HP iPAQ 1945 Pocket PC

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [1.18mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches ; 4.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00009RL1W
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,563 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #97 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > PDAs, Handhelds & Accessories > PDAs & Handhelds
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 20, 2003

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The iPAQ 1945 - A Pocket PC Approaching Perfection, July 26, 2003

By 

Matthew Nichols (Auburn, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP iPAQ 1945 Pocket PC (Office Product)

The iPAQ 1945, also sold as the iPAQ 1940, is the first in a line of planned successors to the iPAQ 1910. HP has addressed many of the concerns that 1910 users had, namely that the 1910 was too slow and lacked hardware expansion options. The 1945 is powered by a new 266MHz processor from Samsung which rivals, and sometimes surpasses, the usable speed of many XScale chips from Intel. Other features of the iPAQ 1945 include 64MB of RAM (56MB of which are user accessible), a crisp, bright transflective color screen, onboard Bluetooth wireless, and a Secure Digital slot which can use SD flash memory cards and SDIO peripherals such as 802.11b WLAN cards.

Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC replaced Pocket PC 2002 as the most current Pocket PC OS in June 2003 and comes installed on the 1945. While the version of Windows Mobile 2003 pre-installed on the iPAQ lacks a few minor applications (such as Microsoft Reader), each can be downloaded for free. Because HP left the choice to the end-user, the iPAQ File Store - unused space on the ROM - has over 13MB free for software, files, etc.

As I mentioned before, the Samsung processor keeps the 1945 moving along very well. Having recently used an iPAQ 5450 (400Mhz PXA250 XScale), a Toshiba e755 (400MHz PXA255 XScale) and a Toshiba e355 (300MHz PXA255 XScale), I can say that, from a casual use point-of-view, the iPAQ 1945 surpasses the speed of the iPAQ 5450 and Toshiba e355 and feels basically on level with the Toshiba e755. One of the touted benefits of the Samsung processor is long battery life, and while I didn't get the eight hours that HP suggested I might, I got almost seven hours use out of the 1945 with the backlight on its lowest setting before I had to recharge; a very good result.

There is only one real drawback to the iPAQ 1945, as I see it, and it's relatively minor and completely fixable: the 1945 ships with only a USB Sync cable, not a cradle. While some might actually prefer this, I miss not having a cradle to rest the iPAQ in while it's not in use. The good news here is that there is a cradle available (the same cradle that works with the iPAQ 1910), and you can purchase if you want it.

All-in-all, the iPAQ 1945 is an amazing addition to the Pocket PC family. If you like small, light PDAs with oomph, the 1945 might be right up your alley.

99 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best PPC for most people, August 15, 2003

By 

Joel Goodson "joelgoodsn" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: HP iPAQ 1945 Pocket PC (Office Product)

I felt compelled to write a review of this great device after reading a terribly uniformed review from someone that doesn't even own the device.

The good!

Size - The smallest on the market. Fits nicely in your pocket without feeling like you're carrying a brick, unlike so many other PPCs.

Speed - Many benchmarks rate this unit faster than the 2215, which uses a 400mhz Intel processor. Audio, video playback is smooth as can be. It is plenty fast.

Bluetooth - Bluetooth(bt) allows this device to be every bit as capable and expandable as the larger and more expensive devices. Bluetooth applications include:
Link to bt GPS for real-time driving and mapping directions
Link to bt cell phone for mobile remote dial up
Link to PC for wireless sycing, printing, and browsing.

Expandable - SD, WiFi, and even a combo card with WiFi and 256MG will be available.

Screen - The best screen on the market (except for the 1910)

Battery - Battery performance is adequate. You can by an additional battery for pretty cheap if needed.

Cons!

Non-standard headphone jack - It comes with an adapter that works very well, but it is still a much bigger inconvenience than I expected.

Screen - The screen puts a yellow tint on stark white when you tilt the unit away from you. I barely notice it, and don't think this is a big issue, but I've read where others are put off by it. The screen is still one of the best on the market.

No docking station - Not a big issue for me, especially with the Bluetooth.

