PDA newbie needs help choosing a PDA (4355 or 5555)

[Mojojojo]

Hello All!

I've never used a PDA before but wanted to get with the times. I was recently comparing the Sony Clie UX50 with the iPAQ 4355, but from what I hear and see, the iPAQ 4355 might be the better choice, for reasons I won't get into now. But, as I was shopping, I came across the iPAQ 5550/5555 that just seems to be a monster device. I was hoping you guys could give me some insight to help my decision.

Being that I've never used a PDA before and I don't quite know all the things you can do with them, I'll list some features that I would like to have:

* Originally I wanted a PDA with a built in keypad, but I hear those folding keyboards are quite nifty, so this is less of a factor now.

* I have a feeling that Pocket PC is the way to go right now in terms of future compatability.

* Wireless internet
- Web browsing
- Email
- Secure web browsing would be nice, but not necessary.

* Multi-media. I want all the bells ans whistles.

Because the price difference between the two range from ~ $100 -$150, if I can be satisfied with the 4355 without any major regrets, I would like to hold onto the extra cash (at least for PDA accessories :) ) $600+ is really a bit much. I appreciate any advice you guys may have. Thanks a bunch!

[woody32]

I own a 5555. It is a great PDA. The big difference is the 5555 have more more memory, 128 mb instead of 64 mb, fingerprint security and there are more accesseries that are compatible with the 5555 because the 5555 is compatible with most of the 3000 series sleeves.

[Harpoon]

I have a Ipaq 4355 and a 5555 here at my shop .
I use them to do work on my servers when I am away or at home.

I will tell you this.. I just bought the 4355 and have been using it instead of the 5555 and I like the 4355 better.

It does the same thing as the 5555 but is lighter , and a side note if you play video on your ipaq the 4355 has smoth video, but the 5555 is not as quick as the 4355 on video.. in fact I am finding that the 4355 is just as fast if not faster on some things..

The only other change I can see is that it has a smaller mem load 64k instead of 128 , but I have yet too find a program that will not run on it..

I am using 256 and 512 SD cards with it and that makes it hold what you need , and you can move them back and forth between them.

I run a VPN and use VNC to work on my 2003 , and LInux servers , and that works fine.. no issues at all .
But you will need to go to the HP support page and download a couple updates for activesink, and a server patch but that only takes a short time..


In other words now that I have wrote this large message... :) I think you will be just as happy with the 4355 .
And you can use the extra money to buy you a larger spare battery for longer use away from the desk.

[Mojojojo]

Thanks for the replies guys! One vote for 5555 and one for 4355. Any tiebreakers out there? :D

After some thinking, I think I'm going to drop the 5555 from my list mainly due to its price.

I played around with the 4355 at the store and saw a 4150/4155 that pretty much looks like the same thing, but without the keypad. Since they have those folding keyboards, I'm now debating whether or not the built in keypad would get much use considering that it'll be all thumbs. The price difference between the two is around ~$50, so I could go either way. Hmmm...decisions, decisions..... :)

[woody32]

If I were you I think I would go with the 4155 because I think the built in keybord makes it a bit long.

[Legend]

Originally posted by woody32
If I were you I think I would go with the 4155 because I think the built in keybord makes it a bit long.

On the other hand it might be a pain to carry around the extra keyboard.

I was in the same boat as you, with the 5555 and 4355. I did not really consider the 4155 because I knew I would end up buying a keyboard. I really like having the keyboard built in and it does not pose much of an inconvienence in size.

Just my opinion, good luck with your purchase :)

[ReconTech]

I bought the 5555 because I liked its heftier feel and especially the memory size. I mean, its not like its just a bit better in memory, its twice as much.

I'd say if you're looking at the money, get the 4155 and a 512mb SD card, or even bigger. Now that i have the 256mb SD card, I want a larger one...

[emgarf]

I bought the 4155 because it has WiFi -and- Bluetooth both built-in, and I have a need for both interfaces. It's very nice to have all that in a very thin, light case.

[Legend]

If you are going to buy an external keyboard, though, you should get the 4355 with some more memory. I just got a 512mb SD card and I am really happy now. The battery life is also A LOT better then the 4100 series.

[Mojojojo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I ended up ordering the 4355. I think I will eventually buy a keyboard, but like Legend stated, the 4355 comes standard with a larger battery. Also, I think it will find the keypad more of a convenience than a nuisance. I'm also looking at some SD memory cards. Any preferences on brand or sizes? I've heard stories of how using larger memory cards can slow down your unit more than the smaller cards. Weird.

