Features:
- Compatible with the essential Microsoft programs you use the most--Outlook, Word, Excel
- Capture your thoughts with the built-in voice recorder
- Integrated MP3 player and e-book reader
- Expandable via CompactFlash cards
- What's in the box: Jornada 525, Carrying pouch, Stylus, AC Adapter, Serial cable, Quick Start Guide, User?s Guide, Microsoft ActiveSync CD-ROM
Description:
Pocket PCs aren't known as the budget PDAs of the handheld world--these fast, high-color machines are the ones you'll usually find in the $500 range, offering TFT displays and speedier processors than their less costly brethren.But HP's Jornada 525 sells for under $400, nearly down to the range of the basic PDAs while still offering a lot of the upper-echelon goodies. The Jornada 525 ships with only 16 MB of integrated memory--normally a sizeable amount that gets eaten into quickly by Windows CE and its multimedia capabilities (we were only able to put a couple of MP3 files on the Jornada as it shipped). But you can add up to 128 MB of additional storage with a CompactFlash card. By boosting the storage, the MP3 playback actually becomes a viable option--for patient users. The patience comes in with the serial connection of the Jornada. This is fine for normal synchronization of notes, e-mails, and other text files, but we found it painfully slow with multiple megabytes of MP3s. Playback of the music files was crisp through the stereo headphone jack and loud even via the built-in speaker. The Jornada ships with serial connection cable, but you can pick up a serial cradle. It also offers infrared transfer, if your PC or notebook offers the connectivity. Weighing in at only 8 ounces, the Jornada fits snugly in the palm, with indented grips on the rubber sides, and offers four hot keys for quick access to the home screen, contacts, calendar, and tasks list. There's also a voice recorder built into the Jornada, accessible via a thumb button on the left side of the PDA. Some flaws mar the overall design package: the flimsy CompactFlash slot cover feels like it could snap off easily and the rubber pieces on the top of each side look like they're meant to peel off (they're not) and do so with little resistance. The Jornada 525 also lacks a stylus slot on the device itself (the stylus is stored in the case that houses the Jornada), and the stylus could use a bit more heft. Nitpicks aside, the Jornada provides a lot of kick from its 133 MHz processor--applications popped open quickly and we were able to multitask with little slowdown. The bright, 8-bit color screen was easy on the eyes and is also sensitive enough to allow touch manipulation. Running Windows for Pocket PC and shipping with Microsoft Outlook 2000 also means that your Word, Excel, and e-mail files transfer to the Jornada seamlessly. The Jornada also runs on a rechargeable battery (although we didn't quite get the promised eight hours of life), saving on the cost of battery replacement. While a redesign would definitely add to the Jornada's appeal, as it is it's a respectable Pocket PC for an excellent price. --J. Curtis Pros: - Inexpensive for a Pocket PC
- Light and sleek
- Bright color screen
Cons: - Some design flaws
- Slow serial connection
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