Includes - AC Adapter with 6-feet (1.83 m) power cord, Smart connector sync/charge cable, stylus, and slip case
Use familiar applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Synchronize e-mail and data with your PC via mini-USB or an Exchange server with Wi-Fi connectivity
Store business-critical information with high-capacity SDIO and CompactFlash expansion
Use headphones, a microphone, and other USB devices via convenient in/out ports
Rating: - HP 211 IPAQ
This is my 4th IPAQ. The last one was an HP2400 (I think). The HP 211 is a real joy to use compared to my last one. The screen is really excellent - very easy on the eyes and a little larger which I like and 640 x 480 resolution.
Cons - This IPAQ has a small delay when you press the ON button. Not a big deal but sometimes I think I didn't turn it on - so I turn it OFF by mistake! The touch screen takes a slightly harder touch to work correctly. I am getting used to it and this is not a big deal. The screen seems to be very scratch resistant. Wireless and bluetooth function very reliably are are easy to implement from the Today Screen.
I use Pocket Informant 8.1 - This program offers a lot more view flexibility than normal Windows Mobile screens. For instance, you can look at your contacts by city or country. USeful for me. The month view is excellent also.
If this thing had a phone in it as well I would buy several.
Rating: - HP iPAQ 211
I have had my HP iPAQ 211 now for a little under a month and I use it constantly. For those who are highly attached to their computers but find laptops somewhat cumbersome to take all places - this little machine, while not a laptop, fits the bill. It's built for mobility and has many powerful features that equip it for that purpose. HP has put together an endearing and intuitive handheld that pushes the envelope of the pda. Frankly, I consider it a computer in it's own right - only ounces in weight and conveniently palm-sized with an excellent battery. What is more, it boots instantly and has a comparatively large screen with great resolution and graphic capacity. I liked the the software that is bundled with the machine. This includes MS Office - mobile version. I found its ability to connect to wireless access points exceptional. Mind you it's not meant to be a telephone so I won't recommend it for this purpose! Once you have a need to miniaturize your computing habit, you'll be pleased with this little companion. It is expensive but I think you get what you pay for.
Rating: - iPaq 211 vs iPaq 2755
I have been using the iPaq 211 now for a couple of weeks after upgrading from the iPaq 2755 that I purchased when it first hit the American market - 3+ years ago. I haven't had a chance to really test the multimedia capability but am willing to bet the 211 will be better for MP3 and movies. Overall, it is a good devise, but not as much of an improvement over the 2755 as I was hoping for. Below is a comparison between the two devises.
Screen
2755 - Bright and easy to read but type gets more difficult as it gets smaller. Web pages are really difficult to view making Internet Explorer nearly pointless.
211- Even brighter in comparison to the 2755. It also has automatic brightness adjustment that actually works well. But the biggest difference is the VGA resolution on a comparatively BIG screen. Web pages, books and everything is much easier to read on this devise. I have been using my iPaqs for reading books for several years and this devise is really a pleasure for that! The on screen keyboard is also a lot easier to use, almost good enough to use with just a finger.
Processing power
2755 - HP's second unit with the 624 MHz processor blew away the previous units for speed of applications and handwriting recognition. It made the unit much more useful that previous with slower processors.
211- It has the same processor which is a mixed blessing. Since the 211 lacks a high powered graphics processor, it is actually slower on some tasks than the 2755 due to having a screen with 4 times the resolution. That said, it is only a little slower and only in certain aspects like initially opening a document. Handwriting recognition is actually slightly better for some reason; possibly the increased memory.
Internal Memory
2755 - More than adequate for several documents and programs to be stored. Bogged down or crashed if several apps were loaded at the same time, but that was easily solved by the task manager that allowed you to close individual apps or all of them at the same time.
211 - Even more memory, making easy to store loads of applications and files without issue. It does still slow down if you keep the Internet Explorer, Word and other large apps running. I couldn't find a task manager that worked like the 2755's included so installed a freeware program TMAN that works even better.
Touch screen
2755 - Good but sometimes difficult near the edges of the screen. It was often hard to hand write anything due to the size of the screen and my writing style (or lack there of.) Taps and gestures were very responsive, but it was nearly impossible to use a bare finder or even a man's fingernail.
211 - The screen is only about 95% as responsive in comparison which isn't that bad though occasionally annoying. But due to the screen size you can actually use your finger tip for many applications including the contact list making the 211 slightly better than the 2755 overall.
Included programs
2755- HP included the standard office mobile, image viewers, media players and a backup program. You also got Outlook on the disk for your desktop computer just in case you didn't have Office.
211- Actually has less than the 2755, no Outlook and no backup software. As it comes with Windows Mobile 6, the Office apps are better than the 2755. Still, plan on purchasing Sprite Backup and Outlook if you don't already have it.
