As a business user, my needs for a Windows Mobile device tend to be very demanding. I am usually after the perfect combination of small and light, with a lot of the word “powerful”, and still ergonomic enough to make my mobile experience practical. HP has just released their new iPAQ 900 series Business Messenger in an attempt to offer a solution that could just pull it off in addressing all the needs and desires of the business user. I’m not really sure why HP chose to change their past design to this one, but I’m sure glad they did. In terms of specs, the 910 comes in with an Marvell CPU clocking at 416MHz, with 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM, running on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. The screen is 2.5" diagonal and is of QVGA resolution. It does Quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and triband UMTS (850/1900/2100), plus adds HSDPA support. It also does WiFi b & g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and packs aGPS. The camera on the rear can take 3.1MP photos and includes a flash. Powering it all is a nice-sized 1940mAh battery. For even more specs, check out PDAdb.net.
INTRODUCTION
WHAT’S HOT
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Device
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Size (inches)
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Weight (grams | ounces)
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4.44" x 2.47" x 0.52"
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132 | 4.65
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4.44" x 2.27" x 0.63"
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156 | 5.61
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4.74" x 2.63" x 0.43"
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157 | 5.53
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|
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4.33" x 2.09" x 0.59"
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117 | 4.12
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|
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4.66" x 2.48" x 0.47"
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130 | 4.58
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|
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4.56" x 2.33" x 0.67"
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188 | 6.63
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|
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4.64" x 2.36" x 0.48"
|
129 | 4.55
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|
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3.96" x 2.34" x 0.67"
|
133 | 4.76
|
|
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4.68" x 2.44" x 0.67"
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188 | 6.63
|
|
|
4.58" x 2.42" x 0.47"
|
120 | 4.20
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|
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4.56" x 2.33" x 0.65"
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178 | 6.28
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|
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3.92" x 2.41" x 0.60"
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137 | 4.83
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|
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4.24" x 2.09" x 0.53"
|
117 | 4.12
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|
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4.17" x 2.00" x 0.85"
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151 | 5.34
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|
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4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
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122 | 4.30
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|
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4.57" x 1.70" x 0.64"
|
140 | 4.94
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|
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4.88" x 2.44" x 0.53"
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130 | 4.56
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|
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4.21" x 2.20" x 0.55"
|
120 | 4.20
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|
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4.53" x 2.47" x 0.47"
|
146 | 5.15
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|
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4.63" x 2.19" x 0.67"
|
158 | 5.57
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|
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4.35" x 2.07" x 0.67"
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158 | 5.57
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|
|
4.56" x 2.41" x 0.51"
|
125 | 4.41
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|
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4.44" x 2.36" x 0.55"
|
133 | 4.69
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|
|
4.01" x 1.98" x 0.55"
|
124 | 4.37
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|
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8.28" x 4.67" x 1.08"
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640 | 22.5
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4.48" x 2.52" x 0.59"
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154 | 5.43
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4.17" x 2.38" x 0.68"
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147 | 5.18
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|
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4.01" x 2.00" x 0.71"
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165 | 5.82
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4.41" x 2.24" x 0.49"
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122 | 4.30
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|
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4.41" x 2.28" x 0.73"
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140 | 4.94
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|
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4.01" x 2.00" x 0.45"
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110 | 3.88
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4.56" x 2.36" x 0.70"
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200 | 7.05
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4.30" x 2.40" x 0.60"
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120 | 4.23
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4.20" x 2.30" x 0.60"
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136 | 4.79
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|
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3.70" x 2.30" x 0.60"
|
126 | 4.44
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|
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4.48" x 2.39" x 0.51"
|
116 | 4.09
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|
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4.60" x 2.60" x 0.50"
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134 | 4.70
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|
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4.10" x 2.10" x 0.60"
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150 | 5.30
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4.40" x 2.32" x 0.75"
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190 | 6.70
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(all images link to higher resolution)
The device fits quite comfortably in the hand and leaves a very positive first impression.
PRODUCT FEATURES
After the unboxing video, you could say the device carries a standard package of additions to keep you company.
Here is a shot of the box.
But I’m not happy at all about the lack of a leather case or a spare stylus. It’s just not the best scenario anymore for a business user to start searching for a decent case and spare parts afterwards. I’d also add a spare battery and a car charger for the targeted market in mind.
This video offers my hardware impressions on the device.
What do I think of it? Well, the device is built with solid, high quality materials and feels quite sturdy and comfortable in the hand. And again, elegance has really got to me here. I can say I’ve had a lot of fun going to meetings and having half the audience staring at it and later asking me where they can buy one.
On the left we find a Volume Up and Down button, the Voice Commander button and the slots for microSD and miniUSB wall charging and headphones. The bottom is nothing but plastic.
On the right, the device has the bottom camera button, and a scroll wheel with an action and OK button. The top holds an external GPS antenna connector, the reset button and power button.
On the back, the device sports a camera mirror, a flash and a 3.1 megapixel camera. It also holds the speaker, which is probably one of the worst I’ve seen and the largest stylus I’ve ever seen in my life.
On the front, there are two LED lights at the top left corner, the speaker, a standard QWERTY, the 2.4 inch QVGA landscape screen, the soft keys, Windows and OK buttons for one handed navigation, and shortcut keys for Email and the Calendar.
On the down side, the keyboard design is very promising, but can tend to be a bit uncomfortable because of the metallic detail within.
You’ll also notice that the device is quite competitive in its size comparisons.
Click on to the next page to read more about the included software on the iPAQ 910.
PROGRAM FEATURE
As expected, the iPAQ holds no UI enhancements that’ll bring any additional experience from the consumer standpoint. As a Business Messenger though, I’d say leaving the normal Windows Mobile interface intact is quite adequate and functional. My first days with the iPAQ have really been quite positive. Not the fastest device in the world, but enough to avoid lagging. Lots of memory to work with, a great addition with iPAQ File Store, and enough specs to give you all you need while on the go.
As mentioned, there is no UI enhancement made to this device. Here is the plain old Today screen, which is clean and always useful.
