Hewlett Packard IPAQ rx3115 Pocket PC

When I decided to replace my trusty, but long-in-the-tooth, Handspring Visor PDA, I made a pilgrimage to Staples where I had available an in-store savings coupon. I had few preconceived criteria about what I wanted. Even though I write reviews regularly for Epinions, I admit to doing little on-line research before the pilgrimage. I had my own experience with my Visor and the borrowed experience of many friends, each who had their own favorite PDA.

I decided, after browsing both the Palm-based and Mobile Windows based options, on one using Windows Mobile. The decision was simple. In spite of US court opinions to the contrary, the Microsoft dominance in the PC world and my desire to work seamlessly with my desktop and laptop PC made this decision for me. To the diehard Palm fans, I apologize.

A color screen was an obvious choice since the one I was replacing was an early color screen version and the extra information that can be quickly absorbed by software that uses color well is valuable. Not as widely available was wireless capability. Since I have a wireless network and many are springing up around the country (I travel some) I opted for that as well. Of less import was audio quality. I left the store with an early Christmas present to myself, a Hewlett Packard iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC, and a slightly softened credit card.

About the Hewlett Packard iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC

The rx3115 carries a pretty capable combination of hardware and program features. It is in the general classification, under HP, of a home or home office PDA. It falls under their sub-classification of mobile media devices. Within this group it is at the bottom of the pack, price-wise. The rx3715 adds a camera.

To save you having to jump there, a brief listing of the rx3115 specifications is below, from the HP website:

---------------------------------------------------------

Specifications: iPAQ rx3115
Integrated wireless, Integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth? IrDA and USB
Operating system: Microsoft? Windows Mobile™ 2003 Second Edition software for Pocket PC - Professional Edition Pocket versions of Microsoft software are included (Outlook, Word, Excel and Internet Explorer for Pocket PC)
Processor: 300 mHz Samsung S3C 2440 processor
Display: 3.5"(89mm) Transflective TFT color, Portrait and Landscape modes, 65k colors
Memory: 56 MB user available memory (includes 4 MB of iPAQ File Store)
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.8 x 0.64 in (114.3 x 71.2 x 16.3 mm)
Weight: 147.4 g (including the 920 mAH battery and stylus)
Indicators: Charge and Notify Blinking green - notification Blinking amber - charging Solid amber - full charge Bluetooth and WLAN: Solid blue LED - radio ON Power/Battery: User removable/rechargeable 920 mAh Lithium-ion battery AC Power - AC Input: 100~240 Vac, 50/60 Hz, AC Input current: 0.2 Aac max Output Voltage: 5Vdc (typical), Output Current: 2A (typical)
NOTE: Battery run time varies based on the usage pattern of an individual user and the configuration of the handheld. Use of some internal wireless capabilities and backlight will significantly decrease battery run time.
Expansion: Integrated SD slot - Supports SD/MMC memory cards and 4-bit SDIO cards. SDIO Now! driver included.
Audio: Integrated microphone, speaker and one 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, MP3 stereo through headphone jack
HP exclusive applications: iPAQ Wireless; Bluetooth Manager; HP Mobile Printing; iPAQ Entertainment: custom Today Screen plug-in with shortcuts to digital imaging and entertainment applications; iPAQ Mobile Media; Nevo Universal Remote; Pocket TV Pro; iPAQ File Store; iPAQ Backup; HP Image Zone for iPAQs; llium Dockware Personal Edition; iTask
Utilities: Self Test, iPAQ Audio, Power Status
Design features: 4 programmable application launch buttons - defaults: iPAQ Mobile Media, HP Image Zone, Nevo Universal Remote and iTask
What's in the box: HP iPAQ rx3115 Mobile Media Companion, AC adapter, Carrying case, Stylus, Stereo Headphones, Getting Started Guide, Special Features Guide, "How Do I?" Guide, HP iPAQ Companion CD, HP Image Zone for the desktop on CD USB synchronization cable
Warranty: 90 days parts and labor in U.S.; 90 days technical support for software in most regions. Additional offers may vary by region.

-----------------------------------------------------------

As you can see from the specifications this is a capable device. I added a desktop cradle to my purchase and a 512 MB SD card.

So What Will It Do?

I was replacing a much older, technology wise, PDA and I mainly wanted equivalent traditional PDA functions. What I got is a very capable media management system as well as all the functions I needed. What tripped the decision was the wireless capability. Since I had no Bluetooth enabled devices that was not a deciding factor. Getting this out of the way early, I really like it. The size is nice and the weight is nice. The controls are thoughtful and the several ways of inputting both text and diagrams gives good usability. I find I use the voice notes feature frequently, even though I didn't know that was there when I bought it. The software was a little buggy, but I'll get to that later.

