Compare Prices on Hewlett-Packard FA299A#ABA
The iPaq hx2415 is my second PDA. It is replacing my slower, but still fully functional Compaq iPaq 3635, one of the original iPaqs. I loved it and used it daily for everything from productivity to entertainment. My review is going to be more of a comparison between the two devices.
Expansion/Memory Cards:
The hx2415 is awesome! It’s everything I had in the 3635 and so much more. Because my 3635 did not have any built-in expansion card slots, I had the compact flash expansion sleeve, which added bulk and took away from the slim, ergonomic style. In searching for a new PDA, one of my main requirements is that it would have to take compact flash cards natively, without an attachment. There are others on the market, however, I never had any problems out of my Compaq so I wanted to stick with the HP/Compaq brand. Not only does the hx2415 take the compact flash, it also takes the secure digital (SD) cards as well! Great job on providing multiple expansion slots HP.
Display:
I have been doing research and looking at the newer PDAs for about six months. The vast improvement in the displays just blew my 3635 out of the water. The colors are brighter, sharper and much more crisp on the hx2415 and the newer PDAs. Without a doubt, it was much easier on the eyes, even with the screen protector that I put on, right out of the box.
Battery:
I bought my 3635 new in the summer of 2001. I replaced the battery myself with a high-capacity battery. The original was down to about 20 minutes of good usage per full charge! 
After the new battery, I could go for a week and a half with more than my normal daily usage and the backlight on! Having said that, the standard battery of the hx2415 doesn’t compare, which is why I’m getting the high-capacity battery for it as well. I love the fact that it is removable and I don’t need any tools to replace it.
Design:
When the iPaq was first introduced, it’s radical style was on the cutting edge. One of the main reasons I bought it is because it was unlike any other PDA at the time. It made all the Palm devices look like standard calculators. I loved the placement and functions of the buttons. They were all right where they needed to be. On the hx2415, it’s even better because the buttons are designed so that it is not as easy to accidentally press one of the buttons, especially the voice recorder.
Networking:
Aside from infrared on the 3635, in order to do any type of networking with my iPaq, I needed to get add-on cards, which I didn’t want to do. The hx2415 takes care of all of your networking needs – from infrared, to Wi-Fi, to Bluetooth. It has it all.
Applications:
HP has included great applications that I found were very easy to use. I guess being a previous owner of an iPaq helped too. But it won’t be a problem for those just buying their first PDA either.
Sound:
This is probably the only thing that I wish would have been better on the hx2415. The sound is not what I’m used to on my 3635. The speaker was a lot bigger and produced a much louder sound. I very rarely had the volume maxed on it. With the hx2415, the volume is all the way up – all the time.
Overall I am smitten with my new iPaq. I paid over $500 for my 3635 brand new (with cradle, charger, case, and expansion sleeve). I found this hx2415 for $370.00. What a deal! I couldn’t be happier.
One thing I would like to mention, which isn’t a problem with the iPaq as much as it is a problem with the PocketPC interface. I recommend you get a third-party management utility, such as Wisbar. It makes using the iPaq so much easier and fun. One thing I dislike (and probably most PPC users do as well) is that when you open an application, such as Pocket Word, there is an ‘X’ button to close the application. However, the ‘X’ button is more like a ‘Minimize’ button because the program is still active. You have to navigate through the settings control panel and close it from the running programs in the Memory task panel. So much of a hassle. But not with Wisbar. You’ll be glad you did!
I’m sure I’m leaving some other great features out, but these are what really drove me to buy the hx2415. Hope it helps you in your search!
After my Visor Edge died on me suddenly, I was considering buying another palm device, but I decided to try my first Pocket PC because of the ability to create and edit files created in Microsoft apps like Word and Excel. The other features interested me as well such as Windows Media Player, Bluetooth, expansion slots etc. Not to mention, it looks so good (even better in your hand).
I have been using my iPaq for over a week now, and I am loving it. Who needs to carry around an iPod when u have an iPaq. If u need hours of music, simply use a high capacity SD memory card and you are in hog heaven. Bluetooth works excellently. I have used it synchronize information with my PC and transfer files with my T610 cell phone. I have not had a chance to use WiFi as yet.
My friends and coworkers are all drooling over my iPaq. While I was researching which model to purchase, a coworker tried to convince me that a notebook was the way to go. I listed to her attentively and purchased the iPAQ hx2415. She quickly changed her mind when I started showing her the features the little iPaq had. Her exact words were, “It’s like a notebook…just smaller and cuter!” The clarity of the screen, processing speed, and functionality blew her away, in fact, right now she is considering buying herself an iPaq because she is tired of carrying around her notebook.
The device itself feels very good in hand, this is aided by the rubberized side grips. It is slightly heavier than my old Visor Edge, but I don’t mind. The things I am doing now on it, were only a dream with the Edge.
