Sandurz:
Prepare for light speed.
Helmet: No, no, light speed is too slow.
Sandurz: Light speed too slow?
Helmet: Yes, we’ll have to go right to…Ludicrous speed!
Sandurz:Ludicrous speed! Sir, we’ve never gone that fast before. I
don’t think the ship can take it.
Helmet: What’s the matter, Colonel Sandurz…CHICKEN?!

   — Spaceballs

   
The human race has always been fascinated with speed. And PDAs have
been no exception. ImmierSoft has taken the opportunity to provide us
speed freaks (and even battery savers) a way to get even more out of
our Pocket PCs with XCPUScalar. How does XCPUScalar perform? Can we
achieve the fabled Ludicrous speed (or perhaps even go plaid)? Read
on for a full review.

WHAT’S
HOT

   Speed! And speed at your control (to raise or
lower). This means you can increase battery life OR have more processing
power within 3 easy taps.

SETUP

   The install routine for XCPUScalar is normal.
This review was done on my iPaq 2215.

PROGRAM
FEATURES

    First, let’s review XCPUScalar’s features
(copied from Handango):

HELP
SUPPORT

    ImmierSoft
has always provided a great level of support. Available on their
webpage
is a FAQ, Forum, and Contact Us link.

SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS

    According to Handango,
XCPUScalar requires a 400MHz Pocket PC. The full list of compatible
devices can be reviewed there.

BUGS
AND WISHES

    I found no fatal errors, and my wish
list is short:

• Add
  the ability to display (or hide) individual parts of the TaskBar
  meter
• Add
  the ability to change the color of the Speed Icon to match the
  TaskBar meter
• Display
  Auto Scale disabled when not on battery power
• Make
  drop down selections longer (on the Advanced Tab) so one doesn’t
  have to use the scroll arrows as much

PURCHASING

    You can buy XCPUScalar from Handango.
The price shown is $14.50.

PROS

• 
  

  Increased
  speed OR

• Increased
  battery life
• 
  

  User
  customizable options

• Great
  support
• PRICE!

CONS

• It
  has yet to be seen if manufacturers will have warranty issues
  with units running XCPUScalar
• Advanced
  tab drop down menus are a little small
• No
  "Plaid" option *wink*

OVERALL
IMPRESSION

   If you are using a 400MHz Pocket PC – XCPUScalar
is a must have. Not only can you get increased speed out of your
unit, but you can also extend the battery life by downscaling
the CPU. And for the price of $14.50 – what a steal. I’ve used
XCPUScalar since version 2.5 (from July 2003) – as you can see
from reading my prior reviews – and have had nothing but good
things to say about it. With the changes made in the newest versions,
if you haven’t purchased this yet, you are missing out!

Have
you used XCPUScalar? See something that isn’t quite right? Tell
us what you think! Click on the Discussion Link below.