.com Hewlett Packard's 560 line of Jornada PDAs includes the 64 MB 568 and our 32 MB Jornada 565, members of the first batch of Pocket PCs to ship with Microsoft's new Pocket PC 2002 operating system. On the surface, the Pocket PC 2002 OS looks much the same as the old OS. But there are a variety of enhancements to the stable of applications (such as Word and Excel), new software such as MSN Messenger, added security and antivirus protection, and improved handwriting recognition. The Jornada 565 features a CompactFlash Type 1 slot, so you can add more CF memory as well as hook up CF peripherals, such as modems or network cards. You'll definitely want to expand on the memory front--32 MB isn't that much for a Pocket PC, especially if you want to play back any video or audio files. And CompactFlash memory prices have plummeted in recent months, making it an affordable upgrade. The well-designed Jornada 565 sits nicely in hand, with a sturdy flip-up cover adding little to the overall weight (6.1 ounces without the cover and 7.0 with). The bright, 16-bit color TFT screen can be easily read from even sharp angles. While the 240 x 320 pixel, 3.5-inch diagonal screen isn't as large as some, it's big enough to keep you from squinting, even while reading books with Microsoft Reader. Hooking the Jornada 565 up to your PC is handled either through the USB cradle (with a pass-through connector for the AC power adapter) or via infrared. In addition to the ActiveSync 3.5 software, HP includes Outlook 2002, Audible Player 2.0 for playing audio books, and MusicMatch for ripping and playing digital audio files. In addition to syncing up with Outlook files and directories, the Pocket PC versions of Word, Excel, and Media Player enable you to transfer almost any of your desktop files to the 565. Powered by a 206 MHz StrongARM processor, the Jornada 565 can handle extensive multitasking without any slowdown. The bottom of the PDA offers four buttons for quick access to menus and applications--Home, Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks--as well as a four-direction navigation pad and scroll buttons on the side panel. The Jornada 565 also functions as a voice recorder--just press the red button on the side and talk away--with a built-in microphone and speaker. But the speaker, while adequate for the normal beeps and burps of the OS, isn't great for music playback. You'll want to connect some headphones to the Jornada and, unfortunately, HP doesn't include any. The rechargeable battery for the Jornada 565 promises up to 14 hours of life and we were able to get right around that. It also features a light at its top that glows green when the PDA is fully charged, and also flashes to alert you to appointments. With its power, expandability, and the new Pocket PC 2002 operating system, the Jornada 565 makes an excellent all-around workhorse palmtop. --J. Curtis Pros: Easy transfer of Word and Excel files and synchronization with Outlook CompactFlash Type 1 expandability Crisp, colorful display Sleek design Cons: 32 MB of memory definitely needs a boost Speaker not adequate for playing back music No headphones
D**R
Very pleased after false starts
I purchased a Handspring 1 1/2 years ago (OS) and decided to make the switch to a CE system. I am very pleased with the switch. I started with a Casio BE-300 but was disapointed in the programs available (programs need to be written especially for the BE-300) and the features that came with the unit. I went ahead and swallowed hard and spent the extra couple hundred to get what I really wanted and am very satisfied. More programs, Pocket Word, Pocket Outlook, etc. I had a hard time getting it to connect everytime but then went to the web site to get help and found that you needed to make sure that the unit was not in the cradle when you restarted windows on your descktop PC. Since I have gotten used to taking hte Jornada out of the cradle I have not had a problem.
D**E
new jornada and avantgo
I thought for a second that I was going to have to reconfigure all of avantgo's server stuff, too, but all you have to do is click on avantgo in the active sync list, select properties, and enter your avantgo name and password. It will take off from there. Also, I didn't have to reinstall active sync to name it something besides pocket_pc. Maybe I got a later version.Anyway, I like this jornada. I have had a hand spring visor and phillips velo and a rex in the past, this is the best by far. The built in apps are great, and it is also great for add in programs and games. The stylus is a bit whimpy. Overall I've been very happy.
A**S
Hp has its good point and its bad points but still sturdy
Let me say this about the HP Jornada 565, "HP's Pocket PC's still need refining"The good about this Pocket PC-Fast OS and easy useability when first powered up-Improved design of the flashcard slot versus its predecessors. No more flimsy hinge cover.-From the industrial designer's perspective, very good button layout, spacious for easy navigating, except still confused on the functioning of the button below the four-way scroll keypad-Nice side rubber molding for improved grip-Excellent screen resolutionThe bad about this Pocket PC-Lots of bugs-If you set up your Activesync to your desktop and connect your handheld then your device name will be "Pocket_PC". If you change the device name, your Activesync won't recognize it and connect only as "Guest". Only way to fix it is to re-install Activesync.-Activesync. After installing on my Windows 2000 and upgrading the Outlook to 2002, the settings for the Inbox syncing only showed up occasionally when clicked on.-Avantgo server setup. After changing the device name, had to redo the whole setup procedure of establing servers on my network computer and the avantgo.com server just to get the device to sync up again with the website.-Windows Media. When I changed the Audio & Video settings to play large dimensions in Audio and Video, it screwed up the application and now it comes up garbled every time I try to open it even after soft resetting.-The volume control key button on the side doesn't adjust volume automatically. You have to open the volume control window first-When using earphones, the volume is still very loud even at the lowest setting.Overall, the HP 565 is a very good product. If HP can fix those software bugs, then it would get a higher rating. I haven't dropped my HP yet but looking at the thin front cover it has, it doesn't look like it'll survive the drop test and there is no warranty coverage for dropped HPs.Good luck!
A**R
King of the PDA
Ever since I bought my 565 I have loved it. It has been my trusted companion. It also makes a supperior MP3 Player, as it syncs well with Windows Media Player on my PC. It also is the perfect medium to write letters (Pocket Word), Manage your money and investment (MS Money for PPC), The best universal remote(TV Remote), and a better note taker that a giant Tablet PC. And it has a wonderfull hard cover to protect the screen. Despite loving it so much, It is impossable to find parts for it in Canada. Since it is discontinued you can not get a replacement stylus, or assesories. And I've had to get the screen replaced once, and the second time is comming soon. And the dust is impossable to get out.
Z**O
WITHOUT UPGRADE
A few days ago I asked HP the upgrade to Pocket Windows 2003 for my Jornada 565, bought at Amazon on May 30, 2002. They answered they are not planning to give any upgrade to Jornadas because Compaq IPacs are now the mainstream line of pocket PCs from HP. A year after the purchase I have an obsolete tool and I think this is very unfair for HP customers.
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4 days ago
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