Customer Reviews

Compaq H3835 iPAQ Color Pocket PC

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have been using an iPAQ 3635 (32MB RAM/ 16MB ROM) for almost a year and just upgraded to the new 3835 model a few days ago (my old 3635 developed a defect and I was given full credit towards a replacement).

While the 3835 is basically a good evolutionary upgrade from the 3635, there is at least one "gotcha" that Compaq does not go out of their way to point out: Compaq changed the Power/Data interface from once model to the other. On the 31xx, 36xx and new 37xx iPAQ models, the power interface and the data interface are separate. On the 38xx series, Compaq chose to combine the two interfaces into a single, slightly larger (and thus incompatible), combined power/data interface. This means that you won't be able to use some accessories you purchased for your older model with the new 38xx series, such as that the:

- Targus Stowaway foldable keyboard
- the 31xx, 36xx and 37xx "Universal" or Serial Sync cradles
- the 31xx, 36xx and 37xx sync cables.

You can use the your old AC Adapter and your car / airplace power cables if you have the interface converter adapter.

If you have a big investment in these power- and/or sync-related accessories, give some consideration to purchasing a 37xx model rather than a 38xx servies model.

There are some differences between the 38xx and 36xx (and new 37xx) series, but I have not used my 3835 long enough to notice a huge difference in performance. The 38xx has

- Double the RAM and ROM of the 36xx (this is good if you were finding 32MB RAM to be too confining)
- An integrated SD slot for 64/128MB memory cards without having to use a CF Card expansion pack (a truely useful new feature)
- Pocket PC 2002 vs Pocket PC original (some additional, applications, functionality and ease-of-use)
- a 64K color screen vs. a 4096 color screen (the difference not so obvious so far)
- 1400mAh battery versus a 950mAh battery (but the rated battery life remains 10 hours)
- A different task manager (which at first blush appears a bit less easy to use .. but that's probably just me)
- Some additional software bundled by Compaq, including IBM ViaVoice (voice commands) and iPresenter PowerPoint (for converting and displaying PowerPoint presentations - quite useful for me).

There other differences, but it's best to go to Compaq's website and print out the QuickSpecs to see for yourself.

All-in-all, I'm not sure if upgrading from a 36xx to a 38xx is really worth it if you have to pay full for a new 38xx; but if you only have to pay the price delta between the two, and you don't mind not being able to use (for now) productivity-increasing accessories such as the Targus Stowaway foldable keyboard, it was certainly worth to me.

After returning the disapointing Jornada 568, I decided to stick with the iPAQ line after owning the 3630 since October 2000. I'm so glad I made that choice. The screen is brilliant (Could use some contrast controls especially in viewing pictures, but I'm sure that will be worked on) and extremely clear and DUSTLESS. The Jornada was heavily polluted with dust particles and was plagued with an uneven backlight. The iPAQ light is uniformly lit all around. The sound quality is crisp and clear and has replaced my RioVolt SP250 as my music device. The bass controls work well. Games are fun to play on the unit, and the unit comes with a hefty 64MB of RAM. Overall, I would definately go with this device, Compaq has thought of everything this time, up to the improved included carrying case (which is an awesome cover pack this time around.)

Purchased the Compaq iPaq about 3 weeks ago and all I can say is WOW! I used the newer HP Jornada for about a week and there is no comparison. The screen on the Compaq 3835 is by far more brighter and exact. I am able to move around through the software more easily on the Compaq too. I find Word and Excel a plus. My favorite feature is being able to sync my Compaq in the morning and have news and other items downloaded in less than a minute. The battery life on this unit is more than sufficient. Complaints? None, zero, nada!!! Well worth the money.

Make no mistake, this is no data organizer. My Ipaq is my third computer. I synch with my work and home computers, load, show and distribute PowerPoint presentations, create and edit Word, Excel AND MS Access files (where the bulk of my work is.) With the right software (and there are many out there, a lot even free!) and a little trial and error for the right fit, all this is pretty seemless and doesn't require any real "converting" back and forth to something else to make it all work, like the Palm OS. I also pop the Compact Flash cards right out of my digital camera into my Ipaq, do a little editing if needed and show off the photos in nice slide shows. Using a Socket Phone Card, I plug right into my Audiovox digital web enabled phone and surf the web (any web site - not clips) and get my email on Outlook anywhere I want. For long car trips, we watch full length videos (To Kill a Mockingbird and others are included in the extras CD from Microsoft). Note: The additional hotsynch cable, CF Expansion Sleeve, a few extra CF Cards (big ones for video and images, etc., storeage) Socket Phone Card and Car Charger ARE MUST HAVES. Oh yes, I can also organize contacts and calendar items like a Palm.

I was a Palm user ever since the original Palm Pilot about 5 years ago. I never thought that anything could pry me from my beloved Palm Vx...until this latest generation of Compaq Ipaqs. Now, I'll never go back!

I have over 1,000 contacts in MS Outlook, plus loads of appointments and tasks and everything converted seamlessly to the Ipaq. (But make a backup just in case as it is not wise to tempt fate.)

I am thrilled that I finally have true MS Office integration with my PDA - including automatic synchronizing of files. Of course the Pocket PC is not all work and no play: I read ebooks on it, play mpeg videos, and listen to music and audio books. It can even read my email to me while I am driving!

