Setting up the Aero 2110 was easy--we just removed the
protective strips from the main and backup batteries, plugged in
the AC adapter, and attached the synchronization cable to the
desktop "partner" PC's serial port.
We followed the
Aero's setup wizard and then dropped in the software CD-ROM and
followed the Windows CE installation wizard--all clearly
explained in the Quick Start Guide.
You operate the Aero with five front-mounted and two
side-mounted push buttons or by tapping the stylus on the
display. The Aero is comfortable to hold and operate, and the
high-resolution backlit color screen is beautifully easy to read
in any light.
The Windows CE CD-ROM provides the necessary software to manage
tasks on your desktop PC and synchronize them with the Aero.
Compaq also provides supplemental software to download audio
programs, view standard digital files, and more.
In our test, we installed the AudiblePlayer and visited a Web
site offering downloadable audio books. The process of installing
the player and the petulant AudioManager desktop software took
about an hour. It took another 20 minutes to download a free
book, and another hour to transfer the title to the Aero 2110.
Despite the slow process, we were still impressed that we could
listen to audiobooks on a PDA. A similar but much friendlier
process downloads e-mail and Web content--news, magazine
subscriptions, and so on--that you can read offline.
With its attractive ergonomic design, complete set of personal
organizer functions, color screen, expandable memory, digital
audio abilities, terrific software suite, and Windows CE
operating system, the Aero is a fun and useful PDA.
Pros:
-
Size:
5.27 by 3.34 by 0.78 inches
-
Weight:
10.92 ounces including the battery
-
Operating
system: WinCE version 2.11
-
Display:
256 colors; high-resolution TFT
LCD; 0.24-millimeter dot pitch; 2.4-by-3.2-inch viewing area
(4.02 inches diagonal); backlight with 3 settings (high,
low, and no light); touch screen with stylus
CPU:
MIPS-based RISC, 70 Mhz
-
Memory:
8 MB RAM (expandable to 24 MB), 12
MB ROM
-
Ports:
Serial, 115 Kbs; infrared IrDA 1.0
standard, 115 Kbps
-
Slots:
CompactFlash standard type II
(shielded, supports wireless CompactFlash)
-
Sound:
Built-in speaker and microphone
plus one 2.5-millimeter jack for both microphone and
headphone; recording, playback, and transfer of digital
audio supported
-
Alarm:
Audible beep or silent vibration
-
Power:
Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
pack, CR-2032 coin-cell backup battery; AC adapter/recharger,
input 100-240VAC, output 5VDC at 2A