| |  | Electronics HP iPAQ RX1950 Pocket PC |  | | | | | | | | | | Rating:  - Great Product! Recommend it.
For years I used an IPAQ 1910.Loved its slim size, gorgeous display and its features.It had one fatal disadvantage!When the removable battery discharged it lost all the data and programs stored in memory and there was no way to put Contacts, Schedules etc on Storage Card.So they were erased each time.At home they could be resynched with the PC and the data restored but on trips - when I needed the data worse - it was not possible.To make it worse the data loss occurred even when the secondary battery showed full charge and the battery discharge happened even if the unit was not turned on.Another disadvantage was that it could not handle a Storage Card larger than 1 GB and its earphone socket used the non-standard 2.5 mm plug (standard is 3.5 mm)
So I bought the IPAQ RX1950.It looks and feels exactly the same as the old 1910 but with added WiFi connectivity, persistent memory (data is not lost even if battery is completely discharged), and ability to handle large capacity SD Cards.Installed a 2 GB SD Card and loaded in severalfavorite programs like Mobipocket Reader, ProWord Dictionary, XnView image display, Conduit Pocket Player and the games Freecell, SuperSudoku and Scrabble.Also tried, unsuccessfully, to add several free utilities to make navigation and the Today screen more useful.
It was heavy going!I found that I had to Soft Reset so many times during use that I considered returning the unit to Amazon.Got in touch with HP Support Professional via chat.He first advised me to download the latest ROM and Firmware updates.It turns out that my device had all these installed from the factory (as they should have been) - so there was no need for additional update.The technician suspected that the added utilities might the culprit.so I uninstalled them.He also advised me to follow the following procedure:
"Open active sync on the iPaq, then tap on menu -> Add Server Source, then you will see a field called "server address", enter anything into this field. Tap on next on the bottom right of the screen. Fill out the three fields with any information, then select next, then finish. This will bring you back to the active sync menu. Tap on menu -> Schedule, you will see two drop downs, "peak times" and "off-peak times". Change both of these from the default of 10 and 4 mins respectively to "manually". Tap on ok in the upper right hand side. Tap on menu -> Options, tap and hold on where it says "exchange server" and select delete."
Did all of the above and for the past 4 days did not do a single Soft Reset and am a happy user.Incidentally the battery on this unit lasts for a goodly length of time - much more than the 1910 though the battery is just a somewhat higher capacity.I presume it has to do something withdata and programs being in ROM & not requiring continuous refresh like the RAM in the 1910.
During a recent trip had occasion to test the Wifi connectivity.Used Gmail to get to Inbox.It was surprising how well the messages could be viewed.Of course sending answers was laborious using the displayed keyboard but it could be done.So now I am looking forward to use it extensively on my forthcoming trip to Europe.
Rating:  - nice light PDA
It's nice, thin and light, but lacks memory and processor power for stronger applications (such as skype). Also lacks bluetooth.
The price and the low weight compensates it's limitations, making this iPAQ a great PDA option.
Rating: - Excellent features and a great value for the $$$$
I came from a Palm environment but I have tosay that even before going to a Windows environment I was a tad bit disappointed and frustrated with some of the Palms features, look and convenience. I KNEW there had to be something better. So after some online research, I decide on an IPAQ and off I go to the store for a new a PDA. What I went expressly to look for was one that was:
Windows based
Relatively inexpensive
Had a great display
Was able to handle at least 3 of the basic Microsoft applications that I use (Outlook, Excel and Word)
Wasn't so small that I would lose it or too bulky to carry
Could replace my paper organizer.......
etc...
and I have to say that I think I've found it!
I've been using this for two months and so far these are some of the highlights..........
PROS
Storage case/ cover -Comes with an amazingly sturdy sleeve which allows you to carry it in a pocketbook or a bag without feeling like it's going to get scratched, slide out or that buttons will be pressed.
The battery life is pretty good. Even when I set alerts on my calendar, I can leave this IPAQ on for 2 days without the battery draining.
Existing software and Microsoft Outlook/Word/ Excel compatibility - The calendar alone has4views: daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly views. Palm had a view like that but it did it in a way that still can leave a person confused on what day they were entering info on, how many weeks left in the year or what you have scheduled around a certain date. This left me with no questions. Also, I pretty much in love the fact that I can not only read Word and Excel document but I can edit them too. This may be hard to do when it's in portrait view but.....
Choice between landscape and portrait views - ........being able to change the view from portrait to landscape makes it easier for me to edit Word and Excel documents because there's more room on the screen.
Easy software installation/ Syncing - if you have a Word or Excel document that you want to transfer on to this IPAQ it simply a matter of putting it in to a default folder (on your desktop) and it will be added as soon as you "sync" it with your computer. I also added Pocket Quicken to track my finances and it had no problem installing orupdating during the syncing process.
Syncing - Another great thing about the sync is that you can easily eliminate the programs that you do and don't want to update. Not that this feature isn't on most PDA's but the fact that I can isolate it so that I only update say - my finances and nothing else or my calendar and nothing else, lends to more flexibility and control.
