IPAQ or HP JORNADA?

[LordGorzul]

I'm in the market for a PDA.
I prefer color. and I have the feeling I should probably go with a PC type rather than Palm OS.
In case you agree, what do you think I should go for. My budget is approx. $350 give or take $50
From reviews I've found online the message I got was that the IPAQ, in particular the H3650 is the best one taking it's cost and other technical detaila into consideration.
However, I recently saw an article in a magazine that suggests the best PDA would be a new HP Jornada that uses the latest MS OS.
Can you recommend anything (especially if you've had experience using one or both)?
Thanks a million.


LG.

 

[JackMDS]

Given your budget the iPaq 36xx is your answer.

After you get it you can upgrade it to the PPC2002 OS, it cost $29).

The New PPC2002 iPaq (38xx) or HP Jornada go for $600.

If money is tight there is no big advantage in buying the 38xx.

 

[kgraeme]

Your budget is your biggest factor. As JackMDS mentioned, you don't really have a choice other than an Ipaq 36xx series.

I just went through the same process and ended up with a Jornada 567. Dell was having a 20% off sale that brought the price down to about $460.

IPAQ
- Currently the most popular.
- Slightly larger screen size (not any higher resolution though)
- Most peripherals to choose from.
- Most compatable with software.
- 36xx series has no media expansion without adding a bulky adapter. 38xx series has MMC/SD.
- Generally considered the "sexiest" case design.

Jornada 56x
- Longest battery life (reviewed at approx. 11 hours continuous)
- Slightly smaller screen makes detail sharper.
- Alignment of screen color elements makes ClearType actually work (Apparently a complaint with Ipaq)
- Built-in CF slot which not only allows for memory modules but also modems, ethernet, wireless ethernet, camera, laser scanner and more.
- Backup battery which prevents loss of data if the main battery quits.
- Long-life battery expansion.
- I personally like the button arrangement better with the extra rocker on the side.
- Flip-top cover which lets you put it in your pocket without worrying about scratches on the screen.

Okay, I'll stop now. I'm sure that Ipaq owners can list more pros for their unit. I picked the Jornada because it was a great deal at the right time and had the features I wanted. I do somewhat envy the compatability with more hardware and software that they Ipaq has though. But it's not enough to matter.

A couple things to know about PPC though: It REQUIRES the full Outlook. It comes with it, but you can't use OE or Eudora or anything else and have it synch. There's no Pocket Quicken, so if you want to manage money you have use MS Money.

I should also mention that I've only had mine a week and it already hosed my USB once. I got it fixed after much fiddling and basically reinstalling all USB device drivers. We'll see if it happens again.

 

[NFS4]

I went from an iPAQ 36xx to a 64MB Jornada 567. I haven't looked back

 

[TurboTurf]

I have i-paq 3650.. But I don't use it much..

extravagant for me

 

[Apex]

Here's a pretty good comparison of the latest models:

http://www.brighthand.com/biz/solutions/new_ppc_devices.html

 

[Musicman6425]

I have a iPaq 3635 and I love it. No problems. Check Compaq's web site. Generally there are incentives to purchase. For mine, I got a $50 rebate. Now they are offering a $150 for my model. Also, I had an older version of pocket PC and they upgraded mine for free.

 

[eloric the 2nd]

hey, i have a HP 548 and love it... easy us, friendly interface... and nice metal cover it comes with is nice extra protection...and here is anohter good point.... call every staples near you... i work at staples and right now 548's are only 299.99 b.c. we are getting rid of them to make room for the 560 series.... we have not advertised this at any of the stores i have worked at but its there... if not let me know and i'll snag a price tag scan it and send it to u... its a heck of a deal on a great PDA... also runs perfect with XP Pro... also seems more people buy the HP's over compaq... and i hear more good things bout the HP's at work talking to the customers.... just my 2 cents

Eloric

 

[LordGorzul]

Now that I think about it, I'd be willing to pay a little more to get the IPAQ (38xx) model (Maybe the 3850).
But it's true that $600 is a little too much, are there any offers/rebates/deals you know of?

Also I was looking at the latest iPaq (38xx) the 3870 I think, that one has bluetooth integrated for an extra $200.
How's bluetooth worth that much money? What's so special about it?


LG.

 

[kgraeme]

The biggest benefit of bluetooth will come with cellphones. You have a bluetooth PDA with a contact list. You pull up the contact list, select a person, and hit "dial", the PDA talks via bluetooth to the phone on your hip. The phone makes the call and you talk and listen with the bluetooth earpiece/microphone.

It's still a little ways off, and there's some serious security issues involved. And HP and some others just presented their new PDAs which feature built-in wireless phone capability anyway.

 

[RoninRXN]

<< Now that I think about it, I'd be willing to pay a little more to get the IPAQ (38xx) model (Maybe the 3850).
But it's true that $600 is a little too much, are there any offers/rebates/deals you know of?

Also I was looking at the latest iPaq (38xx) the 3870 I think, that one has bluetooth integrated for an extra $200.
How's bluetooth worth that much money? What's so special about it?


LG. >>



I'd have to agree with kgraeme. For $200, Bluetooth doesn't seem like it's worth it at the moment but it might be in the near future. For your budget though...I think you should stick to a 36xx.

I have one and I love it.