Still the most powerful and expandable pocket PC, the Microsoft Windows-powered iPAQ Pocket PC 3835 takes Compaq's award-winning handheld to new extremes. Combine the longest battery life and fastest processor available with massive memory speeds and unprecedented storage capacity to take advantage of a wealth of new features. With thousands of available applications, a standard secure digital slot for internal upgrades and a number of external expansion pack options like wireless connectivity, there's no telling how far it'll take you.
For many, Compaq's iPAQs were the pick of the first round of Pocket PC releases. Now that Microsoft has released a new version of its Pocket PC operating system (Pocket PC 2002), the company's previous hardware partners have all updated their products and some new players have joined in. The net result is greater competition--so how does Compaq fare?
The new range of iPAQ is available in two versions. The iPAQ 3765 is much like the popular 3635 model, but has the new OS on board. The iPAQ 3835, our review unit, is similar in body, but adds a few extra features.
The 3835 is driven by Intel's fast StrongARM processor, which runs at 206 MHz, and is outfitted with a healthy 64 MB RAM. The Pocket PC 2002 OS itself is stored on the 32 MB flash ROM, so you should be able to easily install OS updates as they come along. The screen quality is superb and can show over 65,000 colors--a greater color depth than the 3765.
Most hardware expansion is provided via an optional CompactFlash expansion jacket, with CF cards and modules from previous iPAQs largely compatible with the iPAQ 3835. Note, however, that this does not carry through to hardware add-ons that use the docking port (such as keyboards), as the connector on the 3835 is different than on the 3635 or 3765.
Additionally, there is now a built-in expansion slot onboard that enables you to add both software and hardware to the iPAQ without the need for the CF expansion jacket. This slot is compatible with both Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards.
The iPAQ's design and build quality are superb; this is still the best-looking Pocket PC around. The docking station is both USB and serial--this "one size fits all" approach is intelligent and user friendly. Data input has also been improved, including the ability to register more than one button press at a time, making speedy gaming possible as some light relief from all the serious work you can set the device to.
Overall, Compaq's new iPAQ 3835 beats the rest for looks and performance. The built-in SD/MMC expansion card slot is a plus, and the iPAQ becomes an even more powerful productivity machine with the addition of the optional CompactFlash jacket. --Sandra Vogel
Pros:
- Expansion card slot for SD and MMC cards
- Fast processor and good amount of onboard memory
- Bright screen with great color depth
- Latest Microsoft operating system--Pocket PC 2002
Cons: - Use of CompactFlash cards requires optional expansion jacket
Sleek, expandable, and wireless-enabled, the Compaq iPAQ 3835 Pocket PC offers a powerful mobile computing tool that fits in the palm of your hand. It comes with 64 MB RAM and 32 MB ROM, a fast 206 MHz Intel StrongArm processor, and a bright LCD screen that displays 65,000 colors.
The iPAQ 3835 features a built-in Secure Digital (SD) card slot for adding more memory and modules, from modems to cameras to GPS receivers. You can also add an optional expansion jacket for using CompactFlash cards.
With the enhancements and improvements in Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 operating system, the iPAQ 3835 is even more powerful and easier to use. You'll get improved handwriting recognition, more reliable synchronization, increased security, and the ability to chat using MSN Messenger. It also features new Pocket versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.
Work hard, but play hard, too. The iPAQ 3835 can play digital audio files (both MP3 and WMA) using the Windows Media Player software. It's also compatible with audible.com files, for listening to audiobooks, radio broadcasts, and more. You also get the Microsoft Reader e-book software.
Other highlights include a microphone and a speaker as well as an audio-in jack. The iPAQ 3835 features an infrared port for wireless data transfer. It uses five buttons and a five-way joystick. The iPAQ connects to either USB or serial ports. The iPAQ allows you to input data in your own handwriting, by soft keyboard, or by voice recorder. Both audible and visual alarms alert you to a scheduled event.
At 5.3 by 3.3 by 0.62 inches, and weighing 6.7 ounces, the iPAQ 3835 is sporty and small, fitting in your hand or sliding into your pocket with ease. Compaq has also built in utilities, so that frequent actions--such as switching between tasks, adjusting volume, and changing backlighting--are only a click away.
The iPAQ 3835 has a built-in lithium rechargeable battery that gives up to 10 hours of battery life. It also comes with a docking cradle, AC adapter for battery charging, and a USB connection cable. Compaq offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the box
- iPAQ Pocket PC H3835
- Extra stylus
- Protective cover pack
- Universal cradle for both USB and serial connections with tether
- AC adapter
- DC adapter plug
1 I've Had This For Over A Year And I Still Love It!!!
I looked online for hours to find an affordable PDA that would allow me to do everything I wanted. I'm a full time college student and I find I can take notes, set up appointments and have my schedule on demand. I have my tasks organized and get more accomplished. I can also pull up phone numbers and email addresses of friends, teachers, and even restaurants when my friends and I order out. Plus I can play games while waiting for my next class to start. It also synchronizes perfectly with my desktop computer's version of Microsoft Outlook. I can download maps to my PDA for trips with step-by-step driving directions. The PDA is light and I can carry it in my purse all the time without it weighing me down. The unit has held up great for the year and few months I've had it. I know that newer systems have come out since I bought this back in November of 2002, but if you find a new or used version of this PDA I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. I also bought, and would recommend, a zippered holder that is waterproof (I spill things on my nightstand a lot.) It also helps protect the unit if you drop it. The only other thing you might want is to buy the memory expansion card. It's only about $35 and it triples your memory. You'll find that you can fill up your memory a lot faster than you think. (I buy too many e-books from Amazon!) I really think this is a good PDA for a student or anyone else and I take mine with me everywhere.
2 Best Business PDA Tool I have used
I have owned Several Palm Based PDs and one Palm Smart Phone. This is by far the best of the bunch. I never thought I could use a PDA as a palm comuter, but this product does it hands down. I am an oustside sales person and really need to have access to my Act Database and need to be able to access several XL files. Not only does this product provide me the access and editing tools it also allows me to print via IR to a protable printer in my car. Now my lap top stays in the trunk and my PDA travels with me. BIG Thumbs up.
3 I'm going back to a Palm!!
When I originally bought this PDA it had such great reviews and I though it would be a good replacement/upgrade for my old Palm (that never gave me any trouble by the way). I have had it for over 6 months now and I have been so unhappy with its performance. The battery life is horrible!! I travel a lot and need something that I don't need to charge twice a day. I don't play games or read books on it, so I don't use up the battery life that way. The worst thing is that unlike Palms you lose everything if your battery runs out!!!! Who ever heard of that. If you keep backing up to your computer you can restore it, but you really have to be on the ball with that, because if you don't too bad it's gone! I will admit it is a nice looking machine that has some nice features, but I just bought a new Palm because I need something I can rely on.
4 Nice
I got this almost one year ago after my black and white Handspring was stolen.
I have two problems with it. Some time it stop working all of the sudden, and I have the press reset button. It works fine after that and you will not loose any data by doing that. The other problem I have is synchronizing with MS Outlook. I had to update the software which you can get from Microsoft website, three times until it start working fine.
Other than that I love and the colors are clear and crisp. Battery last for a very long time if you don't keep it on all the time. You will get a warning if the battery is low and will shut down automatically so you won't loose data.
