This video review of the 720 has piqued my interest. And you're absolutely right about the form factor. I genuinely believe the clamshell HPC form factor will see a major comeback in the mobile space. I can't imagine a more convenient way to get serious work done.
Glad you liked it! Yes there are a few devices running Android with this form factor but they are in the minority. For serious work the lack of internet and other distractions make these older devices very useful :-)
Thanks, I have been collecting for a very, very long time 🤣😂🤣 Honestly I don't like the risk of crowd funding tech though I was tempted by the astro...
I have a J720 still, used it for many work projects. These are quite special as the Pocket Excel program is in fact feature complete, and is capable of advanced databasing and programming operations including integration with the Pocket Access SQL app.
That is part of the reason the J720 (and 728) is my every day PDA, with the exception of web based activity I can do 90% of the computing I need on the go which at 22 years old with a 17hour battery life is pretty impressive 😉
the 1st one is Crazy - Patrick Patrikios, and the second is Desert Brawl - Vans in Japan, they are royalty free in youtube studio. I will add the reference to the description
When I was shopping back then for a replacement of my Handspring Edge, I was deciding between Psion, Jornada and HP iPAQ hx4700. I ended up with the last one mentioned, adding a foldable keyboard very similar to Jornada keyboard but slightly larger when unfold. So for fast memo I just used the onscreen keyboard and for longer texts I used the foldable keyboard. But at the end I left the keyboard in the office at my desk together with the cradle, using it as a kind of docking device. Had very good eyes back then and the VGA resolution of the 4" screen was very good "real" PC replacement. For browser I used both IE and Opera... Exciting times, still have the iPAQ.
The Hx4700 is quite the beast! Ah yes to be young and find those high pixel densities clear again 🤣. Joking aside it would have been a great laptop replacement once the foldout keyboard was added, did you have the IR one or did it connect to the sync connector?
@@HandheldComputing it was wireless with batteries, dont remember the protocol but at that time IR was still way to go. But WiFi started to be a thing or even the BT, so... well, dont really remember, dont think I had to fiddle around with its position relative to iPAQ. And I used the iPAQ in both orientations, so hmm, I think it wasnt IR at the end, but BT or WiFi. The keyboard was foldable in half and sold via Sunnysoft (at least so I remember). I still do have the iPAQ but the keyboard got lost when I did quit the job.
The 720 looks a bit more battered in person but I do try and look after them. Sorry you didn't win, there will be another competition sometime next year....
A great video! The 720 brings back so many memories for me and I was mesmerised by the form factor. Is there still any way to get a WiFi card operational anymore or is the browser security a barrier now? 👍🏻
so yes you can using a wifi extender (which can be put into the body of the 720) as shown here... www.hpcfactor.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20423&start=1 I intend to make a video on it as some point ;-)
the 720 was a brilliant form factor, especially the keyboard. My friend got Linux booted on the 720 from the Compact Flash port and netgear wifi running with X. If only today they put the highest hardware spec, sharpest display, huge RAM, wifi, USB-C, multi camera, and just put Debian on it, not side loaded, just straight up direct boot, that would be the dream. The Nokia 9500 COMMUNICATOR then N900 was the last of the dream, but that is quite out of date today. The clam shell device is just the best.
I love the clam shell design, nothing beats a good keyboard for input. Yeah the specs on the J720 are very low so while you can run linux its not fast!
@@HandheldComputing only running a terminal it did run quickly, The true Linux gurus prefer the terminal. Why cant a modern day clam shell version using today hardware be made? The Astro Slide is a still an Android ROM, like the Cosmo Communicator which side loads of a SD your preferred Linux Distribution. Can't they make like a laptop, that can format the unwanted OS and straight load Linux. The N900 was it but iphone and android took over.
@@garvintimmann You should check out the GPD pocket 7 series, GPD provide drivers for Linux and even the original Pocket 7 has enough grunt to multitask under Linux
I have two 720s and used them on campus to take notes. They were perfect and reliable. Had 2 batteries, so I just switched mid-day if I had to. But my main problem is that the plastic just gave up on them and they became weak. Somebody should be able to print new casing for them.
They are great machines and still very capable even today! I feel sure someone must already have had a go at 3D printing new casings, if not then one day when I get a 3D printer I will have a go!
@@HandheldComputing I try to convince my friend to print new cases, but he has limited time and I don't know how to model it. Also, the other problem is the screen. The quality of it is pretty bad and the touch layer tends to become hardened and yellowish, making it even harder to read. Since it is a very strange form factor and have also touch buttons at the right side, probably it is not possible to just replace it. Otherwise I think the Jornada is quite indestructible, since the ROM, CPU and RAM are pretty sturdy. It's good that it is not equipped with a flash memory.
