Author : Chris Leckness
Vendor : HP / Cingular
Price : $449.99 with 2 year contract
Rating : 87/100

A hidden gem
I consider iPAQ hw6515 a hidden gem. Poor timing and a horrible rollout of this device left many looking elsewhere to find a great converged device. The launch was not really a launch, there was so much info online prior to the actual announcement that it was barely noticed. Many users desiring a converged device at this time were hungry for Windows Mobile 5 as well. HP announced that the 6515 would not receive an upgrade and it really devalued this machine. I used the iPAQ hw6515 for a couple of months last year prior to the launch and returned the unit without writing a review. Now that Cingular is officially carrying this device, I decided to take it for another spin. I liked it then, and I still like it now.

What do you get?

• Cradle
• iPAQ hw6515
• Clip Case
• Stereo Ear buds
• USB Charger
• Manuals
• Software CDs

Specifications

• Processor: Intel XScale PXA270 312 MHz
• Memory: 64MB RAM 64MB ROM
• Screen: 240 X 240 64K color
• Wireless: GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth, irDA
• GPS: Integrated GPS
• Memory Slots: MINI SD and SDIO
• Operating System: Windows Mobile 2003SE
• Dimensions: (L x W x H) 2.8" x .83" x 4.65"
• Weight: 5.82oz

The Design
The iPAQ hw6515 looks awesome and will turn many heads in a mall. The size of this unit is not as bad as it looks, it is very light and only a little bigger than some of the best Windows Mobile Pocket PC phones out there. I have used several Pocket PC phones over the last few months, during my 1st testing of this one and now, and I honestly like the size and feel of this one. With everyone looking for the Treo/Blackberry Killer, HP gets with the style of these devices, but falls a little short of the Treo in form factor. While it is thinner than the Treo 650 by .2 inches, it is .5 inches wider and .2 inches longer.

One unique point about the 6515 I really like is the plastic protective flip cover (see photo below). I work around lots of electronic bays and clearance is not too great so I really can't use a case without worrying about it getting snagged on something. Instead, I have my left pocket always clear of change and car keys and like to slide my device in there. With this protective flip screen, I don't have to worry about damaging the screen.

The hw6515 has two memory card slots, a Mini SD and a standard SD.

The plastic protective screen is easily removed.

The stylus is a lightweight plastic material. Here is the 6515 without its cover and the square screen is exposed. The 240x240 display is nice and bright, but its 240x240. There are some applications that would run on the screen, but would be cut off, rendering the software useless.

The built in QWERTY Keyboard is really quite nice, even with my big hands, I am able to type just fine. The direction joystick and the buttons to its left and right make this unit really simple to "one hand" for most phone operations. When in Phone mode, the gray keys are the number pad, just like the Treo 650. The only time, I have to flip the cover to work in phone mode is after I select a contact and dial using the contact listing. The next time I go to make a call, I have to ok out of that record.

On the bottom of this unit are the (left to right) Headset Jack, the Sync/Charge Connector and the Reset button.

In the picture above, you see the sub par camera above the battery compartment. The replaceable 1200mah fits into this compartment that also house the simm card. The battery pops into place and is neatly concealed by a slide over cover that matches the casing.

The case that comes with the unit is nothing to write home to mom about. It is basically a holder. The screen of the 6515 is placed towards the clip of the case and leaves the backside of the unit completely exposed. To be brutally honest, I am really afraid to use it.

Some Comparison Photos of some of the devices out today.

Features
The hw6515 is feature packed, some good and some bad.

Bluetooth
We'll start with the good, Bluetooth. Bluetooth usage with this device is as good as I have used so far. Every Bluetooth headset I have tested had better overall sound quality and stability than other Pocket PC phones I have used to date. The Bluetooth drivers are upgraded from the Microsoft Stack to a superior 3rd party stack. This has resulted in rave reviews on the Bluetooth performance.

