If you need more than just a reader . . . Hp iPAQ 214

Lets Keep it simple . . .

HP iPAQ 214 Pocket PC

Pros

* SCREEN (4" transflective TFT, 260K colours, 640 x 480 pixel touch panel display with LED backlight) - fabulous, I love it! ...this is definitely one of its best points. The colour is very good and image is sharp.
* Battery life - It is better than other PDAs out there. Personally I use it a lot and find it isn't enough (2200 battery) so I am upgrading to the monster 4400 battery.
* Set up + installation - easy enough.
* Operating System- Windows Mobile 6
* Expansion - both a CompactFlash and a separate SDHC card slot allows this device to use a 32 GB memory card in each slot for a maximum total of 64 GB of storage......now that a lot of memory!
* Connectivity (Integrated Wireless Integrated WLAN 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR)- I have only used WLAN, which was easy to setup and use.
* Cables and Connectors - AC adapter and mini-USB Port. The AC adapter allows you to both sync and charge the device.

Cons

* Speakers (audio) - poor volume. There are two speakers, but they do not work together at the same time. I hope iPAQ will fix this issue, as it is a major disadvantage of this product. As far as GPS goes, you can forget about (IMHO).
* No cradle
* D-pad -some have commented this is poorly designed. Personally, I do have an issue with it.
* Compatibility issues - It has come to light on many forums that CF cards put a huge drain on the system and some people have gone as far as not even using CF cards and only using SDHC cards. Also, others have found problems with software. Personally, I have not had any trouble with the software I have installed.
* Slip case - this will do if you just want something to protect the product while not in use. However, I prefer something that opens out, so I had to invest in a PDAair case.
* No handbook - minor point but for something that costs this much I would have liked a hard copy. You have to go to the HP website to download the handbook
* Cost of other products - for the first timers among you, remember in evaluating the overall cost you need to account for things like software (in my case medical software, backup software e.g. Sprite, today screen e.g. spb pocket plus (the one installed is very basic), Styletap (so one can use Palm software, as a lot free medical programmes are in Palm format, although many are now doing windows), Opera software if you do not like internet explorer...etc...the list is endless and the sky is the limit); ? new case; screen protectors...etc. The cost of things soon adds up.