Hitachi HPW-200EC

Its large keyboard and color screen gives this H/PC the look and feel of a small notebook computer.

By Rich Hall

The size of the package is deceiving, smaller than the one my Casio Palm-size PC came in. But safely packed in the small box is one of a few Windows CE giants—the Hitachi HPW-200EC.

The word "giant" is relative. While larger that most other H/PCs, the new Hitachi H/PC could be classified as a "mini-notebook computer." You can still carry it easily in your hand, but you'll keep it in your briefcase—not your pocket. Like the NEC MobilePro I reviewed last issue, the Hitachi sports a keyboard you can actually touch type on.

It's great to be able to touch type on an H/PC. Mobile users who create spreadsheets, write reports, and respond to a lot of email will appreciate Hitachi H/PC's large keyboard. I particularly liked the size and spacing of its keys. But a keyboard isn't everything. Let's take a more detailed look at Hitachi's new H/PC.

Just the facts

This review looks at the Hitachi HPW-200EC. This is the color-screen version of Hitachi's new line of Windows CE 2.0 H/PCs. Hitachi also makes the HPW-20E8M, a monochrome version of this unit.

The HPW-200EC has a 256 color touch-screen display, a 100 MHz CPU, 16 MB of internal RAM (expandable to 32 MB), and a large touch-typeable 74-key keyboard. The unit comes with a built-in 33.6 kbps software modem; VGA-out port and IrDA interface; Type II PCMCIA slot; Compact Flash card slot; rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack; hot-start program launch keys; built-in microphone, speaker and voice recorder. It weighs less than 2 lbs with battery pack. The package includes an AC adapter; serial cable; and VGA adapter for the end of the serial cable, a modem cable, manuals, CD ROMs and miscellaneous brochures for third-party products.

The Hitachi is a Windows CE 2.0 Handheld PC with all the associated features, utilities and "Pocket" applications.

Bonus software built into the Hitachi

The Hitachi H/PC's size differentiates it from many other H/PCs, but so does the bonus software it chose to build into the unit and include on CD ROM. The Hitachi HPW-200EC has the following additional software built into it in ROM. That means you don't have to install it and it takes up no extra disk space, except for data files it might create.

• bFAX Pro & bVIEW—bFAX lets you send faxes from, and receive faxes on the Hitachi H/PC. bVIEW lets you view faxes (and other documents) on the H/PC before sending them. This software is particularly useful for mobile professionals. Many H/PCs and Palm-size PCs ship with versions of this software and both products are available commercially from bSQUARE Technologies (http://www.bsquare.com).
• Pocket BizCalc—Adds a full-featured business/financial calculator that emulates the HP-12C. A good addition for business professionals, this program is available in H/PC and Palm-size PC versions commercially from Odyssey Computing (http://www. odysseyinc.com).
• Pocket Finance—Lets you track deposits and withdrawals on your H/PC. Exchanges account entries with Intuit's Quicken and Microsoft's Money desktop applications. This is the kind of application that is useful to anyone, but more so if you keep your H/PC with you all the time. The program is available commercially for H/PC users from LandWare (http://www.landware.com).

Bonus software on CD ROM

The following software is available free of charge on an included CD ROM. The Hitachi user must install this software.

• SPRYNET Direct Internet Access—SPRYNET is an Internet Service Provider with local dial-up access in 93% of the USA and parts of Canada. This program is a complete suite of SPRYNET-access software for Windows CE, based on Microsoft Internet Explorer. SPRYNET features include: A dedicated scripting engine that automatically logs into CompuServe's worldwide network; the SPRYNET Control Panel, where all Internet-related information comes together for easy configuration in one location; SPRYNET for Windows CE local home page, linking users to special sites from SPRYNET and Microsoft for Handheld PC users. The user must have an account with SPRYNET to use this software. For more information, contact: SPRYNET; Phone: 800-777-9638; Email: info@sprynet.com; Web: http://www.sprynet.com
• CE Speller—Lets you check spelling in most applications including Inbox email messages and Pocket Word documents. You can also look up an unfamiliar word, enter frequently used phrases by macros, and use other text utilities. It's designed to increase the Hitachi H/PC user's productivity with features such as macros for quickly entering frequently used words or phrases. As the user adds words to the custom dictionary for the CE Speller, the Pocket Word dictionary will also be updated. This product was developed by Communication Intelligence Corporation (http://www.cic.com), but CIC does not market it to end users.
• Virtual Courier—This application lets you connect your Hitachi H/PC to your LAN-based MS Mail account or Microsoft Exchange client, and send or receive electronic mail messages. Virtual Courier works both locally and remotely, so you can stay in touch while you are away from the office. It requires no additional program memory on the H/PC. Users can gateway to LAN e-mail through direct dial modem, or through Internet connections. This application is available for other H/PCs. For more information, contact MicroBurst (http://www.VirtualCourier.com).
• Memo Pad—A notetaker utility from Hitachi that lets you use the Hitachi H/PC as a pocket notebook for jotting down handwritten notes, making maps or sketches, or whatever comes to mind. Create new pages, edit old ones. Copy bitmap images for the document to the system clipboard. The List function displays thumbnails of the pages you've created (see Screen 1).
• Screen Capture—Utility from Hitachi that lets you capture portions of your desktop PC's screen and send them to the Hitachi H/PC as a bitmap image.
• VGA Driver—VGA screen driver software you need to install on the Hitachi H/PC to use its built-in VGA port to connect to external monitors for Pocket Power Point presentations.
• PDF File Viewer—Adobe's Acrobat Reader installs on your desktop PC and lets you read documentation for Memo Pad and Screen Capture applications.

