Compaq iPAQ 3635 Pocket PC Bundle (with Compact Flash Jacket)

Rating:
Summary: Overall great machine
Review: Look at the prices between low-end PalmOS devices and this. A Handspring Visor deluxe costs $190, and is monochromome green, expansion through propriatary Springboard modules, and has incredibly limited functionality. This machine is $150, can be infinitely expandible with standard compact flash, interfaces with your PC like snapping your fingers, and can play MP3's, movies, open Word/Excel Documents without any additional software than what it comes with. Sure this model may not come in color, but as a PDA it is an excellent choice. But if you're like me, on a tight budget, this is the machine of choice. Forget the ugly green screen and the ancient PalmOS, once you use a PocketPC as functional, expandable, and affordable as this, and you'll never want to switch.

Rating:
Summary: I love this.
Review: This is a great product and great deal. When I bought it I received the 32MB flash card, sleeve, Pocket PC, free shipping and a $50 rebate ($199 list price). Couldn't find a better deal. Great product.

Rating:
Summary: Why pay for color?
Review: Unless you want to play games, look at pictures or just can't stand a monocrhrome screen the is a great unit. When I received my Ipaq all I had to do was download the information from my old unit then drop in the Ipaq and everything was done. If there is a problem with this unit it is that with the expansion jacket on the unit is just a little bulky.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome handheld!
Review: While I've not always been a huge fan of Compaq's desktop systems, they have really gotten it right with the IPAQ. Having owned and sold a Palm V, I was frustrated that the applications and tools on the Palm systems are not as good as the MS applications I'm used to running on my desktop machine. Sure, the phonebook/calendar/email on the Palm are compatible with Outlook etc, but it's not the same as running the same applications. The IPAQ is lightweight and easy to use. I do not need to have a color display on such a small device - the handheld, in my opinion, is an extension of the PC, not a replacement. At this price, the IPAQ is definitely a value for anyone who wants a portable and user-friendly version of their desktop/laptop machines handy.

Rating:
Summary: RIP palm
Review: Palm seems to be everywhere, it's all you hear about almost in the PDA world. However, Ipaq is 100 times better than a palm. More storage, much faster processor, and better programs from Microsoft that you already know how to use make this thing indespincable. With the monochrome version you can listen to MP3s, which is great. If you want to go hog wild, get the 3600s and you'll be able to play 3D games like Doom, Hexen, Heretic, and even Quake. You can also watch movies on it. I used to be horribly disorganized, always forgetting to do stuff. It is perfect for my college lifestyle and has greatly improved my perfromance in classes.

Rating:
Summary: Not as easy to use as a Palm.
Review: The iPAQ has a UI that is clumsy compared to that of the Palm. You must close applications when you are done, except there's no easy way to close them. You either have to use the Q-button to switch to the task and then terminate it, terminate all running tasks, or go into the Memory applet. It would be much more convenient if you could close uneeded tasks right from the Q-button menu like the Windows desktop task list. When you first get your unit, flash it with the updated 1.65A ROM from Compaq's site. It solves some issues that can be annoying. Unfortunately, it doesn't solve all the problems because File Explorer will sometimes lockup during compact flash access. The desktop software will also sometimes disconnect from the device for no obvious reason, even during the middle of compact flash access from the desktop. Luckily, all you have to do it turn off the unit and then turn if on again to get the unit to run correctly. You should immediately order a case for the unit. It doesn't have a flip cover of any kind and leaves the fragile screen exposed. The case that comes with the unit is almost useless because you cannot fit the iPAQ with the CF sleeve into it. Even when the unit is naked, there is a portion of the iPAQ on the top that is left unprotected. You might also need a RAM upgrade because I found myself meeting the Out of Memory message at the most inopportune times. Luckily, there are vendors that will upgrade it for cheap compared to going all out and buying the 64MB color version of this unit. Despite all the negative things I've said, there are many positives that other people have already covered. I just wanted to give you a feel of the potential problems so that you can decide if the features/strengths of the unit that other people have listed has enough value that you would work to overcome the potential problems. For me, I've decided to deal with it. Maybe a Compaq ROM update in the feature will solve all of these problems and make it a perfect unit.