GPS
The integrated GPS gave me fits using any software other than the re branded bundle that comes from HP. I have not tested the GPS in this particular unit, but the unit provided by HP last year was test often. Here in Alabama, I was able to get a fix and navigate as good as the maps would let me. The initial fix was slow, but once it was warm, pretty darn good. The only problem I had was in Seattle at the MVP Summit last December. Some of my fellow MVPs will vouch that I had one heck of a time trying to get a fix in downtown Seattle. Once we were in Redmond, no problem.

Edge/GPRS
It's not EV-DO, but its something. The EDGE browsing experience was pleasant throughout. I was able to get a signal and load web pages up quick enough to keep me from complaining.

WiFi
Oh no, we left this out. Bad HP.

Phone
As a phone, this device is stellar. The reception is better than some of the standard feature phones i've used over the years. The Quad band receiver keeps a call up everywhere I go. With the gray number keys on the keyboard, making a call has been a snap without using the stylus or flipping up the cover.

Camera
Sorry HP, try again. This is a bad camera. It takes photos, but they are washed out and often blurry. The 1.3megapixel camera is ok for shooting a photo of the artist formally know as Prince in the airport, but for any hardcore photo shooting, get another camera. I am not a huge fan of cameras in phones anyway.

Performance
Surprise! Despite its anemic 312 Mhz processor, the 6515 performs pretty good. Without a ton of after market applications running in the background, the hw6515 seems snappy and I have no true complaints about its speed. I do not view movies or run intensive games either. This is a Business oriented device and I use it for mostly business.

The HP hw6515 is powered by an Intel XScale PXA270 312 MHz processor and has 64MB RAM and ROM. The lack of horsepower is not as bad as it sounds though. At the time the 6515 was 1st announced, I balked at the processor speed. Now that a handful of other Pocket PC Phones have followed processors equal to or less than the 6515's, I don't feel as bad.

Battery Life
This is an area where the i-mate KJam has ruined me. With the Kjam, I am able to go 2-3 days on a charge. With the hw6515, I must charge every night. This is not a big deal though. A typical day in the life of "my" 6515 has it going as early as 7am. On the way to work, I often call and do some banking via automated system. Throughout the day, I am on a voice call an average of 2-3 hours and log about 30 minutes of EDGE time. In addition, I give about an hour between notes, contacts, and playing a game or two. After all is said and done and I get home, the battery is normally between 40-50%. I charge anyway as I don't know what tommorow may bring.

Software
Just like with other Pocket PCs, HP Loads up the device with some free apps and lots of trials. Other than Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, Some key software that comes with the device fill some holes that Microsoft left open. My favorite is the today plugin that shows memory card storage and battery life. This is similar, but less advanced, as SPB Pocket Plus and Battery Pack Pro. Microsoft has Excel and Word versions, but no Powerpoint. Clearvue has stepped in to plug this hole with a full version of Clearvue Presenter. Other notables are the HP Photo Software, Audio Controls, and HP Backup.

Some Screen shots

Conclusion
I liked it the 1st time around, and I love it the 2nd time! The lack of WiFi and the square screen are kind of a bummer, but the form factor and ease of use make up for this. I list the lack of Windows Mobile 5 as a con, not because I prefer to have the latest and greatest, because not having Windows Mobile 5 or offering an upgrade has really hurt this device's popularity. The iPAQ hw6515 was released in the Midst of all the Windows Mobile hype. After listening to all the complaints over the last few months, maybe I should list not having Windows Mobile 5 as a Pro? This is a solid all in one device. Even without WiFi, It comes with more than most devices can offer in a very attractive form factor. Built in GPS, built in keyboard, decent Pocket PC functions, and great Bluetooth and Phone reception make this an all around hit.

PROS

• Great Keyboard
• Built in GPS Receiver
• Lightweight
• Good Form Factor
• Quad Band with EDGE

CONS

• Square Screen not compatible with many Software titles
• No WiFi
• No Windows Mobile 5.0
• Camera is poor