Hitachi's Memo Pad lets you jot down handwritten notes and sketches. The list function displays thumbnails of the pages you've created.

First impressions last a long time

I was impressed with how Hitachi got such a large H/PC, along with its accessories, safely cushioned in such a small package. I opened it, pulled out the HPW-200EC (they really should give it a name) and tried to open the case. The clamshell case pulls open. There's no latch button, just a little latch that sticks out of the top of the case and slips into a hole in the bottom of the case when you close it. I wonder if this little latch is eventually going to wear out.

When I first turned on the Hitachi H/PC, I got a message indicating the back-up battery was low and that I should replace it. I spent 10 minutes looking for the backup battery -- don't bother! It's a pre-installed rechargeable coin-cell battery that is charged from the main battery or AC adapter. You need to charge it, not change it. Insert the main batteries, plug in the AC adapter and charge it for about an hour before you use the Hitachi the first time.

Like all newer H/PCs and all Palm-size PCs, the Hitachi has a Voice Recorder application that lets you use the built-in microphone and speaker to record and play back audio messages. The idea behind including this feature was to provide a way to make a quick note without having to open up your PC Companion -- just press a button on the outside of the case and talk. While you can do this with the Hitachi H/PC, I think most people will be carrying the H/PC in their briefcase. I think this feature will end up not being used as much on the Hitachi and other larger H/PCs.

I like the Hitachi H/PC's Quick Launch keys, located on the top row above the number keys. They're big and bold, with easy-to-see icons telling you what each key is for. It might have been nice if they had stenciled the application names right above the keys. The Hitachi has ten Quick Launch keys. Eight of them are pre-programmed with the built-in applications and cannot be changed. Two keys, labeled "User1" and "User2" can be configured to launch any application you desire. This is probably enough flexibility for most users. But some of the other H/PCs with quick launch keys let you customize them all.

I tested all of the applications. The larger keyboard really shines when you work with Pocket Word and Excel documents. It's also easier to enter information into the Pocket Outlook applications, but the large keyboard is probably not as necessary here. I enter most of my contact and tasks on my desktop PC and synchronize with the H/PC. The larger keyboard comes in very handy composing email.

Is this the H/PC for you?

It all depends on how you intend to use your H/PC. I don't think I would use the Hitachi as my only machine. I've been using pocket-sized computers since 1991 and I like having something light in my pocket, to access phone numbers, to take short notes or read messages. In addition, I spend most of my time at a desktop PC. Still, it was nice having that keyboard when I went on the road to PC Expo.

I'm experimenting with using both a Palm-size PC and the Hitachi H/PC. The Palm-size PC is great for appointments, phone numbers, and quick, SHORT notes. The Hitachi's size makes it a little awkward to use standing up, but it's great when you set it in your lap or on the top of a desk or table.

The Hitachi H/PC is another good example of the "bigger is better" school of H/PC design. The color screen is easy to read and the keyboard a pleasure to use. I like the large Quick Launch keys at the top and the large, easy-to-find Backspace and Enter keys. The battery life (estimated at 8-10 hours per charge) is reasonable. I took the Hitachi H/PC with me to the PC Expo show and used it quite a bit while traveling. I charged it every evening and never got a low-battery warning.

Hitachi and other H/PC manufacturers are looking for big corporate adoption of their products. I think this "mini-notebook" class of H/PCs will stimulate this more than the smaller H/PCs or Palm-size PCs. Corporations are used to equipping their mobile professions with notebook computers. These look like notebooks and do 99% of the things a notebook does. On top of that, they have advantages over other notebooks.

• They are smaller and more portable than most notebooks.
• Their "instant on" feature lets the user access data fast.
• They have better battery life than any Windows 95/NT notebook computer.
• They come with their operating system and applications already built in. The user or MIS support person never has to install or reinstall them.
• There are a growing number of third-party applications available that add any missing functionality.
• Plenty of software developers are out there, already familiar with programming for Windows CE. If the right application doesn't exist, it will be relatively easy and inexpensive to have someone create it for you.
• Last, but never least for the corporation, these devices are at least half as expensive as Windows 95/NT notebooks.

Hitachi made a conscious decision to make data entry easier on their H/PCs. I think it will pay off by attracting mobile users that want to carry a small notebook-sized device with them, but really don't need the power or expense of a Windows 96/98 device. I think this class of H/PCs will be more successful, in terms of numbers sold, than the pocket-sized H/PCs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rich has been writing and editing articles about portable computers for over 10 years. He's been the managing editor of five different portable and palmtop computing magazines and has been Editor of Handheld PC Magazine since its first issue in 1997. He and his wife Lucinda have been married 22 years. They have two children: Robert (12) and Ella (9), who occasionally help Rich review products. Rich's email address is: rich@thaddeus.com.