As the leading supplier of Pocket PC devices, the HP iPAQ has become the benchmark that all other manufacturers have to aspire to. The HP iPAQ rx3715 (£369 inc. VAT) is a mid-priced model, and is the first device to be referred to by HP as a Mobile Media Companion. The focus of the new model is to move the Pocket PC away from merely being an organiser and turn it into, as the name suggests, a media centre. With its focus on music, video and digital images, the rx3715 sets itself up as the jack-of-all trades PDA. Such features have been an integral part of the PocketPC format. But HP has merely brought this functionality to the front. The styling is the same as that of the rz1700 (reviewed Oct 2004), but with a slightly heavier and more robust build quality. This is necessary as the rx3715 houses an integrated 1.2-megapixel digital camera.

GO DIGITAL

The inclusion of the camera will draw more casual users. Offering up to 75 images at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels, the 152MB of built-in memory is more than sufficient to store pictures. Images can be taken using either the main navigation button, or in similar fashion to a normal digital camera, via a button above the screen. A software button on the screen can also be used, but this is slightly more awkward. Picture quality is reasonable, but we found that you need a steady hand to make the most of the camera.

The 4x digital zoom works well, but some of the picture quality is lost when scanning the images. For instance, images have a maximum image quality of 320 x 240 pixels at 4x zoom. Due to the limitations of the screen, the viewfinder doesn’t offer the best response in outdoors situations. However, it is much better when used indoors. With no built-in flash, you’ll need to make sure there is a light source otherwise images will be over-shadowed. This is the main fault with the camera as it reduces its functionality. HP has worked in conjunction with Microsoft to bring a new interface to the startup screen of the device. Switching the rx3715 on brings up the main screen, which offers oneclick connection to Media Player, Image Viewer, the built-in camera and, even, remote controls for your television. The ability to switch the screen around into landscape mode makes viewing images, as well as watching MPEG videos, a lot easier to handle. Once the user has overcome this initial interface, the core of the OS remains the same.

Powered by the 400MHz Samsung S3C 2440, the rx3715 has sufficient power to launch and run applications with ease. We found that MPEG video was extremely smooth in playback. With a total memory of 152MB, which is split up as 56MB user available RAM and 96MB user available flash ROM, the rx3715 offers plenty of room for expansion. Files and images can be shared with others, or merely backed up to a network using either the Bluetooth or 802.11b modules integrated into the device. The HP iPAQ rx3715 manages to combine the ease of use of a PDA with the functionality of a digital camera. While the camera isn’t up to the power of those found in dedicated devices, it is on a par with the latest feature phones, such as the Sony Ericsson K700. Those users looking for more from their PDA than standard applications will like the rx3715, as it manages to bring consumer and business aspects of a handheld together in one attractive package.

RATING 9
PRICE £229/£270 (EX/INC. VAT)
PROCESSOR 400MHz Samsung S3C 2440
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition
MEMORY 56MB user available RAM, 96MB user available flash ROM
EXPANSION Secure Digital (IO) 1.2-megapixel (1,280-by-960) camera with 4X digital zoom
SCREEN 3.5-inch(65,536 colours) 240 x 320 pixels
BATTERY Lithium-Polymer
LINK USB
SIZE 115 x 71 x 17mm
WEIGHT 158g
CONTACT 0845 270 4215
www.hp.com/uk