Hewlett Packard Jornada 540 Color Pocket PC

No doubt the Palm V was more elegant and easier to carry but the added functionality of the Jornada 545 more than makes up for it (very slight) extra size and weight. I have been able to make REAL use of Excel and Word files - the games are enjoyable - the calendar and contact software are full featured. The added bonus of the MP3/WMA player really 'ices the cake.' I am disappointed that the memory slot will not take type II compactflash cards but I understand the reasons - with some brands you have to add an accessory to use any flash card. The 65K color screen fiasco was handled well by HP. They have a winner on their hands!

This product is very old but durable. To sync it you need to have a super-downgraded active-sync. I used it for personal notes and word documents, but it did not last long. the internet service needed for it is too outdated to use. I would not recommend this product due to its battery life and inability to connect online or to a computer without very downgraded synchronizing tool. Just save your money for a windows phone...

Not really impressed with it. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice unit but if it weren't for the fact that my previous PDA's outlived themselves I wouldn't have bothered with this or any other PDA. It's somewhat large (larger than my previous) and I really didn't need the added flip cover (I know... I can take it off).It's a sturdy unit however, stout charging cradle and nice screen. The OS is quick and responsive. If it was more compact in size I would have given it 4 stars.

Like all HP products, this was well designed, but it didn't meet my needs. Not the product's fault, so the review is positive.

The 540 has performed flawlessly for me. I've had no synch probs and am using an optional USB cable. The MP3 sound is wonderful with mediocre earbuds or headphones. Viewing pics from my dig cam is a very nice feature, too. I was worried that the screen might be too small for any serious reading of e-books but I have had no problem using the Reader program. Pocket word and excel info synchs and e-mails without a hitch. And I think the design is really a head-turner. It feels very comfortable in the hand.

Purchased the 540 & serial cradle in May. Worked great w/ win 98. Upgraded to new laptop w/ Win 2000. Win 2000 is wonderful - hot swap of PCMCIA cards, etc. But - every time new software is installed, the synch breaks. Not sure if its MS Active Synch or HP - no one else seems to know either. Even my network support guru's at the office have no luck, and nothing on the bulletin boards. This baby's going back it just doesn't work. Maybe Compaq has their act together.

I got my Jornada and it really blew me away. As an owner of a Palm VII and V, my Jornada really just made them look stupid. It comes with Word, Excel, Money, Outlook...and that's just scratching the surface. It can play MP3s and, with the right software, even movies. Granted its short on memory; I strongly recommend buying more. I bought a 128MB CompactFlash card (maybe an overkill) and it doubles as an awesome MP3 player. I always have it in my pocket, so I just plug in my headphones and I walk around campus with music.I downloaded Microsoft Transcriber (which is free) and I can't say enough about it. 10 times faster and easier than using graffiti, you just write as normal. When you're done it converts your writing to text. It even reads cursive! I have pretty mediocore penmanship and it can read things that even other humans cannot.It has a built-in microphone and speaker. It comes with PeaceMaker to exchange contacts and business cards with Palms. It has Internet Explorer so it can view regular web pages; not just preformatted AvantGo pages. I like the flat stylus better than the skinny Palm one...its wider, so you can grip it more like a normal pen than a toothpick.Here are the downsides: like every color screen, its hard to see in daylight, though there are preset brightness settings to help you out a bit. It needs more memory, so get a compactflash card. The serial cable is a bit slow; a USB cradle or cable will save you a LOT of time, especially if you transfer a lot of MP3s or web pages. It WILL crash every once in awhile. Its really not a big deal. All you do is take your stylus and tap the button on the back. 3 seconds later its up and running again.

I finally upgraded my Sharp Wizard OZ-9500 organizer,(I know its old!), to a Pocket PC. I shopped and read reviews for months before I bought it... and it's probably the best purchase I've made in a while. Rather than repeat everyone else's comments, I'll ditto them and add the following:-It's not a Palm, it is truly a Pocket PC. -I waited for the iPaq, but didn't like the add-on CF port which added size and $$ to the unit. Casio was too bulky. -HP works flawlessly, Active Sync was easy to install and works by itself. Perfect sync all the time. -Bought a Sandisk 48MB card which is a great option when considering MP3's and Windows Media.The only negative is finding accessories in the store... You'll find things on the net, but things like leather cases, you really want to touch it in a store and try it out. Hopefully this will improve in the near future.Peace