HP iPAQ hw6510 Comprehensive Review Specs and Pricing

Overview

The HP iPAQ hw6510 was introduced as a versatile and innovative handheld device that combined the functionality of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with phone capabilities. Announced in the second quarter of 2005, the iPAQ hw6510 quickly garnered attention for its multi-tasking capabilities and robust feature set tailored for business professionals and tech enthusiasts alike. Despite being discontinued now, its historical significance in the evolution of handheld devices remains noteworthy.

Design and Build Quality

The iPAQ hw6510 features a compact design, with dimensions of 118 x 71 x 18 mm, making it relatively pocket-friendly for its time. Weighing in at 165 grams, it was substantial enough to convey a sense of durability without feeling overly bulky. The chassis, finished in a sleek silver color, offered a professional appearance, resonating with its target audience of business professionals. The device boasted a QWERTY keyboard, which was quite innovative during its release, facilitating rapid typing and ease of navigation.

Display Characteristics

Equipped with a 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, the iPAQ hw6510 provided users with a color-rich interface displaying 65K colors. Its display featured a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels, with a pixel density of approximately 113 ppi. While the screen-to-body ratio was around 34.7%, the clarity and brightness levels were sufficient for day-to-day tasks, including reading emails and browsing the web.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the HP iPAQ hw6510 was the Intel PXA270 processor, clocked at 312 MHz. Though modest by today's standards, it was capable of delivering adequate performance for managing applications and multitasking efficiently. The device featured 64MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM, offering reasonable storage for applications, contacts, and essential data. For expansion, it provided slots for SDIO/MMC and a miniSD card, allowing users to enhance the storage capacity as needed.

Software and Operating System

The device ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE PocketPC Phone Edition, a robust and flexible operating system for mobile devices of the era. This OS supported a range of applications and allowed synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, making it particularly appealing for business users who needed access to their work emails and calendars on the go.

Connectivity Options

In terms of connectivity, the HP iPAQ hw6510 supported GSM networks, offering compatibility with a variety of 2G bands (GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900). For data connectivity, it was equipped with GPRS and EDGE Class 10 technologies. Although it lacked Wi-Fi connectivity, it did offer Bluetooth 1.2, IR port, and GPS, catering to navigation needs. The proprietary USB port allowed for wired data syncing and charging.

Audio and Sound Features

The HP iPAQ hw6510 came equipped with a loudspeaker, ensuring clear audio for calls. While it supported polyphonic ringtones and vibration alerts, it omitted a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a limitation for those wanting to use regular headphones for media playback or calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, the iPAQ hw6510 delivered decent battery life for its time, allowing users a full day’s worth of use on moderate consumption. The flexibility of a removable battery also enabled users to carry spares, ensuring they weren’t left without power during long trips or extended use.

Additional Features

The organizers, planners, and productivity tools incorporated within the iPAQ hw6510 catered effectively to its professional user base. The device also featured a browser capable of rendering HTML content via PocketIE, a rudimentary but effective web browser optimized for the smaller screens of PDAs.

Market Position and Pricing

Launched at a price of approximately 280 EUR, the HP iPAQ hw6510 positioned itself as a premium device for business users. It combined mobile phone capabilities with comprehensive PDA functions in a single device, which was a compelling value proposition. Although replaced by more advanced devices over time, the iPAQ hw6510 holds a place in the evolution of mobile computing devices.

Legacy and Conclusion

While the HP iPAQ hw6510 is no longer in production, its contribution to the mobile device industry is undeniable. By serving as a precursor to the modern smartphone, it showcased the potential of combining mobile communication capabilities with the computing power of a PDA. For its time, it was an exemplar of ingenuity in mobile device design, paving the way for more integrated and sophisticated devices.