Hewlett Packard IPAQ h1945 Pocket PC

I have owned an ipaq 1945 (referred to as the 1945 from here on out) since Christmas. This pocketpc is nearly perfect. It has plenty of memory, speed, and expandability.

This thing is darn sexy! About the size of my m505, but much more capable. On the left side, we find the IR port, reset switch and voice recorder (no jog-wheel). On the right, we find the battery-door release. On the bottom, we find the sync port, and on the top we find the sd slot, stylus silo, microphone, and headphone jack. The headphone jack is only 2.5MM, not the standard 3.5MM, probably because of size restraints.HP includes an adapter, so this is a nit-picky point. The sound is great! I listen comfortably at about 35% volume. The speaker behind the D-Pad is also very loud and clear for alarms. The power button is top center, and is very small. It's easy to press, but there is no tactile feedback. It doubles as a blinking alarm, bluetooth activity indicator, and charge indicator.

When I squeeze the device, I get no creaks, shaking reveals no rattles and flexing (very lightly) causes no creaks. This is a very solid device.

In the memory sector, this device has 64MB of RAM, 56.66 usable. The 1945 also has a 13.3 MB File Store, totaling to about 70MB of on-board memory, quite a lot for a $300 device. It also has an SD slot (SDIO compatible) to allow further memory expandabilty, as well as peripherals--more on that later...

This device has a 266MHz Samsung processor. This processsor actually runs at about the speed of the 400MHz XScale, according to benchmarks. This is sort of the AMD/Intel thing:should MHz or Real-World Performance be more important? The 1945 is very quick and speedy, I experience no delays in opening anything. Even AOE opens rather quickly.

In expandability, this device rates at about a C. It has an SDIO slot, which is very good for adding WiFi, a camera, or other types of peripherals. There's one problem:SD is 1.more expensive and 2.not as available as CF. There aren't as many SDIO cards as there are CF. This will change, but it hasn't yet, and probably won't for about a year. You may be thinking, what about the sync port? Well, it's just that: a sync port. It can't serve as a serial port. This prevents wired keyboards or modems or anything that uses the serial port of any sort....thanks, HP. :(. I can't think of why, unless it was to keep people from upgrading to the 1945, and making them go for the 2210...

In wireless, this device definitely impresses. It has Bluetooth built-in. This is very useful for wirless internet/email, but you have to get a USB Dongle or a bluetooth cell phone. GPS receivers now come in bluetooth, and bluetooth keyboards are on the way...

The screen is a point of controversy. When viewed at certain angles, the screen takes on a yellowish hue. This is only noticeable when there is a lot of white on the screen, and only when the device is tilted. It isn't noticeable when the device is parallel you. Otherwise, the screen is gorgeous. It's very bright and vibrant. Just as good as the 1910's famed screen...

Overall, this is a very good device, one that is great for either a first-time PPC user or a seasoned veteran.