PocketMatrix

Is a "naked" 32 mb iPaq of any real use if I want to play games and use multimedia (for example PQ, mp3...) It would be too expensive for me to put money on expanding it.

That all depends. How many Q3 maps and mp3s are you looking to store?<br><br>Not to long ago I tried to see how much I could cram on a naked 32meg iPAQ. I managed to fit PocketNES and 3 ROMs (Mario2, Rockman 1 and Punchout), a music video, 3 mp3s, quake/bots and some maps, AND I still had about 7-8megs of Program RAM free.<br><br>I also had VNC, ImageExpert, ViewFTP, PocketArtist, JabberCE, PalmTweak, CETuner and irCE installed, but we're not talking apps I guess <br><br>You can also still maintain the "naked" look if you modify your CF sleeve. Since I could care less about my electronics, I've had plenty of fun hacking away at my own CF:<br><br><br><br>999<br>

You got all of that on a naked iPaq...kewl...maybe I could buy one some day =)

I find myself using my iPaq sleeveless more and more. I keep all the critical stuff in main memory, and the "extras" on CF-Cards. The naked iPaq is so extremely thin and light I like to use it like that, not that the CF-Sleeve makes it that much bigger or non-portable. I just feel like I'm using technology from 2040 when I use the iPaq without a sleeve. I also use it without the backlight quite a bit, especially in the car in daytime. I just make sure the moon-roof's blind isn't closed, and let the sunlight save my battery for me. The human eye is designed to see reflected light, not emitted light. There are very few sources of emitted light in nature (the sun, lightning, lightning bugs, lava, fire, etc). That is one of the reasons people that stare at monitors full-time strain their eyes (according to my optometrist). The iPaq's screen is more like looking at a piece of paper, it's like what you see is really there, instead of glaring at you, if that makes sense.<br><br>Dan East

And how about the 2 buttonpress problem. Is this horrible in for example emulators??

if ur gonna hardcore play emu's get an @migo or casio. and I haven't strained my eyes yet, while i sit in front of my computer pretty much all day, unless i go out to the beach or somethin.

Yeah, it sucks that there's Casio's buttons and higer colordepth, and the iPaq's processor. An @migo is probably not available in Finland yet and is probably too expensive to buy. I haven't found a casio yet either, but have found an iPaq (and I like the iPaq's design).<br>Well, how about those onscreen joypads in the emus then?

They work very well. Remember that the iPAQ´s buttons have the button press limitation, BUT you can still use the directional pad and press the action button at the same time (not vice versa I think). So, if you take advantage of this you can eliminate the screen buttons in a lot of games...

I am a hardcore emu junky, and I find the iPAQ's problems to be forgivable. You still don't get perfect buttons on the @migo, so only get that if form factor doesn't bother you. It bothers me, as I prefer the smaller form factor like my Visor and Jordana 545.<br><br>Also remember:<br>The stowaway foldable keyboard fixes your button problems (where's the Casio version?), not to mention Bitbank is set to release his Stinger Drivers for the iPAQ on friday. I don't know about you, but nothing says "hardcore" better than StreetFighter on a 6 button stinger pad... <br><br>999<br>

MZg:<br><br>The idea with the controller is you're sitting down to play a game. Much like a console, you want to get comfortable, because you intend to sit down for a spell. Now, you can be anywhere when doing this, by pulling the pad out of your backpack, bag, briefcase what have you. If indoors, you have the added bonus of tapping into a power source for extended play, like in your cubicle (no need to risk installing games on the company CPU anymore). In either scenario, you have a place to store the controller, and are not in a spur of the moment type situation. In these types of "short break" moments, the common onscreen virtual conrols are more than adequate to quench your thirst. <br><br>I mention virtual controls simply because as a Game Junky, I stand behind the iPAQ as a gaming machine. Additionally, with the release of the Stinger Driver for the Casio, both devices will have a level playing field to go head to head for the title as the Ultimate Gaming PDA. The winner in this instance is clearly the iPAQ. For that "short break" spur of the moment category, it's a tossup between speed or intuitive input, I'll leave that for you to decide <br><br>999<br>