Entered CNET Catalog: 04/03/2006
SKU: 0882780062658
Manufacturer: HP
Manufacturer description
The versatile HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC series delivers performance, connectivity, and enhanced security to suit your business and personal needs. Extended product lifecycle and common accessories means assured product availability and a better TCO for businesses. The hx2490 includes Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b), Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology for wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices, Serial IR provides you with an easy method of exchanging data between Serial IR enabled devices. It also includes enhanced security protection with HP ProtectTools software secured by Credent Technologies.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
I've had this about a year
Pros: Sleek, wi-fi, bluetooth,
Cons: Can only sync 2 computers, would like a USB port
Review: I've had this PDA for about a year. I decided to look for a standalone unit after owning the Treo650. I hate Palm and could never get used to it. The Windows-like interface on the HP2495 is great, familiar, and user-friendly.
The battery life is great and I only charge it every few days. Editing Office documents is a breeze and great when you find yourself in a jam and not close to a computer. However if you find yourself purchasing the external keyboard for this thing with the intention of using it frequently, then I would spring for a 10-12 inch laptop that's only a few hundred bucks more. But for quick editing or reviewing- this PDA can be a lifesaver.
I decided against purchasing the Palm LifeDrive because it was massive and ugly. I decided against the 1900x HP series, because it didn't have wifi.
All in all, I never regretted my purchase. The built in cover had proved priceless in keeping my screen blemish-free. The screen is responsive and easily calibrated. I can sync my hotmail directly to the PDA, I can view Adobe PDF. It has an easily accessible SD card drive in the top for extra storage...although I wish it had a USB port for flash drives. Another quirk is that I can only sync 2 computers to this thing at a time (that's a Windows issue not HP)...which I'm sure most people don't own 3 laptops, 2 desktops, + a work computer.... But for techno nuts like me, I find myself using all 6 computers for different purposes and would like to have all 6 calendars synched with the PDA.
I know a lot of people find themselves stuck when choosing between Windows and Palm.... Trust me, the simple fact that Windows is made by Microsoft and the chance that your home PC is running Windows...makes their interaction much more seamless. Plus if for some reason you need tech support, you are dealing with the same company. The LifeDrive is ugly and massive, and lacks the built-in cover that HP has.
There is also a headphone jack on the HP for your MP3s...which I have a separate player for, but it is convenient for some users.
The battery life is great and I only charge it every few days. Editing Office documents is a breeze and great when you find yourself in a jam and not close to a computer. However if you find yourself purchasing the external keyboard for this thing with the intention of using it frequently, then I would spring for a 10-12 inch laptop that's only a few hundred bucks more. But for quick editing or reviewing- this PDA can be a lifesaver.
I decided against purchasing the Palm LifeDrive because it was massive and ugly. I decided against the 1900x HP series, because it didn't have wifi.
All in all, I never regretted my purchase. The built in cover had proved priceless in keeping my screen blemish-free. The screen is responsive and easily calibrated. I can sync my hotmail directly to the PDA, I can view Adobe PDF. It has an easily accessible SD card drive in the top for extra storage...although I wish it had a USB port for flash drives. Another quirk is that I can only sync 2 computers to this thing at a time (that's a Windows issue not HP)...which I'm sure most people don't own 3 laptops, 2 desktops, + a work computer.... But for techno nuts like me, I find myself using all 6 computers for different purposes and would like to have all 6 calendars synched with the PDA.
I know a lot of people find themselves stuck when choosing between Windows and Palm.... Trust me, the simple fact that Windows is made by Microsoft and the chance that your home PC is running Windows...makes their interaction much more seamless. Plus if for some reason you need tech support, you are dealing with the same company. The LifeDrive is ugly and massive, and lacks the built-in cover that HP has.
There is also a headphone jack on the HP for your MP3s...which I have a separate player for, but it is convenient for some users.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
The Ipaq 2495 gets the job done.
Pros: Has WiFi, Blutooth, mini sd & compact flash slots
Cons: None yet found.