5 Does everything I want, and More!
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.
6 An excellent Linux PDA
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.)
7 well built but short battery life
This is a good workhorse, and has a an excellent spear if you are playing books on tape or such things. THe case it comes with protects it well. However, the battery life was too short for my tastes and it tens to turn itself on and chem up the batterirs in my backpack. I would proably look for a unti with better battery life
8 well built but short battery life
This is a good workhorse, and has a an excellent spear if you are playing books on tape or such things. THe case it comes with protects it well. However, the battery life was too short for my tastes and it tens to turn itself on and chem up the batterirs in my backpack. I would proably look for a unti with better battery life
9 2nd compaq handheld
Owned an Aero 1550, upgraded, Great little machine, wished it had built-in flash card slot. I highly recommend it. It does all I expected and more. The price was great also...
10 Great
I got this for christmas and so far i think that it is great. It has pocket word and excel. I also like the user interface.
11 Oh Baby Oh Baby
Look, I did hours and hours of research. I could write a publishable paper on the various features of PDAs so let me assure you if you're considering this product it is a pretty safe bet compared to it's peers. That also includes hours of reading consumer reviews. If you are looking for a product with Microsoft Office software, then this is the one you MUST buy. Dell has serious customer service issues and the Toshibas just didn't rank as high on quality and reliability. Spend the extra $$ and get the Ipaq. You will pat yourself on the back later.
What's great about this little gizmo is that you can download all of your Microsoft files in a heartbeat. It is a high quality computer. You can spend a little more and get higher meg and such but now you're just buying a whole new system aren't you? If you want a high quality PDA then this is the one you should buy. It has every feature imaginable (or obtainable) boasts of a high battery life and the graffiti feature is brilliant. If you've read something about a vulnerable screen, don't worry. Ipaq now boasts of a hinged case to protect the screen. This looks awesome and is awesome. So far, I have been really pleased.
12 Excelent Product!
this is my First PDA of any kind, and was overwhelmed when i received it for Christmas. First of all let me tell you that the wealth of programs included is prbably worth the iPAQ itself in retail value. Although some of the programs are trials, most of the programs are full versions. There is so much more to this PDA than a glorified organizer, it keeps track of your appointments, tasks, and can even download your e-mail from the USB/Serial cable. With the addition of a CF sleeve and a wireless modem you can be surfing the net! With programs like Internet Explorer, and MSN Messenger it was obviously meant to have contact with the internet. It also makes an excelent MP3 player, or even for MPEG's or even DVD's. if you plan on having any amount of MP3's getting some kind of SD card, i have a 64 meg one now and it holds 14 meg songs on it. Since i have recieved my iPAQ i have also found a mass of downloadable programs, (mostly freeware). If you decide to go with this you will not be dissapointed, from its great screen to ease of use this is a cant miss.
13 pretty good. some glitches.
I've used Palm Vx before. decided to try new color PDA.
very good hand writing recognition. nothing feels refereshing as writing a whole sentence and it gets every word perfect in it's place as if it was typed. I'm glad I didn't have to train myself with funky chracters as I did in palm.
however, there are some glitches and lot of room for future improvements.
audio drop out 1 out of 3 times when it's powered on from cradle. requires constant power cycle to bring audio back. not enough fine volume control on main audio.(btw: media player has more refined volume control in it). speaking of media player, I couldn't really run mp3 on the background and do my work. music would constantly break up. I didn't see that happening on caseo e740.
as someone already mentioned earlier, connector design on cradle is extremely flimsy. it doesn't slide in smoothly and I hear crunchy noise everytime it sits. it does worry me. make me wonder how long it will last.
there is 'explorer' that installs as bonus with 'startap' software in the cd. which I think is much better file handler than factory installed 'file explorer' and also it resembles much similar with the original file explorer.
I wish there is an option to close application without having to close it again from memory or the task menu.(I wonder whatever happen to that good old minimize/maximize buttons)
Via Voice was pretty cool to show off as it did recognize quite accurately. however, in practicality, who want to press button and talk to pda and wait? (hoping it understood it o.kay or get embarassing reply "please speak clearly") instead just tapping? very limited commands by the way. can't use it on word processors yet.
startap software converts interface similar to palm. however, if you want to add theme or change background to something decent, other than ugly interface that comes as standard, it requires you to pay xtra. adding icons and removing it from desktop isn't exactly simple as it is on desktop computers neither. some previous experience in managing file tree is mandatory if you want to arrange icons the way you exactly want it to appear. if you aren't techy person or don't have anyone who could help you with, perhaps palms is the way to go. if you are like to tweak things around, personalize apprerance and experiment with new softwares from internet download, this is a gadget that will keep you happy.
other things I would like to mention.
pocket pc internet explorer is very limited browser. First, my bank doesn't support it because of security issue. sometimes, only limited images show on the screen and it requires soft reset to straighthen the browser. I haven't got it to work to listen real audio or windows media stream audio yet. (have been trying very hard recently along with trying to get access from audible).
right and left move button is too stiff to play games(not as slick as pressing up or down).
activesync only syncronize with outlook. it does not support outlook express(my favorite simple emailer) setting up pop e-mail on pda was nice, wish it had an option to use single inbox for multiple pop account instead of having separate inbox, deleted messages, and etc for each account. I didn't like clicking send/receive' to check new email from each account. (it's pda after all, not a shared machine)
I'm still waiting for SD bluetooth card to come out for IPAQ, as it's already out for palm. it would be lovely add-on without having to carry extra sleeve.
14 Absolute Best PDA On The Market!
Where to begin......
This PDA has more options than a swiss army knife. I particularly enjoy the close operating system with windows, which are both very alike. You can easily place applications right into folders, just like windows!
The only bad comments that I can think of are, I can't find a place to download Pocket Access, all the software costs about [$$$] ( even for games like monopoly ), and it often locks up on me, probably my fault anyway.
Overall if you are looking for a pda and are having difficultly choosing and don't want to end up making a bad mistake, then quickly order the Compaq iPaq 3835, which by the way has a much better name than: Palm, Toshiba, or ViewSonic. Plus the unpararlled color display, wide screen, almost infinte program list, mp3 enabled, and ability to do whatever you want makes me rate this product a 5 ***** 5 star program!!!
15 Great PDA
This is an excellent, reliable PDA, with lots of features for use at home and at work. The more you use it the more new features you find. It is a good idea, however, to get a battery pack as the built-in battery runs down pretty quickly if you go on a trip and do not have a power cord. ...
16 my first pocket pc
I would have to say that this thing is great when it works the only problome I ever had with it is if you put the pocket pc on the cradle to charge it turn it on and turn it off take it out of the cradle ant it wouldnot turn back on untill I reset it.
17 Great Product, but wish it had CF slot.
After seriously considering the Toshiba e740, I decided on the iPAQ 3835 because of the iPAQS proven track record and for a larger choice of 3rd party add-ons. I have had it for a month and so far no problems!
I wish it had built-in 802.11b and CF slot, but I decided I would rather have a robust Pocket PC (as opposed to what I have seen in some of the e740 reviews).
I also recently purchased the Pocket CoPilot 3.0 Jacket Edition and am shocked at the abundance of functionality and preciseness of this technology. Incidentally, here is no Jacket Edition available for the Toshiba!
