Review: iPAQ rz1715 MMC (Ouch!)

[Brad Isaac]

Ok, my eyes are still burning a bit after reading Ipaq HQ's review of the new iPAQ rz1715 Mobile Media Companion. The author, Chris Leckness, feels this device is a step in the wrong direction for HP and that it doesn't offer much (any) value for the money. Et Tu HP? Anyway, if you are into watching train wrecks or 12 car pileups, head on over to read the review.
"Overall Value
Even for the iPAQ faithful, there is no value here. You can get the h1945 for the same price now and get a much better machine. You will have to sacrifice the prospect of getting WM 2003 SE, but you gain a removable battery, a smaller form factor, more memory, and a much better looking Pocket PC. On the other hand, if you are not married to HP, you can get the Dell Axim X30 for $80 cheaper. In the X30 you get more memory, better processor, and WM 2003 SE. It appears that HP is trying to get down into Dell prices, but they sacrificed too much quality and function to make it worthwhile. "
What do the addicts feel about this? Was he too hard on HP and the rz1715 or was he on target?

[sracer]

This guy's review is very skewed IMO.
He fails to see that this device is targeted for the low-end. But he is reviewing it as if it is a high-end targeted for business power users.
He complains about it's inability to play videos smoothly... but doesn't provide any data as to what kind of video, bitrate, etc.
He is the poster-child for what is wrong in the PPC arena and why prices haven't dropped. If every new device doesn't out-do the previous ones in terms of functionality then it is a failure and a rip-off.
I think HP is wise to widen its offering lineup. There is more to a device than the spec-sheet. Anyone other than gearheads understand that. There are intangibles like build-quality, customer service, and aftermarket support that are very important. That is why Honda Accords have traditionally sold for higher prices than larger, fully equipped American cars.
Street prices for this should be around $225-$250... not too bad to get an (albeit entry-level) iPAQ.
I'd love to see HP produce a device with less features selling in the $150 pricerange.
But then again, I know all too well that I look at things far differently than most others.

[noolly]

Thanks for the link Brad. I have read this review and I agree with its sentiment.
Obviously HP are trying to broaden their appeal and such bottom-end machines may entroduce new people to PPC's.
However to buy a PPC without any wireless capabilities these days is a waste of money. It is really just an electronic organiser and not a "mobile media companion" as HP would like you to believe. Shameless marketing.
Only a 203MHz Samsung 2410 processor and only 25MB user available memory including 10MB iPAQ File Store
What can you do with that except play Solitaire?
HP are not pushing the envelope with this one.
It confirms my feeling that PPC design and innovation has been fairly stagnant over the past 18 months.
It also looks ugly.
I have an "older" model iPAQ 4150 which is at least twice as good, it has:
400Mhz processor, 55MB user available memory, bluetooth, WiFi and after only 5 minutes of looking on the internet I found a price of $335.
Probably only a $55-$80 price difference between the two devices.

[noolly]

Message to sracer :
What would a $150 iPAQ be like........ tin can and string?!

[sracer]

Originally Posted by noolly

Message to sracer :
What would a $150 iPAQ be like........ tin can and string?!

I bet they could release a stripped down PPC that focuses mainly on PIM functionality... not even any expansion slots. Built-in flipcover to protect the screen. Slower processor, maybe 16MB RAM. Primary purpose is Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes. Occasional Pocket Word/Excel docs. With limited RAM, CPU, and other features, battery life would be excellent...even in a very slim form-factor.
Not everybody wants to use their device as an overpriced GameBoy. There IS a market for a device like this, but the mentality of the majority of PPC owners would discourage the target market from purchasing it.
I can just hear the PPC gearheads telling their Joe-sixpack neighbors, "don't buy that piece of crap! You can't play Quake on it, you can't play movies on it. You can't play music. It's worthless!"
I love my 2215. It's a fantastic device! But I also have an old Casio PocketViewer. ($5 off of eBay) When I'm "gonna get dirty", I just slip the PV in my back pocket and go. It syncs smoothly, I never have to worry about batteries (8+ months on 2 AAA batts), it's slim, not worry about the screen (flipcover protects it), and a PIM that is easier to navigate than a PPC's counterpart.

