ipaq_dan

Hi, this is my first post, so hello to all you guys!

I've tried out both the IPAQ 4150 and the rx3115, but am having a tough time trying to figure out which one will be best for me. First off, to give you some background about myself, I am a Palm Zire71 owner and I want to move over to the wireless IPAQ Pocket PCs. I use my PDA everywhere I go, so the size of the PDA does matter. But I also like having a nice screen with great photo quality (the Zire71 320x320 kicks Pocket PC's 240x320 butt in that respect). I work in the hi-tech industry and store a lot of notes and diagrams in my handheld.

Here are the things that I like about each:

4150:
- very small size, so I can carry it around everywhere I go without worry of bulk in my pockets (though it looks delicate)
- fast processor for viewing movies and starting up apps
- Best Buy curently has a couple of open box items of these for a good price

rx3115:
- it's cheaper for a brand new unopened one... although I don't know how the 90 Canadian bucks difference will affect my life ;-)
- has a much better screen, but keep in mind the 4150 I saw had an awful yellow tinge problem (although the yellow screen tinge is a known problem, this one seemed worse than most).
- can do landscape mode whenever I want, due to the new version of Windows Mobile 2003. For the 4150 I read that this can only be done through software, and it also requires a soft reset before it can change the orientation!
- I prefer the rx3115's cable over the cradle that comes with the 4150


I don't care much for the remote control and media server applications on the rx3115, so those are a non-issue when comparing the two.

I dont intend to watch a lot of movies on my PPC although it would be fun to try out. I do enjoy using the Wifi and MP3 playing capabilities, as well as the occasional Tomb Raider type of game.

Currently I have the rx3115 with me at work and it is kinda bulky to carry around from lab to lab. So the 4150 would be a great choice in that respect. But then I am concerned about the screen quality on the 4150! This is the main isue.

I might go to Best Buy tonight if I decide to exchange the rx3115.

Guys, can you help me decide? Put your biases aside :-) Which would be the better bang for the buck and for my lifestyle?

Richard Cunningham

I used the 4155 (same as the 4150) until I saw the 3115 and 3715 units in the stores. I compared them side by side and was surprised that there was little or no difference in the size. The 4155 has rounded corners on the bottom which may make it look smaller, but size wise they are the same. The store let me compare them. The screens on the rx series are much better than the ones on the 4155, even with the screen protector on. The battery life is better as well. I can surf the net and other functions for about 40% longer than with the 4155. One nice thing about the rx series is that the IR connector is at the top, not the bottom of the unit. You also get the VGA capabilities with these units. Even though they are not VGA screens, you can still adjust the font size, such as on your today screen to make them larger and smaller. Having used both, I prefer the rx series. I actually got the 3715, due to:1) larger flash file (96mb vs 4mb), 2) larger battery (1440mah vs. 920mah), 3) desktop cradle instead of sync cable, and 4) CPU speed (400mhz vs. 300mhz).

JNGold

ivhs,

You forgot to mention that the 3000 series is made of very cheap plastic. It felt like a cheap toy in my hands. As for the size, the rounded corners make all the difference. The RX's blockyness, which would be even bigger when and if you decide to put a case on it, makes it bigger than the 4100 series.

Quote:

Having used both, I prefer the rx series. I actually got the 3715, due to:1) larger flash file (96mb vs 4mb), 2) larger battery (1440mah vs. 920mah), 3) desktop cradle instead of sync cable, and 4) CPU speed (400mhz vs. 300mhz).

Huh? The 4150 has the 400mhz xscale which btw can be "scaled" up or down dynamically or overclocked if necessary using several 3rd party apps. Second, the 4150 comes with a sync cradle and a power cable that can be used for sync and power.

__________________
PDA Lineage: Handspring Visor Deluxe, Visor Prism, Casio EM-500, Casio E-200, HP Jornada 568, IPAQ 1910,IPAQ 4150,Ipaq 2750 (with Moto Razr V3), Imate K-Jam,Treo 750, HTC Touch Cruise (Pre-Order)

Richard Cunningham

Originally Posted by JNGold

ivhs, You forgot to mention that the 3000 series is made of very cheap plastic. It felt like a cheap toy in my hands. As for the size, the rounded corners make all the difference. The RX's blockyness, which would be even bigger when and if you decide to put a case on it, makes it bigger than the 4100 series. Huh? The 4150 has the 400mhz xscale which btw can be "scaled" up or down dynamically or overclocked if necessary using several 3rd party apps. Second, the 4150 comes with a sync cradle and a power cable that can be used for sync and power.

The 300 series maybe plastic, but it certainly isn't "cheap" looking or feeling. The only PDA that I know of that isn't plastic is the 4705, which is metal. As for the size and blockiness, I use the same stock HP case that came with the 4155, and it takes up the same amount of space. In fact, the one that comes with the 3715 is leather, not nylon, and is much thinner than the one that comes with the 4155. Do a physical side by side comparison of the two units like I did, and you will see what I mean.


The reasons I gave were for buying a 3715 over a 3115, not for buying a 3715 over a 4155. I know the 4155 has a 400mhz processor, and it comes with a cradle. I used to own one, okay. Read the post again and you'll see what I mean. It should be apparent since the 4155 has a 1000mah battery and no flash file.

whitelyt

IMO choosing between the rx3115 and the h4150 I would go with the h4150. If I had to choose between the rx3715 and the h4150 I would go with the rx3715.