18 My First Pocket PC - This Thing is Awesome! IPAQ 3835
This is my first Pocket PC, and my first PDA for that matter. This thing is really awesome! I was worried about the synchronization function of this unit since the Consumer Reports stated that it was below average in this area. Boy were they wrong. The synch feature is the BEST feature of the unit! I use it everyday between work and home to synchronize every Outlook updated item, my favorite internet sites, as well as any other file I wish to synchronize. The Avantgo feature is really handy too, even if you do not have a bluetooth card (which I don't) installed. Every time I plug the unit into its cradle, it automatically synchronizes with my favorite websites in about 15 seconds, and I have a MINIMUM of a weekends worth of up-to-date reading information ranging from news, weather, sports, or whatever. I take this thing everywhere, and am amazed that I survived without one. I especially like the fact that I can load excel spreadsheet files in and out of this thing (even synchronize them!) without any sort of silly conversion. The handwriting feature is surprisingly very good, with number mode recognition being its strong suit. The ViaVoice feature is surprisingly accurate. I will admit, however, that I took the ViaVoice feature off since I don't really see a need at this point to have voice activated commands. Battery life is decent, with half backlight on it will generally last for 4 hours with only a 128MB SD card add-on. Finally (and this is perhaps its best feature), the 3835 is "instant on". No waiting to boot, this thing is instantly on when you hit the button. It is also "instantly off" without going through a shut down menu. It is everything a mobile computer should be without all the hassles and weight of a laptop. All in all, I love this little thing!
19 Fantastic
This is a great extension of my PC. I find myself creating documents with Pocket Word to download later on when I sync with my home PC. Ton of free tools on the CD, lot more on the web. I download a lot from AvantGo! and read them during the day. If you thinking of getting a new Palm check out the iPAQ. You get a lot more for the money and if you run an older version of Outlook the iPAQ upgrades it to Outlook 2002!
20 Great product
Have had it for a couple of weeks. Very happy. Works great and very easy to use. The 64 Meg of memory makes a real difference. Nice bright screen. Would recommend without hesitation.
21 Get this great bargain, a super IPAQ at a super price!
I have been a PDA user for over 10 years and the extra storage provided with a secure digital card makes it wonderful to store more than one can read on a desert island for a month! I had a B&W IPA 3135 and a color IPAQ 3635, all which were great but lacked sufficient memory. After installing of all of my programs and games, I still have lots of storage space. The brighter screen and all, as well as some features like IPAQ store (storing some essentials in ROM) make it a great little machine for those who want a lot of things at their fingertips.
22 FORMER PALM, NOW IPAQ USER
For the last 3 years, I used my Palm V and loved it. Eventually running out of memory, I decided to upgrade. At first I looked at the Palm m515, but I was introduced to the Pocket PC by a colleague. I immediately fell in love with the Compaq iPAQ. I ended up with the iPAQ 3835 as it had all the features I wanted for the right price. The display is unmatched by Palm for color and clarity. The windows based OS is very easy to navigate through. Although the battery needs charging more regular than my Palm, I have not found any inconvience with this. I highly recommend this product.
23 Good, but some frustrating moments in store for Palm users
I just bought three iPaq's for my company to replace a fleet of aging laptops (people only used them for Word anyway) and I am actually fairly impressed with the 3835. It is much more affordable than the 3900 series without giving up too many features.
The display is bright and easy to read and Pocket PC's have resisted the Palm urge to shrink the size of the screen. Battery life is above average from some of the other color units I've seen and unlike the Visor Prism, you get an AC adapter right off the bat. Like most of the current PDA's, the 3835 has a SD slot built in for extra storage. This comes in handy almost immediately, as the install CD contains a few megs of ebooks but you will need to buy a bulky sleeve to get a CF slot for expansion purposes. The expanision sleeves makes finding a good carrying case difficult. FYI, the Toshiba e740 comes with a SD and a CF slot built in for almost the same price, so you may want to look in that direction too.
Buying a portable keyboard for the 3800 series is a real pain. Apparently, Compaq changed the bottom connector from the 3700 series and the Targus stowaway keyboard (best one for any PDA) only works with the addition of an small adapter piece that is just begging to be lost. Compaq's own brand of keyboard and the iConcepts one are not nearly as comfortable to use, but do not require the adapter piece.
If you upgrading from a Palm, beware. There is no real easy way to get all of your data out of the Palm Desktop and into Outlook. Contacts move over okay if you are careful with Outlook's import function, but the calendar doesn't move easily at all. Also, if you have never used the Pocket PC OS before, be prepared for some things to be a little less accessible than they used to be.
24 I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
I just recently purchased a Compaq iPaq H3835 Pocket PC, and I must say that Compaq put a lot into this product. I enjoy the color screen, expansion slot, speaker, and most of all the operating system (Microsoft Pocket PC 2002). I would recommend this product to anyone who's looking for a good-looking, execellent priced, updateable and unspeakable handheld PC. If I had to choose which is the best, a Palm handheld or a Pocket PC, I would have to choose the Pocket PC!
The best thing about the Compaq iPaq H3835 Pocket PC is the battery. There's no need to buy another battery or a 4-Pack of batteries. The Lithium-Polymer rechargable battery is really convenience!
My best advice to people who are shopping around for a handheld is BUY, BUY, BUY! Just looking at it makes you want to own one! So, go out and buy a Compaq iPaq H3835 Pocket PC today!
25 Not a Palm Pilot killer yet...
I purchased the Ipaq 3835 December of 2001, and i had owned a Palm Vx already... I fully expected a large number of differences between the two, so far i've been disappointed. There are a few advantages to the Ipaq and to Windows CE over Palm; seamless syncing with Outlook, a portable internet explorer that beats Palm's, the fact that with a portable version of Microsoft Money, i can keep my checkbook on my Ipaq; but with those exceptions, i'm doing the same things i was doing on the Palm. The ipaq does have some limitations too, the battery goes fairly fast, especially with the 16 bit color display. Windows CE, like all it's relative OS's, is a memory hog and i find i have to reset my unit more than i ever had to with my Palm. And at the price, it's difficult to rationalize the Ipaq over the Palm. I've spent the last few months thinking about it, if my Ipaq ever died, i'd more than likely get a replacement Palm.
26 iPAQ ? the work-horse with options!
iPAQ is the one for those who want expansion options. No others come close. The options are extensive. They range from a cellular phone case, a GPS jacket, to all kinds of wireless solutions, and connectivity packs. The iPAQ's screen has to be the best lit, most brilliant and easily viewable of the entire pocket PC selection.
I didn't think that I would use the Cover Pack that comes with this model, but I was wrong. It is a literal "screen saver". There is even a relatively pricy Rugged Case available that is water and dust resistant. This one also comes with two stylus pens, a USB cradle, a power adapter and some manuals.
I was told by Compaq that there are no differences between this model, the iPAQ 3835, and the iPAQ 3850, other than the name. Both have the same specs.
This seemed to be the best 3800 series model to get if you don't need Bluetooth wireless. This device is a bit less than the 3870 and the only difference that I found was the 3870 has Bluetooth built in. Bluetooth was supposed to take off as a standard way for devices like printers and PDA's to communicate without cables, but I seldom ever see it. If I'm going to network anything wirelessly, I'll use the common infrared, or the 802.11 standard technologies.
