Compaq iPAQ H3850 Review

Overall Rating

Software, style, overall package, case, storage is great and protected memory is great

Can be slow when compared with the 3630. Lacks some features that would be nice, stylus older could be better

I've been using the Compaq H3850 PDA for the past month now and since I was a user of the 3630 I was at first not that impressed with the new model. Certainly the build quality seems much better this time and there are many improvements. Firstly the case is much better as a standard accessory than the orignal leather offering with the H3630 making it easy to get to and protecting it all at one. Having many accessories for my old model I was glad to see that they were all compatible with the new version other than the USB cradle. It comes with an extra stylus as standard which is a great reassurance. One problem with the new design of the stylus holder is that if the unit is jerked the stylus can come dislodged without you pressing it. Battery life is much better than before and I have used it for a week on a full charge and I'm a pretty heavy user so a 5 day charge is great. PPC 2002 seems a little bloated and can be slow sometimes but with a little trimming here and there can be made to be really usable. The major problem I have had with this is getting online. With the H3630 it was simple. On this model I had much more trouble. Another great addition is full terminal support out of the box so if you have the optional RS232 lead then you can connect it to a shed load of things. As a system administrator this is great for me since I don't need to carry my laptop to tinker with the routers and firewalls and switches PBX interfaces etc. I've played with most of the new handhelds with the exception of the Clio and the IPAQ beats them all hands down. The only problem is no built in Compact flash or smart media slot. Though it does have a SD card slot at the top! Still the other options would be nice without the addition of the sleave.