Name: P. Lynch
Location: Morrisville, NC United States
Date: 2008-03-08
Customer Rating: -
Summary: My $0.02 Worth
Comment: I've been using Windows Mobile and Windows CE products for almost 10 years. I've owned the 4700, 2595 and now the 211. My wife has the 110. I use these devices extensively and have an entire workflow planned around it. It goes everywhere with me. My requirements are such that a converged device doesn't provide much use to me: processor usually too weak, memory too little, and definitely the screen too small.
I bought the 211 about a month ago. Here are my impressions:
- My first reaction was "BIG!". It is bigger than all my other devices. It's thick, more so than the 4700. The weight is ok, though. I don't think about the size any more. I've gotten used to it.
- The screen does require more pressure to operate, but again, I'm used to it now and it's forgotten. I haven't noticed different pressure reactions on different screen locations.
- The screen is perfect. To address previous comments about being able to see more stuff: I scan all my documents and commit to PDF. Everything. Then I sync to the 211's SD card. I have a lightweight PDF reader, and I can read PDFs easily without scrolling horizontally. I can't come close to doing that with my wife's 110, or my 2495. Yes, you can fit much more on the screen, and it's much much sharper than any other device. Yes, the unit takes advantage of the higher resolution: it's not just bigger pictures on a bigger screen, honestly. Having said that, it's up to the application to do that. Most do.
- I have *not* noticed any negative performance difference between this and my previous devices. It's as fast as my 2495 and my wife's 110.
- I have approximately 30 applications(!) on it. None have had compatibility issues. And because of the impressive amount of memory, I still have approxiamtely 55% of storage memory left.
- Yes, there's a proprietary cable for sync and power. However, there's also a mini-USB port, so the proprietary cables aren't necessary at all. I don't travel with them. I only use a retractable mini-USB for charging and synchronization. It's really not an issue.
- Battery life is better than the 4700 and the 2495.
- I love the buttons. I honestly don't understand the criticisms I have read about them. I'm happy.
- Bluetooth and WiFi have worked without any issues. My only complaint here is for WM6: it can't connect to my work WiFi network because WM6 doesn't support WPA enterprise.
Sorry for the rambling review. Just wanted to give my opinion on issues raised here. It's the perfect device for my requirements: no converged phone/PDA, and I don't need a camera. BTW, my employer gave me a 8525. I don't use it at all. It simply can't do what the 211 does.
Name: matt.mingkee
Location: Brooklyn, NY United States
Date: 2008-02-17
Customer Rating: -
Summary: HUGE leap from HX2495 and Dell X51v
Comment: got this "monster" this week
the first feeling is "HUGE", my hand can hold it because I have big palm
the screen is eye candy, 4" VGA can make a quite difference, the color is very good, not "yellowish" like other HP products, the screen looks dark when the backlight is off, however, it's pretty viewable under sunlight
the buttons and d-pad are pretty comfortable to press, but up direction of d-pad is a little bit difficult to press because the bottom of screen frame, the arragement is
calendar/contacts (I changed to IE/File Explorer)
Start button (cannot to be changed)
OK and minimize/? (I changed ? to Bluetooth Manager
messaging (not changed)
the application is typical WM, but HP signature application "iTask" is no longer exist, which I can shut down an application with ease, it doesn't have ipaq backup
Monster Chinese users must read, you must use version 5.3, ver 6.0 will mess up the machine, cause it unable to boot, requires factory reset
all jacks are located on the bottom, even headphones jack, that you may want to use wireless headphones instead, luckily, the updated bt is alot more stable, almost no skip/interruption on a2dp; you can almost forget the new data port, the miniUSB can do both async and charging (1A or higher USB charger is highly recommended, the included AC adaptor has supplied charging adaptor to the data port)
the unit speed is OK, slow down a bit when a2dp is active, video is decent, with TCPMP, no slowdown on mpeg (ripped directly from VCD), Divx is fine (VGA @30fps), wmv has some hiccup
the battery is OK, VGA can use good amount of power, it is recommended to setup screeen auto-off to save power, I tested with Pocket Player, play 160-192kbps ogg vorbis, got around 7 hours when bt a2dp is active
this unit has 2 memory card slots, I put 16GB CF (A-Data) and 16GB SD-HC (A-Data), both work 100%
RF on wifi and bt is pretty impressive, can get signal easily, and give wireless headphones more range (though it's not good as class 1 bt)
this unit is a big leap from HX2495 and X51v, HX4705 users will find similar pleasure with this unit
I give 95%
pro:
HUGE VGA screen, buttons are comfortable to press, 2200mA/h battery (you can use HX4705 battery), miniUSB port, stable bt, good RF
con:
weak speaker, headphones jack is located on the bottom, no cradle included, kinda bulky
Name: J. Crupper
Location: Lake Zurich, IL USA
Date: 2008-02-22
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Great PDA!
