HP iPAQ hx2495 Series Pocket PC: Budget Peformance, and it shows
Pros:
Screen protector provided, fast processor, easy to use wireless functions, security software
Cons:
Sync problems, turns on constantly (draining the battery fast)
The Bottom Line:
Prices have dropped for this PDA, but issues have not been fixed since I reviewed this 3 months ago. Hard to recommend right now as a result.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Design (35%): 7
Features (35%): 8
Performance (20%): 6
Customer Support (10%): 5
Overall: 6.9
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Short Specs (Provided by Hewlett-Packard):
OS provided: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium Edition
Installed RAM: 64 MB
Processor: Intel 520 MHzXscale
Wireless connectivity: IrDA, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b
Input device type: Stylus, Touch-screen, 5-way navigation button
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Hewlett-Packard has had a long history as a company for test and measurement instruments. Founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard (hence Hewlett-Packard), the company has gone on to make innovations such as Inkjet Printers, Laser Printers and DVD Lightscribe, just to name a few. What many know HP for now-a-days are for their easy to afford desktop and laptop computers (especially with their buyout and merger of Compaq). Having owned both desktop and laptop computers (re: my laptop review) of HP brand, I decided to go with the iPAQ, hoping for quality that I have come to expect of the HP Brand.
The design of the iPAQ hx2495 Pocket PC is reasonable, though admittedly not the best. The buttons are large enough in size that my fingers will not hit an "address" key and a "task" key at the same time, but these same buttons are sometimes not as quick to acknowledge the command. Sometimes one press will lead to two or three, requiring a little bit of patience (esp. since I now have plenty of items on the iPAQ memory), but I shall save that for later.
The device is light and fits fairly well in my pocket, without cluttering it up (since I also have my cell phone sitting in there as well). It is nice that HP included a screen cover for protection, versus the last PDA I had where the screen was all scratched up. All in all, good moves in general by HP.
Unfortunately, other problems have croped up in terms of sychronization. It should be intuitive that one simply hook up your USB cord into your computer (leave it there if you wish), and dock the Pocket PC into the cradle as any time when you so desired. However, sychronization has been a royal pain. The reason is that you have to constantly disconnect the cradle from the USB port, before you can establish a connection with any PC. I have tried this against my Desktop and Laptop and it was consistent with both. All I really want to do is place my PDA in a dock and let the sync begin. It is not that easy...
The iPAQ comes equipped with numerous features that are easy to use. Connection using Bluetooth through the Microsoft OS was easy and seamless. In fact, I have been able to connect to a Motorola RAZRv3 using this PDA and transfer custom made ringtones using my PDA. Suffice it to say, I find that to be incredible and brilliant. Also, connecting using Wireless Internet is easy. Simply go to the Wireless Connection option on the main menu, and tap on the wireless internet, and the PDA will actively seek out the nearest hubs that you could connect to.
The processor provided in the iPAQ is fast, and helps achieve things quickly. The amount of memory available to you is 192MB, which is decent (esp. if you are into MP3's). However, you could expand on the amount of memory you have through use of the CF and SD expansion slots. Lastly, HP provided software within the iPAQ that will encrypt your folders unless your PDA is unlocked correctly. So if you have sensitive data on your PDA, it is locked using this software feature.
The performance of this PDA is admirable, if only the darn thing would not turn on whenever it desired. This seems to be a consistent problem that I have yet to find a solution to, as the device will turn on without prompt from the OS for no particular reason. When I check to see why it does this, there are no task reminders, messages of importance, etc. that would have prompted this. Checking through HP's website reveals that this issue has not been addressed, and customer support was no less helpful in finding a solution for me either. Hopefully HP will address this situation soon, as it is quite a drain on an otherwise great battery. Despite this problem, the battery manages 12-24 hours (depending on these sudden turn-ons) of life during rigorous use.
The display is always bright under various lighting conditions. This is good, as I am a person who cannot see very well under low-light conditions. The display can further be read for most any angle, which is good for any person who is on the run and needs to take a quick glance at what is next on their busy schedule.
All in all, HP designed a decent PDA. The OS, despite it being from Microsoft, is surprisingly stable and the data is saved even if battery power is drained completely. However, the price is a bit steep for a person on a budget. Given the issues that currently are still outstanding on this PDA, I would recommend that one would steer clear for now until these issues are cleared up.