Compaq, unfortunately, doesn't currently make a model that has 802.11 wireless technology built in. I suppose they want to keep the different option packs selling. The only Pocket PC that has 802.11 built in, that I'm aware of, is the Toshiba e740.
I like the cradles look, but I don't particularly like the way this iPAQ mounts the cradle. It needs a stronger guide or something.
To save a dime, I picked up a refurbished unit, and it had some random program crashes out of the box which was surprising. Compaq's handheld support was outstanding though, and I got a replacement with no problems.
Overall, I think that the iPAQ is the PDA that is most serious about integrating as many functions as possible, which is my idea of what these handhelds should be about - an all-in-one solution.
27 IPAQ & Geography
With a GPS attachment, you can integrate aerial photography, satellite imagery, maps and ArcView software. Capturing waypoints (and metadata) provides instant polygons and spatial analysis. This has direct application to all aspects of geography: real estate, farming, land planning, watersheds, hydrology - anything that is spatial and temporal. Using an IPAQ all observations are georeferenced and reproducible. IPAQs have high professional credibility and quality for K-12, university, engineering, resource management and other applications. What a great tool! What Apple's Newton started, Compaq's IPAQ makes it genuine and is a strong hint of better things to come.
28 Buy it and good luck!
Technical support is a complete failure.
29 IPaq 3835 - Pin Problems
I owned the IPAQ 3835 for about 4 months. One day when I put it in the cradle, it just totally stopped performing, black screen, couldn't access anything. I sent it back and am told that the pins are bent...The unit does not get hard use, I am the only user. I don't jam it into the cradle. These things have to be sturdy enough to go in and out of a cradle constantly. If the pins bend that easily, what's the point of paying to get it fixed? Got a total run around at HP/Compaq. Not a known problem etc. I have also had problems with the back light as has been mentioned by many others. This is not a prime time product. I feel as though I wasted hundreds of dollars. Think hard before buying this item.
30 Great Job, Compaq, but...
I've used the iPaq 3635, 3765, and now, the 3835. I am quite an iPaq loyalist, and I love their new outing with the product line.
The screen, for a obsessive compulsive like myself, allows for much greater color contrast, and minimizes on the grain when viewing digital images.
I also love their decision to stick with the same form factor as the previous models; it works with previous expansion sleeves, and it still reigns as the BEST handheld. This is the first handheld that I can just hold in my hand, and it feels awesome to hold.
I love their addition of the SD card slot on the top, but I feel somewhat cheated (here's where it lost a star). There are considerably smaller machines that offer the same as Compaq does with this device. I would have expected maybe an integrated CF slot? Integrated Wi-Fi? Although the more expensive model offers bluetooth, I'm sure alot more people would like to see a built in Wi-Fi chipset.
To end on a good note, I've found that the new battery they have used adds a significant amount of battery life. In fact, I have found that my iPaq charges faster, and discharges about 20%-25% slower. Great job, guys. I also like the new software they have built in, allowing for something like 14 different backlight settings, and a percentage viewer for remaining battery life.
I strongly reccomend the iPaq as your next purchase, but with the impending release of Xscale based systems, you might want to save your money for the new HP iPaqs.
31 A great tool
I received this PDA as a graduation present. It hasn't failed to amuse or organize my life. The only real complaint that I have is that sometimes things are slow when running multiple apps. Also, the sync feature isn't exactly flawless. These problems are inherent with anything this compact and powerful. All in all though, buy it, it won't disappoint. I carry my resume, emails, excel files, pictures, mp3's, etc and it works great once you learn to optimize certain programs for speed. The dashboard program is way too slow to be functional for my purposes. People can't hardly believe the capabilites of this little thing. It's faster than about 50% of the computers here at work.
32 Too unreliable !
Don't buy this unit ! or any other 3800 series iPAQ's for that matter, they all have the same problem with the backlight often not coming on. I was told by technical support at Compaq, that the engineers are working on the problem, it is common to all 3800 Series iPAQ's, and that they have not come up with a solution as of 5/20/02. As a temporary solution I was told to reset the unit twice whenever the backlight doesn't come on. Unfortunately sometime that doesn't even solve the problem. Imagine buying a new TV, and turning it on, and not knowing whether or not you were going to see a picture after turning it on ? ? ? This kind of engineering bug is just unacceptable. I'm sorry, but I can't understand how this product got on the market in the first place ! I've opted for a refund...
33 Typical Microsoft Operating System
I went from a Palm PDA (Palm OS) to a Compaq IPAQ 3835 because I think the color and features are superior than Palm, and they are in the 3835. HOWEVER, I really miss the Palm OS, it is the best around. Microsoft cannot get it right even in a Pocket PC. The first day I had the 3835 it locked up on me and I had to do a soft reset. Never happened with a Palm. Several soft resets later... Today I loaded Dashboard software from the disc that Compaq sends with the 3835 and everything went haywire. It was so locked up I had to do my first (and I am sure not last) HARD reset! I wish the US Government people would do away with Microsoft and Bill Gates. He belongs sweeping floors somewhere! Why doesn't Palm come out with an OS for computers?
34 Beats Palm by miles
The hardware and the OS combine to produce a very useful and feature rich product. I am also the proud owner of a Palm VX BUT the 3835 beats the ... out of Palm. The handwriting recognition options esp. the transcriber and it's awesome recognition of cursive are awesome (I used to have a kbd with my Palm and have no need for kbd with PocketPC because of this feature). The screen resoution, colors, look and feel are simply fantastic. I esp love the notes application as I can embed voice recordings with text.
Con: The bulky pcmcia adaptor and/or cf adaptor. But I have a simple workaround as I carry the Compex IRE201 wireless/ir access point. The combo is a winner and gets the uhs and aahs of everybody incl. Palm/Handpsring owners. Whatever the business practices of Microsoft and the business status of Compaq, this product is definitely a feather in their cap.
Worth the price!!
35 Not Ready for Prime Time
I recently purchased an IPAQ 3870 and have been very dissappointed by Compaq's inability to release a product that works as advertised.
One of the main reasons for buying this unit is because of the SD (Secure Digital) card expansion slot. I needed it to store data and to also take my MP3s on the road when I traveled. I called Compaq's Pre-Sales number and spoke to a representative. I told them what I needed this for and they assured me it would work as advertised.
After puchasing the unit and accesories (...), I immediately found problems with playing MP3's from the SD card. Part of the song would play, and it would then quit completely, or cycle through to the next song, only to exhibit the same problem. After speaking with a technical support rep. from the SD cards maker (Sandisk), they thought it could be a corrupted SD card. They sent me another one, only to find the problem still existed. After several emails to/from Compaq tech support, they told me it was a known issue and they are working on it, with no timeline given for a fix.
In my opinion, there is no excuse for releasing a product that has not been throughly tested to perform as advertised. Once again, the users have become the beta testers.
Now, because of the way it handles music files, I cannot and will not trust the SD expansion slot to store any critical data, for fear it will become corrupted. This is a serious flaw, and Compaq's "non-caring" attitude just worsens the case for purchasing a product like this.
I was testing this for my company and have recommended they either consider another product or wait until Compaq resolves these issues.
