Slap in Wi-Fi, GPS, and more with HP's spankin' new midrange PDA.

HP bolsters its PDA lineup with the new iPaq Pocket PC h2200. Striking a balance between the company's petit h1910 and the heftier-but-powerful h5450, the new handheld piles on the features without adding too much bulk. Available now for $400, HP's h2200 runs on Microsoft's newly announced Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC.

The h2200 offers a feature set similar to the h5450's. But when it comes to a $400 PDA, every nuance counts.


  • Intel XScale 400-MHz processor
    This PXA255 processor packs double the bus speed of the PXA250 found in the h5450. It's also supposed to have better battery life with more performance. (Our h2200 evaluation unit was preproduction, so we couldn't verify these claims.)
  • 32MB ROM and 64MB RAM
    Pretty much standard for a PDA in this category.
  • Color display
    A great-looking transflective display supports more than 65,000 colors with a standard resolution of 240x320.
  • Dimensions
    Unit measures 4.5 inches by 3 inches by 0.6 inches and weighs 5.1 ounces.


Two notable features

  • The h2200 offers dual expansion but doesn't require fancy backpacks. Take advantage of both Secure Digital (SD) and Type I and II CompactFlash (CF) right out of the box. The SD slot also supports MultiMediaCard (MMC) and SDIO, the input/output standard for adding capabilities such as Wi-Fi (802.11b). The CF slot accepts GPS along with a variety of other devices.

  • HP brings Bluetooth as well, giving you the ability to synchronize wirelessly and interface with cellphones and other Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth technology is going through growing pains, but it's still convenient to use.


A plus for road warriors

Like all the latest HP iPaqs, the h2200 includes a removable battery. Simply swap batteries instead of hunting for power. The cradle for the h2200 has space for recharging a second battery. HP claims the included battery lasts 12 hours, depending on usage.

All of HP's previous models include a dedicated button for quick voice recorder access, but the h2200 doesn't include that button, which makes accessing the feature cumbersome. You'll now have to open the appropriate application unless you remap one of the four quick-launch buttons.

First impressions

A solid addition to HP's PDA array, the h2200 offers more flexibility for consumers looking to extend their handheld beyond the bounds of a digital organizer. So what about HP's midrange h3900? The h2200 offers more for the same price -- and won't disappoint.

Pros: Dual expansion; integrated Bluetooth; removable battery

Con: No dedicated voice recorder button

Company: HP
Price: $400
Available: Now