Re: HP IPAQ 211

My wife always charged her 211 from a USB port on her PC, using the mini USB port. I have always had the sneaking suspicion that many devices recognize whether they are connected to a USB port (max 500mA) or to a plain charger (1-2A). I have numerous devices that are very particular about which charger I use with them. It seems that when not connected to a USB port, likely recognized by a lack of data, they suck more juice, and often want more, the lower they are. You would think they would be, but I have found not all car USB chargers are created equal, even when the ratings say they should be. I would expect that a cradle, made specifically for the 211, with a wall wart that comes with it, should work effectively. It would go back if it didn't.

To sort of back up my impressions, I have a charger station from a company called Gomadic. http://www.gomadic.com/chargingstation.html Note that they have a thing called tip exchange, where you can buy the right tip for your particular device. Say you want a tip for the 211, for a charger. It selects #25, a mini USB end. If you look up an i-Mate JasJar you would get #24, also a mini-USB. For an i-Mate SP5 the tip is #21, again a mini-USB. Each of those tip numbers also show up for other devices, so they are not totally unique, but I can tell you from experience, a #21 tip won't charge my JasJar, and the #24 will. The #24 will charge the SP5, as will the recommended #21. So there are differences. You'ld think mini-USB would be mini-USB wouldn't you, at least for charging.


"tc" <terrycassidy@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OGXK6CnYJHA.4480@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I found the standard mini usb could not seem to finish the charging sequence so I went back to the clumsy adapter cable and power supply. When using it as a GPS in the truck, the screen brightness would go up and down as the 210 did not appear to know whether it was on internal or external power. Maybe I should try it again.

Terry
"Sven" <sejohannsen@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:C010D735-349A-4D43-8816-FCA72459D54F@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Had you heard it was flimsy, didn't fit well? I don't have either, as I don't mind a cable sitting on my desk. It is fairly universal for the half dozen devices that sync or charge. Don't have room for that many cradles. I don't expect the pdaextreme one is much different in design.

"tc" <terrycassidy@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OfVSm7kYJHA.556@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I had not heard anything good about the Boxwave one. I think it has to do with the difficulty in charging through the mini USB connector. However, if that is all there is going to be available, I will consider the pdaextreme variety. Thanks for the links.

Terry
"Sven" <sejohannsen@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:9F7BFB7D-CFFD-4B04-8F7D-59A120E06E8D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Doesn't need to say HP on it does it?
http://www.boxwave.com/products/desktopcradle/hp-ipaq-211-desktop-cradle_3069.htm
http://www.pdaextreme.com/2194.html?osCsid=o255qttvudp1psq7297n4eu3m0
http://www.pdaextreme.com/2481.html
and more.

Live Search is your friend ;)

"tc" <terrycassidy@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:O63QUvNYJHA.552@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wish HP would come up with a cradle for it. I don't appreciate the cords lying across my desk and the 210 with no "home"

Terry

"Sven" <sejohannsen@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:E7F998FF-FF8B-4124-AA32-AE116C7FB3D0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Couple of data points to add here
1) No real personal experience here, but expect fully that a netbook, even with a SSD, does not provide the 'instant' on that a PDA would, for that quick note. Beyond that the minimum sized netbook, ~ 8" screen, is still no where as 'pocketable as a pocket PC, aka, PPC, aka Windows Mobile device.

2) Checking e-mail needs some explanation. The device you are considering, the HP211, has WiFi, and BT. With WiFi you can check mail any place with a WiFi hotspot, though some (most?) are pay for subscription sites. The BT can be used to access the internet via a cell phone that also has BT and a data plan. The 211 is a Windows Mobile Classic device. If you cram a cell phone into a device like the 211 you get a Windows Mobile Professional device, and can do that e-mail/web browsing via the cell data plan. If that interests you check your favorite cell carrier for options, or ask here.

3) Minor web browsing can be achieved with the 211 as above, WiFi via hotspot, or BT via data capable cell. The experience, depending on the site visited can be adequate, to unusable, as Pocket IE doesn't support anything near what you are accustomed to on the desktop. The mitigation to that is there are many sites that are specially formatted for small screens/disadvantaged devices, that detect what you are viewing from and deliver content accordingly.

4) You will like the PIM capabilities and sync (as long as it works), as long as you are using Outlook on the desktop, or do not intend to sync, but rather do it all on the handheld.

5) You have an option on the 211 that many don't consider. You can get a Compact Flash wired modem for the 211 and use old fashioned dialup for internet access. Even folks with cable and DSL internet at home may have some limited amount of dialup time available to them from their ISP to use on the road.

Aside: I own a 211 and am fairly pleased with it's performance. Great battery life, good screen, though the insensitivity is often commented on. To me it just needs a firmer hand than any other PPC I have ever used. Maybe a little overkill for a first device, and I might suggest looking at the 111. The 211 is not a daily use device for me, but was for my wife who just switched to a Samsung EPIX (AT&T). She got tired of two devices, phone and PDA. (The HP211 replaced a Dell X50 which replaced an ipaq 4155 preceded by an HP Jornada, bought the day those were released in 2000) My main squeeze is an ATT Tilt. Similar legacy, but I succumbed to a converged device well before my wife.


"KStahl" <ktsahl@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:494845cd$0$5613$6c36adad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yes. I use several different names depending on which of my computers I happen to be using at the moment.

I need a handheld device to take quick notes when I don't want to drag out my laptop and there are times when I'd like to be able to check email without the need to have my laptop available. Perhaps also some minor web browsing. The calendar feature is also very important to me. I have just never gotten used to carrying around a day planner because I prefer to do almost everything on a computer. Beyond that, I'm pretty sure I'll find other uses as well.











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