On the plus side, I will say as a basic PDA, it performs fine. It has a nice display, and thankfully, I did not get one with backlight problems, as some users have reported. The accessories work well, and it is nicely intergrated with Outlook. But these "bells and whistles" come at a premium price, and my old Handspring Visor functioned as a good PDA for this type of use (at only a fraction of the cost).
I am giving it only 2 stars because basically Compaq doesn't have their act together. The "pre-sales" answers are not reliable, because obviously, they are not communicating with their tech support staff and are unaware of problems. They are probably just reading information off the sales brochures.
For anyone considering purchasing a 3800 series, I would go to the Compaq support forum and look at the problems that other people have experienced and then wait for Compaq to resolve these issues.
36 iT MAKES THEM ALL JEALOUS
In my company the choose palm as the supported PDA. This Compaq IPAQ is turning heads. I have show the CIO and the president already. They all love the design and the functionality. It is also cool when I play home movies of my kid on it. This is the coolest toy I have gotten in a long time. I know leave the laptop at the job. I use a cable and my StarTac phone to connect to the company mail server and have also been able to run Term Server client (it is small but do-able). For a couple of extra bucks you get so much more than a palm....Just hide the receipt from your significant other.
Hope this helped
37 Great device could be better.
Pros: multiple uses beyond what I expected in a handheld. Very clear and bright screen.
cons: major problem with the backlight going out. This required 3-5 soft resets per event and about 3 events per day. This problem is discussed and really not adequately addressed by Compaq. This is annoying in a product costing over 600 US dollars after expansion etc.
38 I love the product--don't like compaq technical support
I love my new ipaq!!! I did a lot of research to make this decision and pricey purchase...I had a palm IIIxe and this is a big leap from that. I gave up palm because shortly after that purchase they discontinued the product with no warning or being able to purchase any accessories for it. I love the features of the 3835. I love the storage, memory, and the Microsoft Pocket PC 2000 software bundle. I love the ease of being able to sync with my computers at work and at home when it does sync. What I am not to keen on is Microsoft Active Sync v.3.5. Sometimes I am able to sync and sometimes I am not. This has happened at home and at work. Compaq technical support has basically called me the idiot and has not provided competent information or assistance. I work everyday in the technology field dealing with customers and their customer service [stinks]. If you can use this product and never have to deal with Compaq please consider it a blessing. I didn't care for having to download the manual for the Ipaq either. All in all if you get past those things it is a great product. A mini laptop. So I have to give the product a 5, but Compaq technical support a negative (-5).
39 THE BEST!
I READ ALL THE REVIEWS AVAILABLE AT THIS SITE FOR THIS PRODUCT PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. THERE WERE ACTUALLY A FEW NEGATIVE REVIEWS!
I KNEW TWO FELLOW WORKERS WHO OWNED THE EARLIER MODELS, AND THEY NEVER COMPLAINED AND WERE NOTED FOR BUYING TECH EQUIPMENT WHICH IS THE BEST OF THE BEST.\
THEY WERE RIGHT! THE 3835 IS A MARVEL AND EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. THE SOFTWARE IS UNBELIEVABLE. I WISH MY DESKTOP COULD PERFORM LIKE THIS AND I HAVE A DELL DIMENSION 8100 WITH THE M/E SOFTWARE.
40 Great Hardware, but watch the software!
This is my first PDA, so I was blown away by the multitude of programs available in this small space. But, after installing some of the programs included on the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD, my unit locked up! I had to perform a hard reset and re-install the optional programs. Since DASHBOARD was the last optional program I installed, I suspected it of the dirty deed. Fortunately, three days worth of data entry wasn't wasted, since I had syncronized data with my desktop PC.
The solution to this lock-up problem can be found on the Compaq iPAQ support WEB site. There is a new version of DASHBOARD available and a new ROM update from Microsoft for Pocket PC 2002. This is all as of March 24, 2002, by the way. The DASHBOARD update specifically mentions the lock up problem. So, I am again happy with my H3835.
Another "By the Way" - if you are trying to log into MSN with your H3835, the USERNAME must be preceded by MSN/. It took me a full day before I found this hint on the Microsoft Pocket PC site.
41 Wonderful Power-Packed PPC
I have used a Visor, a Cassiopeia, and a Jornada Handheld...and while each of those devices had its charm, I love my iPAQ and am not turning back.
Pros:
-Color depth makes for a much more readable screen.
-Can see the screen inside AND outside, I always had problems with this on the other devices
-Pocket PC 2002 while glitchy in a few places, is easier to use and much more intuitive than Windows CE. (For example, there is a sound control available at all times. You don't have to dig into settings to turn the sound up or down quickly.)
-Sound is much sharper and can get louder than the Cassiopeia (a big issue for me since I listen to audio books through Audible.com)
-Sleek design and sensible button placement.
-Themes are easily modifiable. I love being able to use a picture from a favorite trip, or of my husband, as my background. Seems minor, and it is...but I like it.
-Lots of memory! Great for those of us who download books and MP3s. (Legal MP3s made from my own CDs, of course.)
-iTask makes it easy to close one or all of the running tasks.
A few cons:
-Stylus got stuck inside the device, but purchasing an inexpensive zipper cover with a stylus holder took care of this.
-Freezes every now and again. I'm assuming that future releases of the Pocket PC will deal with this issue.
-I miss the modifiable launcher. I like to be able to categorize my programs and access them more easily.
In short, it's a great little device. I'll be honest, the name "Compaq" doesn't exactly inspire me to fauning, but in this case it is earned. (I had a Compaq laptop that I returned after a week because they put so much garbage on it, and the DVD player froze on any DVD with a menu.) The iPAQ really shows some quality craftsmanship and I would recommend it to anyone.
42 GREAT POCKET PC
I have owned a palm and then a handspring and by far the IPAQ is far greater. Of course it is almost like having your computer with you all the time. Far more than an organizer. I hardly use my laptop anymore. THe Via Voice program it comes with is really cool. It comes with a lot of really nice software. I highly recommend the Ipaq.
43 Greatest PDA ever made! PERIOD!!
Please don't listen to other reviewers who criticize this compaq iPaq 3835! They either work for a competitor, or just don't know what the hell they are doing. Yes, you may have to know a little about computer connectivity when first setting up this product but it's nothing that someone can't figure out. Buy this and you will have a world of information at hand!
44 Worth the money!
*Completely compatible and pre-loaded with Outlook, Excel, Word, and Windows explorer.
*Plays MP3's
*Has a built in disc slot
*Tons of memory
*beautiful screen
*Fantastic case
*What else you do want?
*It's Perfect!
45 Best PDA Avaliable
I have had this for almost two months now and i can say that this is the best PDA out there. I have had a palm III, a casio e-100, e-125 and now this and this one blows the others away. Pocket PC 2002 is the best operating system out there. everything is fast and works properly. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a Pocket PC who has the money, its worth every penny.
46 Ipaq and never look back
Make no mistake, this is no data organizer. My Ipaq is my third computer. I synch with my work and home computers, load, show and distribute PowerPoint presentations, create and edit Word, Excel AND MS Access files (where the bulk of my work is.) With the right software (and there are many out there, a lot even free!) and a little trial and error for the right fit, all this is pretty seemless and doesn't require any real "converting" back and forth to something else to make it all work, like the Palm OS. I also pop the Compact Flash cards right out of my digital camera into my Ipaq, do a little editing if needed and show off the photos in nice slide shows. Using a Socket Phone Card, I plug right into my Audiovox digital web enabled phone and surf the web (any web site - not clips) and get my email on Outlook anywhere I want. For long car trips, we watch full length videos (To Kill a Mockingbird and others are included in the extras CD from Microsoft). Note: The additional hotsynch cable, CF Expansion Sleeve, a few extra CF Cards (big ones for video and images, etc., storeage) Socket Phone Card and Car Charger ARE MUST HAVES. Oh yes, I can also organize contacts and calendar items like a Palm.