There is no memory advantage between the rx3115 and the h4150. The screen on the rx3115 has a slight advantage but not by much. The only thing the rx3115 doesn't have is the yellow tint. The rx3115 does have the Nevo Universal Remote plus the Nevo Media Companion. But if multimedia is not your thing then it means nothing. Plus the h4150 has a 400MHz processor whereas the rx3115 has a 300MHz processor. The h4150 also has a better form factor. Just with the faster processor and the form factor I would go with the h4150.

However if you put the h4150 side by side with the rx3715 the only advantage the h4150 has is the form factor. But the rx3715 is just as small; it just has a boxier shape then the h4150.

__________________
Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

JNGold

Originally Posted by whitelyt

But the rx3715 is just as small; it just has a boxier shape then the h4150.

The numbers speak for themselves:
3700: 4.5in x 2.8in x .64in 5.6oz
4100: 4.47 x 2.77in x .53in 4.67oz

Quote:

The 300 series maybe plastic, but it certainly isn't "cheap" looking or feeling

Oh, I beg to differ. HP has harkened back to the days of the Jornada 560 series (which I owned also). I wouldn't be surprised if the paint peels off the 3700 or the images on the hardware keys start to fade.

__________________
PDA Lineage: Handspring Visor Deluxe, Visor Prism, Casio EM-500, Casio E-200, HP Jornada 568, IPAQ 1910,IPAQ 4150,Ipaq 2750 (with Moto Razr V3), Imate K-Jam,Treo 750, HTC Touch Cruise (Pre-Order)

whitelyt

Originally Posted by JNGold

The numbers speak for themselves: 3700: 4.5in x 2.8in x .64in 5.6oz 4100: 4.47 x 2.77in x .53in 4.67oz

In terms of numbers the 4100 is smaller. Visually there is not a huge difference. The only thing that is strikingly better on the h4100 is the form factor which is unmatched with any iPAQs on the market.

__________________
Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

Richard Cunningham

Originally Posted by JNGold

Oh, I beg to differ. HP has harkened back to the days of the Jornada 560 series (which I owned also). I wouldn't be surprised if the paint peels off the 3700 or the images on the hardware keys start to fade.

I happen to have a 560 sitting in front of me, and I see quite a difference between them. There just is no comparison between them.

ipaq_dan

Hey guys..
Thanks for your opinions! Well i decided to get the 4150... and it's a very cute PDA.. but.. the Inbox button is kinda messed up so it sometimes has this plasticky sound when you press it or it gets kinda stuck.... so i'll have to go get it exchanged! ARgh!

This unit is way faster than the 3115. For example, the same number of programs when backed up on the 3115 take about 2 1/2 minutes, whereas on the 4150 they take about 40 seconds!!

One thing that the 3115 has going for it, though, are the fonts. They are much nicer. For example i just restored the BugMe directory from the 3115 into the 4150 and I noticed the fonts were much smoother. How do I change the system fonts? Are there any free fonts for me to download?

JNGold

Dan,

Good choice. With regards to the screen fonts, from what you describe it sounds like 3115 had Clear Type enabled. Clear Type smooths fonts for easier readability. On the 4150 using WM2003, you can achieve this effect by going to the control panel and selecting "Screen". There should be a checkbox for enabling Clear Type.

If what you describe is not the result of Clear Type but truly another type of font, then I am not sure what you can do. I think there are 3rd party apps out there that can help with changing system fonts.

__________________
PDA Lineage: Handspring Visor Deluxe, Visor Prism, Casio EM-500, Casio E-200, HP Jornada 568, IPAQ 1910,IPAQ 4150,Ipaq 2750 (with Moto Razr V3), Imate K-Jam,Treo 750, HTC Touch Cruise (Pre-Order)

ipaq_dan

Originally Posted by JNGold

Dan, Good choice. With regards to the screen fonts, from what you describe it sounds like 3115 had Clear Type enabled. Clear Type smooths fonts for easier readability. On the 4150 using WM2003, you can achieve this effect by going to the control panel and selecting "Screen". There should be a checkbox for enabling Clear Type. If what you describe is not the result of Clear Type but truly another type of font, then I am not sure what you can do. I think there are 3rd party apps out there that can help with changing system fonts.

Ahh.. thanks, that worked! I just had to figure out that i had to soft reset the device too, in order to take that change into effect!

ipaq_dan

I noticed that the 3115, even though it doesnt have the cradle, has a USB sync cable which also CHARGES from the USB port. So you get both the USB sync charger PLUS an AC adaptor charger. I noticed last night that the 4150's USB cradle does not charge unless you plug it into the wall outlet. Or am i wrong?

JNGold

That is correct. You can get a USB Sync/Charge cable from Boxwave:

http://www.boxwave.com/products/mini...aq-4155_49.htm

__________________
PDA Lineage: Handspring Visor Deluxe, Visor Prism, Casio EM-500, Casio E-200, HP Jornada 568, IPAQ 1910,IPAQ 4150,Ipaq 2750 (with Moto Razr V3), Imate K-Jam,Treo 750, HTC Touch Cruise (Pre-Order)

Richard Cunningham

Originally Posted by ipaq_dan

I noticed that the 3115, even though it doesnt have the cradle, has a USB sync cable which also CHARGES from the USB port. So you get both the USB sync charger PLUS an AC adaptor charger. I noticed last night that the 4150's USB cradle does not charge unless you plug it into the wall outlet. Or am i wrong?

That's correct you need a second usb cable to do that, from someone other than HP. I picked one up on eBay for about $6 that let me charge from the USB, and had adaptors for both auto and wall outlet. So three power charging sources from one cable. But then you can buy ANYTHING on eBay....