Beginning with the traditional PDA functions, the Hewlett Packard iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC uses Microsoft Active Sync to sync seamlessly with all the Outlook functions of calendar, contacts, notes, email, and the rest. This happens when the iPAQ is placed in its cradle or connected via the included USB cable. It will sync to two different PCs, making it just right for my desktop and laptop systems. It will also sync through an infrared connection if you have the time. Although I have found references to the ability to have it sync wirelessly, I haven't figured out how to do it yet. Maybe I'll get around to doing the research one of these days.

Then there are the Mobile Media applications. The software is provided to stream audio, pictures, or video wirelessly to your handheld from a networked or an ad-hoc wireless equipped computer. Songs or entire CDs can be downloaded and stored on the memory card for using the iPAQ as a sort of MP3 player. The ability to use its infrared transmitter as a universal remote control finds application in our house. Of somewhat less obvious utility is the ability to stream audio, pictures, or video from the handheld to any wireless network and to a PC on the network with the included NEVO software loaded.

The four quick select buttons on the front are preset for the mobile media functions but can be reprogrammed to bring up any of the loaded programs with a single push. I have mine programmed to match the normal PDA utilities I had on my Visor Platinum. There is also a sort of joystick on the front which can be used by programs to manipulate cursors or other functions. With the programs I have on the machine so far I have found this not often used.

Then there is easy internet connectivity and email handling using pocket versions of Outlook and Internet Explorer. Pocket MSN is available for subscribers as is MSN Messenger. Avant Go is available for syncing through the USB port.

I have added DeLorme Pocket Streets and a good Yahtzee game with nice graphics. I also activated Pocket Money which came with the bundled software and can be synced with the desktop as part of the Active Sync process. I have the DeLorme GPS for my laptop and plan to order their Bluetooth adaptor to get my direction finding needs even more compact.

Easy To Use?

I like the feel of the package in my hand. The stylus could be a little thicker for my taste. The keyboard input mode is what I use most but I occasionally use the transcription mode and the graphic drawing mode available in the notes function. The size and weight are good. The screen is bright and clear, the text can be sized for good or weak eyes. The screen can be flipped from its normal portrait mode to landscape. I use this sometimes when reading received text and when doing quick sketches.

The buttons are small for my fingers and seem not to respond when hit off center with the stylus, The on/off button on top is fairly easy to press but I don't often accidentally turn it on or off. The battery compartment is easy to open if you need to get to it. The soft reset button is pushed though a hole in the bottom using the stylus. For the first two months I hit it often to get out of lockups.

The provided programs are very similar to their desktop counterparts and easy and intuitive to learn with quality GUI. The menus can be easily customized to your taste as can the backgrounds, just like Windows.

How About Quality?

I'm happy you asked. The standard warranty is 90 days and does not include screen breakage. I added a one year extension to the manufacturer's warranty which does include screen breakage (once) and battery death.

Unhappily I can attest to the quality of warranty service provided by HP. A little over two months into ownership the machine died. No amount of coaxing, even with the help of HP phone support, could bring it back to life. It happened on a Thursday.

After calling the extended warranty number and determining I had to go through HP warranty, I called the number they provided on Friday. After negotiating a very easy voice response system (only three questions) I was quickly connected to a service representative. After ten minutes of fruitless efforts, I was told I would have to send it in. This is never good news, of course.

They informed me they would dispatch a box, I would put the unit in the box, call a number on the shipping label and it would be picked for delivery to HP Service. I got an email Friday afternoon that the box had been sent via DHL. It arrived Monday. I packed the unit and called the pickup number. It left for HP on Tuesday. I received an email notice that it had arrived on Wednesday. That afternoon I received an email notice that it had been shipped back. I received it on Thursday. The main board had been replaced.

No one wants their new toy to break, but if it does, HP has the best service I have ever received via telephone support. Another bonus is that the new board had the latest software and firmware. I haven't had to use the soft reset function since I got it back.

Recommendation?

For my initial expectations the mobile media functions were overkill. I admit to enjoying them, however. My wireless signal is available in my woodworking shop and the iPAQ in my pocket with the earphone in my ear is a very nice thing as I stream my favorite CDs from my desktop or my daughters from the laptop. With the latest software and firmware updates (dated 1/5/05) the programs are easy to use and powerful enough for my needs.

The weight is good as is the size. The battery life is not as good as my older handheld, but it lasts most of a day even streaming audio almost constantly. With the wireless and bluetooth radios turned off the time between charges is considerably greater.

If the Hewlett Packard iPAQ RX3115 Pocket PC has the options you want, the name says it will work as promised.