July '01
New Low-cost Pocket PCs

HP and Compaq introduce lower-priced, full-featured Pocket PCs

Are you looking for an affordable Pocket PC? Well, you're not alone. It's true that you should expect to pay a little more for a device with such a rich suite of built-in applications. But many potential users are balking at the $500 + it costs to enter the game.

Well, the search just got easier with the introduction of the Compaq iPAQ 3100 and HP Jornada 525. In addition, Casio just dropped the price of its EM500 to $400. Best of all, these Pocket PCs have the same suite of built-in applications from Microsoft as found on the more expensive Pocket PCs, and many of the hardware features as well.

We've already reviewed the Casio EM-500 in the November 2000 issue 
(online at www.PocketPCmag.com/Nov00/EM500EG800.stm). This review looks at the other two low-cost Pocket PCs.

Compaq iPAQ 3100 Monochrome-Screen Pocket PC

When the Pocket PC was first introduced over a year ago, Compaq upgraded their remaining stock of Aero 1500 Palm-size PCs and sold them as the Aero 1550, an inexpensive, monochrome-screen Pocket PC. The 1550 was very successful, especially with enterprise developers. But it was based on a slower 70 MHz MIPS processor and Compaq discontinued it in favor of a newer and faster monochrome-screen Pocket PC.

That device is Compaq's new iPAQ 3100, essentially a monochrome-screen version of the popular iPAQ 3600 Pocket PC (www.PocketPCmag.com/July00/ultimate.stm). The device I tested was actually called the iPAQ 3150, not the 3100. This is the device Compaq is marketing on their site. For consistency's sake I will refer to the device as the 3100 series Pocket PC.

Differences between 3100 and 3600 iPAQs

The monochrome screen is the main difference. The iPAQ 3100 series Pocket PCs come with a 15-grayscale backlit touch screen. It doesn't have the pizzazz of a color screen, but I found it quite readable inside at my desk and outside in direct sunlight. Hold down the power button while the device is on to activate the backlighting feature, which is sufficient to view your screen in total darkness.

The other major difference relates to the amount of internal memory. The 3100 series only has 16 Mb of RAM to split between running programs and storing files. Fortunately, you can add storage memory with an Expansion Pack and CF or PC memory card (all iPAQ 3600 accessories work with the 3100).

I noticed two other differences between the 3100 series and the color-screen iPAQs. First, the various buttons and the game pad on the 3100 series are made of black plastic, instead of shiny metal. Second, the 3100 series does not have a built-in light sensor that automatically adjusts the display to suit environmental lighting.

The device I received came with a USB connectivity cable. Note: Compaq promotional material lists standard options as "serial cradle or USB cable." This may mean that different model numbers in the 3100 series will have different sets of accessories. Check this out before you buy.

Great features of an iPAQ

Other than the differences described above, the 3100 is identical to the color-screen iPAQ introduced over a year ago.

• It has the same fast 206 MHz StrongARM processor.
• Same high-capacity Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery for 15 hours of continuous use (or a week or two of normal use) between charges.
• Same size (but listed as slightly lighter than the color-screen version).
• Same operating system (Windows CE 3.0).
• Same set of built-in applications from Microsoft (MS Pocket Office, Pocket Outlook and more (see "Spec Sheet" and sidebar).
• Same set of built-in software from Compaq.
• It accepts the same set of accessories, including the Expansion Packs to add storage memory and hardware features.

Built-in software from Compaq

Since Microsoft's built-in Pocket PC software is the same from one manufacturer to another, the two things that differentiate Pocket PCs are hardware (discussed above) and add-on software from the manufacturer. Compaq builds a number of useful applications into the iPAQ, including:

QUtility ­ a suite of Pocket PC utilities that lets you backup/restore to CF card,  run system diagnostics, change screen contrast, automatically run applications, and select applications to display in QStart.

QStart ­ an alternative menu that organizes applications into categories for faster launch.

QLaunch ­ a utility that lets you switch between or close active tasks, adjust volume, check power status, adjust sidelight and jump to the display properties screen.

Asset viewer ­ displays a comprehensive list of information about the system's identity, memory, ROM version number, display, and system specifications.

Picture Viewer ­ lets you view BMP and JPG image files.

Why market a monochrome screen iPAQ?

Compaq's PR material describes the target market as the mobile corporate professional who doesn't require color and the IT professional who is purchasing in quantity and looking for more affordable devices. But if price isn't the overriding issue, why get a monochrome screen device? The iPAQ 3100 series Pocket PC has a viewable screen, but the color screen of the 3600 is far superior, and the built-in applications look better in color. Compaq specs the fully-charged battery life at 15 hours of continuous use, the same as the color-screen iPAQ. If this is true, the 3100 series has only a three hour advantage. I think only a limited number of individuals will purchase this unit for personal use. I expect that they will be looking for the basic information management functionality found in Pocket Outlook.

I think the second part of Compaq's target market, the IT professional purchasing for large deployments, is the big market for this device. Before they discontinued it, the Aero 1550, priced at $300, was selling like hotcakes for large-scale enterprise use. Even though it's $50 more, I think the monochrome-screen version of the iPAQ is going to slip into that niche. It's a nicer looking Pocket PC than the Aero, with a faster processor and the ability to use slip-on Expansion Packs to add flexibility (increased battery life, ability to access CF and PC Card I/O solutions).