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Review
Hewlett Packard Jornada 430
By Lowell Conn, Cyberwalker Media
Syndicate
After reviewing Hewlett Packard's
Jornada 690 hand-held computer, this
reviewer had high hopes for its cousin,
the Jornada 430se.
With the Windows CE interface and high
powered CPU, not to mention Internet
capability, the Jornada 430se seemed to
be a surefire winner. But in the
conversion from pocket organizer to
palmtop computer, something got lost.
For the record, the Jornada 430se is a
powerful little computer. It boasts a
133-megahertz processor and 16 megs of
RAM, not to mention MP3 sound playing
capability. Like its bigger incarnation,
the Jornada 430se doubles as a
dictaphone, with competitive sound
quality.
The Internet capability, however, is not
as impressive as that of its cousin
unit. The Jornada 680 allowed true
Internet access and had a jack socket to
plug into phone lines. The Jornada 430se
allows Internet access and e-mail
capabilities, but only when networking
with a regular PC.
It's because of the capability of the
other Jornadas that one cannot help
being disappointed at how little this
unit is an improvement over other
available Palm systems. It looks great,
with full color and MP3 technology. But
the Windows interface feels crowded and
unnatural on such a small screen.
In addition, the stylus reverts from
being an incredibly precise mouse
replacement to becoming a needed
navigational tool on the limited screen
size of the Jornada 430se. Like the Palm
III and V, the Jornada 430se provides
the option of writing with the stylus or
tapping away at an onscreen keyboard.
Hewlett Packard also offers an optional
keyboard (sold separately) but adding a
keyboard to such a unit limits its
mobility.
At a price of US $499 (CDN $749) , it is
not yet clear whether a strong buy
rating is warranted here. The
functionality of this unit is similar to
that of the Palm, at a higher price. The
Internet capabilities require a separate
PC, suggesting Internet capability is
better left on a laptop or desktop
computer.
Also, the Windows environment is rather
misplaced here. The only true advantage
of Windows CE is the quick and easy
compatibility with your laptop or
desktop computer, features most handheld
competitors are also sporting.
Sad to say, but HP's Jornada 430se is a
debatable option: the Palm series offers
similar breadth of ability and
functionality. The price on this unit is
somewhere between the Jornada 690 and
the Palm V. Unless MP3 technology is a
real selling point for you, you could
better be served spending more (or less,
depending on your need) on other
alternatives.
Reviewer's rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Comments: Nothing really new
here. Other Jornadas, the 690 version in
particular, are much more impressive.
Price: US $499 / CDN $749
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Adding RAM is easy, 
