HP iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC

Rating:
Summary: My third Pocket PC. and the best so far...
Review: This Ipaq is the 3rd "Compaq" pocket PC I've owned and used. My first was a "Windows CE" device, and the second was the Ipaq 3700. This is a natural progression of the previous computers, though I do miss the Compaq name branding. Each Ipaq pocket PC has been better than the last in both ease of use, speed, screen clarity, and bundled software.
The screen on the 3115 is super clear, and bright. I loaded my photos into the device, and the resolution is wonderful and colors spot on. There is even an imbedded option in the photo viewer that allows you to zoom in and out, and there is even a basic photo editing option in there too!
You can use the device to control your television, VCR, DVD, Cable box, etc after training it with your existing remote. It's wonderful to see that Ipaq has finally gone back to putting an external card slot in it's Pocket PC. As well as having an interchangeable battery without having to rip apart the computer. It also has a NIMH backup battery internal so you can change that battery with out having to backup and reinstall the files to the system.
As a certifiable gadget freek, I highly recommend this Pocket PC device.

Rating:
Summary: Best PDA for the price
Review: I am new to the world of pda's and didn't expect to much other than the basics I was searching for (microsoft mobile office programs) but am very suprised at how great this thing is. Useful stuff like the voice recorder and universal electronics remote control and built in wi-fi/bluetooth with no problems at all using anything on it.

The only cons to it is the fact that it comes with virtually no on-board memory. If you are going to purchase this buy a 512 or 1gig sd memory card with it. With media player 9 on it, you'll fill it with mp3's and video clips (and oh yeah, business programs too...:)) in no time. Also the software (activesync) that synchronizes the ipaq with your desktop didn't install, I had to search google for a solution to that. If you are reading this while searching for that solution just shoot me an email and I'd be happy to help you out.

Rating:
Summary: The iPaq rx3115
Review: I got this for Christmas this year, and had it set up. So far, it seems a little complicated, but I was still able to enter my contacts in quite easily using the stylus and virtual keyboard. The screen seems to be attracting quite a lot of dust so I'll have to buy a screen protector. Anyways, to keep this short, this is a great machine, but the NevoMedia stuff seems pretty complicated. I'll figure it out as I go along. But it is a better value than the cheaper PalmOne Zire 72, in my opinion, or the Tungsten E.

Rating:
Summary: RX3115: a overall great product
Review: I recieved this for christmas and despite owning a Palm 3 a long time ago never really got into PDA's however i do enjoy being organized and have been a diehard Franklen Covey fan for quite some time.

To start with the good: overall this unit is a good size and an effective weight. It's not too big so that it doesn't fit in my pocket or my backpack yet it's large enough for me to see in the recesses of a dark Server room when looking up information. The Quick memo button is an absolute livesaver for remembering IP numbers and quick routing information. The backlight is extremely bright and I like that it can be easily adjusted for your current situation. The wifi/IR/Bluetooth connections have gotten alot of use and was quite surprised as to the range of the wifi. I was able to pickup open wifi connections while sitting in traffic on the freeway.
While I am not a big fan of Microsoft Operating Systems, I found that Pocket PC was well designed as to applications and after a small amount of struggling I managed to get it working with Groupwise/Novell setups. The Multimedia portion of this PDA probably gets the most use, and with the included Mic jack and some extra SD cards it has replaced my iPOD for airplane flights as I can also catch up on some pre-downloaded news.

CONS: After using this PDA for a couple weeks I only have 2 real complaints: First, this PDA seems to like to turn it's self on and off at random times. While plugged into my computer at work via the provided cable it will sync and unsync for no good reason . The second issue is also related to the first, the unit will turn it's self on while sitting in it's protective cover in my pocket or backpack. More than once i have taken it out to use it to find that the battery is almost dead. The battery also seems to only last a few hours which is understandable given all the features of this PDA..



Overall it's a fantasic product and I hope to enjoy it for a long time. Im sure my next purchase would be a HP iPAQ.

