Compaq iPAQ H3975 Color Pocket PC

• 3.78-inch low power 16-bit color transflective TFT LCD with white backlight, 240x320 resolution
• 400 MHz Intel X-Scale processor, 64 MB SDRAM
• Bluetooth integrated
• SecureDigital card expansion slot
• What's in the box: iPaQ H3975, Stylus pen, AC Adapter, 1400 mAh Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery, USB Cradle, User manual

I've had the Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII, and a BlackBerry so I consider myself a long-time PDA user. I've had the 3975 for about 2 months; here are my observations.

Screen is the best I've seen, in all types of lighting.

Battery life is good, but you can not swap out the battery, it is rechargable.

The ac adapter used for charging comes with a small "adapter" that is needed to charge the device when the cradle is not used, e.g. when traveling. On a recent trip, I brought the charger then realized I did not bring the "adapter". I had to go to an electronics store to buy one...at least it was cheap.

It is heavier and bulkier than Palm's, not something you can carry in your shirt pocket.

Includes Bluetooth funcitonality. I was able to download my entire phone list database to my cell phone (also Bluetooth enabled) in about 2 minutes (200-ish numbers). I've also used it with my PC after I got a Bluetooth USB AdapterPairing the iPaq with other devices is a bit klugey but once you've figured it out, it's good.

Comes with infrared also. It DOES NOT work with a PALM (atleast I have not gotten it to). I have used it with my PC however.

It interfaces smoothly with MS Outlook (synched via USB port). I use it to download emails and read/respond in meetings or on planes etc. The emails are dumped back into Outlook and sent off at next "autosynch" when attached to PC.

If it had BlackBerry "always on" capability, it would be much more useful with email.

It uses MS Pocket PC 2002 OS. I have not had any issues with it, one soft re-boot when internet explorer locked up (iPaq still worked fine, but could not launch explorer).

HOWEVER, do not expect this OS to function like PC-based Windows. It does have similar look, but does function differently. You have to get used to cycling through windows that are open to get at what you want...not bad, but not like PC-based windows...I still like it better than PALM OS.

There are several different methods for inputting info; Palm-like character recognition, handwriting recognizer that recognizes long-hand, and a small keyboard-like pad.

Software is decent and a lot is available in places like Avant-go, apps that are usually free for trial, then [a small fee].

MS Word is good, Excel is difficult to use unless you want to see a handful of cells at a time; I downloaded a program from Avant-go for viewing ppt slided, great unless there's a lot of text, almost impossible to read. MS Outlook is great, email, calendar come across perfectly. MS Reader is good, screen has enough resolution to make reading easy on the eyes.

It comes with SD card for adding memory, programs, etc. An expansion kit for Compact Flash is available, should have been included on a device at this price range.

There are expansion packs that slide on to the device for adding GPS, modem and ethernet hook-up etc. I have not tried them.

Comes with several other features, voice recognizer (you can include audio in notes, docs..), and other things; see the descriptions on sites like Amazon.com, thier all fine and not worth going into.

Overall, it's my favorite PDA to date. If it had "always-on" email capability, it would get 5 stars from me.

Buy Compaq iPAQ H3975 Color Pocket PC Now

After reviewing all the literature and having a Jornada 568 already for personal use, I decided on the Ipaq 3975 fo business use. I purchased the expansion pack that adds a compact flash slot and an extra battery. This makes it a bit bulky but allows you to keep the unit on 7+ hours straight. The Blue Tooth technology is very handy. The screen size is a bit bigger than the Jornada 560 series.

Low points include the sometimes eratic screen behavior when switching between apps fast. I also don't like the fact that you cannot change the battery. You need to send the Compaq into HP/Compaq in order to get a new battery installed if the installed one ever fails. The unit (without the expansion) is heavy compared to the Jornada. With the expansion, the Ipaq weighs quite a bit.

Over-all I like the Ipaq. All they really need to do to make this a stellar item is make the battery swappable and add a backup battery in case you happen to wear out the charge in the main battery.

Read Best Reviews of Compaq iPAQ H3975 Color Pocket PC Here

I evaluated Pocket PC devices for two weeks before finally deciding on the 3975. I looked at the Toshiba E740 and the Hitachi and the Fijitsu Loox before deciding on the 3975 (which is the same as the 3970). The deciding factors for me where the stunning screen on the 3975, the 48Mb of flashrom which allows instant backup of your contacts and calendar, the built in Bluetooth capability, and a plethora of available accessories. The downsides are the built in non-changeable battery, the relatively high price, and only a SD memory slot (no built in CF slot). All in all, the 3975 was the winner, having more pluses and less minuses than the competition. Having now had it for a week or so, it seems to have been a good choice and I'd order it again.

Want Compaq iPAQ H3975 Color Pocket PC Discount?

The Compaq iPAQ 3955 and 3975 are hands-down the greatest pocket PCs out there. I've learned a few things that might be helpful to other users, so rather than write another general review, I thought I would post a few suggestions on their use, especially for those that may be making the transition from the Palm platform to the iPAQ, (as I did).

The iPAQ saves individual Notes that you make in the sub-directory where you create them in the Notes app area. This results in them initially having a name such as "Work1, Work2, etc. (i.e., if you have a Note directory called Work). This is not very helpful so you have to rename them by doing a "tap and hold" on the file name, and giving it the new name. Otherwise you end of with lots of Notes with non-descript names with numbers at the end. Not too helpful.

For better power management, watch the screen brightness setting which you set from the Settings menu. You can also hit the "Q" button and pop up the Q menu and get to it from there. A lot of times you can reduce the backlight setting and save power and extend battery life. Otherwise running it at the highest intensity you'll only have about 3 hours. Also, in direct sunlight, where the iPAQ works great but the Palm and Casio units wash out totally, you can set it on "power save" mode

If you use the digital recorder function, be careful what you have for the settings here. The iPAQ will record anywhere from 8,000 Hz, Mono, 2KB/sec, to 44,100 Hz, 16bit, stereo, 172 KB/sec. You'll find that even the 22,050 Hz, stereo settings will cause even short notes to take up 300K of space. After a few of these you're out of memory and you'll wonder why. The default setting of 8-bit mono is okay so I just leave it there.

This setting is also hard to find and can be found under Settings\Personal\Input\Options.

I've found my iPAQ to be the best of the Pocket PCs out there. Hope these suggestions help.

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i've decided to purchase the ipaq3975 instead of toshiba e740 because i've read the not-so-good reviews on having to constantly soft/hard boot the unit. but as long as i don't encounter those problems, then paying a bit more will justify for the headache and unsatisfaction. so far, there hasn't been any problem. let's get down to business.

1. setting up the unit was a breeze. the unit function as expected. activesyn works fine with my toshiba laptop;

2. this is the 3rd day that i have the 3975. i set the backlight to med low, and so far have yet to recharge from the initial charge. although i don't know how many hours i have used in 3 days, the battery seems to hold up as stated per spec;

3. the transflective tft screen is amazing. i'm certain other brands will offer the same, soon;

4. have yet to use bluetooth. will do another review after i try;

5. plan to get a modem and cf expansion pack to go online through regular phone line. will do another review on how the unit responds to websurfing;

6. the unit is definitely heavier than my palm, but that is not a big issue. i've learned to adjust.

all in all, the price was justified by the problem-free ipaq. one should shop around for the best price, no matter what brand. amazon offered the best price to me. amazon also gave me a credit when they lower the unit price. thanks.

i gave the unit four stars because i've yet to use other features.