HP iPaq hx2790

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CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews
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Product summary

The good: The HP iPaq hx2790 boasts Windows Mobile 5, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a fingerprint reader for added security. The PDA also performed well in CNET Labs' tests.

The bad The bad: The chunky and heavy HP iPaq hx2790 has a low-resolution screen compared with its competitors, and it's expensive.

The bottom line: The HP iPaq hx2790 is a PDA for those who are looking for a traditional, businesscentric approach to ultraportable computing and don't mind paying for it.

Specifications: OS provided: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium Edition; Installed RAM: 64 MB; Processor: Intel 624 MHzXscale; See full specs

Price range: $599.00

See all products in the HP iPaq hx2000 series

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Brian Nadel
Edited by: Bonnie Cha
Reviewed on: 12/07/2005

As PDAs increasingly morph into mobile phones and vice versa, the HP iPaq hx2790 stands out by ignoring this technological cross-pollination. By sticking to the basics, it generally does a good job of mixing just enough entertainment potential with its business abilities to satisfy road warriors. Plus, the addition of Windows Mobile 5 arms mobile professionals with even more tools for getting business done while on the go. On the downside, this PDA lacks the high-resolution screen of competing products, such as the Dell Axim X51v and the Palm TX, and doesn't do images and video justice. The hx2790 is also overweight and chunky, and at $500, it's one of the most expensive PDAs out there. However, if security is of the utmost importance to you, then you can't beat the iPaq hx2790, with its biometric fingerprint reader. Also of note: If you happen to have one of the older versions of the hx2000 series, HP will offer Windows Mobile 5 upgrades in spring of 2006 for $39.99.

The HP iPaq hx2790 picks up where the hx2750 left off and doesn't add any new design features. Built around a sturdy frame and case, it's been designed to take road abuse with rounded corners and protective rubber inserts that offer some extra grip. At 3 by 4.7 by 0.6 inches and 6.4 ounces, the gray and silver device feels good in the hand but is a tad longer and heavier than the similar Dell Axim X51 series. We really like the iPaq's included smoked-plastic screen cover, but it adds half an ounce to the package and doesn't flip all the way over. Alternatively, it makes a cool easel for holding the unit upright if you put it on backward.

Speaking of the screen, the HP iPaq hx2790's 3.5-inch display shows 65,536 colors, but its QVGA (240x320) resolution can't compete with the generation of VGA (480x640) models, such as Dell's Axim X51v, which pump out four times as many pixels. Still, it's bright and rich enough to satisfy most, with easy-to-read text. For those in a hurry, the PDA has four instant-start application buttons just below the screen and a fingerprint reader to help protect data and access to the system. In a month of use, the latter function never yielded to the wrong finger but sometimes balked at opening up for the right one.

For those who like to have their flash memory and use it, this PDA comes equipped with both Secure Digital and CompactFlash expansion slots (located on the top of the device), which accept even the slightly thicker CompactFlash hard drives, such as the IBM or the Hitachi Microdrive modules. A standard headphone jack is next to the card slots, making this PDA a music machine for listening to tunes on the go. Finally, there's a lone voice-record button on the left side. Aside from the aforementioned flip cover, HP packages the hx2790 with an AC adapter and a desktop cradle. More accessories are available for purchase from HP, such as a Bluetooth GPS kit for $329.99 and a snap-on thumb keyboard for $49.99.

You can sync to your PC with the included desktop cradle, but be sure to download the updated ActiveSync 4.1 first.

Powering the HP iPaq hx2790 is a top-speed 624MHz Intel XScale processor along with 256MB of memory, of which there's 192MB of ROM and 64MB of SDRAM. The device has 144MB available in the fail-safe iPaq File Store. Again, this isn't anything groundbreaking or new in comparison with the HP iPaq hx2750, but that's not to say it's a bad thing, since these components are adequate in getting the job done.

See more CNET content tagged:: HP iPaq,; Dell Axim,; PDA,; HP,; Microsoft Windows Mobile

User reviews

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 16 user reviewsSee all 16 user reviews
2.5 stars

13 out of 13 people found this review helpful

"Very Powerful, Full-Featured, but buggy PDA"

by mwcorg on January 9, 2006

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1.5 stars

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

"Good, when it works"

by likophoto on August 29, 2006

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4.5 stars

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

"One of the best Pocket PC's on the market"

by mjaycox on January 3, 2006

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Where to buy

HP iPaq hx2790: $599.00

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Reviews from
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mobiletechreview.com

Editors' rating: 100

Summary: It's hard to find fault with this unit, and believe me, we have no trouble finding things to complain about. The device is very fast, has great graphics performance for video playback and gaming, Bluetooth, WiFi, good VNP support, SD and CF slots, SDIO su

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laptopmag.com

Editors' rating: 80

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goodgearguide.com.au

Editors' rating: 50

Summary: This PDA is fast, powerful, and equipped with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but the biometric fingerprint reader doesn't work as well as it should.

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