Big review of HP iPAQ h5550

April 28, 2004 | Pavel Koza | format - Other (ar.) | viewed - 280x
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Big review of HP iPAQ h5550

HP has been offering the widest range of Pocket PC devices from all PDA manufacturers for some time now. The compact HP iPAQ h1900 series is designed for beginners and low-level users, power users will opt for HP iPAQ h2200, and those who seek the best cannot make a mistake by going for HP iPAQ h5550. When I was writing this article (December 2003, I am sorry for the delayed publishing...), it was the most powerful device on the market, suitable for deployment in a corporate environment due to advanced security features. To make the information complete, HP offers also h5100 that has the same size but less memory and no Wi-Fi or fingerprint reader.

First of all, let me save some time for those who are familiar with he previous model, HP iPAQ h5450. There are four differences between h5450 and h5550 - h5550 has a newer type of processor (Intel PXA255), 128 MB of RAM, quite an elegant case instead of a protective jacket, and comes with pre-installed Windows Mobile 2003 by default. That's all:) The rest of the article is intended for all others.

What is in the box?

The relatively large box contains everything you need, from the PDA to documentation.

HP iPAQ h5550
Li-Pol 1250-mAh battery
charger with an adapter for direct charging of the device
USB cradle
spare stylus
CD-ROM with Outlook 2002 and bonus applications
voucher worth 5 points for iPAQ Choice Software
quick start guide
warranty information
a few leaflets

Visually, h5550 is not different from the previous model in any way, but let's leave a comparison for a late time. The battery is not only rechargeable but also replaceable, which offers two main advantages - after a ceartin period, every battery loses some of its capacity, but replacing it will cost you just the price of a new battery, no service charges. If you need a more capacious battery, it is again a matter of buying a double one (2500 mAh). The recharging is done using a compact AC adapter (the same for all iPAQs), you need a connector adapter for charging the device directly. Unlike ther iPAQs though, the 5500 series can charge over the USB cable, which is very convenient especially on travels - you take one AC adapter less with you.

It is nice to find that HP decided to replace a protective jacket (which I have never got used to) with a handsome leatherette case with a magnetic buckle and a belt clip. The sides are made of stretchable fabric, so that the case is highly flexible. When attached to the belt, it is positioned horizontally, which compensates for the rather large dimensions of the device. Anyhow, this case is better than that supplied with HP iPAQ h2210. A spare stylus is a matter-of-course in this price category and needs no further comment.

The plastic cradle makes it possible to connect the iPAQ to a desktop PC both over USB and a serial port. To me, the cradle is too light, so that it moves around the table sometimes. Adjustable legs make it possible to change the angle at which you see the display.

And finally, there is the voucher worth 5 points for the on-line iPAQ Choice Software store where you can choose applications to your liking. The box also contains a user guide, a CD-ROM with applications I am going to mention later, a catalogue of available accessories, warranty information and a few other leaflets.

To sum up, the box contains a complete set of accessories. I would welcome if the USB cable were detachable from the cradle, especially because h5550 can charge over USB, but there is nothing like an absolutely perfect solution... Well, there is, but you have to pay some extra bucks for it:)

Design

As I have already said, iPAQ h5550 can use the standard iPAQ jackets, that is why the dimensions are virtually the same as those of, say, iPAQ h3970. Specifically, it is 138 x 84 x 15.9 millimetres, the weight is 206.8 grams. This may seem a little too much despite the remarkable parameters - something that may deter some potential buyers. On the other hand, if you need to use a PCMCIA card with your iPAQ or have invested in various jackets, the size probably won't matter. Even though h5550 weighs over 200 grams, it fits in the hand well and those with strong hands may feel like holding a good piece of hardware:)

The display is larger than average and is one of the best I have seen, although there is a (very) slight yellowish tint, unfortunately. Unlike in HP iPAQ h1940, it is a minor nuisance, yet I would expect uncompromised, 100-percent quality in the most expensive device on the market. There are two LED indicators over the display (to indicate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth status, respectively), a light sensor for automatic backlight adjustment, the loudspeaker grill, the main power switch and the usual red/orange LED multi-functional indicator. Under the display, there are four soft keys, the usual joypad, a microphone pinhole, and, the specialty of high-end iPAQs - a biometric fingerprint reader.

