Hewlett Packard's iPAQ 5450 Pocket PC

    Keeping that all in mind, we've come to expect a lot from this 4th incarnation of a proud line. Let's see if this iPAQ measures up.

WHAT'S HOT

   Let's talk size. Let's do some comparisons with this versus other Pocket PCs.

BOX CONTENTS

   This iPAQ comes boxed with all the same accessories that we've seen in previous models. You've got the cradle, manuals, ac adaptor, style pack slip case, software, and extra stylus.

The USB/Serial cradle has undergone a slight facelift but still keeps the same usability.

Like always, the cradle features both USB and serial connections, a must for anyone running older Windows NT operating systems that don't support USB.

The AC Adaptor also comes with a built in adaptor dongle so that you can connect AC power directly to the iPAQ without need of the cradle.

In the cradle, the iPAQ 5450 still looks fairly neat and trim, but is beginning to look more and more like a Nintendo Gameboy every day.

THE DEVICE
   Check out the iPAQ 5450.

When looking at its side, the device appears to be rather thin.

From the back.

In this shot, you can see the access panel for the newly added removable battery. Very nice addition!

All in all, the iPAQ still feels good in the hand. The curves make it seem smaller than it actually is.

Thanks to the built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, carrying the device alone may be all that you need.

From left to right: The headphone jack, microphone, sync/ac input interface, and the hard reset hole.

On the left-hand side of the unit you will now find a volume up and down control, very useful for Windows Media Player. Putting these buttons on the outside of the case leads me to believe that a Phone Edition iPAQ is not very far off at all.

Now back onto the front. The round buttons make for simple and clean lines, complimenting the rest of the device. The joypad, although small, is extremely easy to use, and exhibits very smooth movement while using it. I like this joypad much better compared to previous incarnations, it doesn't seem to stick nearly as much. Application buttons include (by default): Contacts, Calendar, Inbox, and iTask (the bundled task switcher). You may also notice that this section of the iPAQ has a microphone which further supports the spectulation that this may be a soon-to-be Phone Edition device.

The top of the iPAQ has a varitible cluster of lights. Lights flash for everything from bluetooth and WiFi activity to Calendar reminders.

After removing a dummy card, we were able to use the industry standard SD card slot. Like its brother, the 3900 series, this iPAQ sports a fully featured SD I/O slot. Also on top you will notice the WiFI antenna. Although some may find this an annoyance, we've found that it gives us range comparable to that of a full-fledged PCMCIA WiFi card.

As always, the stylus can be easily be removed with a simple push.

PICTORIALLY - HP iPAQ 5450 versus Compaq iPAQ 3970 & HP iPAQ 1910
   Most of you are probably wondering how this device measures up when compared to other Pocket PCs. For the purposes of this review, we matched the iPAQ 5450 up against two other Pocket PCs; its predecessor, the Compaq iPAQ 3970, and its super slim brother, the HP iPAQ 1910.

Side-by-side, you can see that the iPAQ 5450 keeps the 3970's larger display.

From top to bottom: iPAQ 1910, iPAQ 5450, iPAQ 3970.

And on the right...

Notice the new completely black top of the iPAQ 5450.

And finally from the bottom...

All in all, I find the design of the iPAQ 5450 to be reasonably elegant. However, if you want this iPAQ to actual fit in your pocket, you may need to look elsewhere. Between its weight and its price tag, it is probably better to bring it along in a bag. Next, let's go deeper into the functionality of this device. Read on!

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