Rating:
Summary: Forget the Palm m100 Series
Review: You can't beat the speed 206 MHz, memory 16 flash ROM and 16 RAM, or screen when compared to a Palm M100 or M105. Best of all after rebate it's cheaper than the M105.

Rating:
Summary: IPAQ 3135
Review: This is the first Handheld device I have ever owned and I love it. I have found it fairly easy to learn to use and I have not had any trouble with the active sync. All I had to do was play with it for a weekend and I knew how to use it. I have a lot of friends who have Palm devices and my Ipaq seems to have more capablities than their Palm. The only problem I have found is that finding software for the Windows CE operating system is very difficult. As well as the fact that if you can find software for Windows CE it is not compatiable with the Arm processor. I am assuming with time this will change. The only other thing I would love to have is a color screen, but you can't beat what you get for the price. Since this was my first handheld I was not willing to pay the price for the color Ipaq.

Rating:
Summary: Try his slower, slimmer, better designed older sister
Review: I was moving up from an Aero 1500 series machine. I think I will actually keep this device, but the only thing it offers is speed, and in many other respects it is a distict step backward. If I had to pay full price for it, I wouldn't.... What galls me most is the body design. The thing is just a hair too bulky for a pocket, and it is ugly. The primary controller is very annoying to use, compared to the Aero's up/down jog switch. All the hand controls are also badly located. Anyone who uses such a thing on a train or in a hallway should know that the controls belong where you you can use them one-handed, with the most useful ones where your grip is least crucial, like on the Aero. The only control still located where it was on the Aero is the voice recorder switch which is the only one place badly on the Aero! It is way-too-easy to hit by accident, resulting in a huge memory-wasting recording of nothing. The things that come with speed are all improved. The sound is better, the graphics are better, the thing syncs large amounts of data faster, applications freeze less often. So it is a reasonable device, just not designed well physically. Well worth [price], not worth [price]. Try the Aero 1550 at [price].

Rating:
Summary: THINK ABOUT IT MAN....
Review: The Compaq iPAQ 3135 is one of the most stylish Pocket PCs on the market. Unlike its highly sought-after sibling, the iPAQ 3635, this model has gone largely unnoticed, despite the fact that the iPAQ 3135 has one distinct advantage: longer battery life. This is because it comes with a 15-grayscale display that, while not as sexy as the full-color screen of the 3635, is eminently usable. Utilizing Windows CE 3.0, the latest and much improved Pocket PC operating system from Microsoft, along with a 206 MHz StrongARM processor, this is both a powerful and flexible device. The unit comes supplied with an AC adapter, USB cable, case, and software for syncing with your PC, along with a full desktop copy of Outlook 2000. Getting the unit up and running is straightforward, and managing the synchronization with your PC is simple with the aid of ActiveSync. The usual array of applications, such as Pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Excel, are at your disposal. It also comes with some exciting additions, such as MediaPlayer, enabling you to use your iPAQ as an MP3 player. However, with only 16 MB of built-in RAM available, be prepared to buy additional memory if this is an intended use. The design, as well as looking good, is thoughtfully laid out. The buttons are well placed and usefully assigned. In addition, the iPAQ 3135 can be easily expanded with the included CompactFlash Expansion Jacket, which slides onto the unit, allowing you to increase memory and add modules (such as a bar code scanner) using CF cards. If you're looking for Pocket PC functionality but need to be budget conscious, the iPAQ 3135 is a great deal But while the color is nice, the price of a color iPAQ is not worth it when compared to this unsung model. Often overlooked the 3135 has all of the same features as it color siblings, Excel, Word, IE, Outlook, Calendar, Contacts, MS Money, but albeit with less RAM 16 compared to 32mb or 64mb for the color versions. However with the inclusion of the CF sleeve, which allows you to plug in CF cards from 8 to 256mb, the 3135 is the best PDA bang for the buck. And let's not forget the iPAQ comes with Windows Media Player, making it also an mp3, wma player, and it has the ability to record voice messages. With the CF sleeve and a few flash cards one can literally carry ones music libary with you where ever you go. Compared with the Palm Pilot, and Handspring Visor, this inexpensive jewel is perfect for the enthusiast, student or professional. After spending almost 6 months researching, playing with and talking with friends, neighbors and co-workers about which PDA to get I have yet to regret my decision.