The only complaint I have is that the X button does not close apps, but minimizes them. Once you get used to that it is ok. To date, I have had no lockups. I have never had to reset the device. According to my research, lockups are usually caused by too many programs running in the background, which brings me back to my complaint, the X button. There is an iTask button that is used to close applications, but it would be better if the X button did what X buttons are supposed to do – close applications.
Also, help could have been better when it comes to the actual applications, although they are similar to the versions we are accustomed to in Windows.
As I am on the topic of applications, this device came with a nice selection of programs, plus the companion CD has more software, even though many of them are trial versions.
In conclusion, I am pleased with the iPAQ hx2415. I did alot of research on it, and so far, it has exceeded my expectations. My life now has order again and more music. I have found my new friend.
I got to try the various handhelds of friends and family over the years, but I never really felt the need for one. But in the last few years they’ve become much more than glorified clip boards. I have both a Windows XP PC and an older Mac at home, and it occurred to me that I could get by with just one PC, since my wife and I usually just check e-mail and surf the Internet anyway. The thought of checking my e-mail while soaking in the hot tub in our back yard had immense appeal too!
The latest models have tons of features, though they are still stripped-down versions of full PCs. On the plus side this makes them much simpler to operate. On the down side you have to be careful not to lose content in the files you synchronize through your handheld due to the different versions of software on your handheld and your PC. And there’s obviously not nearly as much software written for handhelds as for PCs.
At first I really wanted a Blackberry, as it combines a handheld with a cell phone, but I had just bought a new cell phone with contract and didn’t want to waste that money. Plus, the Blackberry really needs a wireless broadband Internet service to be useful… and that’s usually $50-60 a month. And since I already have DSL at home, and T1 or whatever at work, I couldn’t see spending more money for yet another fast connection service. I did have to shell out $59 for a wireless Linksys DSL router so my iPaq could use my DSL connection, but it works much better than the wired one I used to have (the old Linksys constantly needed to be rebooted).
The HP iPaq hx2415 is what I ended up buying, partly because it appeared to have all of the features I wanted, and because of HP’s good reputation. And price is now below $300!
Mine came with just Windows Mobile 2003, but even with the $35 the Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade CD cost me, I was well ahead on price as these are on sale often now. I decided not to install Mobile 5.0 yet, as I wanted to test the older software first for various reasons. While I like Mobile 2003, there are some shortcomings, the major ones being:
1. Mobile 2003 doesn’t seem to support nested folders (at least I haven’t figured out how to view them). This is also true if you synchronize your Explorer favorites. The nested folders of favorites aren’t viewable, and don’t get transferred to your other PC; you need to place them only one level deep, no folders inside of other folders.
2. Mobile 2003 doesn’t retain all of your files and settings in the event of your battery completely dying or being removed.
3. The 2003 version of Pocket Excel doesn’t support charts. Fortunately I knew this before I bought it, or I might have lost the charts in some Excel spreadsheets I synchronize with my PCs at home and work. As a work-around I have the “convert files” setting unchecked. But that means I can’t edit Excel charts on my iPaq until I upgrade to Mobile 5.0.
These things are all improved in Mobile 5.0 (at least 2 and 3 are), so I highly recommend getting Mobile 5.0.
I usually read the manuals (yeah; I must be the only guy who does!), but this iPaq was so easy to work with right out of the box, that I was surfing the web literally within 10 minutes! Both my PCs are now synchronized with my iPaq and the e-mail server at work, and setup for this was incredibly easy (Note: I made sure to *not” convert files when synchronizing, so as not to lose charts in Excel due to the older version of Pocket Excel on the iPaq).
OK, the iPaq itself:
I love that it boots in about 2 seconds, instead of the 2 minutes my PCs take to boot! I can instantly access my synchronized e-mail by hitting one button (holding it down brings up my Wi-Fi settings); another button brings up my calendar (holding this button changes between landscape and portrait modes on the big display); another brings up my contacts. A button on the side brings up my notes; I love that! I usually just type in a quick note, but if I hold that button down, it brings up notes, then starts voice recording; great for when I don’t have two hands free!
The stylus and handwriting recognition work well, but I usually use the screen keyboard, though it’s slower than typing. I may invest in the $45 thumb keyboard some day.
The iPaq body is OK looking, and comfortable enough, but nothing spectacular. But it *is* small, light, and rugged; I dropped mine once with no problems. (I have a hard time believing the other reviewer set theirs down one evening and that the display cracked overnight while it was just sitting there; I’d talk to their janitors or kids!). I have plenty of memory for what I’m doing, but it’s upgradeable if I need more. Flash cards are so cheap now anyway.
So, for this first-timer, this handheld has sold me on the concept. I definitely recommend it!
our team loves it. highly recommend it
