300Mhz or 400Mhz???

[larrysw]

I want to pick up the Axim now because of the Free Overnight Deal on top of the already great price.

Should I get the 400 Mhz model, or is it just a waste of money? Will I see any improvement in any area over the 300Mhz model?

Thanks...

[imported_welwyngc]

The 400mh has more RAM, 64mb versus 32mb PLUS a much larger unused (but available) ROM (built-in-storage) area.

[gordy]

more ram, rom, comes with cradle and faster processor for a few bones more.

nuff said

Regards

gordy

[WhiteFur]

There's also been speculation on various boards that the next release of the OS may require the higher amount of ROM, thus possibly making the 400 a safer choice for future upgrades.

(please note the "speculation" and "possibly"... nothing is certain.)

[Tintin]

I don't buy into the ROM issue. The 1910 has 16MB ROM. Sure, the high end units have 48MB, which undoubtedly speaks to future versions of the OS, but people are still running PocketPC 2002 on 16MB ROM iPAQ 3650's.

It all comes down to installed apps in ROM vs RAM. PocketPC is just like Windows - a core installation set with optional add-ons (like Media Player).

I love my 300mhz and would much sooner spend the extra $100 on memory cards etc. I feel the USB cable is a must-have - I sync with a laptop. I don't think the extra 100mhz will ever really be significant (at least within the typical lifetime of a PDA).

My $0.02502193 worth.

[gordy]

I am running Pocket PC in my 3650 and it runns faster and smoother than Pocket PC 2000.

Well worth the upgrade.

Regards

gordy

[Yuta]

I went for an 300Mhz unit and a 256MB CF. They sum up less than $300 and you get way more memory. I just won't pay 50% more for less memory and Mhz I can't use anyway.
It's known that Xscale processors can't take real advantage of it's speed because of it's crappy 100MHz data bus. That's why 400 vs. 300Mhz on real life don't have big differences, (except at showing video).
More on this... http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5432&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

(no flames, please):D

[imported_Covert]

Well I went for the 400 MHz version. While it might not be very much faster than the 300 MHz version, it is faster nonetheless, and the added internal memory is more useful (for running program) than having a storage card. I figured that 100 MHz, 32 MB RAM, and 16 MB ROM were worth the extra $100. But that's just my opinion, of course.

[larrysw]

Good stuff, keep these opinions coming please.

I am leaning towards the 400Mhz model right now...

[Crispeto]

I opted for the 300. I love it so far. Fast, plays my divx videos fine. I'll use the other $100 for something else.

[eminefes]

I also bought a 300Mhz Axim and I love it. As far as I know the performance difference between 300Mhz and 400Mhz isn't much.

[12Paq]

Originally posted by Tintin
I don't buy into the ROM issue. The 1910 has 16MB ROM. Sure, the high end units have 48MB, which undoubtedly speaks to future versions of the OS, but people are still running PocketPC 2002 on 16MB ROM iPAQ 3650's.

It all comes down to installed apps in ROM vs RAM. PocketPC is just like Windows - a core installation set with optional add-ons (like Media Player).


For me the ROM issue is important, it all depends on what you need. The full version of PocketPC 2002 contains things I prefer. The HP 1910 does not have the full version OS.

I also like the extra space for future flash updates. I feel I was burned with lack of ROM space on the Ipaq 3630. I was never able to get a complete update flashed to ROM even though I was one of the few with a 32meg chip installed because of the lack of 16meg chips at the time my handheld was made. I had the space and Compaq would not give us the full flash update because most Ipaqs had 16megs.

Either way, in the remote chance that a major update comes along soon, I?ll be ready. The question is how long will I have the Axim before I can update?

Judgment call for sure.

[ROT]

Hey! Don't forget you will also get a cradle with the 400.

[leighj]

I went w/ the 400MHz model. I chose it primarily for the extra 32MB of RAM.

I noticed there were occasions on my Maestro that I would run low on RAM because of some of the software I was running (like PocketSlides/Westtek's Clearvue and Cadenza). I try to offload most non-critical apps to my SD card leaving about 22MB total RAM but sometimes that's not enough.

I'm looking forward to getting an extra 32MB RAM - particularly if the SD card interface is as slow as reported.

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by ROT
Hey! Don't forget you will also get a cradle with the 400. Only if you pay the $20 extra for it (you can get the 400 without the cradle).

[larrysw]

Originally posted by Covert
Only if you pay the $20 extra for it (you can get the 400 without the cradle).