Accessories
2755 - sync cable, power cable and cradle. Options include SD and CF card slots for LOTS of storage space. I have an extra battery and charger that makes it even more flexible.
211 - No cradle included. Same optional card slots except that the SD can reads SDHC cards which are a lot more versatile. There is also an optional host cable that allows you to use USB mice, keyboards and external hard drives. There is also an extended battery available that can double the amount of time before charging or exchanging batteries.
Looks and build quality
2755 - Looks are OK, though I never really liked the color tan/gray. Great build considering that I have been using it daily for more 3 years without any issue. Buttons are easy to use and can be programmed. NOTE; the first thing I do when I get a new electronic devise is put a screen saver on it.
211- It looks great in black! Same or better build quality than the 2755. Despite being lager, it is still very easy to hold and use.
Connectivity
2755 - Uses Activesync 4.5 in XP which is still my operating system of choice; sorry Microsoft but Vista totally sucks! Slow and buggy, but can be used with the included Bluetooth as well as cable.
211 - Exactly the same accept that does include a standard USB mini port for sync and charging. Charging on the USB is slower but is a welcome addition.
Security
2755 - Comes standard with password security and a biometric finger print reader that really works!
211 - No finger print reader which is a real disappointment, but does still have the password security.
Portability factor
2755 - Easily fits in a pocket and there lots of great cases available.
211 - Slightly bigger to allow the great new screen, but still pretty easy to pocket. The included case is OK, but I will be looking for a nice leather one instead.
--Summery of the 211--
Pros
Very readable screen, probably the current leader for any Windows Mobile devise that can still fit in a pocket.
Very powerful with more storage options that most people will know what to do with.
Mobile Office apps are way better under Mobile 6 and very usable. I can really create a full Word document on the devise without too much effort
Battery is sufficient for the devise, allowing several hours of use before charging is necessary.
Quite stable, very few resets and nearly all the programs that I wanted to use work great including a couple designed for WinCE 3.0.
Optional USB host adapter.
SDHC comparable.
Finger touch usable in some applications.
Opera Mobile web browser 9.5 works like a charm!
Plenty of internal memory.
Easy to carry and use.
Cons
A little slower than I would have expected.
No cradle.
No Outlook or backup software.
No biometric fingerprint reader.
No independent graphic processor for the VGA screen slows it down at times.
The speaker is a little weak.
Touch screen takes a little more pressure.
Rating: - PDA
This is my first PDA purchase. I love this product.
- It's extremely easy to use.
- I love the wi-fi capability. I love using it at airports when I'm usually so bored.
- The sound isn't that loud but I don't really use this PDA for it's music.
- The screen is huge! Crystal clear, with pictures or movies/clips showing beautifully.
- The only downfall is it's really big. I expected it to be big ... but not this big. If I wanted to take notes discretely I'm not able to do that with this.
- Also I would purchase my own case, since the one provided leaves glue on the iPAQ everytime I remove it (but this may only be mine).
- Overall I really enjoy this product.
Rating: - By far not bad.
I've had it for several months. The only rediculous flaw is the speakers. They are very silent. Otherwise this pocket PC is very good including the screen and battery life. And it doesn't freeze like some others write. I would've given 5 stars had it not been the speakers.
Hurricane Gustav didnt strike a Katrina-like blow against the Gulf Coast. But IT departments in New Orleans were prepared for the worst with disaster recovery upgrades that followed Katrina.
I'm not sure why this article was written, as there appears to be nothing particularly newsworthy in it: The News.com reporter Marguerite Reardon has covered muni-Fi for as long as I have, and after reading this in-depth piece, I'm left wondering whether it was assigned far too early, and she was meeting an editorial desk requirement instead of feeling like the story was ready to "print." The article looks at Network Acquisition Corp. (NAC), the allegedly interim name for the group that's taken over Phila-Fi.
One source at the Knight Center for Digital Excellence notes, "The new network owners are supposed to have a much more sustainable business model." Supposed to. Later, "Network Acquisition Company, which acquired the network, hasn't talked publicly about the details of its new plan, but it has hinted that its strategy will differ from EarthLink's." Hasn't talked publicly. Then, "[NAC and Tropos] spokespeople said the companies would talk more about the network later this month when details of the new business plan are ready." Huh.
Reardon explains digital divide issues and looks into what Wireless Philadelphia has been up to, although doesn't note that delays in EarthLink's deployment and other factors have led to just a few hundred individuals that have been assisted by the non-profit; numbers may have changed, but that was as of a few months ago. Still, Wireless Philadelphia has apparently diversified its funding sources--Reardon cites 30 now.
I think we're still coming off the doldrums of August.