Buy HP iPAQ 214 Enterprise Handheld PDA

Lisa Jones| 09/01/2010

I purchased the IPAQ 214 in December 2009 to replace my old IPAQ (which I loved and never let me down for 5 yrs but had started to crash too often). The first thing to say is that the customer service from Total PDA was first class. I received the product next day! The first IPAQ they sent didn't switch on when I took it out of the box (not Total PDA's fault), and the returns policy was quick and painless. The lady on the phone was lovely and very helpful. They sent me a new one on the same day they received the defunct one, and credited my bank account with the postage immediately. Thank you Total PDA. The new one works perfectly and I am very happy with it.

However, I have had the following two problems when trying to sync it with my PC (my PC runs Windows Vista and sync is via Windows Mobile Device Centre):
1. the sync was perfect until I synced it with a second PC - then it changed all my annual appointments to recur every 12 years instead of every year (although it only changes them in Outlook on my PC, not on the IPAQ so it's not the end of the world and I didn't miss anyone's birthday)! I've scoured the web and found this is a common problem when you sync to more than one PC - so my advice is to only sync it with one PC if you can. I changed all the appointments back to recur every year on my PC, but the sync software has changed them back to every 12 years again. Very frustrating!
2. out-of-the-blue, Windows Mobile Device Centre stopped recognising my IPAQ last week - every time I connected it to my PC it just said 'error'. Again I scoured the web and found others reporting the same problem. Lots of solutions were suggested....but they didn't work for me. Eventually, after several hours of trying different things, I found that by uninstalling and reinstalling the driver software the problem was solved. So if it happens to you I hope this helps!

Other than these two problems with the sync it works perfectly and I am delighted with my new IPAQ.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

| 12/01/2009

I upgraded from a H2210 to the 214 enterprise and overall I am very happy with it. The larger screen makes watching movies easier than with my previous model or a mobile phone. The wi-fi connectivity is very reliable. The 214 also supports the larger capacity memory cards as the older models do not. I am currently running with a 32Gb CF and 16Gb SDHC memory cards with no problems. Unfortunately, the stylus is manufactured in three parts. A metal stem, a painted plastic top and black plastic tip. Very quickly and without being heavy handed at all, the plastic top will break off from the metal stem rendering the stylus useless with the inability to store it in the recess provided. This is clearly a design fault that HP fails to comment on. There is plenty of evidence of this on the HP Forum.

http://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1249590&admit=109447627+1231781731028+28353475

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

| 12/12/2008

Generally, this is an excellent piece of kit. The screen is fantastic, and the wi-fi and bluetooth connectivity is very simple and reliable. It also has a quick processor and feels very good quality.

The only downside though is the speaker. If you intend to run satnav, then you may want to consider another option, as you will barely be able to hear the instructions, even on full volume. It is a well documented problem, and as yet, no fix is available.

Also be aware that if you run TomTom 6, it needs to be version 6.0.3, otherwise the screen backlight will turn off whenever you launch tomtom. If you run TT7, then you will need to delete some files after install, or bluetooth will not launch. A web search will tell you what to delete.

Despite this, its a good machine, it just needs an external speaker to run satnav.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

Henry Doidge| 20/09/2008

In the process of buying a hp214, site looks good, plenty of info, will have to wait for next step to comment on service etc

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

David Leworthy| 11/09/2008

HP IPAQ 214

What can I say, ordered on Monday arrived at 4.00 pm on Wednesday. Unpacked and synchronised with Outlook 2007 on my Vista PC by 5.00 pm. Wireless networking set-up and operational by 5.10 pm. Free splbackup downloaded from www.ipaqchoice.com and set up by 5.30. First backup completed by 5.45 pm. Excellent display - fast - what a brilliant piece of kit. Laura in Customer Services was incredibly efficient and helpful with my queries. Would that all mail-order transactions were like this!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

Ken Brown| 26/08/2008

The best decision I made was to talk to Martin at PDA. His helpful advice enabled me to buy the ideal PDA for my needs. My order arrived in less than 24 hours. I've been working with it for almost a week now and I think it's brilliant. It's easy to use, fast, and the built-in help and tips are invaluable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

Edward Webster| 28/07/2008

The screen is a good size it's a pity that the sound isn't perfect. Unless you want to use it with headphones.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

stasys vancevicius| 22/05/2008

0 of 1 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

Michael Williams| 10/04/2008

HP IPAQ 214,
I purchased the HP Ipaq 214 as an alternative to a dicontinued model as i wanted a biometric finger print reader. I contacted the help desk and asked what other types where available and was advised to buy the model above, im so glad i did its brilliant with the wifi action working well and the Windows media player 10 accepting all my windows media files. its great for organising aswell and runs really fast, the transfare of bluetooth files is also swift. There is a lot of features i havent tried yet but feel it was well worth the money. The customer service was really good and they tried to help me with all my queries.
Well worth the money

10 of 10 people found this review helpful. Yes | No

HP iPAQ 214 Enterprise PDA