5. HP iPAQ H3950/ H3970

Weighing in at just under 180 g, the Ipaq 3950 and 3970 are indistinguishable from the outside. In fact, the only difference is that the 3970 includes a Bluetooth wireless module. The preinstalled Bluetooth manager is easy to use, even for those new to wireless. At 90 cd/m2, the 3.8" display is exceptionally bright. The figures for battery runtime are also very good - over six hours in our test. With the Ipaqs you can allocate battery capacity to standby and working time. The greater the standby time specified (between 25 and 100 hours), the less time there is available for active usage.

Placing the unit in its docking station requires some care, as it is not a very good fit. The adapter for charging the battery outside the docking station is a convenient feature.

Long battery life, bright display, and very good build quality are the strengths of the HP Ipaq 3950 and 3970 - but the Bluetooth module adds considerably to the price. If you can do without the short-range wireless function, the cheaper Dell would be the better choice.