Roundup of Seven Upcoming iPAQ Pocket PCs

[Ed Hardy]

Word has leaked out of HP on all the new iPAQ models expected later this year. These range from the first VGA iPAQ to low-cost consumer models.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ro...iPAQs?site=PPC

[fredster]

The Dell X30 line will eat HP's lunch if the prices indicated in this article are correct....looks like they may have to reduce prices by about $150 on the whole line and introduce new processors quickly or risk losing major market share

[NewtonDKC]

Yeah, I'm not sure what it is but does HP's new efforts seem somehow...dull? And yeah, I know these are just rumors but given this past year's line up which was stellar, these new ones just seem to be uninspired. Maybe it's the lack of dimensions...if these babies manage to be the size of the 4150 - with all these new features - then they could certainly be show stoppers. One would hope that the advances in technology (multi functions on a single chip, parts miniturization, etc) means that they can make a 4150 with a camera in it, and 128MB of ram would be nice (well, except for the camera, all that is possible now). But looks like the Monroe/Gable high end model will not have the extra RAM tho.
One confusing bit is the 1700...it sounds like it's a low end model, but it says it will have a 3.5" VGA screen. I'd say that's wrong. The model above it has conflicting reports on the screen size. But it'd be really nice if these dual-slot devices can include a VGA screen and yet keep the small profile of the 2215.
Obviously I'll reserve final judgement for some real pics and confirmation of features, dimensions, and real products. But oddl enough, I'd be perfectly happy with them simply upgrading their current designs with VGA screens, 128MB of RAM, and keeping the Wi Fi/BT double wireless standard. Modifying a few things (like adding a couple holes for a flip lid - is it that freakin' hard HP???) but keeping the excellent designs wouldn't be a bad move at all - and usually I'm all for changes. It's just the existing ones are so good! :-)

[rob]

Originally posted by fredster
The Dell X30 line will eat HP's lunch if the prices indicated in this article are correct....looks like they may have to reduce prices by about $150 on the whole line and introduce new processors quickly or risk losing major market share

What are you basing this on?? HP still leads all PPC makers, despite Dell allegedly being the first to offer a sub $300 PPC well over a year ago.

Just because you sell something for less, doesn't automatically mean you're going to eat someones lunch.

[fredster]

Originally posted by Rob
What are you basing this on?? HP still leads all PPC makers, despite Dell allegedly being the first to offer a sub $300 PPC well over a year ago.

Just because you sell something for less, doesn't automatically mean you're going to eat someones lunch.

Well I base it on these facts:

1) Read the hands on reviews on the net (CNet etc) and you'll see that the X30 line are stellar performers;

2) Time to market: Dell has a capable product and, unlike HP, it is available NOW --- read IMMEDIATELY .... not July, August or September;

3) And YES PRICE is a driving force as Dell has illustriously shown in the computer market.

[badbob001]

I bet none of the new devices will have a jog-dial so we have to either have long thumbs like an ape or hold the device tightly at the bottom tip.

HP, PLEASE make me wrong.

I wonder if that touchpad explorer device supports slap on membrane controls... like a keyboard skin or a gameboy control skin...

[polarbearucla]

im not overly excited about hp's new line up. Im personally looking for a vga ppc w/ wifi with the smallest size possible (while still making the screen viewable). However, the only hp w/ vga coming out this summer seems to have a CF slot, which means that the unit is going to be very bulky. Basically i want a 4100 (once again, i think thats the number) w/ VGA.

[Paul P]

Originally posted by fredster
The Dell X30 line will eat HP's lunch if the prices indicated in this article are correct....looks like they may have to reduce prices by about $150 on the whole line and introduce new processors quickly or risk losing major market share

I think Dell is still hungry from last time. HP was more successful than ever with the release of their last line of iPaqs. And that was when Dell and numerous others tried their best to take away HP share. Well, it didn't happen. H2100 was the fastest by far when it first came out. Who knows what will happen. That is not to say that Dell didn't do a great job with the X30 based on reviews.

Also, I read on PPCT that the X30 will not be shipped for another month or so. I believe they are taking pre-orders. Again, something I read.

[Neutral]

Originally posted by fredster
The Dell X30 line will eat HP's lunch if the prices indicated in this article are correct....looks like they may have to reduce prices by about $150 on the whole line and introduce new processors quickly or risk losing major market share

Price is only one factor. If it were the only thing, the X5 would have sold like crazy but Dell's entry hasn't eroded HP's sales by much. The thing is, more PDAs are paid by consumers rather than commericial buyers so there's also a greater affinity towards the look of the device rather than simply price and features. HP is certainly well aware of this (i.e. Gable and Monroe multimedia models) and I think they still have the upper hand.

[jnunn]

My speculation on these rumors is that the hx2700 is a VGA device as well as the 4700. Besides having the "x" prefix, this device number scheme looks suspiciously familiar. The chipset will be shipping to vendors in quantity this quarter according to "The Register" in the UK.

The Intel Marathon graphics co-processor for Bulverde name is "2700G" and its minimum supported resolution is VGA. HP may have assigned the hx2700 number to identify with Marathon. Dell has already indicated that it will have a Marathon product offering and it is doubtful that HP will sit idle while Dell identifies with Marathon.

The other indicators is that the hx2700 is a high power enterprise device. Enterprise users are Excel, Access, and PowerPoint users who need higher than QVGA resolution to be effective.