Rating:
Summary: Like it until it crashed at less than 6 weeks old
Review: I replaced a Palm Zire 71 when it had screen issues and decided to move up to the Pocket PC. For the few weeks I used this, it was great and I loved the features. I synced at home and work. Then it started resetting itself after about 3 weeks, but I didn't really need the extra stuff I loaded to it, so I wasn't too upset at first. When it continued happening over a weeks period, I was getting very upset with it. Then it was fine for another week or so. Then it just went dead, would not take a charge and while charging, kept turning on every 5-10 minutes, screen flashing wildly, then would shut off. I've never seen anything like it. I may have just got a lemon, but for the price, I'd expect better and won't try this model again.

90% of the time, it was attached to the cable either at my home pc or work pc. I bought an upgraded case to keep it safe and took precautions to keep it in excellent shape (hard case, screen protectors, etc) so I'm even more disappointed - was an expensive lesson I'm not about to repeat anytime soon. I have a friend who has had a different model IPAQ (discontinued) for 2 years and loves it - that's why I decided on one.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT
Review: LOVE EVERYTHING ON IT!!! This is my first PDA i've ever gotten though i've used my brothers T3 Palm often. Gotta say I LOVE pocket pc. Windows mobile is so easy to use and even easier to develop for. Develping for Windows mobil 2003 SE is just normal MFC. the case is not that great but it doesn't matter since it does the job for me. The buttons i have no problem with i play doom on my pocket pc all the time using the buttons. WIFI is great but the connection software needs some work. I find it doens't always connect to access points easily, but it connects to my homeone and my school one great so thats all that matters. If you need to network with your computer i couldn't figure out how to get Windows Mobile 2003 to do it (don't know if its possible) But i found a great program call network browser or network lan. Which does the job for me. The remote control program included is great havn't found a device it doesnt work with yet. I enjoy using it to mess with waitresses at restaurants :) The looks are sweet and great for picking up nerd chicks:)
Over all this is one sweet Pocket PC i recomend it to anyone looking to buy one.

Rating:
Summary: Great mini-computer, but not a beginners handheld
Review: My Palm Zire 31 recently died of a traumatic screen impact. I had every intention of replacing it with another of the same, but after poking at handheld display models around town, I decided to upgrade from my Palm to a Pocket PC.

I found the Pocket PC to be aptly named. It really is a pocket sized mini-computer. There's a fossil PC in my basement with less memory, less storage, a slower processor, and absolutely no multi-media capabilities. It cost over $3000 in 1996. The iPaq rx3115 cost 1/10 the price and delivers so much more. I am really impressed.

I chose the rx3115 over the rz1715 because the rx3115 has built in wi-fi and bluetooth. You can buy a wi-fi card for the rz1715, but it costs about $80 and takes up your only SD slot. The rx3115 is $100 more than the rz1715, so it seemed more efficient to just spend the extra $20 on the better model. If you never expect to need wi-fi, go ahead and save the $100. Me, I like being able to access my husband's amazon.com wish list from a Panera Bread parking lot.

The rx3115 starts with the same basic features as any handheld: an outlook compatible calendar, address book, and task list.

In addition to those basics, you get pocket versions of Word and Excel. The built in print manager allows you to print wirelessly from network ready printers.

On top of basic workhorse programs, the rx3115 adds built-in Avantgo software, which allows you to select free news and entertainment channels then download those pages onto the handheld. This means you can read this morning's Wired while standing in line at the DMV.

Then, it takes the multimedia capabilities to a whole new level. You can stream video, music, and photos from a desktop or laptop to your handheld, so if you want to listen to your MP3's from the basement, you don't have to bother copying them onto your SD card. If you want to load an album onto your iPaq, you can do it wirelessly on the way out of the house - no messing with the USB cord needed.

It also acts as a universal remote control, usable on any device with an infrared control. This is a mixed blessing, to say the least. Try to use your powers for good instead of evil, people.

The built in one-touch voice recorder works surprisingly well for (so far) unlimited voice memos. You can manually set the sound quality, so you can get incredibly crisp sound if you're willing to take up a lot of space. The built in speaker is very loud and clear for a device this size.