Review:
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
It has some nice features but some problems as well
Pros: Screen, some software, can run VoIP apps like skype, build quality
Cons: software glitches, slower than I expected
Review: I've had this for a few months now, I used to use it intensly but now I rarely ever use it. It was easy to set up, and it has decent memory, and for somethign this size, the screen is beautiful, it looks just as good in real life as the picture, and since it has a glass screen, it won't scratch. I don't understand with a relatively fast processor clock speed, this thing runs so slowly most of the time. I used to own a Palm Zire 72 and it ran much faster with a slower processor. I guess it's the windows mobile....
I have had a lot of very annoying software problems. It gets so slow that I have to reset it. When signing into msn messenger mobile after the session has expired (which it doesn't tell you most of the time) it must be reset...again....
And it seems when you turn it off when it is charging/not charging and hook it up or take it off power, it will not turn back on when pressing the power button unless you reset it. I think I have used the reset button more than any other button on it. I really wish I didn't give away my Palm....
However, if you use it only for basic things not involving the use of msn mobile frequently, then it's a great little toy, and it's very well built.
I have had a lot of very annoying software problems. It gets so slow that I have to reset it. When signing into msn messenger mobile after the session has expired (which it doesn't tell you most of the time) it must be reset...again....
And it seems when you turn it off when it is charging/not charging and hook it up or take it off power, it will not turn back on when pressing the power button unless you reset it. I think I have used the reset button more than any other button on it. I really wish I didn't give away my Palm....
However, if you use it only for basic things not involving the use of msn mobile frequently, then it's a great little toy, and it's very well built.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
My second PDA and my Last for quite a while
Pros: Easy to sync, Crisp Screen, Good software
Cons: Battery life could be better
Review: I have had this unit for about 3 months now. I love it. I have had 0 problems out of my unit since I bought it. The only thing I would change would be the battery life, especially when using wifi.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Does everything I need it to do. . .
Pros: The display is clear, a lot of differnet choices for entering data, cover is helpful for protection. . .
Cons: Some of the UI is not obvious. . .
Review: This has been a great tool for helping me to stay organized. There are still many features that I have not taken advantage of yet.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
best investment of the semester
Pros: Small, Easy to work with, Great for beginners
Cons: Freezes up every once in a while, Can have its fits.
Review: I bought this for my school semester to keep me up to date on everything I need to accomplish and it works great. I've upgraded the memory using the SD card slot and it work even better. The only problem with it, is I have a 512 Compact Flash card and because it doesn't work right it has made my iPaq freeze. Other then that it work GREAT. Even when I am having a problem or a question about it the 24 hour online support is great. I would definitely reccomend anyone for this product.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Good buy but not so good
Pros: Windows OS, 2 hours battery w/ wifi (oh, skype!)
Cons: Windows OS, no SSH
Review: This is a pretty neat device. I got it 2 months ago and now I am realizing its limitations for the first time. But I must say it has very good battery life, very good wireless (better than some laptops), decent sw package and, of course, a very sturdy device that dont fall from your hands during usage. The main problem I find in it is that it runs Windows Mobile. Even Microsoft website tells me that the website isnt optimized for my browser... I cant use yahoo mail because it is impossible to operate on the emails (I cant click on the delete and new buttons). I can only move thru my emails. I use it intensively to listen to radio in my home. I take it everywhere and the builtin wireless work perfectly even thru 4 walls over 100m away from the router. It lacks ssh sw though what would make it more useful to me.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Good PDA if you can get by the glitches
Pros: The hx2495 has easy setup for 1st time PDA users, looks great, and has a great flip cover that protects the screen
Cons: The new WM5 has created problems that need fixing by HP/MS: Syncing Outlook data with desktop PC has clitch, inserting a SD card cases battery drain and other probs, soft reset is much used funtion
Review: Although I love the look and basic functionality of the hx2495, the batter drain issue and problem syncing with Outlook has caused me many frustrating moments. There are work arounds to these problems which involve uninstalling/reinstalling Outlook on my pc and creating a false sync so I can simply click on "Manual" sync and then deleting the partnership so my PDA with a SD card in it won't overheat, continually turn itself on, and drain my batter in a matter of an hour or so. HP themselves have had complaints for months with no fix upgrade in sight. But I will say that the support forum is a great place to figure out how to get a problem fixed. My advice....if your a HP "must have" person, have patience with working out glitches.
