HP iPAQ rz1710 Pocket PC (Silver & Black)

A few months a go I traded in my palm for the ipaq. The reason being that I wanted wifi option and more power for games and other applications.

The change has been nothing short of meteoric. I hadn't realised how much difference a wifi connection would make to how I use the device.

Here are some of the things I now get upto with my newfound ipaq friend:

- Reading and sending email in real time
- Viewing BB film trailiers on the loo!
- Listening to worldwide radio anywher in my house
- Listening to MP3's (I've now also sold my minidisc player).
- Playing old Lucas Arts games like Monkey Island etc
- Playing Arcade games on mame
- Recording live audio
- Having a sync calandar and contacts where ever I go
- Chating to friends on messenager in the lounge
- Keeping up with the Papers (guardian unlimited is great!)
- Having my photo's and movies with me all the time.

All in all, this has been an excellent purchase. One worth shopping around for as prices seem to vary greatly.

It's very easy to use, programmes are easy to download onto it. I love the way it switches on and off instantly without any hassle of loading screens you get with normal pc/laptops. The battery usually lasts me at least 4/5 days before a recharge, and it fits neatly into my trouser pocket, ready for use.

A spare SD card in the slot is ESSENTIAL. It's been said that the ipaq 3175 can't handle more than 2 programmes at once. This is not true. I can usually open around 8 programmes before it slows... and crashes. The key is to download the programmes onto the SD card, NOT the default main memory, which is 128MB and shared with it's ability to open programmes. One quickly learns to close programmes that one is not using anyway!

I don't find the internet explorer on it practical enough to use frequently as the screen isn't great for it, and the camera is quite awful in poor lighting. I do occasionally use these functions though. Also, the case that comes with it is not that practical, as you have to take the damn thing off every time to use it - not quick enough when you have consultants firing questions at you left right and centre! Invest in a trendy case that opens up like a book.

I've never used any other ppcs before, so I can't compare, but I'm quite content with this one and can't see myself needing to upgrade for a good few years.

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So far, I am amazed at how capable this thing is. No snags with it, it's intuitive, functionality is amazing. I was thinking of getting the 5550, but the multimedia functions on this are way ahead. Only downside I can really see against the 5550 is no fingerprint scan - but do you really need that? Only you can tell me that. I rather suspect the answer is no.

Already starting to wonder how I managed without it.... If you are trying to decide if it's worth it, I would say stop thinking about it and try it.

Very impressed indeed.