Comment: My Dell Axim X50v died unexpectedly and I had to get another PDA. After using a VGA screen I could not go back to QVGA. Since there aren't too many units to select from I decided on the IPAQ 211.
Already there are some good reviews out there so just a couple of comments based on what's already been said.
1. It is big, but then the screen is incredible.
2. I didn't have any devices that already used the connector so the new configuration was no big deal. The large connector accommodates sync and charging and the mini USB does both as well.
3. As for screen tapping it is a bit stiffer than the Dell, but I've already adjusted.
4. Connecting via WiFi is a breeze compared to the Dell. It just connects quickly without a big hassle.
5. It may be a touch slower, but I'm assuming that's a result of the persistent memory.
6. I have quite a wide variety of software that I've installed with no problems whatsoever.
Overall, I'm very pleased with this unit.
Name: M. Palsson
Location: Seattle, Wa USA
Date: 2008-02-09
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Best PDA ever
Comment: I really like this iPaq 211. My old 1945 died unexpectedly so I went in search of a replacement and selected the 211.
The screen is very large, and extremely clear. The 640 x 480 can be used in landscape or portait mode, and high or low resolution can be selected. It's amazing how much you can get on the screen. I've used it for several hours of browsing the internet, and it's very easy to use most sites. My old iPaq's screen was just too small to be usefull for any serious writing, but this thing is so easy to see.
The processors speed is very good. A fast processor and lots of memory means that it doesn't bog down when I've got lots of apps in memory. Also the battery life very good, I've surfed the web on WIFI for several hours, and had plenty of juice to spare. MS Mobile office has some nice improvements,too. I really like the way that it handles multiple mail servers - it keeps the email boxes separate, and allows you to specify which one you want to work with. I have my google, msn live, comcast, and corporate mailboxes available.
Before you put an ounce of faith in any less than favorable reviews, go see what Mobile Tech said about this beauty:
[...]
The only negative is the Activesync program that is used to synchronize the iPaq with my PC. It can be very slow at times.
Name: theleopard
Location: Midlothian, VA USA
Date: 2008-02-18
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Best PDA yet
Comment: I've owned HP pocket pc's since they first came out and have owned 5 different models, each better than the one before, and the 211 is no exception. Maybe some want their phone and pocket pc melded into one, but not me. I've checked out the teensy weensy screens on the PDA/cell phones, slow processors and limited memory, and that doesn't work for me. Yes, the new 211 pocket pc is bigger than previous models, but the screen is bigger with incredible resolution. And no, I don't want to use my PDA as a phone, either. I pretty much forget about my cell phone in my pocket, and I depend on my PDA dozens of times a day as a fully functional computer. Whenever I need to do something on my computer, I pop this on and in a few seconds I'm on. I wouldn't pay attention to the reviewer who said the screen is bigger, but so is everything else. This isn't true. Also, all of the Office Mobile applications have a "Zoom" feature that lets you scale the text down if you want, giving you more useful real estate. Combined with the fact that the resolution itself is higher, this screen is spectacular. Connectivity via WiFi is faster as well. And I don't know what the reviewer meant when he said the applications are slower. Mine certainly aren't, and again, I use mine every single day, many times a day. For the first time, internet browsing is pretty amazing with the fine detail and larger screen. It's hard to imagine a better pocket pc at any price. This is an extremely good balance of form and function.
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