[noolly]

Originally Posted by sracer

Not everybody wants to use their device as an overpriced GameBoy

Ha! scracer you are so funny!
Let me tell you what I do with my PPC on an average day.
I am an Anaethetist.
1. Bluetooth sync to my PC in the morning
2. Browse PocketPCAddict and other news via avantgo on the way to work
3. Look up some of the big words I don't understand on my PPC dictionary
4. Check the weather forcast via my today screen SBSH pocketweather (oh sugar should have brought in my clothes from the line!)
5. Check my calander to see whats on during the day
6. Check my mail
7. At hospital wirelessly log onto the network to check drug information, rosters, contact numbers, patient information other reference information
8. Keep a patient case log via HanDBase
9. Take some notes in the library on my laptop which automatically syncs via bluetooth to my PPC in my pocket
10. Use the calculator
11. Watch some compressed football on my SD card (If I've got any time!)
12. Show some friends some digital photos
13. Listen to some MP3's on the way home
14. Surf the net via WiFi to check the latest on PocketPCAddict!
Can you do this on a gameboy?

[bkbroil]

noolly:
It sounds like you take some form of public transportation to work every day, which gives you time to read and listen to music...Have you ever thought of ripping movies with Pocket DVD Studio? It puts out a great picture that takes up the whole screen.

[noolly]

This is a good tip bkbroil, however I must say that I am very grateful to scracer for his WMV for PPC Encoding Guide!
scracer's easy to follow guide allows me to do it for free!

[sracer]

Originally Posted by noolly

Ha! sracer you are so funny!
Can you do this on a gameboy?

I didn't say that YOU use yours as a gameboy! But there is definitely that mentality out there that says that if a device can't play music, can't play video, can't play games, then it is worthless.

[S]

Originally Posted by sracer

This guy's review is very skewed IMO.
He fails to see that this device is targeted for the low-end. But he is reviewing it as if it is a high-end targeted for business power users.
He complains about it's inability to play videos smoothly... but doesn't provide any data as to what kind of video, bitrate, etc.
He is the poster-child for what is wrong in the PPC arena and why prices haven't dropped. If every new device doesn't out-do the previous ones in terms of functionality then it is a failure and a rip-off.
I think HP is wise to widen its offering lineup. There is more to a device than the spec-sheet. Anyone other than gearheads understand that. There are intangibles like build-quality, customer service, and aftermarket support that are very important. That is why Honda Accords have traditionally sold for higher prices than larger, fully equipped American cars.
Street prices for this should be around $225-$250... not too bad to get an (albeit entry-level) iPAQ.
I'd love to see HP produce a device with less features selling in the $150 pricerange.
But then again, I know all too well that I look at things far differently than most others.

I cant believe what you are saying here - you either work for HP or your taking banned substances.
I dont disagree that its a good thing for HP to widen the lineup - but heres the thing....
THEY WANT TO SELL YOU THIS DEVICE WITH LESS FUNCTIONALITY, THAN THE DEVICES THEY ALREADY HAVE FOR SALE IN THE STORE...and listen carefully because this is key THEY WANT MORE MONEY FOR IT.
Do you think this strategy will work in other business areas - can you see Ford advertising a new car for more money than last years model but with a slower engine, less room, no trunk space and no CD player.
How about Dell selling you a new PC which is more expensive than the ones currently available and has less memory, a slower processor and made with inferior materials.
Think about it - the issue here isnt the device, its the PRICE. This IS a $150 pda but they want to sell it to you for $250 +

[sracer]

Originally Posted by S

I cant believe what you are saying here - you either work for HP or your taking banned substances.
I dont disagree that its a good thing for HP to widen the lineup - but heres the thing....
THEY WANT TO SELL YOU THIS DEVICE WITH LESS FUNCTIONALITY, THAN THE DEVICES THEY ALREADY HAVE FOR SALE IN THE STORE...and listen carefully because this is key THEY WANT MORE MONEY FOR IT.

