HP Jornada 720 206MHz 32 MB Handheld Pocket PC

I’ve never been a great user of handheld/pocket PCs of any nature. I use a Desktop PC for most of my work and have a desktop replacement laptop for work while away from home. When looking for a smaller and more portable device, I wanted something with a familiar “feel” to it – Windows CE was the obvious operating system to check out.

Not only does the HP Jornada 720 “look” like a mini-laptop, it acts like one as well. It comes equipped with a bright full-colour 640×240 display which, when used in conjunction with the internal modem, makes browsing the internet a breeze. None of this having to settle for a lesser browser, like Opera, on this machine – the pocket version of IE4 is pre-loaded as standard. HP Dial-Up makes setting up dial-up connections easy and makes setting up different ISP connections a doddle.

Email is handled by the pocket version of Microsoft Outlook (which you can set to download all or part of the emails synchronized on your ISP’s server). Multiple email addresses are handled without a worry.

Also included are preloaded versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint. You can’t create Powerpoint presentations but you can view them on a monitor with the HP VGA PC card (available separately).

TECHNICAL SPECS

You can download extras from Microsoft’s website including the “Plus” pack for free. This gives additional programs such as Paint (ideal for doodling).

The whole device is well put together, the unit feels strong and resilient when closed. It is a tad heavy but can be carried within your jacket pocket without too much of a struggle.

Expansion is via the Compact Flash Type I slot in the base and Type II PCMCIA slot in the side of the unit. Additional tweaks have been thought about, such as an easily accessible section for storing the pen used for the touch screen.

Also preloaded is Microsoft’s Media Player for playing music. The speakers aren’t brilliant for this (but are adequate) though the sound is much better when you plug headphones/speakers into the audio jack. For convenience, volume/play controls are positioned within easy reach while the lid is closed (useful when using the 720 as a walkman).

Synchronisation with your PC/laptop is also a doddle using the supplied docking cradle and Active Sync. The unit is supplied with a serial cable but you have the option of USB-synchronisation as well (so get yourself a standard USB cable to speed things up).

The 720’s fast 206MHz processor really does feel fast and, combined with “instant-on”, makes this a very nippy machine. Take it out of your pocket, press “ON” and you’re ready to type. It’s as quick as that.

USER GUIDE

For something that does almost everything, the HP Jornada 720 is like a dream. Everyone I have shown it to has been well impressed with it. Hardly anyone could believe that so much can be done with such a small box.

Other applications include a note-taking program (not handwriting-recognition) which allows you to write on the screen and save your work. This is a little tricky due to the proximity of the keyboard but it’s a useful addition. Don’t feel like writing? Then record your notes by using the 720 as a voice recorder. Everything you need is supplied.

Depending on what you read, battery time is 6-8hours but you generally get more than that because it’s unlikely you’ll use the 720 non-stop for 6-8hours and power-management kicks in.

The only downside is the price (generally £560+VAT) and the weight. But for what you get in return, this is a good alternative to lugging around a 3-4Kg laptop with you everywhere. One other minor niggle is that the keyboard on the 720 is American – having symbols such as @ and ” in the wrong place is quite annoying, but it is just an annoyance.

There isn’t too much software around for the Jornada 720 but as everything you need is preloaded, you’ll don’t really need much else. You can obtain things like an eBook reader and books which provides a useful alternative to carrying half a library around with you on long journeys.

The 32Mb of memory is ample for most purposes, but if you intend to carry a lot of music with you, filling the Type I Compact Flash slot with either a 32Mb or 64Mb Compact Flash card will go a long way to enhancing your music experience.

I consider myself very lucky to have “struck gold” with the Jornada 720 first time out. Expensive as it is, I wouldn’t have liked to have chosen a lesser (cheaper) device only to be disappointed.