TastyOther

Hi!

I'm writing an article on Idruna's Pocket Phojo for our photographic magazines, and they recommended the iPaq HX4700 as the high-end PDA - so I've obtained one for review alongside the system.

Currently I am featuring the Idruna software, the HX, and the ThinkOutside and Virtual Keyboard (both bluetooth), and plan to feature TomTom Navigation.

The iPaq is certainly impressive, though as a Mac user, I'm finding the solutions for Mac OS to be rather... variable . I have access to a PC, because otherwise I would never have been able to get some packages onto the machine. My main reference point for comparison as a PDA is the Sony Clue UX50 I've been using since before Christmas and past experience with HP Handheld PCs (I miss that format so much; I had the 680? LX, the black 75MHz model, the bluer coloured 690 or 720 (I can't remember which now, as they were all Jornada, but it was 133MHz) and the 820 'notebook'.

Are there any things which I should be mentioning in the review that make the HX4700 easier to use/better to live with? I know about the extended battery options, but what about that awful screen cover? It gets greasy fingerprints whenever I show off the machine, and my review unit had had the magnet come out and get repaired with tape (unless it's supposed to be held in with a little bit of tape?). Good screen protectors - my Clie has one that feels like writing on paper, for example - cases, wallets?

I've updated the ROM and haven't noticed any issues yet, the battery charges and drains normally as far as I can tell (haven't managed to get it flat, though), the WiFi works fine, and Bluetooth connectivity with a mobile phone just blew me away, compared to the nightmare I've had trying to make it work on the Clie (I gave up). I've tried SE_VGA and it breaks WISBar 1.42 (shame, as I have a Mac-like theme loaded which I assume came from PocketMac) - plus WISBar doesn't seem to access the WM2003SE connectivity/volume buttons accurately, despite the older version apparently doing so without problems. Other than that the SE_VGA 'hack' is pretty impressive; shame my eyesight isn't that good.

What sort of essential software do you find you can't live without? I've got Resco File Explorer installed as well as a few other things, but I'm thinking of 'e-wallet' secure things, that sort of idea. Stuff that makes the PDA invaluable to carry around...

Back to work, anyway!
Richard

swhoutx035

Originally Posted by TastyOther

What sort of essential software do you find you can't live without? I've got Resco File Explorer installed as well as a few other things, but I'm thinking of 'e-wallet' secure things, that sort of idea. Stuff that makes the PDA invaluable to carry around... Back to work, anyway! Richard

Hi Richard, welcome to the forum. Check out my View MyPDA section for software I use on my 4700.

TastyOther

Originally Posted by swhoutx035

Hi Richard, welcome to the forum. Check out my View MyPDA section for software I use on my 4700.

Wow, 128Mb RAM upgrade. That's what the HX needs more than anything. Looks like our UK readers may have to spend a bit if they want it, though, and presumably if you have it done, there is no chance of warranty work from HP, ever!

Must pass this on to Idruna, though. They could maybe sort out a deal whereby they can sell pre-upgraded machines.

__________________
TastyOther - because too much in life makes sense.

Mac, Vintage computer geek.
PDAs: Clie UX50, iPaq HX4700, Newton.
History: Psion II/3a/3c/5mx, HP620/690/820/HX4700, Newton OMP thru 2100. DataRover 840, Palm Vx/T-C, Amstrad PenPad, GeoFox One, Nokla 9K,9110, 9210.
Cars: Sera, Supra, NBC

stinkypaul

First of all, Sony has already discontinued CLIE series and won't produce any more.

Mike (swhoutx035)'s MyPDA section is very impressive and should provide you a very good insight for hardware/accessories and softwares concerned with Hx4700.

For Accessories sold in the UK for Hx4700, you can try expansys.com (Manchester based company in the UK): http://www.expansys.com/accessory.as...IPAQ_HX4700_UK

To what you need, I will recommend:
1. Aluminium case http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=119960
2. Possibly a bluetooth keyboard
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?...TOOTH_KEYBOARD
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=118539

For Wallet software, I use FlexWallet from TwoPeaks (http://www.twopeaks.com/FlexWallet/pocketpc.aspx) which I can't live without now.

Also for commercial software purchase, handango.com is indispensible.

Good luck.

TastyOther

Originally Posted by stinkypaul

First of all, Sony has already discontinued CLIE series and won't produce any more. Mike (swhoutx035)'s MyPDA section is very impressive and should provide you a very good insight for hardware/accessories and softwares concerned with Hx4700. For Accessories sold in the UK for Hx4700, you can try expansys.com (Manchester based company in the UK): http://www.expansys.com/accessory.as...IPAQ_HX4700_UK To what you need, I will recommend: 1. Aluminium case http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=119960 2. Possibly a bluetooth keyboard http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?...TOOTH_KEYBOARD http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=118539 For Wallet software, I use FlexWallet from TwoPeaks (http://www.twopeaks.com/FlexWallet/pocketpc.aspx) which I can't live without now. Also for commercial software purchase, handango.com is indispensible. Good luck.

I've got a Stowaway keyboard, albeit a German one (for review), which I'm seriously impressed with. Using it now, PDA in VGA+Landscape on the stand beside me, keyboard in my lap.

Handandgo? The website which charges $19 for the free AIM software... It's some contrast, with the many, many Palm sites with $2 utilities!

Whilst Clie is dead, it certainly doesn't make the UX50 any less of a fantastic PDA

Richard