FIRST IMPRESSIONS (hx2700)

By , posted Wednesday, Sep. 7th, 2005
Reader Comments: 14

The device, which measures 4.71 x 3.01 x .65 in (119.4 x 76.6 x 16.3 mm) is slightly larger than my 1940 [4.46 x 2.75 x 0.5 in (1133 x 69.8 x 12.8 mm)]. This iPAQ more closely resembles the 2215 in size, which measure 4.54 x 3.00 x 0.61 in. (115.4 x 76.4 x 15.4 mm).

The HP logo is centered at the top of the unit with two LEDs on the left for power and wireless lighting and on the right, the power button. At the bottom, just above the silver calendar, contacts, mail and iTASK buttons you have Biometric Fingerprint Reader placed directly above the 5-way Navigation Button. To the left is the Microphone and to the right is the Speaker. The front has that dark silver metallic plastic that gives a look of strength. Surrounding the left and right sides are Rubber Side Grips. These grips are NOT like the old 2215’s grips. These grips really appear to be part of the case…neatly meshing into the top and bottom of the unit and firmly attached. I like it so much that maybe the next iteration will be a case totally made from this material…talk about protection and good looks; it would be a terrific case!

The top of the iPAQ has a SD and CF slot, a headphone jack and the stylus. The bottom has the same plug for attaching power or cradle that we have become used to and the soft-reset hole. (I hope some day they go back to having the ability to plug in the AC power like the first iPAQs…it would just plug in, no adapter. It was so much better because it was easier to hold the device while it was charging). The left side has the voice recording button but this one is set behind the plastic; dust or moisture could not hinder it at all. Too bad this same concept was not used for the calendar, contacts, mail and iTASK buttons.

The front of the iPAQ has a “top flip” lid in a gray smoked color covering the screen and buttons. A lot of folks have been asking for this…and they did it. It is easily removed if you choose not to use it. The back of the unit has the Battery Door Cover with a bright silver release button.

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Have had a hx2755 for 3 months. Sometimes runs very slow compared to previous PPC. Usually have to perform Soft Reset daily to get things straightened out and running smoothly. Upgraded to ROM V 1.10.09 recently.

Posted by eaglessoc, Thursday, Sep. 15th, 2005

I picked up a used hx2750 for a bargain price this week. I must say that it's smokes my hx4700 with regards to speed. Everything is FAST with this puppy. It helps to have all that RAM and IPAQ file store as I can install all apps in these two areas to speed up things. The screen is not too shappy: Easily the best non-VGA screen I've seen. Highly recommended.

Posted by sabesh, Friday, Sep. 9th, 2005

This unit is much smaller than the 54/55XX units, and the screen is easily the best QVGA screen I've owned so far. Having 2003SE means being able to swap screen orientations really easily too. The inbuilt 128MB of both RAM and ROM were a deciding factor for me. I'm looking forward to upgrading mine when the WM5.0 update becomes available.

Posted by Alsicole, Thursday, Sep. 8th, 2005

Crap. Why do Pocket PC manufacturers keep coming out with the same crap? I've got a HP5400 and it has the same features as this new device (bar some minor CPU/mem updates). Its just rehashed 5400. Where's a NEW HP PPC with phone? We have a grnad total of 1 to choose from. And what about VGA? Releasing a new PPC without VGA! Pftt! /rant

Posted by , Wednesday, Sep. 7th, 2005

Thanks for the repost of the review. I especially like your comparisons with current PPC models, Jack, and the software title details.

Posted by CleanGene, Wednesday, Sep. 7th, 2005

With the 2700 upgrade that is coming out I thought it would be a good idea to rerun Jacks review on the 2700.. We have been getting requests since some people are interested in the unit.

Posted by David Ciccone, Wednesday, Sep. 7th, 2005

Hi,
Over the past 6 or so years, I started with a Philups Nino, went to an iPAq 3600 to a 3765 to an HX4700 and am now considering a 6315. What will I be giving up if I go from the HX4700 to the 6315? (VGA I Know)I really want to be able to email and surf from anywhere though. Do you think it is stupid to consider potentiallly carring both units? I am on the Sprint network & need a new phone anyway and am never satisfied with any of the lesser models. Being that I would be droppiong a few bills on a phone anyway it's not a big jump to consider a 6315. ANy thoughts would be greatly welcome.
Thanks, Eric

Posted by Erdaram, Sunday, Jul. 24th, 2005

I also own a HP5555 and love it. I was ready to purchase a hx27000 before i discovered, no Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, hx2700 has Bluetooth 1.1.1. 2.5MB v 700kb. transfer rates. So i guess i will have to wait.

Posted by kimit1, Thursday, Jan. 20th, 2005

Hey, send one down here. I'll do a "warm weather" test on it.... :)

I don't think I could switch after using the VGA screen.

Posted by Compusmurf, Wednesday, Jan. 19th, 2005

Nice review Jack. I came to about the same conclusion. The only drawback for me is no VGA (well and USB host would be nice...).
If I were upgrading now this is the one I would choose.

Posted by JickBahTech, Tuesday, Jan. 18th, 2005

Wow..you sure have a lot running. I would rarely get into that situation primarily because when I close a program, it is off...not running in the background.

I did do a test after I read your post and I was able to do it. I tried it three three times, it did have difficulty thethird time, a reset was needed. I followed it up one more time and I was able to use bluetooth and enabled my headphones.

I am not sure if that gets you what you wanted but the simple answer is yes it can be done. I do agree that it is frustrating.

Posted by Jack Cook, Saturday, Jan. 15th, 2005

Ok, so answer me this. If your "in use" Program Memory gets above 21-22MB, can you still launch the Bluetooth or WiFi radios?

After multiple soft resets on my 4705 in the first week I sent it to PPC Techs for the 128MB RAM upgrade. Now that I have plenty of RAM (80MB allocated to Program Memory, as soon as I have more than 20MB of RAM in use, I need to do a soft reset to turn on a radio. It's not hard to use 20MB RAM as I already reach 18.5MB after launching Voice Command and Wisbar at startup. Open something like Agenda Fusion and I will need a soft reset to open the Bluetooth radio. For an otherwise fantastic unit this problem is very frustrating.

I am sure this is not a difficult fix (maybe even a tweak) but I wonder if HP worked this out with their 128MB RAM devices. My previous device was a 5450 (64MB RAM) and I had similar problems with needing resets, especially for Bluetooth, but with this new generation I thought that was all behind me.

Posted by jimski, Friday, Jan. 14th, 2005

Thanks Dave...it really is an incredible device. Now if HP only combined the features of the 3715, 4705 and this unit, we would have one unbeatable Pocket PC!

Posted by Jack Cook, Friday, Jan. 14th, 2005

I can say you beat me to it again Jack. I will get my review up soon but you really hit the nail on the head.

Posted by David Ciccone, Friday, Jan. 14th, 2005

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