Nec Mobile Pro 750c Hp/c

[blackngold]

Well, after looking around, and deciding that i don't want to sink 600-700 in a PDA, I saw the 750 and decided for 100 bucks on ebay Id give it a shot. My needs are pretty much for word documents, and maybe a few other functions like gaming at work or the like. My questions are to anyone who can help. If I do decide I want to ever go with an air PC card like a T MOBILE, I realize i will need at least an upgrade to CE 2.11. Where do I get the upgrade to 2.11, and is it hard to install. Pocket PC'S are all new to me, but the 750 seems like a prety cool, upgradable gadget. (UNLIKE IPAQ WHO DOESNT EVEN PUT A CF CARD IN THE POCKET PCS, WHAT A JOKE) Anyways, when I get the 750 in, if I need anymore help or have anymore questions, I'll repost them here. I figured if it doesn't work out, all I've lost is a 100 bucks vs. a ton of money for new pockets or a laptop(huge). Thanks to anyone with advice.

[Pilot]

The CE 2.11 upgrade may or may not be required for the wireless interface. It really depends on the requirements of the wireless company/manufacturer. Quite a few of them are still be written to run on CE 2.0 or greater. I have to say though that I think that if your primary use will be for wireless websurfing, email, etc., you're better off just buying the phone/service that includes all that (like the ones with the clamshell style keyboard/screen built-in). Otherwise, you're messing with wires, connectors, compatibility issues, etc., as well as risking buying a used handheld off of eBay. If you're just looking for email, you may want to check out the PocketMail devices -- they're cheap and work very well for minimal monthly fees. Although they aren't wireless, you can use a normal cell phone to connect and get your messages (as well as any payphone, etc.).

The only way to get the CE 2.11 upgrade is pretty much the same way you intend to buy your MP750c -- on eBay. But brace yourself, the upgrade ROM chips usually have a reserve, "buy it now", etc. of $150, which is what they originally went for when sold by NEC. They are very easy to install -- just about three small screws (one for the ROM bay cover and two holding the ROM chip).

I bought my MP750c used as well, and it has performed very well for me over the last couple of years. I then bought a IBM z50 when the price dropped through the floor on those, but encountered too many CF card slot problems, so I sold the z50 and bought the ROM upgrade for my MP750c. Haven't regretted any of these decisions, and I still got a CE 2.11 handheld for about $300 less than the MP770 was at the time, and ended up with much better battery life and a only a little less screen colors.

[blackngold]

I bought this one off ebay for a few reasons. Please check it out and let me know what you think :@http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2062055741
When i see that the seller has kept the original box, I have to hope that he also took care of the unit. Also it comes with an extra battery. I think those go for a few bucks. What it really came down to was this I've been searching for something I could do some word processing for school at work and also get online in a pinch to check sports scores and weather and such. I've looked at every PDA possible. They all have their drawbacks. Especially compaq, by the time your done buying ad-ons you've spent a cool 1000 bucks easy. Same goes for a new mobile pro model. I like the fact that its got the qwerty keyboard and I don't have to shell out an extra 100 on a keyboard from the start. The fact that it has the longer screen vs. the small cubed screen also seems like an added benefit vs. a PDA screen when it comes to doing spreadsheets and word documents. Toshiba e740, e310, you name it either they want outrageous money, or they have no expandability. The 750 has a CF slot , and a PC TYPE II slot. No PDA can offer that without buying bulky add-ons and spending tons of money. Not that it means much, but the guy I bought the 750 from called me and I have his number. Hopefully he wouldnt sell me total junk. I'll keep my eye out for a good deal on ROM 2.11 or 3.0 . I did see one bid for 125.00 for CE 3.0. I guess it's scarce enough to warrant the firm pricetag. Once again, thanks for all of your comments and help. Is this the ROM upgrade that I will eventually need if I decide to go wireless?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1389076445

[Pilot]

It does at least appear that you got a good deal! As with all eBay purchases though, only time will tell, but it still looks good. For what you're planning to use it for, you should do fine.

As for the upgrade, most folks usually mess up their ads on eBay and claim the ROM upgrade is CE 3.0 instead of CE 2.11. They're actually one and the same. When they say CE 3.0, they're referring to the applications that come on the ROM, but the core OS is CE 2.11 or the "Pro" version. The true CE 3.0 (or HPC2000) isn't available as an upgrade ROM and only comes with the MobilePro 790. Trust me, you don't want to know the price of that.

Just keep watching eBay and don't just do specific searches -- try varying your search words so that you might find someone selling the ROM who doesn't know what they have (and therefore doesn't know they can get an easy $150 for it!).