Compaq iPAQ 3100

Are you looking for an affordable Pocket PC? Well, you're not alone. It's true that you should expect to pay a little more for a device with such a rich suite of built-in applications. But many potential users are balking at the $500 + it costs to enter the game.

Well, the search just got easier with the introduction of the Compaq iPAQ 3100 and HP Jornada 525. In addition, Casio just dropped the price of its EM500 to $400. Best of all, these Pocket PCs have the same suite of built-in applications from Microsoft as found on the more expensive Pocket PCs, and many of the hardware features as well.

We've already reviewed the Casio EM-500 in the November 2000 issue. This review looks at the other two low-cost Pocket PCs.

When the Pocket PC was first introduced over a year ago, Compaq upgraded their remaining stock of Aero 1500 Palm-size PCs and sold them as the Aero 1550, an inexpensive, monochrome-screen Pocket PC. The 1550 was very successful, especially with enterprise developers. But it was based on a slower 70 MHz MIPS processor and Compaq discontinued it in favor of a newer and faster monochrome-screen Pocket PC.

That device is Compaq's new iPAQ 3100, essentially a monochrome-screen version of the popular iPAQ 3600 Pocket PC. The device I tested was actually called the iPAQ 3150, not the 3100. This is the device Compaq is marketing on their site. For consistency's sake I will refer to the device as the 3100 series Pocket PC.

Differences between 3100 and 3600 iPAQs

The monochrome screen is the main difference. The iPAQ 3100 series Pocket PCs come with a 15-grayscale backlit touch screen. It doesn't have the pizzazz of a color screen, but I found it quite readable inside at my desk and outside in direct sunlight. Hold down the power button while the device is on to activate the backlighting feature, which is sufficient to view your screen in total darkness.

The other major difference relates to the amount of internal memory. The 3100 series only has 16 Mb of RAM to split between running programs and storing files. Fortunately, you can add storage memory with an Expansion Pack and CF or PC memory card (all iPAQ 3600 accessories work with the 3100).

I noticed two other differences between the 3100 series and the color-screen iPAQs. First, the various buttons and the game pad on the 3100 series are made of black plastic, instead of shiny metal. Second, the 3100 series does not have a built-in light sensor that automatically adjusts the display to suit environmental lighting.

The device I received came with a USB connectivity cable. Note: Compaq promotional material lists standard options as "serial cradle or USB cable." This may mean that different model numbers in the 3100 series will have different sets of accessories. Check this out before you buy.

Great features of an iPAQ

Other than the differences described above, the 3100 is identical to the color-screen iPAQ introduced over a year ago.

• It has the same fast 206 MHz StrongARM processor.
• Same high-capacity Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery for 15 hours of continuous use (or a week or two of normal use) between charges.
• Same size (but listed as slightly lighter than the color-screen version).
• Same operating system (Windows CE 3.0).
• Same set of built-in applications from Microsoft (MS Pocket Office, Pocket Outlook, and more).
• Same set of built-in software from Compaq.
• It accepts the same set of accessories, including the Expansion Packs to add storage memory and hardware features.