HP iPAQ 110 with Windows Mobile 6 Classic
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Introduction
The HP iPAQ 100 series represents one of the few Windows Mobile Classic devices to be provided by one of the manufacturers that started it all. Even though current tendencies lead to converged devices, I know many of us old-school users tend to miss things that are currently being sacrificed when manufacturers try to use current hardware limitations to turn a Pocket PC into a mobile phone. Size, processing speed, gaming capabilities and media richness are just some of the features that are currently being shifted aside for new priorities like stamina. Even though hardware is slowly getting faster and better to allow WM Pro and Standard editions to catch up, many users have found the need to still keep their device, but in the end also carry an extra device like an iPod to cover for all these media flaws that their new communicator won’t do a good job at.
HP seems to believe that even though jumping on the train of evolution is the way to go, there are still some users out there who are willing to enjoy a plain old Pocket PC for the simple things that made it what it is today. What’s interesting though is when HP manages to build something as powerful as the new iPAQ 110 and then fit it at a price range that is very similar to what that extra media only device would cost. Did HP pull it off with their new classic device? Read on to find out!
Review Date: January 23, 2008
Picture Highlights
| In Part 1 of the video review, I focus mainly on the hardware differences this Windows Mobile Classic device offers and how HP's software supports it. You'll notice screen clarity is probably not the iPAQ's best thing to offer since QVGA doesn't really do a good match with large screens, but then again, there are some good things like button mapping options and storage memory to stand up for the device in the end. | In Part 2 of the video review I focus on the basic software package within the HP iPAQ 110. I must say I enjoy the fact that HP devices maintain the core Windows Mobile experience and as a result avoid draining your precious storage memory on add-ons you probably won't like. What's basically included here are a couple of help tools and some neat features like BT Phone Manager, Photosmart Mobile and Office Mobile 6.1. Another thing I review is the iPAQ's decent battery performance and all the connectivity options included in the device. |
| In Part 3 of the video review I focus on the iPAQ's media capabilities, my gaming impressions, and a couple of bugs I detected after a few weeks of testing. I was honestly expecting the iPAQ to render seamless video performance thanks to all its specs, but though it's close, it's still not perfect. Do expect it to outperform many current WM6 Pro or Standard devices out there, but as I said, I expected more. I can't honestly say if any other media players could've rendered better video, but if there were, I would recommend HP to include any of these in the box. | In Part 4 of the video review I focus on the iPAQ's connectivity options more into detail in comparison to other devices. Even though buggy, I've come to like Wi-Fi on the iPAQ. I've found it to be quick, with strong reception and well assisted by the iPAQ Wireless Manager. I've even had cases where the iPAQ outperforms my laptop in signal strength reception and in stability to remain connected while far from the router. Before I began running the video, my test with a distant router proved my laptop to be connected after trying it 3 times, my Herald was never even capable of connecting while the iPAQ connected once and remained that way. |
Overall Impression
Even with all its cons, the iPAQ fits easily in my back pocket and gives me enough power to toy with it without being interrupted by an incoming call or a text message. I guess it's just a matter of taste; but in my opinion, even though I'd definitely not switch back to carrying a classic device and a simple phone, I'd rather keep my small and laggy Pro device for its connectivity and have the iPAQ keep me company for the stronger tasks, media, and improved Windows Mobile functionality. Current Pro and Standard devices' performance would still compel me to buy an extra media player, so for that matter, I'd rather spend a similar amount for a full iPAQ.
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