Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Model#: H22.15 Weight: 3.40lbs Height: 4..5"     Width: .3" Length: " Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars	Retail Price: $449.00 Online Sale Price:
Features: A sleek Pocket PC with the optimal combination of features, performance, and expandability Compact Flash and Secure Digital slots for flexibility and convenience in storage and expansion Integrated Bluetooth for wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices Removable/rechargeable Lithium-lon battery for on the go power What's in the box: HP iPAQ Pocket PC, USB Desktop cradle/charger, AC Adapter, Slip case, battery, getting started poster; charger adapter; HP iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD

User Submitted HP iPAQ 2215 Pocket PC Reviews (cont...)

Great screen, great battery life, stable OS over previous.

Lastly - This is a product review forum not an extended warranty forum. And if you drop anything and it breaks, don't blame the manufacturer on cheap quality or over priced repairs. Carry a pen and paper instead.

Date: 2003-12-08
Warning!
I've been using my 2215 for four months and have enjoyed it up until a few weeks ago when I pulled the 2215 out of its case and saw a fingernail-sized piece fall off the edge of the black plastic infrared port at the top of the unit. During the four month's use, I've stored it in the sturdy fabric case that came with the unit and carried it daily in my purse. It was dropped only once (on a wood floor) not long after I had it with no damage to the unit, so the chip came as a surprise.

Since the unit was clearly still under warranty, I called customer support. I immediately encountered a language barrier, and because I could describe the exact location and nature of the chip but didn't have the part name, I ended up receiving an unneeded pair of side grips. Armed with the part name, I made a successful second try past the language barrier, and HP arranged for the unit to be shipped to their repair group. When they noted that I would be charged for whatever wasn't under warranty and asked me to authorize these repairs I (luckily) chose to be called first.

Why lucky? Because HP Billing just called to tell me the motherboard needed to be replaced and I would have to shell out $197.03. Huh?!? The unit was working fine when I sent it in! I was sure it was a mix-up, but it wasn't. Turns out that the infrared port is connected to the motherboard. Replacing the cheap plastic on the outside of the infrared port means replacing the pricey motherboard. Although there's no other mark on the unit, the billing rep (no language barrier here) said this wasn't covered by warranty because I must have damaged it. Fortunately, I have no need for the infrared beaming so I've chosen to forego the expensive repair (about half the cost of what I paid for it new, a few short months ago). I'll glue or tape the little chip back on and in a few years put the saved $197.03 toward something a little less fragile with brand new software and hardware.

Yes, it's a beautiful device with great capability, but that can't help you if it's too fragile withstand everyday use, or if the simplest of repairs is too expensive for you to make. My previous PDA-type device was an early, early generation Casio organizer that I used for seven years (yes, years) with no problem! I'll shop smarter next time.

Date: 2003-12-07
Outstanding Pocket PC Purchase!
After many years as a Palm power user, when my Vx died I decided to switch to Pocket PC. I studied the various HP iPAQ models and settled on the 2215. I could not be more satisfied. The size is perfect: the same physical dimensions as a Palm V series, albiet slightly thicker. Beautiful graphics. Sturdy build... and the cushioned side grips not only look good, they are nice feature for comfort. That a cradle is included is a nice touch also, since the lower priced HP models do not come with one. I am very pleased with the purchase and would recommend the 2215 to anyone looking for a PPC device.

I had a few initial dissapointments with the PIM (calendar, task, contacts, etc.) programs that come stock with Pocket PC, but this complaint has nothing to do with HP or their iPAQs. (A sturdy, options-rich third party app took care of those worries ... it was the same way with the Palms).

In short, I could not find the level of features for this price in any other device, especially when you catch an online sale.

Date: 2003-12-04
In the world of technology versatility is a must
Pros:
- Can use both CF cards and SD memory
- Decent battery life (Avg: 6-9 hours)
- Nevo is a pretty cool universal remote
- Docking station and Active Sync

Cons:
- Integrated Bluetooth, would be better if it had 802.11b instead
- Media Player can't play avi files
- Wish it came with a vibration mode for alarm

I've had my iPAQ for the last 4 months and it's been least to say an experience. With it's calender program I'm able to organize my life because, college life is extremely chaotic. The calender is easy to tweak for editing the pattern or just a single occurance. For some time I was also using it as an MP3 player, while I was getting the kinks out of my Archos, which works properly now. The sound quality is superb, with and without headphones. The playlist feature is good considering that it uses Media Player 9(I'm not very fond of Media Player I still use 6.1 on my PC). In addition I've been able to play small MPEG's on it. However, it can't play AVI files that I make from my digital camera.

The resolution from pictures is pretty decent for the screen size (3in x 2.25in). The picture viewer prpogram runs a bit slow but it does the job. It comes with Nevo which is a good universal remote program that is easy to navigate. It uses Active Sync which allows you to syncronize email and calander between your iPAQ and PC.

Now I haven't been able to try Bluetooth (the campus I'm on uses 802.11b wireless) which is more common I think and would have been better than the integrated Bluetooth. I have been able to use the internet on it while it was connected to my PC. It wasn't complicated using the onscreen keyboard. For taking down quick notes it uses a handwriting recognition function because of course using the styllus on the keyboard can be a little tedious for some things.

The main reason I would recommend this iPAQ is that you can choose between two types of storage. The smaller SD memory, which is a little expensive or CF memory which which is cheaper. Not many Pocket PC's utilize CF memory and because the camera I have uses CF I decided to buy it.

At some point my iPAQ did stop functioning and I had to call HP tech support. I've seen lots of horror stories abobut them but I had a pretty easy time on thet phone with an ENGLISH speaking person with no accent. He was very helpful sent me a new battery (which was where the problem was) and I had my iPAQ back running in less than a week wait. I'm very happy now.

Date: 2003-12-04
The most expandable PPC...
This is the best Pocket PC if you are planning to get some peripherals. Lets say you want to use a CF GPS unit, you would need a SD slot with a memory card to load the maps.

It's very useful to have Compact Flash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) slots. And eventhough HP support has some flaws, it's still one of the best ones. I think HP should not abandon this line of dual slots PPCs, and they should take them to the next step, with built-in WiFi on a similar model (CF+SD).

PROS:
- Size and Weight
- Expandability (CF + SD)
- Great design

CONS:
- Some users had some trouble with the rubber grips (HP will send you a pair if you have this problem).
- No Built-In WiFi (This is what would make this unit perfect), but you can get a CF WiFi Card, and have some SD memory in the SD slot.