I've had my IPAQ for several months now and am extremely satisfied with it. Over that time I've learned a few things that might be helpful to to other users, so rather than write another general review, I thought I would post a few suggestions on this, especially for those that may be making the transition from the Palm platform to the iPAQ, (as I did).The iPAQ saves individual Notes that you make in the sub-directory where you create them in the Notes app area. This results in them initially having a name such as "Work1, Work2, etc. (i.e., if you have a Note directory called Work). This is not very helpful so you have to rename them by doing a "tap and hold" on the file name, and giving it the new name. Otherwise you end of with lots of Notes with non-descript names with numbers at the end. Not too helpful.
For better power management, watch the screen brightness setting which you set from the Settings menu. You can also hit the "Q" button and pop up the Q menu and get to it from there. A lot of times you can reduce the backlight setting and save power and extend battery life. Otherwise running it at the highest intensity you'll only have about 3 hours. Also, in direct sunlight, where the iPAQ works great but the Palm and Casio units wash out totally, you can set it on "power save" mode
If you use the digital recorder function, be careful what you have the settings here. The iPAQ will record anywhere from 8,000 Hz, Mono, 2KB/sec, to 44,100 Hz, 16-bit, stereo, 172 KB/sec. You'll find that even the 22,050 Hz, stereo settings will cause even short notes to take up 300K of space. After a few of these you're out of memory and you'll wonder why. The default setting of 8-bit mono is okay so I just leave it there.
This setting is also hard to find and can be found under Settings\Personal\Input\Options.
I've found my iPAQ to be the best of the Pocket PCs out there. Hope these suggestions help.
Price: Cassiopeia E-115 and Jornada 548 are both ~ $600 (if you go for the 16 M RAM, the price drops, but I don't recommend it). iPAQs are cheaper at ~ $500.
Processors: Cassiopeia (MIPS) and Jornada (SH3) processors are about the same speed (131 MHz) but Cassiopeia is a 64 bit processor. iPAQ has a StrongArm processor running at 206 MHz and noticeably faster.
Expandability: Cassiopeia comes with a Type II Compact Flash slot. This means you can put any compact flash cards out there, including the snazzy 1 inch IBM-microdrives that store upto 340 MB of data. Jornada comes with a Type I slot which means it cannot accomodate type II cards or the IBM-drive. iPAQ needs to add an expansion "jacket" to allow any cards. It is an innovative design that allows the main unit to be smaller but you have to carry more components if you want to lug around more data or music.
Display: Only Cassiopeia has a true 16 bit display (65000 colors). iPAQ and Jornada are both 12 bit (1000 colors). Can you make out the difference mostly not, unless you are looking at photographs.
Size: Cassiopeia is bulky and comes in at 9 oz. It does not have a hard top so it needs to be carried in a soft case that comes along. Jornada unit is about as bulky as Cassiopeia, but it comes with a hard top so the total package (unit and case) is definitely less bulky. iPAQ wins hands down with a Palm like form factor.
Bottom Line: If you need dislay, multimedia capabilities and expandability buy a Cassiopeia. Looking for a sleeker option with decent built-in expansion options buy a Jornada. You need speed and sleek look not farther than an iPAQ (remeber you need a separate jacket at times).
Buy Compaq iPAQ 3650 Color Pocket PC Now
For those of you are trying to find this very hard to get PDA, Keep in mind that the H3650 and H3630 are the same device. The H3630 model is sent to direct re-salers (i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA, etc), and the H3650 is sent to the online retailers. However, I've noticed on-line that you will see both. I've called compaq to confirm this. Good luck, and good shopping! I've been sold!Read Best Reviews of Compaq iPAQ 3650 Color Pocket PC Here
NOTICE: The IPAQ does not support "Open Host Control" USB.To check this out right click mycomputer->properties->Device Manager, then look under the USB icon.
If you have that kind of USB you will not be able to sync with the IPAQ through usb. I have been syncing with a serial since and it is terrible. It takes approximately 30 min. to sync an mp3, and at least 20 min. to sync avantgo. If you have an open host controller USB I would not advise getting the IPAQ.
Overall, I have to say that I am very happy with my IPAQ since I can sync at work with a USB.