Compaq bundles a LOT of software with the Ipaq 3835 (the only difference between the 3835 and the 3850 is that the 3835 comes with Peacemaker which allows you to beam via infrared to other PDAs including those using the Palm OS). However, the Compaq version of Dashboard totally crashed my Ipaq and I had to do a hard reset (yes, I do believe in backing up!). A corrected version of Dashboard is now available, but I've decided I don't really need it. BTW, the installation disk comes with a full version of MS Outlook 2002 as it is strongly suggested that you should have the upgrade installed on the PC you syn your Pocket PC to.

If you aren't certain about which Pocket PC to get, just keep in mind that the Ipaq's StrongARM processer is considered the standard - most software is written for it. I've seen lots of software that works ONLY with the Ipaq...

I recently upgraded from my old H3635 iPAQ to the new H3835 and let me tell you it's WELL worth the cash! Compaq has completely redesigned and improved an already awesome Pocket PC. Now with 65K colors as opposed to 4K, the color depth can really be seen in jpegs, and games and even the new 3D icons. By moving the speaker to the top of the unit, the new PCS/Cell phone sleeves/software allow you to convert your iPAQ to a phone! The stylus problem has been corrected, as has the multiple button press issue! (Great news for gamers) Buttons are now etched with graphics instead of the older "flake-off" paint! Microsofts new 2002 O/S is wonderful, complete with Voice Commands. [You'll need the extra standard memory (64MB RAM, 32K ROM) for the new O/S. If you try to upgrade your older iPAQ unit, you'll lose several components since the new Windows Pocket PC2002 O/S will spill over the 16K ROM on the older units and use precious RAM space too!] The additional SD slot in the top of the unit is also well welcomed! If I have to find a single negative thing, I would say I am disappointed that older cradles from the 3600 series will not work with the new 3800's. The AC power port is gone from the new model, as is the dreaded On/Off switch, so unfortunately, this means that if you've bought an extra cradle and you're upgrading, you'll need to buy another again. Good news though, the newer ones are both Serial & USB! All sleeves and expansion packs you've bought ARE compatable! Get one on Amazon.com today, you'll be glad you did!

Look, I did hours and hours of research. I could write a publishable paper on the various features of PDAs so let me assure you if you're considering this product it is a pretty safe bet compared to it's peers. That also includes hours of reading consumer reviews. If you are looking for a product with Microsoft Office software, then this is the one you MUST buy. Dell has serious customer service issues and the Toshibas just didn't rank as high on quality and reliability. Spend the extra $$ and get the Ipaq. You will pat yourself on the back later.

What's great about this little gizmo is that you can download all of your Microsoft files in a heartbeat. It is a high quality computer. You can spend a little more and get higher meg and such but now you're just buying a whole new system aren't you? If you want a high quality PDA then this is the one you should buy. It has every feature imaginable (or obtainable) boasts of a high battery life and the graffiti feature is brilliant. If you've read something about a vulnerable screen, don't worry. Ipaq now boasts of a hinged case to protect the screen. This looks awesome and is awesome. So far, I have been really pleased.

I gave it four stars only because I dislike putting up with Windows' quirkiness and memory hogging. Otherwise, the new iPAQ 3835 is terrific. I decided to switch from the Palm Vx to the iPAQ 3835 after reading about the advantages of Pocket PC 2002 and seeing the larger screen of the iPAQ. I've been getting to know the iPAQ for only about a week and half, but I'm very impressed. All the standard PDA features - calendaring, contacts, and tasks - work well. Occasionally, it starts running noticeably slower than any Palm, but reclosing applications and fiddling with memory allocation fixes that (ain't Windows grand). The ability to pull up Word and Excel files is a great plus. The promise of being able to import PowerPoint presentations (just haven't gotten around to trying this yet) offers intriguing possibilities. And the ease of syncing with Outlook's e-mail and control over subdirectories is much better. And, frankly, I'm finding the bigger clearer brighter screen even more important than I thought I would. My advice - if you're thinking of switching, do it.

The product is exactly how it is described. Lot's of functionality. Well designed.

On the down side:
- The unit I received is a lemon. It has three unrelated issues that Compaq acknowledges as hardware problems. This is a LOT of HW problems for a single unit!
- Compaq's support has been unusually poor. In their first reply to my email, they sent a generic answer saying that I should reset my unit. They apparently did not even read my description of the problem I was encountering because at the very beginning, I had already said that I had tried resetting several times. In their second reply, the directed me to call second tier Tech Support (in other words, they waste several days of your time with a first tier of support that can only provide pre-canned answers) for assistance. I called the number they specified and waited on the line for over 45 minutes before giving up.

Summary
Good product if it works. If you get a problem unit, the inconvenience of Compaq's support will make the whole experience negative.

After having been a dedicated palm user for the last 5 years it finally became time for me to get a new PDA. After shopping around a fair amount I finally decided on the iPaq 3835.

I've had it for just over a month now and I have to say I'm quite impressed. Not only is the software far better than the standard Palm applications, the speed and memory storage simply blow away the last Palm I owned (a Palm V.)

More significant than the better applications on the iPaq is its user input capabilities. Not only does the iPaq support a keyboard and a Palm-style graffiti interface, it also supports true handwriting input (script or block letters). Plus seeing the input drawn on the screen (rather than on an 'input area' off screen like the Palm uses) makes it that much easier. Add in the 'auto word completion' feature of the iPaq and input becomes a breeze.

The downside? These features come at a price. Both literally, as the unit is roughly twice as expensive as a Palm, and in terms of the unit's size. It's roughly twice as heavy & thick as a Palm.

Still, after weighing (no pun intended) the benefits of each I chose the iPaq and I'm far happier with it than I ever was with my palm.