On the left side, there are two volume control buttons. Before you deem it useless you should know that at the time when the h5000 series was on the drawing board, HP considered having a model with a GSM/GPRS module, where the two buttons would definitely come handy. Unfortunately, the plan was ditched, so that potential customers will have to wait for the h6000 series... If you would prefer having a sound record button there, don't despair and try pressing the two buttons simultaneously:)

At the bottom side, you will find a standard 3.5 mm stereo headphones jack, microphone, a combined connector for the USB cable, cradle or charger, a soft-reset button and a big jacket connector.

On the top, there is a small Wi-Fi antenna, an MMC/SD slot (with full SDIO support), IRDA port, and the stylus shaft. The antenna is somewhat annoying but an integrated one would certainly have somewhat worse parameters.

And finally, there is nothing on the back but the battery compartment cover.

Pocket PC	Dimensions (in. / mm)	Weight (oz / g)
Asus MyPal A620BT	3.02 x 4.92 x 0.52 76.8 x 125 x 13.3	4.98 141
Asus MyPal A617	3.07 x 5.31 x 0.69 78 x 135 x 17.6	6.95 197
Dell Axim X3i	3.04 x 4.82 x 0.59 77.2 x 117 x 14.9	4.94 142
F-S Pocket LOOX 610BT	3.07 x 5.81 x 0.72 78 x 147.5 x 18.2	7.23 197
HP iPAQ h1940	2.75 x 4.46 x 0.5 69.8 x 113.3 x 12.8	4.38 124
HP iPAQ h2210	3.01 x 4.54 x 0.61 76.4 x 115.4 x 15.4	5.09 144
HP iPAQ h4150	2.78 x 4.47 x 0.53 70.6 x 113.6 x 13.5	4.66 132
HP iPAQ h5550	3.31 x 5.43 x 0.63 84 x 138 x 15.9	7.3 206.8
MiTAC Mio339	2.83 x 4.88 x 0.6 73 x 122 x 13.8	4.36 120
MiTAC Mio558	2.83 x 4.88 x 0.6 72 x 124 x 15.3	6 170
Toshiba e400	3 x 4.9 x 0.4 76.2 x 124.4 x 10.1	4.59 130
Toshiba e800	3 x 5.3 x 0.6 80 x 125 x 15.2	6 179
T-Mobile MDA II	2.75 x 5.12 x 0.71 70 x 130 x 19	6.53 185

Parameters

Now, we are getting to the most interesting aspects of this iPAQ, which are its parameters and features. The new model is powered by an Intel PXA255 processor, while the previous one, h5450, used Intel PXA250. The change is probably more significant than it may seem at first sight. Besides doubling the bus clock to 200MHz, PXA255 has much lower power consumption, which is more than welcome in a battery-operated device. The processor runs at 400 MHz, but there are no software tools for adjusting the clock... The device offers an amazing 128 MB of RAM for storing user data and application software (more than 126 MB available). If that is not enough, you can save sensitive data in more than 17 MB of available FlashROM that keeps its contents even if the battery runs completely flat or after a hard reset. There is a total of 48 ROM of ROM, so that a possible OS upgrade should not be a problem (well, who knows after the fiasco with the upgrade to WM2003).

I have briefly mentioned the display, now onto the details: it is a transflective TFT display with 64K colours and the standard resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Its 96-millimetre diagonal makes a difference, being 7 mm bigger than lower models. The only problem is the backlight, which has a yellowish tint. I would neglect that in any other device, but given the price of nearly 800 USD on the Czech market, it strikes me as unnecessary. I understand that every cent matters in low-end devices, but not so much in the top segment. On the other hand, if you do not have two devices to compare, you probably will not notice. Otherwise the backlight provides sufficient user comfort. You can adjust it at 20 levels separately for battery and mains operations. There is also an automatic backlight adjustment feature which changes the backlight intensity depending on the light conditions. The functionality is nearly perfect, the user can fine-tune the setting (see picture). Like all new iPAQs, h5550, too, can "blur" screen fonts at 12 levels using the ClearType technology. The display is well readable even in direct sunlight. And I have no objections whatsoever to the quality of the touch-sensitive layer.

