Remember the first budget handheld, which appeared in the domestic market? For those who forgot, help you. It was a Rover PC P3. As for the Dell Axim X5 and ViewSonic v35, they have revealed the Russian market much later. Then there was a Rover P5, followed by a very good budget solution - P3 +. Then a new PDA P5 +, which we describe in the very near future. Now we will focus on the new computer economy class, which is likely to replace the P3 +. Meet - Rover PC P4!
A TURN-spacecraft SON
Not secret that Rover PC, like handhelds ViewSonic created on likeness CCP ruler Mio from company Mitac. It is therefore not surprising that the outer casing of new items is strongly reminiscent of Mitac Mio 339 and ViewSonic v36 simultaneously. But unlike those two computers P4 has no built-in digital camera.
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Do I need a PDA built-in digital camera - a moot point. In the form in which it is proposed now - the answer is negative rather than positive. Agree that paying the extra $ 50-70 for the "inferior" 100-300 kilopikselnuyu camera dubious pleasure (at least for our domestic user who is accustomed to consider every penny). And those machines (subtle hint, for example, Sony NZ90 :-)), which are equipped with more or less normal in the 2-megapixel cameras have such dimensions that even the language does not turn to name their handheld computers. So, as you said in one famous cartoon, "the patient is more dead than alive." What is the diagnosis? The answer is very simple - the "castor oil and castor oil only." While manufacturers are not yet figured out how to fit in a small (really pocket) housing a microcomputer and a digital camera, only one solution - to abandon this vicious combination. Therefore the choice of Rover Computers in favor of the structural elements Mitac 339, but without a digital camera can only welcome. Housing news enough miniature - 122h73h13 mm. If we compare with the previous model P3 + P4 is the same length and almost the same thickness, but a little narrower - to 4 mm. Housing is not only pleasant to look at, but in the hand is a glove. Like the previous model P3 + P4 entirely plastic casing, consisting of two halves. Any skeletal metal frame (like the HP h19hh series) or any other metal parts could not be found, although, frankly, would not hurt. In general, one could say that this is a complete analog P3 +, except for a few significant differences. First, it has changed the navigation button, it decreased slightly and, at first glance, it seems not entirely comfortable. However, after a few days, you realize that working with her (at least in the office and PIM applications) is possible. Need just a little getting used to. In game applications button, of course, is not very good. Other application buttons - standard.
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Right, under the control buttons, is the speaker and the left - the microphone. Beneath them, at the lower end of the body can find the nest for the network adapter and a connector for connecting to the cradle. When the computer is in the cradle, AC power is unavailable, and connect your computer to the mains is only possible with an external slot, which is not located on the cradle and a USB cable.
Making the computer is thinner, the developers have refused several standard computer Pocket PC Solution: No Jog-Dial-a, a headphone jack is not standard 3.5 mm and - 2.5 mm.It is true, complete lies adapter 2,5 mm - 3,5 mm, such as that which is in the set with the iPAQ h1945. As in the P3 + location headphone jack can not be called very successful. With the embedded computer headphones out of the case did not get one, and sticking out the side of the adapter 2,5-3,5 mm compact design does not add.
On one side panel next to the headphone jack are a voice recorder button, push button on / off and loop for neck strap. Hello young generation who likes to carry everything (including mobile phones and PDAs) in the neck:) The second difference Rover P4 is the battery. Capacity lithium-ion batteries, like the P3 + is 900 mAh. Only now you can replace yourself. The rear panel has a special compartment, covered with a plastic lid.
The cover is secured by a plastic latch on the same side of the case. If you travel frequently, you can purchase an additional battery, good in the cradle has a special connector for charging it.
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Third, the change himself cradle. He was much less than the model P3 +, although the champion of miniature, cradle model P5 +, it does not hold out a bit. Fourth, it changed the position of the display. No, the screen is located under some weird angle. The same standard vertical (portrait) orientation. Simply, he is now a little lower and closer to the center of the body. Due to this, the upper area above the display has increased significantly, so that there could easily accommodate a couple of other buttons. However, developers are limited to a pair of light-emitting diodes ("food" / "warning") and marked «Rover PC» and «P4». Advantage of a situation display, which I immediately appreciated, is the usability of the "landscape" orientation (just put the thumbs of both hands). So what to read in landscape mode is a pleasure.
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The upper edge is no different from the model P3 +: IR port, SD / MMC slot, and stylus holder. The stylus is the same as its predecessor - telescopic. In addition, the package can be found carrying case with clip for attaching to your belt, charger, CD with additional software and a CD with language and other documentation.
DISPLAY
In the P4 is set very bright display with backlight tranflektivnoy. According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which has developed a special, original method of measuring the quality of displays, handheld computers, the maximum brightness of the matrix is P4 79.4 cd/m2. Similar figures for HP iPAQ h3970 and ASUS A620/620BT. A little surprised by the minimum level of brightness - 30.6 cd/m2 (like the Tungsten T2), which is about 40% of the maximum brightness. Surprised, because such a high minimum level of brightness is characteristic only of the family computers Palm OS, Pocket PC software minimum brightness is usually much lower.
IRON
Display high-contrast, it is convenient to work indoors as well as public transport, even at the minimum level of illumination. However, on the street with strong sunlight for convenient brightness should be put to maximum.
