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When the HP iPAQ H2210 made its way to the market last year, I really
wondered why everyone was so excited. Yeah, embedded Bluetooth and SDIO
instead of simply SD, but based on what I saw online, I really did not
see why I would want this device over my Dell Axim X5. I rarely use
Bluetooth for anything and SDIO, while could be beneficial in the
future, did not have any practical applications to me at the time. Over
the last couple months since the H2210 appeared in users hands, Bluetooth
still has not made its way into my life, and SDIO only has for reviews.
So prior to actually receiving the H2210 I was again unclear on why
fellow MVP?s were raving so highly about this device. Now I get it, and
hopefully will be able to make it clear why my mind has changed. Simply
put, I would trade my Dell Axim X5 (which I love) for the HP iPAQ H2210.
Basic Internals
First let me get the specifications of this device out
of the way. The HP iPAQ H2210 is powered by an Intel XScale PXA255
processor running at 400MHz. It contains 64MB of RAM and 32MB of ROM (of
which about 4MB is available for permanent storage), as well as both an SDIO slot and Compact Flash Type II expansion slot. The iPAQ can be
connected both via sync cradle connection or via the integrated
Bluetooth. Windows Mobile 2003 (Pocket PC 2003) is displayed to the user
on a 16-bit, 240x320 pixel display.
Device Style
While specifications like this are nothing new to the
Pocket PC market, the style of this device adds a compact form factor
for the number of included features. The H2210 is a device made for the
user that wants a powerful device with a good number of features, but
still wants a ultra-compact device size and a price tag that won?t break
the bank. The form factor and design of this device is my main praise of
this device, and one of the major reasons I would purchase one. The
specifications, while they are good and many of my requirements for a
device, every Pocket PC manufacture makes a device with similar
specification. The key requirement is how the manufactures puts the
components together in a package that will be functional. The iPAQ line
has always been successful in promoting a good design and the H2210
follows in its predecessor?s foot steps.
Size and Expandability
When I pulled the device out of the box,
the first thing I notice is the size and how it fits in my hand. It is
relatively rectangular design makes it fit in my hand well. The device
feels slightly smaller than other comparable devices (like the Axim X5).
At only 0.61" thick, the device is really rather thin to include both SD
and CF. Most devices put the CF slot in the middle of the top, but HP
pushed the slot back against the back side of the device. This leaves
room for the CF slot as well as both the SDIO slot and IrDA port (which
is not noticeable in the device design). A standard 3.5mm headphone jack
and microphone accompany the expansion slots on the top, with the stylus
balancing the device on the other size.
Buttons, Battery, and Cradle
The front of the device is mostly the
screen. Above the screen is two notification lights, one blue to show
an active Bluetooth connection and the other for notification from
device alerts and when the power adapter is connected. The power button,
while small and slightly inset, is very easy to press to get the device
to activate. Below the screen are four quick launch buttons (similar to
the power button) and a directional pad. The directional
pad works best when the pointer finger is placed in the center of the pad
and moved up down, right and left (as opposed to attempting to press
each direction individually). Some users may find the directorial pad as
being too small for successful use. HP decided not to include a voice
recorder button. While I usually do not use the button on a Pocket PC, I
do on my SmartPhone, so I know there is a benefit to having it, but for
my Pocket PC, I am indifferent to having it. The bottom of the device
only contains a sync connection port, no separate power adapter
connection. Speaking of the sync port connection, the sync cradle is
rather large for my liking, though it does have the option for charging
only an extra battery (the 2210?s batter is removable) instead of the
whole device with the battery. Also to charge the device you must have
it in the sync cradle, which I personally don?t like to do. While I
think the device design is great, I do not like the cradle and wish some
extra effort had been put into it. But back to the device, the back side
includes the external speaker and a battery slot accessible by the user.
I don?t like that the external speaker is on the back, I would have
liked it on the front. The battery slot is also a little harder to open
than it should be; it just takes some figuring out. The battery life was
good for me. Even with the screen on at a moderately high
brightness and an SDIO WiFi card, I still was getting upwards for three
hours of battery life. For me, this is pretty good, but users that
use their device primarily as a personal information management unit,
they may find it not so good that you cannot slow the processor to
conserve battery life.
Final Thoughts
Can I trade? I have been using this device for
about a month on and off. Well, more on than off. More often
I pick-up this device when I leave than my Axim X5 due to not only the
size, but the better screen, the SDIO slot for my WiFi card, and though
I still hate Bluetooth, it has come in handy to have it. The H2210
packs power, functionality and style all into one device, that won't
break the bank. The retail price for this device is $400 and is
well worth the costs considering there are devices that are more
expensive that are not half as good. I know completely understand
why everyone was excited over this device and why my fellow MVP are
raving.
Dave's Score - 9.0
This means, this product is about as close to
"the best" as you can get. This product embodies
quality in its design and application, and is something I would use.
Though you still should consider it for yourself, most would probably
be happy with this product even if they were unable to try it prior to
purchase.
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