No longer Compaq-branded, the all-new HP line of iPAQs boast spiffy new LCD screens and Intel's latest XScale processor.
There are three important things to note about this update to the successful iPAQ line of Pocket PCs. The most obvious is that the models are now dubbed the HP iPAQ. But more important are the new transflective LCD screen and the Intel XScale processor. We got our hands on a preproduction unit, so we're not quite ready to do a full review, but here are our initial impressions of the second XScale Pocket PC to hit the market.
The screen on the 3900-series iPAQs is a big step forward. It's transflective, meaning that it's backlit for use indoors and in dimly lit situations but also reflects ambient light, making it viewable outdoors in sunlight. The screen on the device that we looked at was brighter, had better contrast, and displayed more vivid colours than those of previous iPAQs and Toshiba's XScale-based competitor, the Pocket PC e740.
It's also a bit easier to tap accurately on the new iPAQ's screen because the LCD and the digitiser -- the glass or plastic that you tap with the stylus -- are closer together. The sidelight used to illuminate the reflective displays found on other Pocket PCs requires a gap between the LCD and the digitiser.
The 3900 series employs Intel's new XScale processor, the PXA250, which runs at 400MHz. The extra speed will eventually enable better video playback, more sophisticated games, and better data-security systems, but you'll need to wait for new applications that take advantage of the new chip. With the programs we used, we didn't notice a significant difference compared to non-XScale units.
This round of iPAQs looks just like earlier versions, with the same sleek, silver case and a dark-plastic bulge at the top of the screen that houses the speaker and the Secure Digital card slot. The unit even still says that it's made by Compaq. Since they are the same shape as other iPAQs, the 3900- series Pocket PCs should work with all existing iPAQ expansion jackets and accessories.
Internationally, HP is offering two XScale powered iPaqs, the H3950 and H3970. For the Australian market HP will be introducing the H3970 model iPaq well before the H3950. The H3970 has 64MB of RAM and 48MB of ROM and integrated Bluetooth, while the H3950 drops 16MB of ROM and comes sans Bluetooth. HP expects to launch the H3950 at a later unspecified date. The additional ROM in the H3970 is used as non-volatile storage space so you won't lose critical data if you run the battery all the way down, which is a nice plus.
The H3970 faces stiff competition from Toshiba's Pocket PC e740, which offers two expansion card slots and built-in wireless connectivity -- either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Comparing Bluetooth solutions, HP's offering shaves a grand total of 30 cents off the price of the competing Toshiba model, but lacks the dual SD/Compact Flash slots.
HP iPAQ Pocket PC H3970
Company: HP Australia
Price: AU$1,499
Phone: 13 13 47
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hi. I am looking for hp ipaq h3970 charger.
where can I buy it? how much is it?