HP iPAQ 214 Pocket PC

My 214 is the 3rd PDA I have owned but the first HP. Number 1 was a LOOX but Fujitsu-Siemens don't make them anymore and I wouldn't buy one if they did. It had lots of features but lots of problems too, mainly with the screen but in it's last days it was always crashing. Number 2 was an Acer. A lot less facilities than I was used to with the LOOX but with a similar price tag so not good on price. It is a tiny little thing that feels fragile. Having said that it did survive using a few rules I learned with the LOOX (never put a PDA with screen outwards in your pocket - never put it down, pocket only so you can't loose it - always shut down running software when you go to bed, it won't crash over night). When I deleted the software I was using (SPB Time, WordBook, PocketBible, 995 Password manager and 995 Solitaire pack) it did perk up a bit. In Acer's defense I would like to say I am writing this review on a truly wonderful Acer laptop (Aspire 5920G) which, like Mary Popins, is practicaly perfect in every way. So what can be said about the HP 214? It definately is not fragile. I guess it must be four times heavier and twice as thick as the Acer. I have only been using it for five months but I get the impression it will survive all but the most severe of knocks and bumps. It has all the bells and whisltles. It does go flat over night occasionally. I haven't quite got my finger on the problem (even after 5 months) but it seems to be related to switching it's self on in the night due to an alarm (all-day appoinment reminders trigger their alarm at midnight) and then not switching off due to some combination of switched off sound and device lock. The problem is best handled by shutting down all running software before bed. The conclusion to all this is that the 214 is better than the other two. It has a more professional feel to it. It handles some facilities that were complicated and fiddly on the other two rather neatly and there's always the hope that an update for my old software will remove the problems.

The iPAQ 214 has a beautifully clear screen, and please ignore those reviews which say that screen tap response is poor: if that was once the case, it no longer is. With Windows Mobile 6, the iPAQ 214 can seamlessly integrate with MS Outlook calendar and contacts. The built-in Windows live software gives excellent seamless communication with a Hotmail (or similar) e-mail account via wireless collectivity. The built-in Office Mobile gives similar seamless functionality with Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and other documents. Like all new pieces of kit, it takes a little while to get to know its quirks, some of which irritated me at first, but now that I'm going with the flow, I enjoy this PDA. The predictive text is quite impressive, but, especially if you work in a secure or sensitive environment, it would be good to be able to selectively delete words you have used, rather than all or nothing.Ironically, the Microsoft ActiveSync software is one of its greatest weaknesses. It does not deal well with conflicts in Outlook -- for example, making an update on your desktop, and also an update on your PDA: you have to choose in advance, which one is going to overwrite which -- and how annoying is that? (Compare with Palm software, which will create duplicates if necessary: there are no duplicates with Microsoft ActiveSync!). And as for getting this device to synchronise using the wireless (as opposed to Bluetooth or USB) connection, well, don't even start me on that! The manual and help text are as good as useless on this front. Connecting via your wireless router to other computers is fine, it is just the synchronising that is the problem (unless you have a Masters degree in networking, which I do not).It is no 'slim Jim', but I think the build quality and functionality compensate for that. It is hard to call this a Pocket PC and keep a straight face!Okay, so there are a few criticisms here, but none of them for me were showstoppers. I still give this five stars, and would recommend anybody looking for a high quality PDA, which could interface well with their desktop, to use this device.Steve

I have been using a PDA of some kind for at least 12 years but it is now a dying product. The bottom line is that the IPAQ 214 offers no significant computing advantages over my 3 year old O2 XDA II Smartphone. I have also found that because PDAs are getting less support from the manufacturers I have had problems in getting accessories such as extra stylus pens. Having said this, after a few months use it has worked fine with no need to reset as yet. My only negative comment is that it feels quite delicate in construction and that it would break if dropped (as opposed to my O2 XDA that is built like a tank).The bottom line is that I can't really recommend PDAs any longer because some of the Smartphone are as good as PDAs, if not better. But if you really want to buy one then this is a good and reasonably priced model.

On obtaining a 214 two and a half years ago I was initially pleased and would agree with most of the previous reviewers. The problems over the last year start with screen lock ups and upon a soft reset you can lose your data in the calendar and contacts.Next to happen was the device continuously reset after putting it down or picking it up even though it had its cover on. I played around with the battery putting some extra packing down the side and this improved things.Within the last week it is just resetting non stop and will not boot to the today screen.HP are as everyone knows are totally useless and it is probably one company no one would miss is it went out of business and I regret the £240.00 or so I paid for it.