Which PDA?

BrianI · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 6:45 pm Post subject: Which PDA?

I am looking to purchase a PDA primarily for satnav use in the car. Looking through the posts on this excellent side , the ipaq h2210 seems to be highly recommended. I understand that this model is now out production and most places are out of stock. There is another model now which I think replaces it, the hx2110, which seems very similar but has a slower processor speed of 312MHz against 400MHz but more memory. Both are bluetooth and have CF and SD slots. The hx2110 also seems to be also in short supply with promises of 3-4 week delivery.

Would the hx2110 be capable of running Tomtom adequately? Any other recommendations for a suitable PDA?

I am not in any hurry to purchase this side of Christmas so it might be best to wait until the New Year and see what happens.

Brian

DavidW · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject:

The hx2000 series iPAQs are all new. I believe that availability of all these iPAQs is rather limited.

All the range has both CompactFlash type 2 and SDIO slots, Bluetooth, QVGA (240 by 320) screens and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition OS.

hx2110 is 312MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM (31MB iPAQ File Store), 920mAh battery (1440mAh option), no Wi-Fi, no fingerprint scanner.

hx2410 is 520MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM (31MB iPAQ File Store), 1440mAh battery (2880mAh option), Wi-Fi, no fingerprint scanner.

hx2750 is 624MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 128MB ROM (80MB iPAQ File Store), 1440mAh battery (2880mAh option), Wi-Fi, fingerprint scanner.

The iPAQ h2210 may not have been formally discontinued yet, but it's pretty much out of stock everywhere.

A 312MHz processor should be fine for TomTom Navigator 3 - Lutz finds that navigation software runs fine on the iPAQ h63xx machine he has which has a less than 200MHz processor.

David

icsys · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:07 pm Post subject:

PC World still have the 2210 available but it's a bit pricey at £269
You would expect the price to drop with it becoming a discontinued model but as it is an excellent PDA it is likely to hold its price like the 41xx models tend to do.
_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

StevenGourlay · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

Yeah its hard to find a UK spec 2210 any where now. I have used the 2110, runs fine but I personally like the 3715. Thinking about trading my 4150 and getting that. Would recommend you have a look at that PDA it is a bit more expensive but I would say its worth it 
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Steven Gourlay
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BrianI · Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:25 am Post subject:

Thanks for all your excellent comments. Looks like maybe the 2110. Had a look at the 3715 but I don't really need another camera. Think I will wait until the New Year when the supply situation will, hopefully, be a little better.

Brian

Boldzak · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 14, 2004 Posts: 26

Office world has stock of H2210's at £199:

http://www.office-world.co.uk/livp/webliv.pgm?wwgoto=web510&wwcatg=000000000000&wwlevel=1&wwrts=y&wwtab=shop&wwsubmenu=1&wwsearch=ipaQ

Good luck!

Boldzak

Mio 168
TomTom 3
512MB Kingston SD

Boldzak · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 14, 2004 Posts: 26

Hah! Would you believe it, they're out of stock now @ Office World online!
My local store (Aberdeen) had them yesterday, so you might be lucky @ your local branch.

DavidW · Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:44 pm Post subject:

My personal feeling is that the hx2410 is a better machine on paper than the hx2110 - I wouldn't want a Pocket PC without Wi-Fi, and the larger battery is useful. I've got 1800mAh in my hx4700 (it has a particularly large standard battery - and a colossal 3600mAh extended battery option), and I can sometimes run that rather flat.

However, the choice of model depends very much on the pricing - and it has to be remembered that I'm very much a Pocket PC power user. If you haven't already got a wireless network, you may decide that a Wi-Fi equipped Pocket PC isn't worth it. If you already have a wireless network, I'd recommend a Wi-Fi equipped Pocket PC - not least as synchronising is so much faster over a wireless network, and you can browse the Internet, listen to web radio and check email from bed!

Expansys are quoting (and it must be stressed these prices are pre-release and subject to change) £314.95 including VAT for the hx2110, £319.95 including VAT for the hx2410 and £404.95 including VAT for the hx2750. I think that makes the choice between the hx2110 and the hx2410 something of a no-brainer.

However, I'd be surprised if the price difference between the hx2110 and hx2410 is genuinely that small when these models are released. I suspect, too, that the hx2110 will be lighter than the hx2410 (I think Expansys' specifications are incorrect over that).

If the hx2750 price is correct, I can't see it being that popular except possibly with corporates. Though the hx4700 only has 64MB of RAM rather than 128MB and it lacks a fingerprint scanner if you're going to spend £410, I would think the hx4700 is a better option than the hx2750 for most people. Amongst other things, the hx4700 has a VGA screen - the only one of the current and pending iPAQs to do so.

As I said, I do expect these pre-release prices to change somewhat. That said, TotalPDA appear to have the hx2410 in stock (though somewhat misdescribed as an iPAQ 2400) for £279 plus VAT, which works out at just under £328.

That hints that Expansys' pre-release price for the hx2110 may be incorrectly high. The next model down, the iPAQ rz1710, is only £158.95 including VAT from Expansys.

Having already mentioned the hx4700, the jump from hx2410 to hx4700, if the £320-330 price for the hx2410 is correct, is around £80-90. If you're going to spend that money, the hx4700 may be worth considering.

Meanwhile, having mentioned various iPAQs, I do suggest reading this thread for information on how to check whether or not you've received a UK English iPAQ or an import before opening the box.

David

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