HP Jornada 525

A fantastic piece of machinery that is so easy to use! But I can't find many storage card/ add on module stockists!

I've had the HP Jornada 525 PDA for 9 months, and find it easy to use. I purchased this due to Windows OS, which I find is easier than Palm OS. I use a Targus PA820U portable keyboard which works great. I wish the unit was lighter and thinner with AAA batteries. Sometimes rechargeable is not the way to go.

The HP Jornada 525 is now one of the least expensive pocket pcs on the market but is still 50 times better than the best palm or organizer. This can't play videos all that well - too slow and not enough color. It can't play video games that well - no directional pad. It could be a mp3 player if you bought a storage card but it's best used as a mini computer away from your computer. It has word voice record and basic programs that computers have. So if you're low on cash and can deal with problems sure, why not get one. i have had mine for six months and i'm pretty happy with it.

When I first purchased the HP Jornada 525 Pocket PC, I was amazed at how cool it was.

The first thing I wanted to check was its MP3 Capability. 16 MB onboard memory is not enough for ANY songs so I bought a 128 MB CF card. Worked really well and the sound was decent. However, The sound wasnt loud enough for me. I want to be abler to blow my ears off if I can. In fact, this system has ONLY a Volume knob. No Bass/Treble. THE RIO 600 had better sound dynamics as an MP3 Player. I believe the HP525 can only access from CF cards up to 256 MB. therefore, a 512 is out of the question.

What's cool about CF card ability is that you can transfer between a camera and the Jornada. You can VIEW pictures in 256 colors using the onboard MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER.

Now onto the internet! I had to purchase a NOVATEL 545 modem for this unit to see its net capability. The Modem was $300 normally but I found it in PC MALL.com for $80! I HAD to buy it. Connection through a CDPD server such as AT&T is about $40 and the service can be almost as expensive as a cell phone or DSL. But If you like to Show of gadgets, THIS IS A REALLY COOL RIG.

You can browse webpages at 14K and even get into webservers like Yahoo to check email. You CANT DOWNLOAD much of the attachments because of memory spacing though.

I had alot of fun using AOL INSTANT MESSENGER's mobile system on this baby. TYPING IS HARD THOUGH without a keyboard.

The Battery is OK but that's all. It is Lithium Ion and after a Hundred Charges it barely lasts long enough.

The Color screen has a serious problem. In situations with a lot of light, the screen gets impossible to see. The Screen is backlit BUT, it is non reflective. Screens like the one on Gameboy Advance get Brighter with increasing light. You can Light this baby up REALLY bright in the dark but if your on a bus or train, and outside there is sunlight, FORGET IT!

The FINAL and perhaps WORSE problem with the unit is the CUSTOMER SERVICE behind it. For one thing, EVERYONE knows that PDA screens crack like thunder. I happened to shatter mine and needed it replaced. Circuit City decided to give me the run around. Refused to fix it. "CALL HEWLETT PACKARD" I called HP and they said it was gonna cost $153. That is ridiculous to fix the screen. The UNIT cost me $150!

So I got sneaky. I told them the unit set on fire when it was charging. I told them that It was covered under warranty. They Sent me a new REFURBISHED UNIT in the mail and took my unit back.

That was after they took down my credit card number. Once they get your number, they control the sale. Luckily for me, Dime savings bank (my card company) Merged with Washington Mutual and cancelled THAT card and sent me a new one with a new number. BEFORE HP could STEAL my money. TODAY they sent me a letter saying that My Screen isnt covered under warranty. BULL. They want $153. No way in hell they are getting it.

They sent the letter cause they couldnt draw from my bank.

I am NOT PAYING THEM. If they call me or send another notice, Im gonna tell them that the person they are looking for moved to Alaska. Its sad I have to do that to get what is rightfully mine. It is also upsetting because I love HP products and style.

Of course there is a difference between the goods, those who sell them and Customer service.