x
This website is using cookies. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. More info. That's Fine
HPC:Factor Logo 
 
Latest Forum Activity

Review: (Flashback) NEC MobilePro 880

1 2 3
C:Amie Page Icon Posted 2008-08-18 4:14 PM
#
Avatar image of C:Amie
Administrator
H/PC Oracle

Posts:
17,950
Location:
United Kingdom
Status:
Julio Ortiz has always had a soft spot for H/PC Professional, an early adopter and a hp fan, after all these years it seemed sensible to try something new. As a H/PC pundit and a writer, Julio needs something a little more scalable from his Handheld's. So after much deliberation the venerable NEC MobilePro 880 sub-notebook Handheld PC seemed like it fit the bill, but after nearly a decade can such a device really be all that useful?

In the latest HPC:Factor flashback review, where a legacy device is reviewed through modern eyes, Julio explores the merits of the NEC MobilePro 880 from a writers context and finds out if it offers value for money on the second hand market.

View: Flashback: NEC MobilePro 880
 Top of the page Quote Reply
Rich Hawley Page Icon Posted 2008-08-18 4:58 PM
#
Avatar image of Rich Hawley
Global Moderator
H/PC Guru

Posts:
7,188
Location:
USA
Status:
Good article...I especially enjoyed the current average price of $80. A far cry from the original cost. Now if we could just find some way to use the USB port with the 790 ROM....

Rich
 Top of the page Quote Reply
CE Geek Page Icon Posted 2008-08-18 9:16 PM
#
Avatar image of CE Geek
Global Moderator
H/PC Oracle

Posts:
12,662
Location:
Southern California
Status:
There are still a lot of 880s going for $100 or more (winning bids) on eBay, far more than 800s are going for - and for good reason: it's a big improvement over the 800.

I didn't see mention of the ROM upgrade option in the review. Makes the 880 an even better buy even with the loss of USB function. (I still get lots of use and pleasure out of my "890." )

Overall, a thorough, helpful, and easy-to-read review. Nice work, Julio.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
mr-mac Page Icon Posted 2008-08-19 12:27 PM
#
Avatar image of mr-mac
H/PC Elder

Posts:
1,973
Status:
Nice review
 Top of the page Quote Reply
CE Geek Page Icon Posted 2008-08-20 12:52 AM
#
Avatar image of CE Geek
Global Moderator
H/PC Oracle

Posts:
12,662
Location:
Southern California
Status:
 Top of the page Quote Reply
mr-mac Page Icon Posted 2008-08-20 3:56 PM
#
Avatar image of mr-mac
H/PC Elder

Posts:
1,973
Status:
Quote
CE Geek - 2008-08-20 5:52 AM

Now's your chance to get one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-MobilePro-880-Handheld-PC-with-Accessories_...


also a cheap compaq aero 8000
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Compaq-Aero-8000-WinCE-mini-laptop-w-SmartCar...
 Top of the page Quote Reply
SirThoreth Page Icon Posted 2008-08-22 7:38 PM
#
Avatar image of SirThoreth
Factorite (Elite)

Posts:
180
Location:
United States
Status:
Quote
CE Geek - 2008-08-18 6:16 PM

There are still a lot of 880s going for $100 or more (winning bids) on eBay, far more than 800s are going for - and for good reason: it's a big improvement over the 800.

I didn't see mention of the ROM upgrade option in the review. Makes the 880 an even better buy even with the loss of USB function. (I still get lots of use and pleasure out of my "890." )

Overall, a thorough, helpful, and easy-to-read review. Nice work, Julio.


I'm going to agree: it's a good review. OTOH, I disagree on the loss of USB function: I really, really like the ability to be able to handle USB drives. Heck, I've even got a 320 GB external drive around here that I formated in FAT32 (using a third-party program from a desktop), so that it's portable across both NT-based computers and my 880.

The 880 really is the equivalent of one of the new "Netbook" style subnotebook PCs, and while its browser is certainly a bit dated these days, it's otherwise a pretty handy machine.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
JulioAngelOrtiz Page Icon Posted 2008-08-28 6:49 PM
#
Avatar image of JulioAngelOrtiz
Factorite (Elite)

Posts:
103
Location:
United States
Status:
Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Well, I bit the bullet and have ordered the "890" upgrade. I'll probably share my experiences about that one.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
JulioAngelOrtiz Page Icon Posted 2008-09-02 6:23 PM
#
Avatar image of JulioAngelOrtiz
Factorite (Elite)

Posts:
103
Location:
United States
Status:
Ugh. Bad news. I installed the ROM fine and booted it up to test (which it came up with HPC2000). But when trying to take apart the Mobilepro per the instructions to install the battery, I accidentally ripped the video / LCD capable. So now my Mobilepro is officially dead.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
CE Geek Page Icon Posted 2008-09-02 6:37 PM
#
Avatar image of CE Geek
Global Moderator
H/PC Oracle

Posts:
12,662
Location:
Southern California
Status:
Aw, man. (I never bothered to change the rechargeable backup battery in my "890," and it hasn't been a problem - other than the occasional "Backup Battery Low" warning.)

I have a couple of old parts 800s - I'm guessing the cable is the same. Maybe I can remove the cable from one and send it to you.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
Rich Hawley Page Icon Posted 2008-09-02 7:58 PM
#
Avatar image of Rich Hawley
Global Moderator
H/PC Guru

Posts:
7,188
Location:
USA
Status:
Email sent to Julio
 Top of the page Quote Reply
JulioAngelOrtiz Page Icon Posted 2008-09-02 8:17 PM
#
Avatar image of JulioAngelOrtiz
Factorite (Elite)

Posts:
103
Location:
United States
Status:
Thank you all for the kind words. Rich, I have sent a response. I'll keep these options in mind.

Is there a way to disable the low battery warning?
 Top of the page Quote Reply
seminarian
seminarian Page Icon Posted 2008-10-03 6:38 PM
#
Status:
Do you have screen images of Textmaker being used on the MP880?

Also, what version of Textmaker did you use?

How much was that version of Textmaker you used that worked so well on MP880?

Know of any good sources for (new) batteries for the MP880?


Thank you very much for doing this report. It's super informative for a college student on a budget who needs something the MP880 could possibly deliver.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
Rich Hawley Page Icon Posted 2008-10-04 2:12 PM
#
Avatar image of Rich Hawley
Global Moderator
H/PC Guru

Posts:
7,188
Location:
USA
Status:
Textmaker looks great on an SVGA screen...



(TMSVGA.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments TMSVGA.jpg (74KB - 2 downloads)
 Top of the page Quote Reply
Paianni Page Icon Posted 2008-11-04 5:52 AM
#
Avatar image of Paianni
H/PC Elite

Posts:
733
Location:
England, UK
Status:
I am not keen on Handheld PC's that just look like a mini laptop. I do prefer the usual landscape Handheld PC shell (For example: HP Jornada 720). Inserting a pad to move your finger along the interface just makes you confused.
 Top of the page Quote Reply
1 2 3
Jump to forum:
Seconds to generate: 0.269 - Cached queries : 68 - Executed queries : 13