47 Five stars for Microsoft 2 for Compaq
Software from Compaq is confusing, don't try their website it's worst. The hardware is good and Microsoft software is a charm. Let's hope some serious company (Dell) will get into the handheld business.
48 Exceptional
I had carried a Palm OS device (most recently the Palm m505) for about 2 years and I finally decided I wanted the extra capabilities of Pocket PC. I really couldn't be happier.
The display is beautiful and the controls are simple. The software bundle is tremendous in size, scope, and usefulness. Everything from Dashboard and Startap for productivity to a Sega Gamegear emulator when you need a game fix.
The datebook betters the Palm's with two simple additions: a location field and a field for marking your time Free, Tentative, Busy or Out Of the Office. These features make the calendar much more functional than Palms add to that the ability to add multiple catergories to contacts and calendars and you have much a much freindlier device that carries more full information.
To secure your vital information, the IPAQ can store your calendar and contacts in it's flash memory, so that it remains even after a hard reset.
Pocket word and Excel are much better than any programs I have found for the Palm. The biggest improvement over the palm is the spell checker.
The device taks a little more getting used to than the Palm, none of the data entry systems are as easy as Grafitti for the Palm, but I expect to get a keyboard for this as soon as one is available, which is expected to be soon.
Reading eBooks on this is an absolute joy. I enjoyed them before, but this is simply much nicer.
I chose this over other Pocket PC's for mostly aestethic reasons and the software bundle. I do not generally use too much in way of expansion except for storage and I am more than content with the SD slot for that. If I needed a flash slot I might be inclined to think HP, but I did not like the feel of the jornada as much as this.
49 Pricey, but...
After having been a dedicated palm user for the last 5 years it finally became time for me to get a new PDA. After shopping around a fair amount I finally decided on the iPaq 3835.
I've had it for just over a month now and I have to say I'm quite impressed. Not only is the software far better than the standard Palm applications, the speed and memory storage simply blow away the last Palm I owned (a Palm V.)
More significant than the better applications on the iPaq is its user input capabilities. Not only does the iPaq support a keyboard and a Palm-style graffiti interface, it also supports true handwriting input (script or block letters). Plus seeing the input drawn on the screen (rather than on an 'input area' off screen like the Palm uses) makes it that much easier. Add in the 'auto word completion' feature of the iPaq and input becomes a breeze.
The downside? These features come at a price. Both literally, as the unit is roughly twice as expensive as a Palm, and in terms of the unit's size. It's roughly twice as heavy & thick as a Palm.
Still, after weighing (no pun intended) the benefits of each I chose the iPaq and I'm far happier with it than I ever was with my palm.
50 Pleasing all the way
After agonizing for over two months (mainly over the price), I finally bought the new iPaq. In fact, the reason I finally bought it is I walked into the local CompUSA and checked it out alongside the HP offering, and even though the Jornada was smaller, the 3835 was definitely more stylish -- and the screen was the real beauty that helped me make up my mind.
I owned a Casio EM-500 before, and the new iPaq is a giant leap forward in terms of screen quality, processing speed (my, everything now opens instantly, and playing WMA files no longer slows down other activities), as well as styling. The new Pocket PC OS is more stable and speedier, and I like the XP-like interface. Otherwise, it's familiar to this Pocket PC old hand.
In short, the iPaq lives up to its reputation as being a cool and powerful PDA. Anyone interested in a Pocket PC should give this unit a serious look.
51 Don't leave home without it.
I use to be the only person in the house able to program the VCR, but find I'm about the only one who cannot anymore...kinda left behind by technology. I was a little scared to dole out the big bucks for this technology if fear that I just wouldn't "get-it". However, what I've found is that if you can run windows, you already know most of what you need to know. All I can say after having it 2 weeks is that I won't leave home without it. I especially like the way you can write sentences in handwriting and it converts it into typed text. Like another reviewer, seems hard to get accessories for it, but sure that will get better soon.
52 5 stars but....
This was my first Pocket device. People recommended that I get an upscale organiser, but I opted for a pocket pc.
I have never looked back since. It saves me so much time (especially the transcriber-I prefer to transcribes letters etc on this then sync it to my PC) and it goes with me wherever I go. I must say for a Project Manager the uses of Word,Excel, Outlook the organiser etc are invaluable being on the go all the time. It has not completely replaced the laptop but i'm sure it will rival it once its memory can be increased significantly.
The media player rocks (but as with all systems- mp3's and large files...slows it up).
It would have gotten a 5 star recommendation if it did not have these downs
- Not enough documentation
- It freezes and requires resetting at times
A must buy for professionals on the go.
53 Very mixed bag
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.
Summary
Good product if it works. If you get a problem unit, the inconvenience of Compaq's support will make the whole experience negative.
54 Bye Bye Palm
My wife gave this to me as a xmas gift, god bless her soul. I was a die hard Palm user for many years, thought there was no better. Ever since getting my hands on the IPAQ 3835, I now see how in the dark ages I have been. It looks great and has all the features one needs to be productive between home and work. Yeah the new Palm 505 is nice, but when you crack the hood, you see thats it's reallly the same ole Palm with a few nice add-ons. The display on the 3835 is truly superior to others on the market, I like the fact that anyone to your left or right can't see what's on your screen. There are those that argue that the battery life is bad, let me tell you, I just got back from a business trip in Europe, didn't have any euro plugs so had no means to charge my IPAQ, wasn't a factor, no I wasn't playing games, I'll leave that to the GameCube, but it lasted a full day and a half without a hickup. Once I purchase a SD card, I'll have a mini laptop in my pocket. I could go on talking about how great the IPAQ 3835 is, but I have a better idea, go get your own and see for yourself what a great product this is. Lastly, you may say I missed out on bluetooth by not waiting for latest IPAQ, not so, I can purchase the bluetooth sleeve, enough said.
55 unreliable
you know what, ive used pocket pc when it first came out, i thought there was absolutely nothing wrong with it, but over the time the memory expanded and it became so slow and sluggish. i was wrong to think that microsoft os and compaq had actually sone something decent in the field of computers and electronics. i just hace to say that i was very dissappointed with the new pocket pc and am returning mine, i have had much better luck with sony and its HARDWARE. it is slow and becuase it is so slow you cant even tell the difference between crashing and processinge, im through with them. sorry, but i dont want it.
56 WARNING...IPAQ's screen CANNOT display MS Reader properly!
I bought and loved this IPAQ until I tried to run MS Reader and found that the words are all fuzzy and they have an annoying rainbow-colored pixel-bleed. MS Reader uses "ClearType" technology, but on the IPAQ it's anything but clear! I compared it to the Jornada 568, which displays ClearType beautifully and crisply. Upon looking around on the web and Usenet, I found out that the IPAQ's screen is oriented in the wrong direction to display ClearType properly. It was so bad that I had to return it and eat the retailer's restocking fee. I subsequently bought a Jornada 568, and I have been very happy with it ever since!