You can of course use the device for listening to music too. The iPAQ offers a usual combination of a mono loudspeaker, mono microphone and a 3.5 mm stereo headphones jack which makes it possible to use any quality headphones. Unfortunately, the output is a little hissy, so that you may be disappointed a little when listening to slow songs in a quiet room. Well, it will make no difference if you listen to Iron Maiden on the metro:) If you are not satisfied with the natural balance of the sound, you can apply three levels of bass boost. Overall, the sound is good despite the little problem, the loudness is excellent (it is impossible that you find yourself in a situation when you cannot hear anything - I could not stand more than half the maximum volume). Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted automatically or manually and the iPAQ can be used as a dictaphone.

Another category where h5550 excels is communication. Besides the standard USB cable connection, the device can communicate over a serial connection, infrared beam, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth support is from WidComm again (screenshots have been posted here many times, if you have not seen them yet, take a look at the review of HP iPAQ h2200, for instance). BT makes it possible to communicate with another PDA, notebook, desktop computer, mobile phone, printer, GPS, anything that is BT-enabled to transfer files and digital business cards, to access corporate network or the internet, to print, edit contacts, send SMS messages... Let me note that this device is not subject to the problems with BT detected in h5450 with WM2003. The ever more popular Wi-Fi oferes a fast connection to the internet or corporate network. The "Zero Configuration Wizard" in Windows Mobile 2003 makes configuring the Wi-Fi module a doddle - you can be online within seconds.

A big, bright display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - all that requires a lot of energy. As I have mentioned, the device is powered by a 1250-mAh Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery. It is replaceable, so that you can have several of them to substantially prolong the time without mains. If 1250 mAh is not enough, a double-capacity battery is available, too. When the main battery is being replaced, an integrated backup battery of unknown capacity retains the contents of the memory. Besides the usual travel charger, you can use a USB cable to recharge the iPAQ, a welcome option for many users (I would be happy to see this feature in all Pocket PCs). Like all new iPAQs, this type, too, makes it possible to set time for which memory will be powered even if the battery is nearly flat. The shorter the period, the longer you can work with the device, but then you have to rush to the charger... In my test with full backlight on, the battery kept the iPAQ "alive" for 3 hours and 46 minutes, which is not bad. However, considered the Wi-Fi and BT were disabled during the test, it is no striking success. If you are going to use WiFi and Bluetooth often, you will probably need at least one spare battery.

This iPAQ has a unique security feature in the PDA segment - a biometric fingerprint reader. This combined with supplied software, an integrated password protection and other applications makes h5550 the most secure Pocket PC on the market. It needs some training, though, but if you spend a few minutes learning how to use the system, you will be rewarded with a flawless functionality and 100% successful fingerprint recognition. I have been using the fingerprint recognition for three weeks and the system has never denied me access. What if I cut myself, you may wonder? Don't worry - nothing is lost. The human body has an interesting feature - the pattern on a finger of one hand is mirrored on the same finger of the other hand, and the software can handle that. Besides, you can teach iPAQ recognise not only the forefinger, but all the fingers individually. Clumsy users can switch the biometric protection off or combine it with a PIN or password. The question is how well the system can resist professional attempts at intrusion. The sensor works on a thermal basis and will not be easy to cheat. Anyway, it is the best protection you can get in a Pocket PC.

Expandability

Support for jackets significantly widens expandability options. However, you can teach iPAQ new tricks even without a relatively large jacket. The SD slot is fully SDIO-compatible, so that you can use not only memory cards, but also IO cards, such as BT, Wi-Fi (but hardly anyone would do that, wouldn't they?), GPS, digital camera, as well as other extension unheard of as yet. Another option is the integrated Bluetooth, which makes it possible to print easily or pair the device with a GPS to create a powerful navigating system.

