I'm just curious how other folks would go on this ...

iPAQ hx4705 - Windows Mobile, can write Java or C# for it, 200+ Mhz faster, Bluetooth, but it's Microsoft which makes me feel kind of dirty

Zaurus 6000L - Linux, quite possibly the line is dead and Sharp is a [censored] steward, not fully supported by OpenZaurus yet (though it will be soon I'm sure), can write Java for it

It seems to come down to the usual open source vs Windows issues ... Ultimately I think I would probably have more control with the Zaurus, but the iPAQ is going to be more polished.

By the way, can HP get any more confusing with the iPAQ line? Trying to figure out what the hell the differences are between all of them is really annoying.

ms

I think you can actually ... I'm not exactly clear on the relationship between the OpenZaurus project and, for instance, Familiar Linux. I assume the OpenEmbedded system can spit out an iPAQ build too eventually?

I think I'm leaning towards this approach at the moment. That way I'll have options. I can choose to reflash it as Windows, but if I get annoyed or just want to experiment, then I could load Linux onto it.

On further research it appears that the OpenIpaq project is gone and has merged into familiar ( http://familiar.handhelds.org/ )

Nope. Microsoft still gets kickbacks from the hardware sale.

All right, then, wash your hands and then offset the kickbacks.

Yeah this is the only dirty part of the situation ... But my Microsoft dislike is pragmatic. I tend to pay Microsoft when I feel it's in my best interest. Basically I'm a whore. I hate myself.

Do you really need a VGA screen ? If not take a look at the Dell Axim X30 instead of the HP.

And it's 15% off right now (under $300 w/WiFi and BT):

Dell Axim X30

I can highly recommend the Dell, I've been very happy with it so far. I think Dell also have a VGA model on the way, I expect that will be cheaper than the HP.

I couldn't help it The siren song of the VGA screen lulled me into ordering the ipaq ... I'm a sucker for the gadgets. Anyone selling a bridge with bluetooth support?

I'll post a review when it comes in ... Thanks for the info on the Dell. If I don't like the ipaq (some people have complained about the touchpad -- looks like 50/50 mix on whether it sucks or is cool) the Dell is next on my list.

By the way, J&R beat CDW's Extranet price for the 4705 of $609 for a final total of $598. So if you're thinking about picking up a 4705, you might want to shoot for the same price.

My 4705 just got here about 30 minutes ago ... It's charging at the moment, but all I can says is "Holy Crap". This screen is AMAZING. I'll do a proper review after I use it for a while.

I don't want to throw another in the mix after you've bought your device already. I'm just offering some of the results of my own research for myself.

Originally I was looking at the Dell Axim X50v, because the HP is just too large and bulky for my tastes. However, after looking at the two and reading people's impressions, there a several things that put me off of both devices. The biggest of these is the fact that both have 64MB of memory, and many users have been having problems running out of memory with not many applications running. There are other issues like battery life, and the fact that neither device has a very attractive design in my eyes.

At the moment, my top contender is the FS LOOX 720. It's got everything the Dell and HP has, plus USB host (well, and minus VGA out). It also has 128MB of RAM.



Anyway, that's my front runner. Thoughts?

I agree the 64M of RAM is a big weakness. I have no idea why they didn't make it 128M in a device at this pricepoint. I don't think the price differential would have been all that much and it would have been a nice touch.

For the record, I haven't really found the 4705 to be that bulky, but then I don't have much to compare against except my Zaurus. I'm still so smitten by the video quality that I have not been put off by too many of the other issues yet. I think I can say that the NavPad was a terrible idea though. Not sure why they didn't just use hard button cursor keys. When you have a touch screen display I don't know why you would want a trackpad (fingerprints is the only thing I could come up with?).

I'll do a full review probably next week ...

I've not found the 64Mb on my Dell restrictive yet. I do make sure that everything I install goes on my 512Mb SD card though (except the odd app that insists on being installed in main storage).

Sorry to keep bringing this thread back, but I thought this link would be interesting to anyone who likes comparison charts (which I do).