REVIEW: HP iPAQ hw6900

HP iPAQ hw6900 Review

If you are searching for a way to stay in touch while on the road, there are not too many options better than the HP iPAQ hw6900. Even though its predecessor, the 6500 series, had some drawbacks, it appears that the new models are better than ever before. They are geared towards business oriented people that need to stay in touch even when they are not fully available from their office. The HP iPAQ hw6900 takes care of these communication issues in more ways than one.

Just like the 6500 series before it, we first noticed that they HP iPAQ hw6900 is a bit on the big side. This is not to say that it is too bulky to carry around, but it does have a bit of awkwardness to it at times. The dimensions of this unit are 4.65 x 2.8 x .71 inches. In addition, it weighs in at approximately 6.3 ounces.

A great feature that plays into the hands of businessmen is the battery life. The 1200 mAHh Lithium Ion has a life of four hours worth of talk time, or seven days of standby. During our review, the battery lasted just around three days; this was with moderate use from all of the features. In most cases this should be plenty long enough for any businessman before they have to charge it for the first time.

As far as communication is concerned the HP iPAQ hw6900 is tops. In addition to its standard cell phone features, it also allows communication in many other ways as well. One of the most notable is the 802.11b Wi-Fi radio. This is a feature that is not included in many units, and really puts the HP iPAQ hw6900 head and shoulders above the competition in this area.

You can also get Bluetooth 1.2 on your HP iPAQ hw6900 which makes transferring files a breeze. And when a Wi-Fi hotspot is not around you also have the ability to use the phone as a modem pc. We found this versatility to be handy in more than one occasion.

Another big improvement over past years is the usability of the keyboard. In the past there have been concerns with the round keys that made them difficult to push; this was especially true for those of us with larger fingers. But after hours of testing, HP decided to go with flat keys on the newest model. This will make it much easier to communicate quickly while typing short messages.

The camera on the HP iPAQ hw6900 is nothing special, but with 1.3 megapixels it gets the job done. To go along with the camera there are also audio and video features that you can surely find a use for. The main issue with the camera was the two second delay after pressing the button to take a photo. In many cases this was just enough time for our subject to move and distort the picture.

And finally, the GPS feature on the HP iPAQ hw6900 can be very helpful. With GPS, we never found ourselves lost while navigating a new city. The only downfall of this feature is that it eats up battery life at a quick pace. While using GPS you can expect about three hours.
Overall, when it comes to the HP iPAQ hw6900 you are getting a versatile package that will allow you to communicate with the world no matter where you are.

Pros

• The large level of communication features on the HP iPAQ hw6900 makes it one of the best options for people that are on the road a lot. In addition to the cell phone feature, you can also take advantage of internet browsing capabilities and Wi-Fi radio.
• A GPS system is available that allows you to get to where you are going without any troubles at all. This feature alone makes the HP iPAQ hw6900 worth a look if you are in the market.

Cons

• The camera is not up to industry standards and it can be quite bothersome to deal with at times. There is a two second delay from when you push the button to take a picture to when it actual takes. This can make for pictures that are just a bit off time and time again.

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