I have owned the palm IIIc and the Handspring Prism. First the Prism, simply, not worth the money. The only advantage of the prism over the IIIc is the expansion port but the components are so expensive that it isn't worth it. So given the choice I would choose the IIIc over the prism. The screens for all intents and purposes are equal and you will not be able to tell the difference most of the time. My primary reason for getting the IPAQ over any palm type device would be the unit's speaker. I purchased all of my pda's to make sure that I am on schedule but the palm type devices don't have a loud enough speaker to warn me of a meeting. The IPAQ is loud, extremely loud. I also found the palm type devices to be somewhat limiting. In approximately one day you will know the entire machine and you will also know that, that is about all you can do with it. However, on the other had the IPAQ is way more complicated to use and to set up but I feel that if there is something unique that I need to do it will be able to do it.
Before buying the IPAQ I read many reviews and many of them said that Compaq's service was terrible. I must say that I do not agree. As a matter of fact I found there service to be A++ and the operators to be extremely polite and patient.
Also DO NOT buy this unit to play mp3's. It will be maxed out in about 4 standard mp3's because the IPAQ allocates part of it's memory for running programs so in reality you only have about 14 mgs of space to work with for your files. Also don't plan on upgrading the memory for the ipaq since the 64 meg cards cost $310 + $50 (prices from Compaq) for the expansion jacket.
One more note about the available software. There is not as much available software for the IPAQ (or any other PocketPc) as for the Palm devices. So if you want to do something highly specialized plan on spending more money after you get your pocketpc.
I know that I gave alot of cons and little if any pros, eventhough I said I was happy with my unit. I did this primarly because when you are spending [this much] on anything, the cons are way more important.
Want Compaq iPAQ 3650 Color Pocket PC Discount?
I've had the Palm V for about a year before I was able to buy this Ipaq 3650. The Ipaq is really awesome! Compared to the Palm V, here are some of the positive and negative sides:Positive:
-This beats the Palm in almost every way possible. Clear and bright screen that is perfectly viewable in sunlight. Not to mention that it's also crisp color as well. The brightness is totally adjustable and there's even a sensor that you can set so it will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly. Very cool.
-The hotsync speed blows away the Palm. What's also very nice is that it can dynamically sync with your Outlook mail, contacts, calendar, notes, etc. If you have the Ipaq already connected in the cradle and you're sorting and deleting your email on your desktop, the Ipaq will instaneously synchronize every delete/add that you make on your desktop. With the Palm, you have to press the hotsync button everytime or schedule a hotsync. With the Ipaq, you just plug it in and forget about it.
-The integrated Windows Media Player is awesome. It's basically an integrated Mp3 player that can play any mp3. You now have music on the go and plus you can plug in headphones to your Ipaq, and listen to your music at work.
-You can also record with the built-in microphone your voice or voice reminders
-Everything with Outlook Contacts, Emails, Calendar appears the exact same way as it does on your Ipaq.
-Very accurate Handwriting recognition. One of the best selling points for the Apple PDA is now available for the Ipaq. Same technology and accuracy that the Newtons run on.
-With the Palm V, you're limited to the amount of memory you can store of only 2MB or 8MB if you have the Vx. With the Compact Flash Card, you can store up to whatever your compact flash can hold. Currently, it's at 1GB. That's a lot of mp3s.
-Overall, it looks very cool (Matrix silver) and it's the fastest and most top of the line PocketPC you can buy out there on the market. And because it's so hard to get, it just raises the cool factor even higher. =)
Some of the negative sides
-Doesn't come with a serial cable. So people running NT have to purchase this cable separately.
-Size. It is a little bulkier than the sleek Palm V, but it still fits in my pocket and I can carry it in my bag.
-Accessories are hard to find and anything related to this item (including the Ipaq itself) is hard to find. Too bad a hard cover case isn't available yet for this. I'm still looking btw.
-Software. There's much more third party software out there available for Palm than there is for PocketPC. Go figure...Palm owns 70% marketshare for PDAs. This will slowly change.
Overall...the Ipaq is very nice. If you can afford one and find one available, I really suggest this as a very good strong buy.
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