HP Jornada 525 Pocket PC

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.

Hewlett Packard's entry into the low-cost Pocket PC market makes some intelligent compromises, but keeps most of the hardware features of the earlier Jornada 540 series Pocket PCs and all of the built-in and add-on software.

A new color display; 16 MB of RAM; no flip cover

The main hardware difference is the Jornada 525's new 8-bit color screen, down from the 540's 12-bit screen. This means the new Jornada displays only 256 colors instead of the 4K colors of the original Jornada Pocket PC. This will make a difference if you view high-resolution images on your Pocket PC. But for using applications, listening to music, playing games, and even viewing short movies, 256 colors should be plenty. An added benefit with the 8-bit screen may be a slight decrease in power consumption, with a consequent increase in battery life.

The other hardware difference is the amount of internal RAM, which is split to run programs and store files. The higher-end Jornada 547 and 548 each come with 32 MB of RAM. The 525 comes with 16 MB. However, like other Jornada Pocket PCs, it has a built-in Type I CompactFlash slot. This lets you add relatively inexpensive file storage memory via a CF card.

Another way HP brought the price down was to eliminate the flip cover from the Jornada 525. This decision also brought the weight and size down just a little. I would be 100% behind this change if it were not for the fact that, without the flip cover, there is no place to store the stylus on the 525. You can slip it into a little, hard-to-reach pocket of the carrying pouch that comes with the 525. But I would rather carry my Pocket PC in a coat pocket, without a carrying case. Fortunately, the 525 still has the little holes at the top of the case to attach a flip cover. You can purchase an optional cover, in different colors, for $20. Go to www.hpshopping.com and search on "series cover." I would either do this or carry a stylus/pen combination in my pocket and leave the HP stylus behind.

HP includes a serial synchronization cable with the Jornada 525 and does not offer a USB cable or cradle as an option. USB is a lot faster, but Serial communications are sufficient for most users.

The only other change of note is that the case of the Jornada 525 is silver instead of black. It still has the little, black, rubberized strip around the outside edge that makes it less likely to slip out of your hand or pocket.

HP kept other hardware features of their original Pocket PCs, including the processor (133 MHz SH3), the size and shape of the case, the CF slot, and the button layout.

Built-in and add-on software

The HP Jornada 525 Pocket PC has the same set of built-in Microsoft software found on all Pocket PCs (see sidebar). Additionally, it has an excellent suite of add-on software from HP and third-party developers. A complete list is found in the Spec Sheet below (seesidebar as well). The highlights include:

HP utilities—a suite of utilities that lets you easily change the Jornada's configuration, back up files to a CF card, launch applications, switch and close down tasks, and more. Palm users switching over to the Jornada 525 will find the Home Menu application particularly familiar.

HP Security—lets you set password protection on the Jornada Pocket PCs. HP Security has a unique feature that lets you create a reminder in case you forget the password.