I'll let you guys knwo how I like the 4355 when it arrives in the mail. I can't wait! :D

[Harpoon]

I have SD cards from most all of the makers, and I can't find one better than the next..
Now that is not to say there are not some that are faster or last longer , but the ones I have lasted for over a year now and they are still running.

I have on 64 meg and 4 , 256 meg and 4 , 512 meg SD's. I have just ordered a 1 gig SD but it is not here yet :).

I have been buying the SD cards at Wally World where they have been on sale for ever it seems. And I have been able to get them for about 3\5's of the price of the other stores.

Now the one gig SD I had to order from one of the companys that are listed or I found on pda street.

[strickjh05]

harpoon, what proccesor is in your 5555, it was updated a few moths after the 5555 initial release becuase it wasnt that fast. The newer one is a lot faster. I am curious becuase I would think having more RAM would be an advantage.

[Harpoon]

Strick , the processor that I have in my 5555 is the same 400 mhz
one that is in the 4355.

ON the speed I was talking about the video refresh. The refresh on the 4355 unit is alot faster than in the 5555, and I have also seen some write up's about this also.

As far as the extra internal ram making the 5555 faster than the 4355 , I don't see it.. I have run some benchmarking software on both of them and it shows the same.. But not in the video . The 5555's video is a little slower than the 4355.
And as to software the 4355 has run anything I have loaded , and it has ran it very well. And as fast as the 5555.
Also the wireless 802.11 , and the blue tooth is awsome. I can serf the web really fast with the 802.11 , and listen to the radio over the web , and video with no problem.
And the software for the wireless is great, it finds the wireless points really fast and the dhcp works great for setting up when you go into stores or buildings with the unit.. so I am almost never without web access.
At home and my office I use direct ip with DNS , with no issues at all.. this is the first unit I have ever had that used the wireless so smooth and so easy.

And if you leave the wireless on auto you can leave it on most of the day when you are out and not run the battery down.. it saves power very well when you are not transmiting.

I can't hardly say enough about this Ipaq H4355, they have come a long way in the last few years and it shows.
And with the battery that comes with it will keep you up and running almost all day.. of course if you are running video movies you will have to charge it more but with Talk radio , or voice messeges, sent over the web it will last quite awhile.. I have had mine up for over 17 hours doing this without a recharge..
I also bought the larger battery that charges in the stand at the same time as the unit.. I take it with me also just in case.. but I have never had too use it yet because I ran the unit down too quick without seeing this..
And on this larger battery.. wow it last a LONG time :) .
And the power usage of the larger SD Ram chips does not efect the unit anymore than the smaller ones do.

Now as to the video on the 4355 being faster than the 5555 I atribute this too the 4355's video processor beign a new type , ie faster and better.

The unit is in MHO almost to small , if they had made the unit any smaller I would not have bought it.. I think the unit needs to be a little larger .
And as to the built in keyboard , it works great . But I never use it.. I like the software keyboards better , like the WordLogic keyboard, it is great and very quick when you learn how to use it.. I can use it now almost as fast as a normal keyboard.. and after it learns you typing type and words you use , you will fly with it.
So If I had any say in the next type they made I would say build one like this unit , but without the keypad and with a little larger screen. The screen on the 4355 is just a little smaller than the one on the 5555 but not enough to make a big change .

I don't know all , but I have been using and building high end gaming machines and high end computers for companys for over 20 years and I can say that I know my machines.. and this one is one of the best PPC's that I have ever used.. and I am even able to write code for programs or script just fine on this unit.
And I build servers for companys and large hardwired and wireless networks for companys and gaming companys and I can say the the wireless is great on these units also.. I can jump on my servers {2000,2003,linux} and fix or config them in the middle of the night and not even have to get out of bed :).
I have my own ISP I have built just 75 feet from my home to run my gaming servers so I am on the web alot and use this PPC to fix or reconfig servers one the web for people all over the world , and it does the job just fine.
I did not get this kind of use out of the other models from the years past.. they worked , but not as good.

See Ya
Harpoon

[strickjh05]

Its nice to know you are enthusiastic... But I want to know the exact proccesor number found in settings> aseet viewer> proccesor.

[Harpoon]

Processor Type: Intel PXA255

[strickjh05]

Thank you.