Aside from that, the IPAQ is not properly balanced to use as a hand-held reader...it is too top-heavy. The Jornada is lighter and much more comfortable to hold for extended period of time.
Now, I must say that I found the IPAQ to be a superior device in every other way---it feels great in your hand, the display is beautiful and bright when displaying anything other than MS reader, the audio is awesome. So if you don't plan on reading ebooks, then go with the IPAQ. But if you like MS Reader, go with the Jornada 565 or 568.
57 The Ipaq 3835 finally lured me away from Palm
I was a Palm user ever since the original Palm Pilot about 5 years ago. I never thought that anything could pry me from my beloved Palm Vx...until this latest generation of Compaq Ipaqs. Now, I'll never go back!
I have over 1,000 contacts in MS Outlook, plus loads of appointments and tasks and everything converted seamlessly to the Ipaq. (But make a backup just in case as it is not wise to tempt fate.)
I am thrilled that I finally have true MS Office integration with my PDA - including automatic synchronizing of files. Of course the Pocket PC is not all work and no play: I read ebooks on it, play mpeg videos, and listen to music and audio books. It can even read my email to me while I am driving!
Compaq bundles a LOT of software with the Ipaq 3835 (the only difference between the 3835 and the 3850 is that the 3835 comes with Peacemaker which allows you to beam via infrared to other PDAs including those using the Palm OS). However, the Compaq version of Dashboard totally crashed my Ipaq and I had to do a hard reset (yes, I do believe in backing up!). A corrected version of Dashboard is now available, but I've decided I don't really need it. BTW, the installation disk comes with a full version of MS Outlook 2002 as it is strongly suggested that you should have the upgrade installed on the PC you syn your Pocket PC to.
If you aren't certain about which Pocket PC to get, just keep in mind that the Ipaq's StrongARM processer is considered the standard - most software is written for it. I've seen lots of software that works ONLY with the Ipaq...
58 Smoking Cigar Box
My wife calls the Compaq iPaq 3835 Pocke PC, 'a cigar box.' Compared to the sleek and thin Palm V that I used for a couple years, she has a point. However, if you can live with a larger PDA, that still fits in a pocket, the iPaq 3835 spokes Palm.
The fire inside this solution is its MS CE Software. Not only does in sync with my office software, (it continuously syncs in the cradle), but it really enables me to work on the road. Unlike my Palm, I can read Word and Excel attachments to emails. I can reply with one of three different writing packages that easily understand block scribles. There is always the mini-keyboard.
The display is bigger, backlit and easy to read. Color helps, especially with graphs. Navigating through the many programs is simple and logical. The power options are efficient.
Finally, it has the capability to be a digital book so you can download the latest best seller. It is also a MP3 player. So, you have to make one compromise on size - but it is well worth it to gain some very productive benefits. Sure, it's a cigar box - one that smokes its competitors.
59 Save yourself the trouble!!
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.
60 Love/Hate relationship
I think a lot of the good press this device has gotten is based on comparison with Palm devices. The iPaq does have a superior display and a much wider, more useful selection of software to choose from. However, the unit that I have locks up often and requires me to do a soft reset. What a pain. I've also had a lot of trouble with programs not working when the memory card is inserted. Don't get me wrong, I would not trade my iPaq for a Palm, but I wish my pocket PC wasn't as fussy as my desktop PC. I'll give it 5 stars when it works right, every time I turn it on.
61 ERASED ALL MY MICROSOFT OUTLOOK CONTACTS
The Compaq Ipaq comes with a CD that contains Outlook 2002 and Active Sync 3.5. When I tried to upgrade the program on my desktop,it erased all my contacts and said it couldn't find the .dll file. So now I'm stuck with an IPAQ with not contacts to store in it - - what's the point of that? Compaq tech support directed me to Microsoft; Microsoft directed me to Compaq.
62 Faulty product
I bought the product, exchanged it a couple times, and finally returned it. This model has a problem with the sound card or something (The alarm ends with a breaking noise)
Since I love the IPAQ, I think I will wait for the 3870.
63 Easy to use
I bought this item for my husband for Christmas. He is not a 'techie' at all and as a matter of fact a few days before xmas he told me he hoped I didn't get him a Palm Pilot! Well, now that he has it he loves it!! He can't believe how easy it is to use and can't believe how good the letter recognition of his handwriting is! We would highly recommend this product! Matter of fact I now want one for my job!
64 There is none better
GREAT battery life, lots of storage space (between the 64 MB of storage/memory and the Ipaq file storage of 6 MB) and an included slot for a SD Card (which will be the first thing I get for it). Cradle is awesome, syncs perfectly with everything in my outlook. THE BEST PDA on the market. LOVE IT!!!
65 Superb Device
The iPAQ 3835 is one of the best investments I've made in a while. I was constantly forgetting about meetings and appointments, and had resorted to using MSN to keep track. While MSN is a good PIM, it just isn't fully featured enough for me.
The iPAQ is not just a PIM (personal info manager) though, it can play MP3s, let you compose Word documents, take voice commands, write e-mails, and much much more. The Pocket 2002 OS is awesome as well. Looks a bit like a mix of Windows XP and Windows 3.1 (for the good, I promise).
I've been downloading a lot of games from places like handango.com and pocketgear.com. The 206mhz processor and ample RAM makes multimedia apps run darn smooth.
If you're a developer type, Microsoft has eMbedded Tools out for download over at pocketpc.com I've been tinkering with eMbedded VB. While not too powerful of a language (its more akin to VBScript), its highly simplistic.
To sum it up - get one! Get one now.
66 The best product in the PDA category
Just go and get it ! it's the very best product , and I have try all the Palm 505 the Sony clie ,Psion ,Hp Jornada everyone believe me these is the best product in the category, you can also add the expansion pack and have up to 5gb of memory with the toshiba microdrive so you can have up to 5 movies and the battery last up to 11hrs working with the screen bright and with these thing you can access the web like a real pc with no limits of avantgo , just sell your actual pda and do yourself a favor and get one!
67 Simply... the best
I've been using it for a while now, it's realy very easy to use! as long as you know what windows is, your an expert in using it!
many many options, many many programes you can download from the net! you have your voice recorder, a pad that can read your own hand writing! even as words! not letters like other handhelds do! should i start talking about the memory?? it's a dream come true and hey! who needs a laptop anymore? i've got my compaq and i believe it will stay at the top for a long long time!
68 Ipaq 3835
I just traded my palm Vx, and bought the new Ipaq. I love the windows o/s. I have been very impressed with the color screen, and the sound produced from the speaker. I am a bit disappointed in the availability of accesories for this item. I have bought and returned numerous sync cables because they do not fit the new 3835. Don't trust the pimple faced kid at the electronics store. They don't have a clue.
69 Excellent Unit all around
After returning the disapointing Jornada 568, I decided to stick with the iPAQ line after owning the 3630 since October 2000. I'm so glad I made that choice. The screen is brilliant (Could use some contrast controls especially in viewing pictures, but I'm sure that will be worked on) and extremely clear and DUSTLESS. The Jornada was heavily polluted with dust particles and was plagued with an uneven backlight. The iPAQ light is uniformly lit all around. The sound quality is crisp and clear and has replaced my RioVolt SP250 as my music device. The bass controls work well. Games are fun to play on the unit, and the unit comes with a hefty 64MB of RAM. Overall, I would definately go with this device, Compaq has thought of everything this time, up to the improved included carrying case (which is an awesome cover pack this time around.)
