Product Reviews

We've seen PDAs with WiFi and we've seen PDAs with GPRS and GSM, but Hewlett-Packard's iPAQ h6340 is the first PDA we've seen to offer both. With Bluetooth onboard as well, this device can connect to almost any network and device.

This makes the h6340 rather chunky, though, and it won't sit comfortably in a coat pocket. HP provides a belt clip, but the fashion-conscious would probably prefer to slip the PDA into a bag.

Apart from the large aerial for GPRS/GSM data, the h6340 looks much like other PDAs in HP's range. The front of the device is dominated by a large 3.5" touch screen. Below this are short cut keys for answering and hanging up a call, viewing contacts and accessing email.

The device also comes with a clip-on QWERTY keyboard, which you can connect to the docking port on the bottom of the h6340. However, as there's no through port, you can't plug in power or connect to the docking station while the keyboard is attached. We found it very easy to use, but large thumbs may struggle with the tiny keys.

The main purpose of this PDA is to keep you wirelessly connected, and to this end

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HP has provided some useful tools. First, the device has three status lights above the screen. These show you if Bluetooth, WiFi and GSM are connected.

Next, there's the iPAQ Wireless software, which lets you control the wireless functions. You can turn each on or off at the touch of a button, which is useful if you want to save battery power. In particular, we recommend you turn WiFi off when not in use. Each function also has a settings button so, for example, you can turn on WEP and specify the key. It makes managing your wireless connections easy.

Finally, there's an application for making and receiving phone calls. It's easy to use, but we weren't entirely satisfied. In particular, the h6340 is too big to use as a regular handset, but there's no wired headset in the box. The only real option is to buy a Bluetooth headset. That said, it may be better to have a separate mobile phone for voice calls and use the h6340 just for data.

Beyond all its wireless tricks, the h6340 is a perfectly serviceable PDA too. Its 64MB of RAM is an average amount for storing data and there's an SD card slot if you want to upgrade. The Texas Instruments OMAP 1510 processor provides enough power for most applications. You get the usual range of Microsoft applications and can synchronise with a PC using the provided cable or a Bluetooth connection.

If you buy the device without a SIM, it's quite expensive, although it's likely to be cheaper if you buy it with a new phone contract. The h6340 is definitely a business tool and worth buying only if you need an all-in-one communications bundle. Everyone else can get similar functionality from a Bluetooth PDA and mobile phone for a lot less cash.