HP iPAQ 4355 Pocket PC

This unit blows away the competition with features. I needed something with a built in keyboard (this one has a blue backlight so you can type in the dark!), I can't be bothered with online writing utilities (which this one also has, if needed for some reason). The keyboard is one of the most comfortable I have been able to type with my actual fingers (unlike the CLIE's finger-nail type keyboard).

Of course it has WiFi and Bluetooth, is fully multimedia compatible. What really blew me away was the amount of software that it comes with. While Palm boasts a large software library, you have to purchase each program seperately, and it gets expensive! Palm comes with the bare minimums installed - to sync with outlook you have to purchase software, for example. This PDA acts exactly like your Windows Based PC. Want to sync with Outlook? Go online? Look at a Flash document? It's all there! It really is foolproof.

The store that I tested this out in had wireless internet running through it. This device was FAST, and had no problems connecting to every website that I tested it out on. Since purchasing it, I've found it picks up signals really well. I've been able to drive around and jump on wireless networks in my town, even at the beach! Last night I streamed a radio station from England while at the beach. If that's not cool, I don't know what is!

I have not been able to find a more comfortable thumbpad keyboard on a PDA device with more features, or a better value than this one! If you're in the market for a new PDA, I'd buy this if I were you!


I love this thing!!   December 31, 2003
28 out of 30 found this review helpful

I have had my 4355 for approximately a month now, and I am blown away by it's set of features.It literally has everything one could want from a handheld. The built in WiFi effortlessly recognized our home network, I bought a BT GPS receiver on ebay, which gives me wireless GPS navigation, while leaving the SD slot free for my memory cards.
I, personally love the keyboard. I have never been a fan of handwriting recognition, and I have larger than average hands, so the size is actually perfect for me. While it's a bit longer because of the keyboard (1 inch longer than the 4150), the device itself is very thin. My girlfriend bought the 4150, which aside from the keyboard, and a slightly smaller battery has the same features.
Battery life is better than average, although like every other device, heavy WiFi use drains it pretty quickly. Simply buying an additional battery for emergencies would suffice for just about anyone's usage.
The keyboard is a good size, making thumb typing very easy. If it has a drawback, it's that there aren't stand alone number keys, so typing alot of numbers is a bit of a hassle at times. But that's really nitpicking. Overall, I can't really find anything not to like about this handheld. Except the terrible case that HP gives you with it. I'm still waiting for others to hit the stores so I can replace it.


HP Ipaq 4355, the perfect road companion.   October 4, 2004
Maksim N.
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

The HP Ipaq 4355 is a great road companion. Not only is it easy to use, thanks to Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003, but also very powerful, thanks to Hewlett Packard. With this PocketPC, you are always in touch. After being accustomed to lugging around my laptop between work, school and home, I replaced them all with this PDA. It is powerful enough to do basic applications, such as powerpoint presentations, word documents and excel spreadsheets, but besides this, you are always in touch and can check email and browse the net thanks to 802.11b WiFi and bluetooth built into this pda. The mini keyboard makes it easy to type and send messages. The battery life is also fantastic, and along with a second removeable battery, you do not have to worry about running out, and even if you do, there is a backup battery that will save your information. All In all, after using this Pda for a few months, there is no way anyone can take this away, because my back is happy because I no longer have to carry a heavy laptop with me wherever I go!


Some tips to save your efforts   April 22, 2004
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

It took me some time to set it up but it is really amazing and exactly what I expected of a great pda.
Share with you some tips to save your time on setup.
1.WLAN setup: extremely easy. Once you enter the main menu, click 'start' to find 'ipad wireless' in the menu. It shows you both bluetooth and wlan icons. Click 'WLAN' and then it will show you the wireless networks around, exactly the same as how to setup laptop's WLAN.
2.Install software. It bugged me for a while. I assumed I could install softwares on it directly.(This is my first pda.) In fact, we have to install activesync to the desktop first. Plug 4355 to the cradle and then connect the cradle to your desktop by USB cable. Now, install the softwares to your desktop and they are automatically installed to 4355 by ActiveSync.
3. So far, ActiveSync performs very well.
4. An extra SD memory card is a must to leverage your investment.