Having mentioned the jackets, I should add that although there are not many new ones, the offer is enormous. There are jackets for CompactFlash cards, MemorySticks and PC cards. Others include a GPS jacket and a barcode scanner - there is something for even the most discerning user. However, the negative aspect is the size and weight of the whole.

Software

Let's divide applications into several groups, as usual. First, there are device pre-loaded in the ROM. Again, let me note that the basic bonus applications are the same as in h2210, so that did not re-examine them but simply copied the description. The operating system is Pocket PC 2003 Premium edition, which means that the ROM contains all available applications from Microsoft. Well, what is there installed in the device? Calendar, Contacts, Mail, Internet Explorer, Notes, Tasks, Windows Media Player, Calculator, Explorer, Microsoft reader, MSN Messenger, Pictures, Excel, Word, Pocket MSN and Terminal Services Client, as well as two games for you to kill time - Solitaire and Jawbreaker. There are three extra applications in the ROM: besides iPAQ Backup and iPAQ Image Viewer as we know them from h1940, it is a task manager iTask. Someone may miss the infrared control for household appliances called Nevo - no, it is not included in h5550.

iPAQ Backup is a highly sophisticated solution for backing up data and software. You can specify what type of data you want to back up - documents, databases, system files, registries etc., as well as which files you want to leave out. The options also include compression and encryption. The iPAQ Backup has some cool features, such as automatic backup at a specific time or when battery power decreases under a certain level, or an automatic backup and restore of Calendar and Contacts.

I have started taking iPAQ Image Viewer more seriously when I inserted an IBM Microdrive full of images into the iPQA and then could go to the cinema because it took MS Pictures 10 seconds or so to display a preview of one image. The iPAQ Image Viewer is fast and convenient. It has also other features, such as slideshow, and the option to present your images using a video card on a monitor, wall etc.

The iTask task manager has been present in iPAQs since ages. However, I haven't got used to using it... It makes it possible to manage running applications and launch new ones, but there are many other applications available that do the same but better. Well, it's always better than the Memory applet.

There is quite a lot of applications on the accompanying CD-ROM, but most of them are either available for free or demo versions. Besides standard apps, such as Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7 and Microsoft Outlook 2002 that ship with all new Pocket PCs, there are a few utilities for IP telephony, firewall clients etc. On the other hand, there are a few applications you would probably want to buy. One of them is Westek ClearVue Office Suite, which can open MS Office documents (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) on your Pocket PC. Another useful application is F-Secure FileCrypto, which can encrypt your files stored in the Pocket PC, so that you need not worry about your data if your device gets into the wrong hands. Then there is Java runtime called JeodeRuntime and converter of PowerPoint presentations. And we must not forget HP Mobile Printing, which is a highly sophisticated solution for printing over IrDA, Bluetooth and LAN network.

That would be pitiful hadn't there been a magic card with an alphanumeric code which gives you 5 points for the iPAQ Choice Software website. This is a very convenient method of providing each user with exactly those applications he or she needs. After registration, you receive a certain number of points (5 in this case), which will "buy" you useful software - you can choose from dozens of popular applications. Each of them costs 1-3 points, depending on how good it is. Looking at the "price list", one can assume that one point equals roughly ten US dollars, so that you can buy full-versions of software worth around 50 dollars for your voucher, just make the right choice:)

Pricing

As I have said, the price is not low. At the moment, the device sells for around U.S.$650. Frankly, that's a lot for a PDA these days. On the other hand, the h5550 is not designed for humble students but for the corporate sphere where price is not the main criterion. The time-tested hardware is reliable and suffers little from the "teething troubles" that are usual in new models. Besides, many corporate solutions are built around iPAQs with some type of jackets - there are few options to extend the portfolio.

[POLL]

Benchmarks

I use Spb Benchmark for a complete performance test. Having reviewed several new Pocket PCs, I have compared them. If you are interested in the detailed results, the complete .XML file is available for download here: HP iPAQ h5550 (2003, 400MHz) [2KB] . If you copy the contents of the file to the form on this page (click on Add device), you can compare the results with other devices.