I like a lot of little details about the rx3115 - namely, the fact that it is slim enough to fit into my tiny little purse when in its hard case, the full size screen (no graffiti area unless you call it up), the ability to flip the screen sideways and back at the push of a button, the very responsive mini-keyboard which is a breeze to pull up or shrink whenever needed, and the one-touch voice memo button.

Finally, it's easy to download additional programs ranging from Age of Empires to ListPro (a very useful and highly recommended program!)

Incidentally, if you don't like the goofy multimedia home screen, you can download other free Pocket PC themes from Microsoft.

Cons:

All that said, this is not the most intuitive device I've ever used. The walk-through is beyond useless. (It tells you things you can do without showing you how.) Finding files can be surprisingly complicated. It looks a lot like Windows XP, but doesn't follow the same well established rules, which can result in some initial confusion.

Some features do not have a back button, so there can be an awkward amount of closing the program and starting over.

Because HP assumes people want this handheld for the sake of watching TV and listening to music, none of the buttons take you to normal handheld destinations, such as calendar, address book, and tasklist. You can reprogram the buttons, but it takes some digging to find how.

The Close and OK button are in the same place, so it's very easy to have half a dozen programs open, all hogging your memory, without realizing it. Separate screen buttons would go a long way to clearing this up.

Basically, you have to spend a little time learning the quirks of the system, but when you do, I find it well worth the time investment.

Other:

Some useful links for additional software include:

illiumsoft.com - makers of listpro
handango.com - quality Pocket PC and Palm pay downloads
pocketgear.com - more quality pay downloads
audible.com - audio books and magazines to download and listen to on your palm or PC.

There are free download sites out there, but I find you get what you pay for. While there are some free gems, but you have to dig pretty far to find them.

Finally, BUY A HARD CASE! Handheld manufacturers all include awful cases and HP is no exception. The screen is much more fragile than you think. One impact and you're out $350 for a handheld - and trust me, once you get hooked, you'll NEED a new one. Amazon sadly lacks good rx3115 hardcases, but I found an excellent one at styluscentral.com. You can find plenty of other cases through Froogle.

Rating:
Summary: a big dud
Review: The device worked fine until I tried to load the software, which would not install. I tried to contact tech support, they were worthless. There was a language barrier that took several minuets to over come. When that bridge was crossed she told me to "up grade" my OS and basically told me my computer was broken which it is not. I took it back the next day. I do not believe the tech person I spoke to has any advanced knowledge of computers based on our conversation. Horrible tech support and no real solutions offered

Rating:
Summary: Another PDA
Review: This is a really good PDA, I've had quite a few including Palm OS and Pocket PC and this one's one of the better one's I've had so far. The Unit feels solid and the screen is silky smooth to write on. Wincows PPC 2003SE is a great step up from the original PPC 2003. The only complaint I have to make is unlike my old PDA which had a CF (Compact Flash) I\O slot this one doesn't. Also hp seems to have gootten cheap and not included a cradle only a cable for connectivity to the computer.
The wifi card comes in handy a lot if you check e-mail and surf the web, and it also gets great reception from low signals.

All in all its a good PDA but for the two things mentioned that add would get it all five stars

Rating:
Summary: Very happy with this PDA
Review: This PDA has enough features to keep you occupied for a long time. The IR remote works great for controlling my home theater and the wireless connection is wonderful. The media features work great, especially if you've got a computer hooked up to your stereo. For instance, you can use the IR remote to turn on your stereo and then use the media control to have your computer start playing music to it. This is a very handy little device and comes at a great price. I highly recommend if you do get this item, download the service pack from HP BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE!!! It makes the wireless much less troublesome and gives you Windows Media Player 10.

Pros:
Integrated Wireless (WiFi & Bluetooth)
Vertical or Horizontal view modes
Plays full screen video very well
Ability to charge from USB
IR Remote

Cons:
Limited on board memory, but it can be expanded
Troublesome network connections if you don't have service pack
No cradle included