70 Excellent product!! but beware a certain glitch
This is the first handheld device I buy and I must admit that every day I turn it on, it overwhelms me more and more. There's just so much built into it that you just can't get enough. And it may become a cliche someday soon, but let me tell you this iPAQ rocks! I've tried other handhelds such as the Cassiopeia 125 and others, and none compare to this baby here. One thing though! I have to warn everyone that I received it and installed some of the software that came with the cd and for some unknowon reason it froze and I couldn't hard reset it so I had to send it for repair. Luckily, they picked it up an hour after I called and got it back 5 days after sent. The handheld appeared to be OK when I received it back but as I installed an encryption software which came in the Compaq CD and connected the iPAQ to the CF Expansion, the same error that popped when it first crashed appeared. Apparently, some software cannot run properly when the Expansion slot is on. Whenever anyone gets any sort of message which says 'cannot find directory for XX program', if you press OK and the message keeps popping up, open the iTASK and Close the program from there. I had to uninstall the encryption software because I do not want this handheld to crash. I did not give it 4 stars because the system is new and it might be the software is a bit older than the Operating System, hence, it really deserves the 5 stars. Good job Compaq!
71 Compaq iPaq 3835 Thumbs Up all around
Purchased the Compaq iPaq about 3 weeks ago and all I can say is WOW! I used the newer HP Jornada for about a week and there is no comparison. The screen on the Compaq 3835 is by far more brighter and exact. I am able to move around through the software more easily on the Compaq too. I find Word and Excel a plus. My favorite feature is being able to sync my Compaq in the morning and have news and other items downloaded in less than a minute. The battery life on this unit is more than sufficient. Complaints? None, zero, nada!!! Well worth the money.
72 What Pocket PC is all about
I have purchased handheld computers since the early days of the HP95lx. I have owned every handheld since and I want to tell you that my 3835 is what Pocket PC is all about. I think my management team will be real disapointed when I hold onto this one. On second thought I will buy six more. Compaq is the one to look at, iPaq is the one to buy!
73 Good Product, but be careful if upgrading from Previous iPAQ
I have been using an iPAQ 3635 (32MB RAM/ 16MB ROM) for almost a year and just upgraded to the new 3835 model a few days ago (my old 3635 developed a defect and I was given full credit towards a replacement).
While the 3835 is basically a good evolutionary upgrade from the 3635, there is at least one "gotcha" that Compaq does not go out of their way to point out: Compaq changed the Power/Data interface from once model to the other. On the 31xx, 36xx and new 37xx iPAQ models, the power interface and the data interface are separate. On the 38xx series, Compaq chose to combine the two interfaces into a single, slightly larger (and thus incompatible), combined power/data interface. This means that you won't be able to use some accessories you purchased for your older model with the new 38xx series, such as that the:
- Targus Stowaway foldable keyboard
- the 31xx, 36xx and 37xx "Universal" or Serial Sync cradles
- the 31xx, 36xx and 37xx sync cables.
You can use the your old AC Adapter and your car / airplace power cables if you have the interface converter adapter.
If you have a big investment in these power- and/or sync-related accessories, give some consideration to purchasing a 37xx model rather than a 38xx servies model.
There are some differences between the 38xx and 36xx (and new 37xx) series, but I have not used my 3835 long enough to notice a huge difference in performance. The 38xx has
- Double the RAM and ROM of the 36xx (this is good if you were finding 32MB RAM to be too confining)
- An integrated SD slot for 64/128MB memory cards without having to use a CF Card expansion pack (a truely useful new feature)
- Pocket PC 2002 vs Pocket PC original (some additional, applications, functionality and ease-of-use)
- a 64K color screen vs. a 4096 color screen (the difference not so obvious so far)
- 1400mAh battery versus a 950mAh battery (but the rated battery life remains 10 hours)
- A different task manager (which at first blush appears a bit less easy to use .. but that's probably just me)
- Some additional software bundled by Compaq, including IBM ViaVoice (voice commands) and iPresenter PowerPoint (for converting and displaying PowerPoint presentations - quite useful for me).
There other differences, but it's best to go to Compaq's website and print out the QuickSpecs to see for yourself.
All-in-all, I'm not sure if upgrading from a 36xx to a 38xx is really worth it if you have to pay full for a new 38xx; but if you only have to pay the price delta between the two, and you don't mind not being able to use (for now) productivity-increasing accessories such as the Targus Stowaway foldable keyboard, it was certainly worth to me.
74 Compaq has really improved their iPAQ!
I recently upgraded from my old H3635 iPAQ to the new H3835 and let me tell you it's WELL worth the cash! Compaq has completely redesigned and improved an already awesome Pocket PC. Now with 65K colors as opposed to 4K, the color depth can really be seen in jpegs, and games and even the new 3D icons. By moving the speaker to the top of the unit, the new PCS/Cell phone sleeves/software allow you to convert your iPAQ to a phone! The stylus problem has been corrected, as has the multiple button press issue! (Great news for gamers) Buttons are now etched with graphics instead of the older "flake-off" paint! Microsofts new 2002 O/S is wonderful, complete with Voice Commands. [You'll need the extra standard memory (64MB RAM, 32K ROM) for the new O/S. If you try to upgrade your older iPAQ unit, you'll lose several components since the new Windows Pocket PC2002 O/S will spill over the 16K ROM on the older units and use precious RAM space too!] The additional SD slot in the top of the unit is also well welcomed! If I have to find a single negative thing, I would say I am disappointed that older cradles from the 3600 series will not work with the new 3800's. The AC power port is gone from the new model, as is the dreaded On/Off switch, so unfortunately, this means that if you've bought an extra cradle and you're upgrading, you'll need to buy another again. Good news though, the newer ones are both Serial & USB! All sleeves and expansion packs you've bought ARE compatable! Get one on Amazon.com today, you'll be glad you did!
75 Time to Switch from Palm
I gave it four stars only because I dislike putting up with Windows' quirkiness and memory hogging. Otherwise, the new iPAQ 3835 is terrific. I decided to switch from the Palm Vx to the iPAQ 3835 after reading about the advantages of Pocket PC 2002 and seeing the larger screen of the iPAQ. I've been getting to know the iPAQ for only about a week and half, but I'm very impressed. All the standard PDA features - calendaring, contacts, and tasks - work well. Occasionally, it starts running noticeably slower than any Palm, but reclosing applications and fiddling with memory allocation fixes that (ain't Windows grand). The ability to pull up Word and Excel files is a great plus. The promise of being able to import PowerPoint presentations (just haven't gotten around to trying this yet) offers intriguing possibilities. And the ease of syncing with Outlook's e-mail and control over subdirectories is much better. And, frankly, I'm finding the bigger clearer brighter screen even more important than I thought I would. My advice - if you're thinking of switching, do it.
76 Excellent new Design and Pocket PC 2002 is superb
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.
77 Compaq Ipaq 3835
Ipaq 3835 is perfect!Beatiful!Everyone who has it is lucky!
