iPaq 210 finally ships, gets reviewed

For an otherwise-generic PDA, the iPaq 210 has already led a controversy-filled life filled with numerous delays, canceled pre-orders, retracted and clarified official statements from HP, and even a website bug that constantly promised shipment in two weeks -- but now it's finally here, and according to the crew at Brighthand, all that bake time seems to have paid off. The 210's 4-inch VGA-res screen drew high praise, of course, but what really set the 210 apart was the wealth of connectivity options -- with both CF and SDHC slots, the 210 can store up to 64GB of data, and transfer it over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 2.0. The only issues seem to be a touchscreen that requires a firmer touch than usual and that high $450 MSRP -- but if you're among the few still in the market for a standalone PDA, the 210 is probably worth checking out.

[System48 @ Feb 18th 2008 3:39PM]

Now why can't they make something like this a cell phone also?

[mike @ Feb 18th 2008 3:40PM]

HTC Universal

[Jon @ Feb 18th 2008 4:02PM]

Universal doesn't have CF slot.

But this iPAQ 210 isn't that unique. The Dell X50v had similar specs years ago. But it is nice for someone who prefers a separate PDA and small phone.

[Blake Bowen @ Feb 18th 2008 8:36PM]

Well, there are several reasons:

1. Bigger screen than smartphones
2. More power than smartphones
3. More storage space than smartphones
4. Cheaper price than smartphones.
5. No "just gimme yer soul fer a coupl'a years" agreement.
6. No crippling of features or design dictations by bloodsucking telecommunications companies.

This device will pair with any bluetooth phone for your bigscreen web browsing experience. For people like me, this is great, because my cell phone was a freebie and I pay a pittance for a small number of minutes per month. I have no interest in selling bodily fluids in order to pay for unlimited monthly data, since I already get that for free from wi-fi in the majority of places I go.
Compare the price of this to a smartphone with the same specs with no service agreement. Wait, there isn't one, and if there was, I guarantee you it'd be over a thousand bucks.

Besides, a lot of places, such as the military base where half my town works, don't allow any device with a cellular transceiver. Damned annoying to have to leave your appointments, email, ebooks, and bookmarks in your car every day during work.

[Kamokazi @ Feb 18th 2008 3:41PM]

I can finally retire my x50v...

[Garst @ Feb 19th 2008 3:19AM]

I'll keep using my hp rx3115 until Microsoft but the Zune software in WM. That would be one convergence worth while.

[fashionista @ Feb 18th 2008 3:44PM]

This might be a decent alternative to the Epson photo viewer with that CF slot, especially if it ends up in the bargain bin.

[Fastman @ Feb 18th 2008 3:49PM]

Still no iPaq 910? :(

[JohnN. @ Feb 18th 2008 4:11PM]

I'm not sure how this is an improvement over my x51v that is several years old now. VGA touchscreen - check, CF + SD slot - check, wi-fi/ bluetooth/usb - check. It can even be upgraded to WM6. Is it just me or have standalone PDAs been running in place for some now?

[Thunderbuck @ Feb 18th 2008 5:09PM]

Hear, hear. I don't see anything here I don't already have with my X51v (though I'd like to learn more about that WM6 update... it certainly isn't from Dell).

Though the 4400 optional battery is pretty amazing, though...

[vb @ Feb 18th 2008 7:28PM]

Everything you need to know about Axim x51v WM6 update here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEDvCklrNs0 (no, I did not make that video).

[DarkLightConnection @ Feb 19th 2008 1:34AM]

It has something over your x51v....

It's not discontinued.

[K @ Feb 18th 2008 4:05PM]

Shipped? Duh. I had mine on the 8th of February.
Quite nice.

[samphex @ Feb 18th 2008 4:23PM]

t sucks because it has winmo. Not palm's new os.....

[brian_rock @ Feb 18th 2008 4:31PM]

Thats the dumbest thing ive ever read. I hope that was sarcasm, if not, i'm dumber for having read it. Thanks.

[mike @ Feb 18th 2008 4:43PM]

Palm is dead, quit living in the past!

[Jon Doe. @ Feb 18th 2008 5:06PM]

What new OS? Are you talking about the one that is supposedly set to ship in 2006...I mean 2007...sorry I mean 2008...oops sorry I mean 2009?

Screw Palm. They are dead and its about damn time.

[samphex @ Feb 18th 2008 5:46PM]

palm is not dead, it rocks on in our hearts since they still make applications which make the os better

[Blake Bowen @ Feb 18th 2008 8:52PM]

Palm devices aren't going to run the new Palm os until processors get smart enough to write it themselves, because Palm certainly isn't doing it.

I use a Palm Lifedrive every day, because it suits my needs as a long battery-lifed ebook reader and encyclopedia. I've bought two of them in fact, one of which I gave to a friend. I've owned WM devices, like my late HX4700. I can tell you right now that Palm OS 5.whocares.blahblah.7 is positively ancient, and it does what it was made to do well, but it simply isn't adequate for a desktop-level mobile experience anymore.

Palm OS garnet was released in 2002. That was six years ago. Six years a hell of a run for a mobile OS, but it's over now.

[AndrewNeo @ Feb 18th 2008 4:24PM]

This would make an awesome replacement for my dying rx3115.

[Melih Sancar @ Feb 18th 2008 4:49PM]

Such a waste...
These kind of old fashioned PDAs & cell phones won't live in the near future... So take care of them.
Long live iPhone!

[Jon Doe. @ Feb 18th 2008 5:04PM]

Fuck the proprietary iPhone. Seriously its a show piece. When Apple releases an API for their phone and assuming that API isn't setup in a way that requires Apple's aproval before a app can be published on the system...then lets talk. For now if I saw an iPhone laying on the ground I'd crush the damn thing.

