Opinions on T vs HP 2215 and multitasking.

[mmmkay]

I just saw the specs on one of those new HP handhelds, the 2215. I had looked at one in person last week at one on display at the local Future Shop too.

First thoughts that came to me: it's very small, and it has a CF and SD slot.

I'm kind of torn between getting a keyboard for my T, and selling it all off and getting an HP 2215.

It would be so easy to add wifi to the 2215 with the CF slot, and I could have wifi *now*. Sandisk won't be releasing their integrated memory and wifi SD cards until Q4 2003.

I've always liked being able to multitask on my old Philips Nino 300 Windows CE PDA, something that is notably missing on Palm OS. I would imagine that it'd be awfully annoying to have ICQ open and have to disconnect and close it to open the web browser to check something, and then close it only to check your datebook.

I'm curious about what other people (who have a wireless network connection) think about not being able to multitask? Does not being able to multitask annoy/hinder your productivity?

[dwinget]

I have both an iPAQ 2210 and a Tungsten T. They are both great devices. However, I have noticed some tradeoffs on the Pocket PC regarding multitasking. My main complaints on the 2210 include the following:

1. Programs do not completely exit when you click the X in the upper corner. They are only minimized. This amounts to less available memory and faster battery drainage. It is also a lot of work to completely shut down the programs from the settings menu.

2. The battery drains significantly faster on the 2210. I fully charged my battery on the 2210 and left it in a drawer for one week. When I pulled the 2210 out and turned it on, all data was gone and the backup battery meter still said 100% and the main battery said 0%. I took the iPAQ to the shop. The service person told me the device has to be charged 2 - 3 times per week. This is a major inconvenience for me because I find myself using the Tungsten most of the time. I very rarely use the iPAQ, except when I need to read ebooks on a brighter screen.

I almost regret getting the 2210. In some ways I wish I would have got the Tungsten C or waited for the Tungsten 3. Palm devices never have this battery problem. To use a wireless card, it is possible to connect the Guyver adapter to any Palm brand device with a Universal Connector.

Regarding productivity, I have found the PIM applications on the Palm to be more useful than Pocket Outlook on the Pocket PC. On the Pocket PC, there is no contact linking to tasks or appointments, similar to what DateBk 5 can do. Pocket PCs also do not have vibrating alerts. I do not need the multitasking functionality very often.

[minzawaung]

Originally posted by dwinget
I have both an iPAQ 2210 and a Tungsten T. They are both great devices. However, I have noticed some tradeoffs on the Pocket PC regarding multitasking. My main complaints on the 2210 include the following:

1. Programs do not completely exit when you click the X in the upper corner. They are only minimized. This amounts to less available memory and faster battery drainage. It is also a lot of work to completely shut down the programs from the settings menu.

2. The battery drains significantly faster on the 2210. I fully charged my battery on the 2210 and left it in a drawer for one week. When I pulled the 2210 out and turned it on, all data was gone and the backup battery meter still said 100% and the main battery said 0%. I took the iPAQ to the shop. The service person told me the device has to be charged 2 - 3 times per week. This is a major inconvenience for me because I find myself using the Tungsten most of the time. I very rarely use the iPAQ, except when I need to read ebooks on a brighter screen.

I almost regret getting the 2210. In some ways I wish I would have got the Tungsten C or waited for the Tungsten 3. Palm devices never have this battery problem. To use a wireless card, it is possible to connect the Guyver adapter to any Palm brand device with a Universal Connector.

Regarding productivity, I have found the PIM applications on the Palm to be more useful than Pocket Outlook on the Pocket PC. On the Pocket PC, there is no contact linking to tasks or appointments, similar to what DateBk 5 can do. Pocket PCs also do not have vibrating alerts. I do not need the multitasking functionality very often.
I totally agreed!