Question

Which PDA/mobile cell phone solution to purchase?

Asked by: Shredder

I own a small appraisal company. I want to outfit three appraisers with Pocket PC 2002 devices (our proprietary software runs on this OS), but I also need them to have mobile communication capability to transmit/recieve data while out in the field.

I've looked at the Pocket PC Phone Ed. T-Mobile device ($400 less a $50 mail in rebate) and was not impressed with the hardware (only 32Mb of ram) or the limited available accessories. I also looked at the Verizon/Sprint Pocket PC 2002 device ($500) that runs a less integrated mobile phone program and again was not impressed for the same reasons.

It seems that the "Alpha Dog" of the Pocket PC pack is the iPAQ series. I've read in other forums and reviews that the 3970/3975 series actually runs faster and longer than the 5455. My staff does not need the finger print security. Both devices seem to be priced about the same at $600 for new, but a refurbished 3975 can be purchased from HP directly for $450-$500. With that being the case is the 3975 a better choice? And should I get refurbished units or new?

If I was to choose an iPAQ and Verizon as the wireless provider (best coverage in the areas my company works in), are there expansion packs/wireless cards that work with the 3975 or 5455 for both voice and data?

I calculated my equipment investment for three units/accessories at $3,600 and my software at $900.

Seems like there are alot of choices available, but I want to know that the equipment I purchase will actually perform the way I need it to otherwise I've just wasted $4,500.

If you've used this equipment consistently or in a business environment I would like your input.

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Asked On
2003-05-02 at 14:18:30ID20604208
Tags

verizon

,

Sharp Zaurus

Topics

Handhelds and PDAs

,

Cellular Phones & Carriers

Participating Experts
3
Points
50
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: rrhunt28Posted on 2003-05-06 at 13:41:48ID: 8474738

I have not seen any phone stuff for ipaq's but ipaqs are awsome power houses.  I use a samsung I-330 with sprint.  It does pretty well, but not near the power of a ipaq.

 

by: jamie_bennettPosted on 2003-05-13 at 16:29:11ID: 8521304

Personally I've owned a 3870 and a 5450, and the only comment I'd make to you is that over time (And a little abuse) the 3xxx series on buttons work loose (I had 2 replacements in the 9 months I owned it!) I've had the 5450 for nearly 3 months now and it's not even remotely showing the same signs as the 3870 of working loose. So given that I'd chose the 5450. Not to mention the WIFI capability (If thats an issue) making it more "mobile" suitable.

In the UK they're currntly doing deals with iPAQ's and bluetooth mobiles, and as I use a bluetooth mobile on GPRS to connect on the go I can highly recomend it. However you can get a GSM expansion pack for the iPAQ if desireable (However the battery takes a kicking).

Also an advantage the 5450 has is the replacable battery, if your operatives are out for a long time you can invest in additional batterys for them (As far as I know the iPAQ 5450 is the only PPC that you can do this with).

So all in all the 5450 is a lot better.. I can't really comment on the processor power in comparison to the 39xx series because I never owned one... but from what I've seen they're virtually identical.

Hope I've been a help... any more questions on the 5450, please post back.

Jay

 

by: KrelianXPosted on 2003-06-02 at 15:28:42ID: 8633476

A friend of mine has an audiovox thera, it has an 800Mhz processor decent ram...im actually jelous of him so I'm going to buy the HP Ipaq the cheapest one for $250 I really like the replacable battery and the fact that this Ipaq is not bulky at all. You can fit it in your brest pocket if you please. Also it uses SD for the flash memory wich is probably the most popular, and easiest to find.. There is a comprable (pricerange) toshiba model but the Ipaq, to quote jamie, is the Alpha Dog. Plus compaq and hp are both very reliable names in computing. Im upgrading from a Sony clie PEG-S320 b/w so ill be happy with anything :)

~B-dog

 

by: rrhunt28Posted on 2003-06-03 at 06:45:38ID: 8638658

The thera has a 206mhz processor.  

 

by: KrelianXPosted on 2003-06-03 at 09:09:05ID: 8640014

 

by: rrhunt28Posted on 2003-06-03 at 09:27:25ID: 8640175

LOL the only reason I went to look is because I thought a 800mhz processor in a pocket pc was awsome.  I think one of the Ipaq's has a 400mhz now, that is the fastest that I know of, but it is not really my area of expertiese.  I use my phone more as a phone than a palm.

 

by: KrelianXPosted on 2003-06-07 at 07:20:18ID: 8672544

Dosnet the dell axiom have a beast of a processor? By the way the ipaq I was referring to is the h1910 its cheap, low profile and I love it. Removable battery. I cant wait to save my money and get it.

 

by: rrhunt28Posted on 2003-06-09 at 08:12:15ID: 8682539

Well it has a 400 mhz, but so does the high end Ipaq.  So you would have to look at other features.  One thing is the ipaq has been around for a while, so hopfully they have the bugs worked out.

Based on the other features the dell actully looks like a better buy.  More flash memory and cheaper price.  

 

by: jamie_bennettPosted on 2004-11-23 at 14:55:38ID: 12660396

I agree.

Jay

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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