WiFi - e-mail and navigating the Internet come with ease. I barely miss the fact that it is not bluetooth compatible.
CONS
The stylus doesn't lock in to the PDA very well.Therefore if you turn the unit upside down while the stylus is inside of it, it could slide out.
Freezing - It has frozen at times when I've checked my e-mail and while it's true that you might have to take the battery out and quickly put it back in to reset it, your information doesNOT disappear!! Also this has only happened twice in the beginnning and hasn't happened since. Also, I hear that there is a patch on HP's web site to fix this.
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Rating:  - An achiever - but stunted at birth
I have very mixed feelings about this review. The HP IPAC rx1955 has a lot of potential. After several weeks of owning it, I have come to some conclusions. When working well, it is amazing to have such resources as E-mail and I-messaging, E-banking, map locations, directions, traffic flow, weather radar and news and even streaming video, all in the palm (no pun intended) of your hand. The unit is small, lightweight and stylish. It easily fits into a shirt pocket even with its nylon case. Now, the not so good. HP has designed it with a huge shortcoming of only 25 MB of operating memory. The operating system immediately uses about half of that. Also, the built in storage is only 30 MB, so adding an SD card is mandatory. I make it a habit of going to the "system" tab and shutting down un-needed software to retain a margin of 5 MB of operating memory. This is way too small. I attribute many of the "lock-up" complaints of owners to the background accumulation of running programs. I also go through a shut-down procedure of shutting off all programs and shutting down the WiFi before turning the unit completely off. However, I have still found myself doing just too many soft resets - several a day. I know I have the latest updated software, since I verified it with HP. It's an annoyance, but I'm still somewhat pleased with unit when it operates properly.
Working with the OS is a bit tricky. You need to find software programs and websites that work within the pocket PC framework and unfortunately, within the small operating memory of this unit. Normal websites do not always give satisfying results. Text passages may overlap and become unreadable or link buttons do not show up. I discovered these software to be useful for the HP pocket PC:
Google Maps for Pocket PC - This site is simply amazing. You can search locations and business, see traffic flow patterns, drag the map continously across the screen. You will need to download their software and install it through your desktop while it is synched-up to your pocket pc.
Acrobat Reader for Pocket PC - Many websites offer downloadable .pdf files that need this software to be viewed.Again, you must install it through a synched desktop.
WiFiFoFum - While the HP unit lists available access points (but no bars), this software actually gives a numeric listing of their received power in dbm (better than bars)
Pocket PC friendly websites include:
[...] - This site gives a selection of streaming video from around the US and the world. This is also amazing to see on your pocket PC. I watched a clip of the Beatles performing "Help!"
(...)- This site gives Pocket PC friendly formatted weather reports and maps.
A word about E-banking. Don't give up if you don't find sign-in and sign-out links when the banks website is viewed on the pocket PC. Go to your desktop and find the source URL for these buttons and then type that URL as a "favorite" into your Pocket PC. It will take you directly to a sign-in page.
Update 6-9-07
I have had the HP rx1955 for over 3 months now and I like it so much, I just bought another as a spare from Amazon.com. The model has been discontinued and I don't know if HP is going to continue the rx19XX line. If it does, I would recommend that HP keeps the same form factor and add more user available memory. As I have settled into a routine of closing un-needed programs rather than let them run in the background, there has been less need for doing soft resets. If you adjust to the limits of this model, it will serve you well with its portability. You must also treat it as if it is a small picture frame with a thin pane of glass. I'd say only put it in a shirt pocket and no other pocket where pressure can be applied. I found a small aluminum case that was used to hold a designer wallet and I keep it in that with some packing material when traveling. It for sure beats a clunky laptop when flying. As to WEB surfing, the unit will handle 95% of websites, but there are a few sites that will consider the Windows Mobile 5.0 browser "outdated" and will give you that message. I ran into this when my Credit Union "upgraded" its login procedures and suddenly I could no longer do electronic banking. However, in another case, I was able to monitor the progress of an expected airline flight arrival and even see the local weather radar on the rx1955 as a severe thunderstorm approached the area.
After three months, I would add another star to my review. Also, for all the people that complain about the stylus falling out - make sure the top of the stylus is (gently) screwed on tight. Even a partial loosening of that top can prevent the stylus from engaging a tiny detent inside the unit. Hence the stylus will tend to fall out.
Rating: - HP iPAQ RX1955 Pocket PC
This is an awesome piece of machinery!I have used a 4150 for the last 2+ years and my daughter accidently sat on the screen a few weeks ago and broke it.I was dead in the water as I take all my notes for meetings, have my entire suite of Outlook functions and sync up Microsoft Word Docs as my meting notes all the time.With only half a screen I was dead and now the new 1955 is sooo much better.the ability to change the display from landscape to protrait and back is a life saver as you take notes and view certain documents.The WiFi is great at home to surf the net while watching TV in bed, without having to hold a bulky laptop on your lap.It is a great device - way to go HP!!!!!
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