[DarkLightConnection @ Feb 18th 2008 4:55PM]

You know what I'm going to say, and I know I'm going to get low ranked, but...

Screw you people who think everything should be a cellphone :-P

I think I will get one of these when my LifeDrive dies..

[samphex @ Feb 18th 2008 5:51PM]

I am with you man. I completely understand you(and the lifedrive does rock)

[Jon Doe. @ Feb 18th 2008 5:01PM]

I would say this would be a great alternative to the iPod touch...what with it not being a neutered OS and all...I would say that but at half a grand when you take into consideration storage space the this thing is insane. WTF was HP thinking. Stand alone PDA's are a dieing breed. There are very few people willing to plunk that kinda money down on such a device. Wake me in a year with this thing gets discontinued and I can pick one up for $300.

[Adama D. Brown @ Feb 18th 2008 9:41PM]

I suggest you check the math again. The iPaq has a street price of $390, plus $110 for 32 GB of memory. That's as compared to the street price of $500 for the 32 GB iPod Touch. In exchange, the iPaq has a better screen, and uncompromised software.

[Genjinaro @ Feb 18th 2008 6:04PM]

@ John Doe

I see what you mean, everything is pretty much converged now, I'm converged (Mogul) & I don't see myself going back..

But actually you'd be surprised at how many are still in the market, there are still those
who aren't looking to tie down to a cellphone contract, wants something better than an iTouch & doesn't like PDA mixed with their phone...
Plus there's not a phone of that price with specs of that caliber.

HP is pretty much a savior to those still in the Standalone market.

[kjb434 @ Feb 18th 2008 6:19PM]

I know a lot of guys who now have PDA phone combos that their office paid for and wish they have separate PDA and phone. The PDA they can leave in their office so they are completely free at night and on the weekends. Now that everything is in one place, there life is always intruded with work.

[Nelson @ Feb 18th 2008 6:11PM]

This is a built-in GPS system away from being a perfect device for me.

[Blake Bowen @ Feb 18th 2008 9:34PM]

If you're interested in integrated GPS, have a look at the Pocket Loox devices, such as http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=131918

[Nelson @ Feb 18th 2008 9:53PM]

Thanks... Actually, I have the Loox 560. I LOVE it... Best PDA I ever owned (And about the tenth one). A few issues:
-Not for sale in the USA, which made it a slightly risky purchase
-Harder to get accessories (Boxwave was good, though)
-Discontinued
-Fujitsu-Siemens getting out of PDA business, so no updates

[Joey Geraci @ Feb 18th 2008 6:41PM]

256 MB Flash!!! I realize it has an SD and a CF slot, but HP should have realized that they need to put more standard Flash on these types of devices. While the iPod Touch really isn't a PDA yet, it has set the standard of a large amount of Flash being on board. It would be one thing if the 210 was cheaper, but for $450 it should have a lot more onboard memory. Or an included 8 GB SD Card.

[Rick @ Feb 18th 2008 7:32PM]

My rx5965(?) is the biggest piece of crap, resets required several times a day.
Please do yourself a favor, stay clear of HP iPaqs and WM.

[Blake Bowen @ Feb 18th 2008 9:08PM]

You don't even know the name of your PDA, yet you expect us to believe it's Windows Mobile's fault your device keeps resetting. PEBKAC.

[Rick @ Feb 18th 2008 9:55PM]

I now treat it with the contempt it deserves. I find it's easier to not bother turning it on, it will only need a reset in 5 minutes anyways.

[fusion @ Feb 18th 2008 8:46PM]

THIS WILL BE MY 3RD IPAQ

NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY PREVIOUS HPS, THERE SO RELIABLE

[Nex @ Feb 18th 2008 10:56PM]

Why are you yelling?

[Jeff @ Feb 19th 2008 12:48AM]

Because they're so damn good and he's excited.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Feb 19th 2008 1:32AM]

All those third party apps on the today screen there that does things windows ce/mobile/professional/smartphone or whatever should have done from the start...

That aside, the iPaq´s are solid. Better build quality than HTC mobiles.

[jm @ Feb 19th 2008 6:20AM]

Really i thought by now, there would be some kind of
card that would allow any pda to be turned into a celluar phone.

after disecting my old nokia phone, the part that does all the transceivering is just a chip and i bet a chip which probably cost $1 to make.

So really why is that all pda + phone combos = very expensive or why is that there is no card expansion thingy to turn a pda into a cellphone.

[Den Lim @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:11AM]

fusion,
you're right. my ipaq 1930 is still good and works fine. only problem is it still runs on the old windows ce. too bad i couldn't update. and the connector on the charger is a piece of crap. but the actual unit itself is my most reliable gadget as of yet.

[Den Lim @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:12AM]

fashionista,
i was thinking the same thing. hehe. much cheaper than that epson and less bulky. still a bit expensive though. i wish the ipod touch/iphone had atleast a sd slot.

[Cap'n Bitchslap @ Mar 14th 2008 12:59AM]

I'm really considering one of these after looking at the previous posts on the pre release article. I have an hx2490b right now, it's old but kicks ass. I downloaded the drivers to allow sdhc compatibility, java suuport, picked up tcpmp, opera, and all kinds of homebrew software from an encyclopedia to chess. The only prob with it is that the compact flash reader is damaged so I can't get more memory, but my dad has one and the 32 gb was readable in his so i know it's possible.


BTW you can download a phone program and transfer service plan, like you would an independent phone to the pda w/o the hassle of paying for kb from bloodsuckers like sprint and verizon.