Cradle is standard with the 400Mhz version @ Dell. It's an add-on only for 300MHz...

[leighj]

Originally posted by larrysw


Cradle is standard with the 400Mhz version @ Dell. It's an add-on only for 300MHz...

Actually Covert is right you can choose to have the sync cable for the 400 instead of the cradle - that's what I chose.

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by leighj


Actually Covert is right you can choose to have the sync cable for the 400 instead of the cradle - that's what I chose.
Right - I was going to get my 400 MHz Axim without the cradle (to save $20), but decided to go all out and get the cradle too. ;)

[larrysw]

Originally posted by Covert

Right - I was going to get my 400 MHz Axim without the cradle (to save $20), but decided to go all out and get the cradle too. ;)

Alrighty, I apologize. I didn't know that...

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by larrysw


Alrighty, I apologize. I didn't know that...
No problem - and it's something to consider, that the 400 MHz version is really only $80 more than the 300 MHz version.

[yuryg]

Actually the RAM is no big deal you can get SD or CF cards real cheap now ($40-$60) for 128 mb so that is not an issue.

What is at an issue is the ROM!

Why? Well, because the future release of the PPC operating system goes in there. With the extra ROM the future upgrade (coming shortly actually) will go in there. If you do not have room you will have to stick sertain parts in to your RAM (which is volitile). You do not want parts of your OS erased if you loose both batteries.

[leighj]

Originally posted by yuryg
Actually the RAM is no big deal you can get SD or CF cards real cheap now ($40-$60) for 128 mb so that is not an issue.



For me the RAM is a huge deal. I use my PPC to make presentations (I usually have to give 4 or 5 a week) or have my wifi card in the CF slot most of the time so a CF memory card wouldn't be v. useful to me. The SD memory card is a little slow particularly when I have some PowerPoint presentations that are over 5-10MB long.

You're right about the ROM increase being a good thing.

I just received my order of 1 400MHz and 2 300MHz today. So far v. impressed with the units - my Maestro's days are numbered and my Toshiba E330 may be relegated to an e-book reader.

The Dells are almost as good for gaming as the Maestro - I liked the latter's d-pad.

I just played PocketGear, PocketAtari and Gnuboy and was impressed with the speed of both 300 & 400MHz units. Just a fraction slower than my Maestro but noticeably faster than the E330.

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by leighj
I just played PocketGear, PocketAtari and Gnuboy and was impressed with the speed of both 300 & 400MHz units. Just a fraction slower than my Maestro but noticeably faster than the E330.
So even the 300 MHz Axim was faster than the Toshiba e330 which has, if I'm not mistaken, a 300 MHz XScale processor as well?

[leighj]

Covert,
I don't have any hard numbers but for the emulators I've tried so far the 300MHz Axim outperforms the E330. The games appear to run smoother with the former and the d-pad is much better - no lag that the E330 (and E740) is infamous for.

The Maestro is still the better game machine imho.

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by leighj
The Maestro is still the better game machine imho.
Why's that? Because of speed? I find the buttons on the Axim to be as good as on the Maestro, and my 400 MHz Axim is plenty fast (I can play MorphGear while listening to WMP and there's no lag - there was on my Maestro).

[kukrisna]

which processor is better for or is there no difference for:


1) watching full-length divx movies

2) playing full screen 3D games (including the playstation emulator - FPSE for PPC)

3) Wi-Fi

[imported_heov]

I too wouldn't be worried about ROM space and the next OS upgrade...

The first gen Pocket PCs had 16MB, and the OS took 16MB. The new OS took 22MB, but they were able to skimp on a few things to get it down ot 16MB.

Don't expect PPC 2k4 (or whatever) to be able to install on a 16MB ROM device... I highly doubt they will trim it down that much...

The Current PPCs have 32MB of ROM, 6-8MB is free for a future OS upgrade- one where they don't ahve to skimp on some programs.

48MB is a lot- proably enough for MS fourth generation OS (PPC 2k6 maybe)- but the problem is, the device probably won't be supported then and will be with outdated hardware...

It seems that OEMs are including 48MB of ROM just to increase the usable ROM space and not worrying about OS upgrades...

Just my opinion though...

[yuryg]

Now would't it also be wonderful if someone comes out with some software that lets you install some software to ROM?

I mean 48 mb (ok lets say 30 for safety), is hard to waste for now :)

Would love to install permenant apps to it that I always have installed.