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Summary: iPaq The coolest thing I have ever owned
Review: I don't usually write reviews, but this product has so much functionality that I am continually amazed. It reminds me of the first time I bought a computer (1980 or so) and each time I went to use it, I discovered new and wonderous things that it could help me do.The iPaq comes with a USB docking station and charger. I think, I will try to buy an auto adapter soon, because it charges to full capacity very quickly. I am on the road a bit and don't want to really carry another standard charger (eg PC, phone). My iPaq connects to my PC a work seemlessly. I have all my appointments,emails downloaded automatically, so I am always on top of things. I have started reading books on the iPaq, not much is yet available, but you can read in dim conditions and changing a page is a thumb push EASIER than turning a page in a book. I went to Paris last week and used the free map to help me figure out where to stay and where to go. Its only the start (the apps) of what is going to make the CE type devices the "PC" of the future.
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Summary: Best Pocket PC/PDA/HPC etc... BAR NONE!
Review: This machine is nothing short of amazing. I can see a time when the desk top will be as common as the Edsel. Compared with the HP 548 and Casio 115/500, this a class above. I like the screen a lot, but the speed sets it apart from most of the competition. As for style, it is a bit space age, but not over done..with the sleve over it, it fits nicely in your hand.
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Summary: What a great Pocket PC
Review: After some pretty extensive research... I decided to buy thislittle jewel. This is the best Windows CE Pocket PC on the market. Itis fast (due to the speedy Intel processor) and the display iswonderful. The Microsoft reader is a real delight! Although it tookme a long time to get one... it was worth it. I was more than happy toretire my old Casiopeia E-11. I have seen the HP and the newCasiopeia but I was swayed by the faster processor and the displaythat was almost as good as the new Casiopeia (in fact I prefer theIpaq just a little). The ability to open both the Word and Excelattachements leave my friends with their Palm Pilot's green withenvy. Did I mention that I really like this little jewel? END
Rating: 
Summary: Recent purchase of iPAQ
Review: I've never owned a PDA before. I never saw much use for something that required I learn freaky handwriting (grafitti) and took too long to enter data. That's why I was impressed by and subsequently purchased the Compaq iPAQ PDA. The processor is fast, and the Windows CE OS is pretty easy to learn for those of us who have a backgroud in Windows. After playing around with this machine for a good 24 hours now, I have several observations that should be of interest to those who are looking at getting this machine. If anyone has any comments/questions/suggestions about any of this, contact me at mikew@airmail.net. Plusses ------- TFT color screen is clearer and slightly larger than the HP. Processor is a bit over 200MHz, so it's pretty snappy. 32MB RAM for programs and internal storage, plus 16MB RAM ROM for Windows CE, give this thing a lot of room to grow. I like the recorder feature, just click and hold a button on the side and you have a digital recorder. Media player looks interesting, though if you want to use this for MPGs much, plan on buying the upgrade so you can install a 32MB or 64MB CF card. Stock handwriting recognition is acceptable, much better than MARS and Pen Services 2.0 (that's notebook pen computers for those who don't know, a technology that never realized its place, and is sorely missed). Drawbacks --------- I own 3 Pen-based notebooks, a DTR-1, Compaq convertible, and my favorite, a IBM 360PE convertible. I've owned a few others... One of the things "we" realized years ago is that pen based computer screens needs to have a little friction so as to prevent the pen from scating all over the place. If the screen is too slick, it's difficult to control and handwriting recognition will suffer. The iPAQ has a very slick screen. Probably the most dumbfounding factor about this is something I've since found a lot of posts about: lack of accessories! I have two Win95 machines at home and run WinNT at work (not Win2000). None of my desktop machines support USB, and the retail package only comes with USB. Serial isn't available yet, or you're hard pressed to find it at least (I haven't). Compaq tech support hasn't helped. I am disappointed with the fact that you have to buy a special attachment that will EXTEND THE LENGTH of the unit, just to use flash memory (CF) cards. I don't know what the addition to the cabinet's length will be. My guess is up to another 2", which will make this the longest of the Pocket PCs (the HP, which is slower, but established, doesn't require anything for a CF card). Moreover, these aren't available either. So there's no way to sync it up at work, which was my #1 reason to get it. Compaq tells me they should be caught up by DECEMBER 2000. The way I've managed to get around this so far is to use my wife's notebook and upload software via infrared. It's a slow, painful process, but it'll get me communicating with it for the time being. My model, just purchased yesterday, is a 3630. Compaq has already released information about the new 3650. I couldn't see much of a difference spec wise, though it might be worth holding off another month if it's sigificant. The mapping software on the ROM is old and current map format (downloadable from microsoft.com) is incompatible. The CD did not come with a Dallas map, so it appears I'll have to chew up some of my 32MB and install the new mapping software to actually use it. There is very little in the way of software out there at this time for the StrongARM processor. I've spent 2 days looking around and choices are greatly limited. Lastly, the rounded bottom proves a little cumbersome, since you cannot rest your wrist anywhere while writing. A square base would be preferrable, although the rounded one looks cool at first glance. That sounds like a lot of griping, but they're all issues for me. At this point I'm tempted to take it back for the HP, which again had a slightly smaller, duller screen (though it's not slick like the iPAQ), and mainly, slower processor. Not having to grow the base just to insert a tiny CF card is a major consideration for me. Oh, battery life surprised me. If you leave the backlight on low, expect 6-8 hours of average use. One last note. I spent some time with TScribe (Transcriber, Microsoft's improved handwriting recognition software, available for free from their site). After about an hour of tweaking, I can honestly report that it is the best cursive handwriting recognition I've seen, and a good tie with the Newton. Newton held the record on that for several years. I'm interested in any comments, so email me above if you want. Mike W Programmer Dallas
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Summary: Stumbled into one In Stock
Review: Only had it a day, but it appears to be pretty awesome... and it should for the price. (You can get a whole PC for the price.) The USB connection is by far superior to the old serial connects for synch speed. Transferred 500 contacts in 3 secs. Once the expansion sleeves hit the market (October)... I think this one is a winner!