Processor
Processor in a computer - a relatively new Intel XScale PXA255 clocked at 400 MHz. In the Programs menu you can find a utility "CPU speed", which allows you to control this parameter. For convenience, there are several modes: Economy mode, the productive mode and sverhproizvoditelny mode. In addition, there is an automatic mode in which the computer chooses one of three modes depending on the type of running applications. So, for reading text, listening to music or working with CPC as the organizer is quite suitable economical mode. If you are working with large office documents, presentations, or you open multiple applications simultaneously, it is better to work in a productive mode. And if you prefer to watch movies or play, your choice - sverhproizvoditelny mode. In addition to the performance modes differ and battery life. In describing both directly and said that economy mode extends the time of the CCP from the battery, and sverhproizvoditelny, on the contrary, decreases. Well, it is logical:)
Memory
64MB RAM for handhelds SDRAM, of which 57.11 MB available to the user.
Areas of backup storage of user information as such is not. In the test samples had a piece of ROM capacity of 0.64 Mb, which is basically designed for backup, but because of its small volume slightly to this approach. Therefore, the backup system will need to use the card memory.
Communication capabilities
Of the wireless communication interfaces in addition to the IR port of P4 did not. That, in general, is easily explained by the orientation of the PDA for the budget sector. Apparently, the P4 + will already be equipped with a built-in Bluetooth-interface.
SDIO
It is noteworthy that in P4 implemented full support SDIO, so you can easily buy all sorts of plug-ins, and use your PDA to its fullest.
PRODUCTIVITY
In addition to subjective evaluations of performance, you can refer to test results SPB Benchmark. For clarity, P4 compared with other budget solutions HP iPAQ 1910/15 and HP iPAQ 1930/35.
If we compare the CPU index, which operedelyaet CPU performance with regard to all operations, one can see the advantage of 200 MHz-oic tires and Windows Mobile 2003. Index P4 100MHz-ax and a half times higher than the index at 200MHz iPAQ h1910-oh. And at 200MHz P4 is faster than 206MGts-marketing iPAQ h1930.
File System index
File system performance is poor. Apparently, because the index takes into account all types of transactions with the RAM, both read and write. From reading the usual everyone is good, but the process of rewriting on cheaper chips will be slower.
Graphics index
Graphics performance, though lower than the iPAQ h1910 and iPAQ h1930, but it's better than the iPAQ h2210. P4 - it's certainly not a video deck, but the movies (320x240, 25 fps, 600Kbit / s) can watch.When playing movies with the flow to 700Kbit / s shots start to "fall out" and the computer slows down a bit.
Platform index
Performance of the operating system, or, to speak more correctly, the speed of the built-in applications for that operating system. The results are better than the iPAQ h1910, but worse than the h1945.
Spb Benchmark index
The overall index is useless because it does not give a clear idea about your computer's performance. One user needs a powerful processor, the second fastest memory, a third nimble video. Computers may have similar indexes, but some of what applications faster, the overall index is impossible to understand.
Runtime
As mentioned above, the battery is removable from the computer. But apart from the main battery is still a small backup battery, as they say, in case of nuclear war. "
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That is, if the main battery "sit", the data still not be completely lost, and will remain intact until the "sit" auxiliary battery. Experimentally verified that the capacity of the auxiliary (back-up) battery lasts for 2,5-3 days. As mentioned above, except the CPU frequency, the utility "Processor Speed" allows you to change the battery life by adjusting some settings: on / off indicator, "" on / off standby mode, SD card, etc. Runtimes for Rover PC P4 fairly decent. Reading books on a minimum level of illumination (in the automatic scrolling of the text) takes 7 hours and 40 minutes, while backlight OFF - more than 11 hours. However, at maximum brightness level unit lasted just 4 hours. Opening hours for video playback (in sverhproizvoditelnom mode) is quite low (still affects a small capacity battery) - total of 2 hours and 35 minutes to 3 hours and 50 minutes (depending on the level of illumination). Surprised the audio playback (in economy mode). With the screen off the battery needed only 5 hours and 40 minutes.
SOFTWARE
The model is localized by Quarta Technology.
It is true that localization is not sewn into the ROM, and user supplied software CD, set which he can choose either a full (together with the application interface), or partial Russification. From built-in utilities like:
- eBackup - program to create / restore backups (full or selective)
- eMenu - Manager-shell
- Picture Viewer 2.41 - a program for viewing graphics files.
In addition to standard software should be noted: the compiler e-book format, Microsoft Reader lit2lit, full-screen keyboard, Spb Full Screen Keyboard, a map of Moscow, Moscow Region and Russia LaserMap, GPS-navigator from VITO Technology.
PRICE
The network of shops "computer in the palm of KPC Rover PC P4 costs $ 329. The closest price competitor - Toshiba e350/355 ($ 240-260) and the iPAQ h1930/35 ($ 250-270).
CONCLUSION
PLUS:
- petite size
- lightweight
- Support SDIO
- removable battery
- cradle with a slot for charging additional battery
- ability to control CPU frequency
- high-performance processor
- large set of additional software
- long battery life when reading books
- bright high-contrast display
DISADVANTAGES:
- high level of minimum illumination
- headphone jack 2,5 mm
- lack of Jog-Dial
- short battery life when playing audio and video
- inconvenient location of headphone jack
- virtually no user interface ROM
Rover PC P4 has enough miniature size and light weight, but under a small plastic housing hides the power that can solve almost any problem of the modern user. SDIO support makes it possible to connect different expansion modules, including the newly emerged wireless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, that, given the integrated wireless capabilities Windows Mobile 2003, will use the P4 even in the corporate sector. The authors, translation:
