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iPAQ h4150 Review - Page 3

By: Mohd Al-Ashram

Date: January 13, 2004

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Battery Performance

There is a big difference in usage time while the screen is turned ON as opposed when it is turned OFF. It's really important to note that these kinds of tests really don't give you the full picture with regards to real world battery life. A typical user will not be leaving their Pocket PC on for hours at a time. Instead they will turn it on for a few minutes, do some work and then turn it off. This type of usage will repeat throughout the day. Just in case you are curious I included the following battery test:

This test was done also utilizing SPB Benchmark. Battery test was done with maximum backlight permanently turned ON, and the test performed with a standard Pocket PC usages.

Battery test "Max backlight, standard using"

You can see from this graph the battery life time was 4 hours and 11 min. I believe this is within the acceptable ranges.

Size does really matters!

From the following pictures you can see size difference with iPAQ h5450 and i-mate Pocket PC Phone:

iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150

iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150

iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150

iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150

iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150              iPAQ h5450, i-mate and iPAQ h4150

So size dose really matters, but without compromising the size of the screen. It shouldn't be less than 3.5" in a Pocket PC. The h4150 is true winner here because it doesn't compromise the screen size in this form factor.

Wireless features

As I mentioned before iPAQ comes with both Wifi and Bluetooth built-in. I will start to talk about my short experience with Wifi. With the h4150 you can have both wireless features working together without interference.

Wifi & Bluetooth

Wifi

I didn’t have a WLAN in my office, so I went to look somewhere else.  It is really not that easy to find a Wifi hotspot in Dubai. Though the service is still new, EIM launched iZone service in Dubai.

I was at The Fairmont Dubai where they have a free wireless Internet connection at the lobby. Thanks to Microsoft’s zero configurations making this connection so easy. From iPAQ Wireless application turn Wifi ON then It will look for networks and if one is found it will give the user the option to connect and configure access to Internet or Work. Here I didn’t need to configure the secure access because the network didn’t require WEP or LEAP. For further details go to "Zero Configuration Wifi" you will find a very nice slide show put together by Microsoft.

Wifi connection   Wifi connection   Wifi connection

Bluetooth

iPAQ sets the standards for all Pocket PCs with it’s Bluetooth implementation. It is the best I have ever seen. The Bluetooth Manager supports the following functions:

  • Explore a Bluetooth device

  • Connecting and pairing with a cell phone to access the Internet

  • ActiveSync with a Bluetooth equipped computer

  • Exchanging contacts, calendar items, and tasks with other Bluetooth-equipped Pocket PCs

  • Transferring files

  • Accessing dial-up networks

  • Connecting to serial ports

  • Connecting to a Bluetooth LAN

  • Interfacing with a Bluetooth headset

  • Printing to a Bluetooth printer

  • Creating a personal area network to chat, play games, etc...

  • Exchanging business cards

 

Bluetooth connection   Bluetooth connection   Bluetooth connection

You can also set up profiles for different Bluetooth devices, and  you can use the Bluetooth browser screen in the Connection Wizard to switch among them quickly and easily.

Bluetooth connection   Bluetooth connection   Bluetooth connection

I paired with Sony Ericsson T610 and got connected to the internet easily.

Bluetooth connection       Bluetooth connection

It was also easy Syncing with my desktop, connecting to my laptop as well and getting connected to the Internet using it's dialup modem. Transferring files was also user friendly using all the combinations I tried.

Conclusion

The iPAQ h4150 has a lot to offer for the price. A Pocket PC that has finally set out the standard for a true Pocketable device. Because it is slim and lightweight it is easy to carry around and practical for daily usage. With it’s Bluetooth, Wifi, fast processor, bundled applications, form factor, multimedia capabilities, magnificent screen and the included features the iPAQ h4150 proved to be one of the fully featured Pocket PCs in the market. With all of these capabilities, the h4150 is sold for AED 1740 only. The screen is stunning, bright and crisp, although there is a mild yellow hue if you view it from an angle which is an issue I consider as minor because the colors are vivid and the screen is truly remarkable. This is one of the best-looking Pocket PCs in the market.

What's positive?

  • Great form factor

  • Both built-in Bluetooth and Wifi

  • Excellent Software bundle

  • Good performance

 

What's negative?

  • Awkward location for the Infrared port

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