HP iPAQ H5450 Pocket PC (English)

Some pocket PCs have a standard range of features, some take the minimalist approach, and some pack everything in but the kitchen sink. The Hewlett Packard iPAQ 5450 is in the kitchen sink category, coming with Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless connectivity as well as fingerprint recognition. The former two are not new features, though getting them both in a PDA at the same time is a novelty. If you are a wireless connectivity fan, having both on hand could prove extremely useful.

The fingerprint recognition is something altogether more alluring. If you are into data security it may well appeal and design-wise it is neatly integrated into the directional cursor so it is totally unobtrusive. You can use this so-called biometric security measure in conjunction with the Pocket PC password tools or independently of them as you choose.

As you might expect from the price and these headline features, the iPAQ 5450 is very well specified. Its Intel Xscale processor runs at 400 MHz and there is 64 MB of memory for your applications and data, an SD card slot for adding more memory, and a superb bright display. The battery is removable and if you use wireless connectivity you may want to invest in a spare cell as this puts quite a drain on power.

Hewlett Packard has pulled out all the stops with the iPAQ 5450, which is their best specified, most advanced PDA ever. If you need that wireless connectivity, having it on board instead of added via an expansion card or jacket will be a real boon. --Sandra Vogel