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Summary: Fun...Yet Disapointing
Review: I bought the IPAQ from a local retailer about two weeks ago. As soon as i opened the package i noticed the thing rattled like a babys toy...it turned on and worked fine...it just rattled! So i took it back and exchanged it for another. After about two days of constant use the stylus holder broke...so it would not click in...the stylus was just hanging out about 8 mm. Ok, by this time, there were none to be echanged in any stores. So I decide to live with the tiny inconvenience until more abundent supplies were around (i have a 3 year exchange warrenty). Then, after about 5 more days, the usb cradle bent the connector with the handheld! I could not synch my data! That cradle is very very dificult to use... Now i am tired of the thing. It is cool and perfect in the applications you can use with it (I use it to keep track of my patients medical data when they are in the hospital). So I took it back and got my money back. All the other PocketPC devices are slower and have poor memory and screens. I probably will by another, but beware...these things are flimsy. buy one with a good exchange warrenty if you can.
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Summary: Happy w/ what I have; Disappointed w/ what I can't get!
Review: First, my happiness review: The product itself is fantastic! I wonder what device some of these yahoos have who write such things as "hard to navigate", "can't reprogram the hard buttons", and "Palm/Visor is easier to use". Hog wash!!!! I own a Palm Vx. Hands down, Palm cannot compete in any category, except battery life. By the way, I ONLY need to recharge my Ipaq perhaps once every three days (and that is with extensive use throughout the day!). The "hard to navigate" claim is an "operator issue". You have to adjust to any new device. I move around through apps with lighting speed! Finally the ignorant "can't reprogram the hard buttons" is just that, ignorant. Again, I wonder what device these yahoos have. OK. Enough of that. I just hate to read ignorant and uninformed reviews. This was supposed to be my HAPPY section review. Second, my disappointed review: WHERE ARE MY ACCESSORIES?????!!!!!!! COMPAQ HAS DONE SO VERY POORLY IN THIS AREA. NO EXPANSION JACKETS. NO SERIAL CRADLE SO I CAN SYNC MY IPAQ AT WORK. NO NOTHING. NOTHING. NOTHING, EXCEPT SOME EXTRA STYLUSES AND A MODEM TO PUT IN MY IMAGINARY EXPANSION SLOT!!!!!!!!! OK...I feel better. I love my Ipaq. I going to go play with it now.
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Summary: iPAQ - Not perfect but closest yet
Review: After deciding that the PocketPC platform is the best PDA device that integrates with my Win desktop platform, I had to choose between 3 different vendors models. An in-store test of performance showed iPAQ far and away faster than its PocketPC competitors. It also had speaker volume that was able to get my attention. This was important since my Palm Pilot was basically useless to notify me of meetings since I seldom could hear its alarm. Things to note about the iPAQ are it's fixed battery. If you need something to go many hours between charges, it may not be for you. It's display is the best for reading outdoors and in bright light but may not be quite as brilliant indoors. But still outstanding compared to my Palm. I highly recommend iPAQ if you can find one.
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Summary: Who Needs USB when you have IRDA! iPaq Rocks!
Review: Forget everything else you have read here. You can sync with a serial to USB converter. Also, you can use your infrared port to sync without any cables, which is way cool. The iPaq is very lightweight and much more powerful than the other PocketPCs on the market today. My only knock on it is that it does not have a compact flash port built in and my expansion pack has been on back order for a while. That being said, the iPaq will make you say, "Palm Who?"
Rating:
Summary: A Zero if An Option
Review: Where are these stupid things that were supposed to be out two months ago. The Microsoft Ipaq- oops I mean Compaq Ipaq is a tiny (ha ha) bit late to market with a bunch of hoopla. And by the way who do the rest of you reviewers work for: Compaq, Intel, Mighty MS, or a sub-contractor for any of the above comnpanies. Why can't I buy one of these stupid things. Compaq is using some rather stupid marketing tacktics- design the ideal handheld and then withold it from the market until another company can actually manufacture it and put it on the market and saturate the customer base. Sony says thanks you stupid Americans. If both become available at the same time, I will certainly not buy the much later than promised Ipaq. I am sick of checking Amazon and numerous other sites for one to become available. I encourage others who share this sentiment to similarly protest by refusing to buy the Ipaq.
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