In summary:
With the exception of commercial grade infrared (the 1945 has IR, just not commercial grade) which would allow it to be used as a universal remote, there is nothing this PPC can't do that the bigger and more expensive devices do. It is the best PPC on the market in my opinion.

If size is important, you can't do better than the 1945. If a very compact size (and money) isn't important to you I suggest the 2215.

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best PocketPC to come along in a long time, August 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: HP iPAQ 1945 Pocket PC (Office Product)

First off, I feel the criticisms of the 2-star review posted July 25th need to be addressed, because some of them are in error (why do people write reviews for things they don't own?)...

1). The ARM9 core Samsung S3C2410 CPU in the 1945 is actually quite fast. Don't be fooled by a 266MHz clock speed compared to 400MHz XScale devices - this device runs multimedia apps and games faster than most other PocketPC models. I've done the benchmarks and framerate tests myself - it's impressive. Why? because despite the XScale hype, almost no apps or games are optimized for this Intel CPU, so ARM based processors can actually perform faster. The Samsung CPU also handles many functions internally, while the XScales still rely on a 100MHz external bus (the new PXA-255 processors use a 200MHz internal bus). Also, the 1945 isn't any 'hotter' than other PocketPC models I have owned. In fact, it stays quite cool.

2). The 1945 has 56.66MB of available system RAM out of 64 - NOT 46. It also has approx. 13MB of additional flash file storage that can be used for anything - so the device really comes with approx. 70MB of available RAM!

3). Bluetooth is essential. I use it to surf the web wirelessly at home and sync. It works great, and is quite fast. Be sure to select a Belkin or other Class 1 long-range USB dongle and read Brighthand or other PocketPC forums for tips on how to properly set it all up. It's also great if you have a BT cell phone.

4). The 30 minute battery "guess" for WiFi SD use is wrong. I get 2.5+ hours playing hardcore games with brightness and sound on full blast, 4 hours playing MP3 with the light on (6-7 hours with it off). And yes, a 256MB flash/WiFi combo so you can have both expansion RAM and wireless.

5). Note the use of the word "bloatware" -- this is an old slam that users of Palm devices use to bash the PocketPC. Draw your own conclusions from a guy that wrote a large and scathing review based on, in his own words, "A test drive" at a local store. He comments on the "cheaper" Zire 71 as having more features, but in reality it's the exact same price for less RAM and a much less sophisticated OS. You do get a very low resolution camera, but it doesn't do video and multimedia is still better on PocketPC.

Now that the comments from the guy who doesn't know what he's talking about are out of the way, here are my PRO and CON comments on the 1945 (which I've had now for almost a month):

PRO:
* Size and style are the best of any PocketPC. Great power in the tiniest form imaginable. Think Palm V! It's amazing.

* Removeable battery - spares are cheap ($... shipped) and the optional cradle can charge the 1945 plus one extra battery!

* Stylus included has a metal shaft and reset tool (unlike the Zire 71).

* VERY fast - comparable to the fastest PPC models available. Great for games and video!

* Voice/Memo Recorder button & mic (lacking on the HP 2215 and Palm Zire 71).

* Fast USB transfer. Large files copied from the desktop go very quickly.

* SDIO slow allows IO accessories like WiFi, and the upcoming tiny HP video cam that will take movies and 1.3MP images!

* Screen has a slight yellow tint when viewed at certian angles, but is still very rich and vibrant with great color, like the 1910.

* Price - Unbeatable at $... list, and Amazon has them right now for even less.

CON:
* Battery life is OK but not as good as models such as the 2215.

* Slipcover & cradle are optional.

* Earphone jack is non-standard (adapter is included)

* No CF slot or available expansion sleeves.

* Uses Windows Mobile 2003 'Professional' which lacks MS Reader and ClearType Tuner. Reader can be installed, however.

CONCLUSION:

The iPAQ 1945 marks a milestone, as did its predecessor, the 1910. It carries forward the 1900 series tradition of groundbreaking (for PocketPC) size & price while adding to it the super-fast Samsing ARM based CPU, an expandable SD slot, integrated bluetooth connectivity and a new version of the OS. It's not perfect, but for less than $... it's by far the most powerful & versatile PDA available capable of superb performance.