Hewlett Packard Jornada 420 Palm-Size PC

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [2.25mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches ; 8.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 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: B00000J0NG
• Item model number: HPF1255A
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,532 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

In many of our PDA reviews, we say that PDAs can keep you working while you're on the road. In this case, we put that statement to the test; part of this review was written on the Jornada itself. You can organize your appointments, to-do list, address book, and more while you're traveling. You can also keep up with the latest news and stay connected to your desktop, all in beautiful color with the HP Jornada 420.

To set up the Jornada, we installed the battery pack, connected the AC power cord, placed the Jornada in its docking cradle, and followed the on-screen instructions. Then, we installed Microsoft Windows CE Services 2.2 and followed its setup wizard. The process was entirely straightforward, made painless by following the Getting Started card.

When you turn on the Jornada 420, you'll notice its CSTN LCD display--a type of passive matrix display--has colors that are as bright as those on many active matrix displays. You navigate through the Jornada's core information management applications by pressing several side-mounted buttons, designed for one-handed operation, or by tapping the stylus on the backlit display. The display has a transparent plastic shield to protect the screen while you read from it. The Jornada 420 is very comfortable to hold and operate. For text input, you have your choice of tapping the on-screen keyboard or using the Jot handwriting system.

In our test, on the desktop PC, we added a mobile channel to Microsoft Internet Explorer's channels. (The feature does not work with Netscape Navigator.) We then set the ActiveSync options to include channels during the synchronization process. After synchronization, we could read information from the channel at our leisure. We also moved a Note Taker file from the Jornada's My Documents folder to our desktop PC, where the file became part of this review.

As part of the HP family of PDAs, the Jornada 420 inherits many fine characteristics, such as rugged good looks, but as the smallest and most portable member, we also appreciated its unique identity.

Pros:

• Transparent display cover
• Attractive design
• Quick and easy setup
• Easy to learn and fun to use

Cons:

• No 9-25 pin serial adapter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It fulfills all my requirements and is easy to operate., September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hewlett Packard Jornada 420 Palm-Size PC (Office Product)

The one button recorder is great. Push and hold the red outside button and it will automatically turn on the PDA and start recording. The financial calculator is accurate to the penny, an important software feature when calculating amortizations. The hard, flip top, transparent cover protects the screen well. The width is thicker than a Palm Pilot V. Thinner would be better. When you select a contact, it does not display everything about that contact on one screen, for instance, the notes about that contact. You have to go to edit and tap on notes to see the entire information on the notes, a slight inconvenience. It is easy to enter appointments or events in the calendar. It is easy to synchronize information between desktop and the PDA. The battery lasts a long time between charges, a very important feature. Overall, I am very happy to have selected this over the Palm Pilot V. I was able to eliminate a small taper recorder and my old, ever reliable HP financial calculator in my purse. This freed up space and weight.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than Palm, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hewlett Packard Jornada 420 Palm-Size PC (Office Product)

This Windows CE device was what I needed after being tethered to a Palm Pro for over a year. I couldn't do much with the Palm, other than read mail and take notes. Now, it looks and feels like I'm taking my desktop with me. I bought a 32MB CF card with it, and I'm happy with it.

The only thing to improve would be the sound. That little speaker doesn't put out enough volume, however, through earphones it sounds good.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DARNED GOOD DEAL, May 27, 2002

By 

ROBERT DUCKWORTH (SANDY LEVEL, VA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard Jornada 420 Palm-Size PC (Office Product)

WHEN I RECIEVED THE JORNADA, I WAS QUITE AMAZED AT IT'S CONDITION. IT WAS NEARLY PERFECT AS ADVERTISED, EVEN THE BOX. ONLY INSIGNIFICANT COSMETIC BLEMISH ON THE CLEAR COVER, BUT I THINK THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED SINCE IT'S A USED ITEM. OTHERWISE, THE DISPLAY HAS GOOD COLOR RESOLUTION. SINCE I'M NOT AT ALL FAMILIAR WITH WINDOWS CE, I'M HAVING SOME PROBLEMS, BUT I'M SURE THAT I'LL OVERCOME THEM. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A VERY PLEASANT TRANSACTION WITH ONLY ONE EXCEPTION. I'D HOPED THE ITEM TO BE SHIPPED VIA UPS. IT WAS SHIPPED USING PRIORITY MAIL, BY U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, & I HAD TO TAKE A COUPLE HOURS OFF WORK & GO TO THE POST OFFICE TO SIGN FOR THE ITEM. BUT, SINCE IT WAS SUCH A GOOD DEAL, THAT WAS A VERY SMALL INCONVENIENCE THAT I CAN LIVE WITH. I WOULDN'T HESITATE MAKING ANOTHER PURCHASE THROUGH AMAZON.COM.........