So just because you disagree with me, I have to be either a corporate shill for HP or on drugs. :roll:
Yes, I "listened" carefully. But have you considered that the prices quoted in the review are MSRP? Are you comparing MSRP with MSRP? Or are you factoring MSRP vs. street prices/incentive prices/clearance prices?

Originally Posted by S

Think about it - the issue here isnt the device, its the PRICE. This IS a $150 pda but they want to sell it to you for $250 +

Did you even bother reading the review? The issue here IS the device! (according to the reviewer). My comments were towards the scathing review. If you have opinions on the device and pricing, that is one thing, but this thread was about the review of that device.

[noolly]

Okay okay everybody just calm down a little.......
......some constructive arguement is always healthy but please remember we are all on the same team of pocket PC's!

[S]

Originally Posted by sracer

So just because you disagree with me, I have to be either a corporate shill for HP or on drugs. :roll:
Yes, I "listened" carefully. But have you considered that the prices quoted in the review are MSRP? Are you comparing MSRP with MSRP? Or are you factoring MSRP vs. street prices/incentive prices/clearance prices?

Did you even bother reading the review? The issue here IS the device! (according to the reviewer). My comments were towards the scathing review. If you have opinions on the device and pricing, that is one thing, but this thread was about the review of that device.

The reason this reviewer has given this device such a poor review is that its obviously a piece of cheap crap masquerading under the Ipaq name.
It has been designed simply to increase the margins for HP because they felt the margins were not big enough on the 1900 series (The 1900 series was a 3rd party design - HP make less money on 3rd party designs). They were probably thinking they could get away with it because Sony was leaving the PDA business and Toshiba are rumoured to be not far behind - less competition so lets see what we can get away with!
If you look around the net you will find the majority of reviews on this device are the same - dissapointed and amazed that HP think they can charge more than the current models with better specs.
The reviewer not only gave a balanced informative review..he is also consistant with most of the other reviews - in some ways he is actually a little kind.
He states;
Pros:
Light weight
Bright Screen
Comes with WM2003 SE
Cons:
Price
Very low available memory
Performance
Lack of a CF Slot
Lower than average battery life
Non-Removable battery
New Design
Why does this make him "the poster-child for what is wrong in the PPC arena and why prices haven't dropped"
Any reviewer has to take the price point into consideration - this is a midrange price for a pocket pc that simply doesnt compete with other midrange devices.

And yes I have considered MSRP prices. But in order for this device to be a worthy purchase the street price will have to drop by around 50%. This may happen in a years time but its highly unlikely to happen soon - that is unless HP realise that it is in fact a piece of crap!
As an owner of 4 different Ipaq models I find HPs release of this product at the suggested price point insulting and cant believe that anyone could argue anything else.

[knelson]

My personal opinion based on my work in the IT business.... I relate back to Gateway who went into consumer only market... and lost. I can understand having a consumer model as an aside, but the big push should be towards corporate users and to compete with Blackberry and Palm in the corporate marketplace.
Now to another issue... we here and this reviewer talk of IPAQ and its storied history... please keep in mind this is no longer Compaq but HP.. remember HP's contribution to the PPC business not exactly stellar.

[bkbroil]

Hey Knelson -- I have Starsky and Hutch! I haven't watched it yet....but which scene should I be looking for?

[knelson]

there is a party by the bad guys - auctioning some cars or something and Kassie is in the second table - she has lots of closeups. Someday I will update her sight. She is starting a new shoot tomorrow but I have no idea what it is for.

[noolly]

It comes as no surprise to me to learn that the iPAQ rz1715 has been voted by PC Magazine as one of the ten worst products of 2004.
"It's a pity this iPAQ's so bad, but don't saddle yourself or your friends, with this boat anchor"

[Brad Isaac]

Thanks for the link...looking pretty bad for that model.