally get used to is that the battery (in my case) lasts just a couple of days. (I used to go around with my Palm V for 4-5 days without needing to recharge).
A big jump ahead from my old, faithful Palm V which my brother will love for sure.
Overall... recommended.
Rating:
Summary: My replacement laptop
Review: This powerhouse is easy to use and looks beautiful. If you are tired of carrying around a laptop for most applications like word processing and spreadsheets then replace the brick with this lightweight. With the keyboard I purchased, this will make my life alot easier. I chose this model over what compaq offered because of the uncertain future compaq has as a brandname. I hope this review helps you make a decision.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: In the 1st generation of PocketPCs Compaq really killed HP with it's side-lit screen and 200Mhz processor. HP finally did it right in this latest generation, whereas Ipaq has decided to stay with its former design. The major pluses of the HP are: - much lighter weight than the former HP jornada
- clam shell design protects the screen
- finally a side-lit screen
- fast 200Mhz processor
- compact flash card slot built into the unit. The Ipaq becomes very bulky when you plug in its adaptor.
- docks with former HP docking station and power adaptors.
Rating:
Summary: BEST HP Jornada yet!
Review: Getting right into the nitty gritty of the recent Pocket PC lineup...this is the best one of the bunch. The 560 series (this being the 568) is not like the last 540 series if you have one of those (like I do). HP had to redo quite a bit in order to meet Microsoft's PocketPC 2002 platform. Part of this included (but not all required as part of Microsofts PPC2002 platform): - Including a 206 MhZ Intel Strongarm SA1110 processor (resulting in programs opening quickly, better multi-tasking and performance)
- Getting rid of that horrible screen the 540 series had. Now they are very similar to the iPaq's...meaning...you can really see your Jornadas screen in daylight! Wow! It uses a state-of-the-art bright and sharp 'relfective color TFT screen' and is capable of displaying 16-bit color (which is 65,536)
- No more 'funny' stylus like the 540 series...there is a real, honest, stylus this time.
- Navigation pad in the front. A must for any PPC nowadays...and also good for games should some deserving ones come to the PPC platform
- The size is almost identical to the 540 series meaning it is slim and compact. Fits easily in a jacket pocket or (heaven forbid) your back pocket.
- Sidelight for the screen can be adjusted via a slider! Neat!
- Actually comes with a dock this time, not an add-on
- An extended Type 1 CF Card slot which can accomodate larger peripherals.
- HP "Image Viewer" which shows your high definition pictures very nicely!
- Battery life is the longest of all the current PPC devices...can't beat that! OPERATING SYSTEM: The new PocketPC 2002 operating system is, basically, an 'upgrade' to the original PocketPC O/S Microsft released about two years ago to replace Windows CE. Nothing dramatic has changed (most of the major new code is designed for 'enterprise' applications...not everyday consumers like you and me) besides a more colorful and 3-D interface that...get this...resembles Windows XP in may ways. This is the standard O/S nowadays folks, so don't even bother asking for the original campy PocketPC O/S. CONS: Despite this great new Jornada there are a few problems: - The device is not feel sturdy like the previous 540 series which were mainly all metal. This one is plastic and metal...despite this it still has the all important metal cover to protect your screen.
- Still cannot take Type II cards. No biggie unless you're a techie or someone who really needs 'em!
- No SD Card slot. Amazingly HP is the only major company NOT to have this on thier PPC device. Compaq, Casio and others all do. Bottom line: The new Jornada will make anyone happy. These devices are fun to use, have almost unlimited uses and, heck, make you look damn cool when you use it to play some MP3s or watch a movie!
| 
