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iPAQs have long had a corporate following. Hewlett-Packard appears to be branching out, however, with the new rz1715 and rx3715 (see rx3715, HP’s True Mobile Media Companion) Mobile Media CompanionPocket PCs. These two media friendly handhelds are aimed squarely at the consumer market.

The rz1715 is the entry-level product in the line, meant for people who have never owned a handheld before. That's good, because you'll probably be happier with it if you have nothing to compare it to. While the rz1715 has a skinny profile and enough power to handle any basic tasks, its specs compare poorly to those of the mid-level Dell Axim X30 (see Axim X30 Delivers Power on the Cheap), a Pocket PC that sells for the same $279. Besides that, HP has dropped two features of its previous entry-level iPAQs in making this one, so it doesn't have Bluetooth or a user-replaceable battery. Without both those items, HP severely limited the rz1715's usefulness.

Out of the box, the rz1715 comes with an AC adapter and USB synchronization cable, as well as a how-to guide that's nicely organized by how-to tasks instead of subjects. What's missing is a protective case, not even the shoddy imitation leather types you get with so many other handhelds today. That means, unless you're willing to risk scratching the screen, you'll want to buy a case right away.


Top View

At measures 4.5 x 2.8 x .53 inches and 4.23 ounces, the rz1715 is attractively compact and small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. The front has the usual four programmable application buttons a thumb dial for navigation.

The speaker is on the rear, and the top holds the headphone jack, infrared port, and microphone. The top also has a Secure Digital(SD) slot that supports SDIO cards, which useful for adding peripherals, such as a Wi-Fi card. Before you buy a card, though, confirm that it will work with this model; we've heard reports of some working fine and others not working at all.

Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Professional powers the rz1715. This is the most recent edition of Microsoft's handheld platform. It includes, among other things, the ability to switch between portrait and landscape modes (to do so quickly, hold the Today button down for two seconds). Read our review of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition to learn more about its features.

HP's entry-level handheld runs off a 203 MHz Samsung S3C2410 Processor and has 25MB of memory (not stellar: the Axim X30 has 64MB) and an additional 10MB for the iPAQ File Store utility, which you can use to keep files secure even in the event of total data loss. We were happy with the 3.5-inch transflective QVGA TFT screen, which produced vivid colors.

Since the rz1715 is meant to be a media machine, at startup you get a special HP screen that can quickly take you to your music files or photos. This feature is more useful in the pricier rx3700, which has a built-in camera and more room to store songs. The software bundle is the standard mix of productivity and media apps, offering organizational tools, as well as software to play songs and videos.

Earlier entry-level iPAQs came with Bluetooth, so we would have expected this one to add Wi-Fi, as well. Instead, HP dropped Bluetooth and didn't add Wi-F. As a result, HP may have given up the entry-level market to Dell.


Back View

After all, the mid-level Axim X30 comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built-in. HP has also changed the previous model's user replaceable battery for an internal battery. Granted, the 1000 mAh Lithium-lon battery gets a solid seven hours, but we'd like the ablity to carry a spare for those longs trips away from home.

The iPAQ rz1715 is a good machine for first-timers who want something small and convenient, but that's the only market we can see. If you're considering it, take a good look at the Dell Axim X30 or the palmOne Zire 72 first (see Zire 72 All Business...And Fun). Both of these handhelds deliver much better bang for the buck.