7. Test Procedure

THG tests the performance of PDAs with the aid of a PDA benchmark utility developed together with our partner company, PC Professionell Deutschland. It measures the CPU and 2D graphics performance and the battery life. To test the battery life, a test script runs the PDA continuously by simulating stylus input to the screen every 30 seconds. Our engineers adjust all devices to a display brightness of 50 cd/m2, to make sure that the results are comparable. If a particular PDA cannot achieve this brightness, we test battery life using the maximum brightness available.

Benchmark Results

We have included the results of the devices from our last PDA group test for comparison.

Since the CPU benchmark doesn't use any of the operating system functions, but is based solely on floating point and integer operations, the iPAQ H2210/H2215 is unable to outpace its fastest competitors such as the Zayo A600PPC or the Toshiba e750.

As far as 2D display speed is concerned, HP's newest creation not only outclasses the competition, but also other products from its own stable.

At five hours, thirteen minutes, battery life (with the Bluetooth module switched off) is only average. However, the fact battery life is only 15 percent shorter than the iPAQ 3000-series when the battery capacity is actually 35 percent smaller (1400 versus 900mAh) shows that the 2000 is in fact more efficient in terms of power consumption.