Compaq H3835 iPAQ Color Pocket PC

The title says it all. This machine does everything I had hoped for with a very intuitive user interface and so far has worked perfectly (been using it about 3 months). What more can one ask for? One feature of this particular model is the ability to add a Secure Memory card in a recepticle located on the top of the iPAC. You don't need an extra "slip on" accessory to add memory with this model. I listen to mp3s that I download a great deal of the time so the extra memory (I use 256MB cards) is a necessity, as the internal memory will only hold half a dozen songs. With a 256MB memory card you can have much more than a CD's worth of tunes right in the iPAC, add a good set of ear phones and you've got great sound along with everything else the iPAC offers. I usually take two or three loaded memory cards with me so I have a huge variety of tunes to fit any mood.Never having used a PDA before, I don't know how the Note Pad function compares, but the one on this model works wonderfully in all three modes ... audio recorder, typed notes using the soft keyboard, and I use the hand writen notes all the time to jot down a quick reminder, like highway exit numbers when going to places I've never been ... its very easy to grab the iPAC, push the Notes button, having already selected the note with the exit number or other directions, and read the large print while driving.I know that there are newer models which probably work just as will but don't think they have the memory expansion capability built into the naked unit (I could be wrong about that). The ability to have all the expanded memory you want in the naked iPAC is worth choosing this model, all else being equal.

The iPaq series has been a fine platform for those looking for a nice PDA. The expansion sleeve approach taken by Compaq (now HP) makes it possible to carry the add-ons you want and ignore them when you don't. Techno-types who want more than an overblown PIM with MP3-playback will appreciate the ease with which Linux moves onto the iPaq -- alas, the SD slot can only be operated with slow MMC cards due to nondisclosure licensing terms (security through obscurity rides again...or still). Linux on PDAs is advancing as rapidly as its PC version has done and if you've thought about playing with it, the iPaq's a great machine. (Oh, and you can also restore PocketPC if Linux is not for you.)

It crashed on me with in 10 minutes of breaking the seal on the package. The "soft" reboot did not work. I had to perform a "hard" reboot. It worked about 2 more minutes then it crashed again just trying to set the time. The battery showed 98% charged so I unpluged the thing and went mobile. It kept shutting off. When I pluged it back in I could not get a battery reading. I called compaq and before I had a chance to tell them the whole story, the agent said I had a bad battery to send it back. Total time in-hand 20 minutes. Had to pack it up and set it back the day after Christmas. Good luck to all who plunk down 600+ bucks. I hope you have better luck with yours.

The product is exactly how it is described. Lot's of functionality. Well designed.On the down side:- The unit I received is a lemon. It has three unrelated issues that Compaq acknowledges as hardware problems. This is a LOT of HW problems for a single unit!- Compaq's support has been unusually poor. In their first reply to my email, they sent a generic answer saying that I should reset my unit. They apparently did not even read my description of the problem I was encountering because at the very beginning, I had already said that I had tried resetting several times. In their second reply, the directed me to call second tier Tech Support (in other words, they waste several days of your time with a first tier of support that can only provide pre-canned answers) for assistance. I called the number they specified and waited on the line for over 45 minutes before giving up.SummaryGood product if it works. If you get a problem unit, the inconvenience of Compaq's support will make the whole experience negative.

Coming up from a previous version of the iPaq, this one is ever so slightly larger (can still use the old wallet if upgrading).The best features of the iPaq 3835 are it's new crystal clear display (the 65,000 colours helps a lot in this department) and Microsofts Pocket PC 2002 is such a step up from the previous Windows CE operating system.As ever connecting to a PC and syncronizing files is extremely easy with the supplied software and hardware (cradle has an option of USB or seriel although USB is far quicker). The supplied software includes a full version of Outlook 2002 for the PC.The iPaq also comes with a natty little hinged case to protect it.Bad points about it are there are very few peripherals on the market for the 3800 series at present and also there is no software currently available to take account of the new 65K colours. These no doubt will come soon.I had looked at buying the new Jornada before getting this one but am very glad I waited on the iPaq.Overall excellent design and quality. Highly Recommended.

It took a while to receive the used iPAQ 3835 via mail. Although any packing materials that should have been used to protect the contents was missing from the roomy package, the PDA survived the trip. For a used PDA, the system works quite well and made the recipient a happy camper on his birthday. The device continues to work well as expected.