Glad to see another Windows CE video. I think you and I would have been good friends back in the day ;) With regards to the 720/728 and the games issue, it’s likely due to the fact that they both came with 2D graphics acceleration rather than using the CPU to draw the screen, which is why old CE devices with slow CPUs felt sluggish. You can see the difference in screen draw from say a 300/320 to a 680/690 - 44MHz VS 133MHz.
I think we would have been, I've seen a lot of your videos most enjoyable! I did think it might have been due to a graphics chip but struggled to find any sources that could confirm it. The main thing I think is people need to know how to fix it :-)
@@HandheldComputing All I can find is references to 2D acceleration but nothing else, no mention of how or what chip. Thanks for the kind comments and congrats on the number of subs!
Great video.. just wondering if its possible to password protect any of the applications such as notes or if its possible to password protect when device is turned on?
Yes you can, it's got options for how long before it activates the lock too. Just be aware of you forget your password there isn't a way to recover anything stored in RAM 😉
The nearest modern device is the GPD pocket 7 series (they are on 3rd gen now) here's a link to my review of the 1st gen model th-cam.com/video/LuC1ndh7DWI/w-d-xo.html
How are the sound capabilities on this little guy? I've googled around for 15 mins, but all I've found is "stereo sound" ... Is it (hopefully) 16-bit at 44.1kHz? (I have a feeling it is 16-bit, 22.05kHz like many other portables of the era.)
According to the audio player Hum the J720 supports 44KHz but the mono speaker isn't exactly amazing by modern standards and there is some inherent noise when using the audio jack. For casual MP3 playback its great but if you are an audiofile I would suggest getting a dedicated MP3 player or Sony Clie...
What is the batteries to use in one of these ? Im using 2800mah EBL's that you charge with a cable to that goes to micro USB hoook up on the battery. My 680e is now getting 15 hours before charges. Stock batteries id say maybe 7 hours total. New batteries are like the SSD speed improvement on desktops for us Palmtop users. So far this and the 360LX are my fav palmtops. Followed close behind by the Casio A-11+ I own.
They are 18650's and its exactly the same as the batteries in the Jornada 720 - here's the link for my battery replacement video th-cam.com/video/PRGn7COoN1w/w-d-xo.html
I want to get a 720. I dont own any color units right now and only model im interested in is the 720. I know you can run linux on the 680 but the specs are better on the 720. Cool video :-) -Walt B
Great video 👍 I remember having a 728 which I ran alongside a Psion 5mx. A much nicer colour screen than the Psion, otherwise I really preferred the 5mx. The 728 came with a dock, which incorporated a stylus holder.
The inbuilt agenda and office apps on the 5Mx are way are better than the native apps in CE. Yes it comes with a dock with serial and USB and a stylus holder, I can't believe I forgot to mention that in the video!!!!!
Its true! I got and MC12 and at the time there was hardy any software support and what there was, was expensive! The PPC's seemed to do much better in that regard
I always thought that for some reason MS intentionally crippled the software. I had an 820, the hardware was brilliant, with moderately capable software it would have been a complete laptop replacement. Which is why I think MS really wanted to kill it. The Windows CE and pocket office software was so frustratingly bad. I used the 820 for awhile anyway, but had to abandon it due to the software limitations.
Also using a 720 - great stuff indeed. Now I'm getting my head around my new Cosmo Communicator - will see. They sync with each other via nextcloud anyway =)
@@HandheldComputing Yes - I'm still on the fence. Running Android, it is flawless, but I miss the "object-focused" environment, rather than the "app-focused" environment of Android. Also the Cosmo BEGS for a pen. But - you can send e-mails. =) I can send e-mails and sync my Jornada to my iPhone because I host a full complex solution at home. In Linux... well, you would need a pen, and sometimes things cut of the screen unless you set scaling to unreadable levels. And you lose a lot of functionality from the external screen when it comes to notifications. Unfortunately the external screen software is not open source. I'll publish a review later on, but, overall, I can see myself finally retiring my 720 =)
@@Shiunbird I agree the object-focus GUI is much easier to use when it comes to lots of documents etc and a pen would be nice! I didn't realise that there were issues with Linux on the Cosmo, I thought they had designed it with Linux in mind. Yes, let me know when you have done a review!
@@HandheldComputing Linux works fine, they just never truly... finished it. For example, I didn't manage to get the HDMI output to work, which would have been amazing to have it as a dockable computer. Also OXI support for Android, as far as I know, has never been finished. I'll let you know once the review is done. I've also published how to sync the Jornada with nextcloud and some short review of the Jornada as well if you are interested.
@@Shiunbird Seems an odd thing not to finish, I mean the HDMI out could make the Cosmo a great carry around PC! I sync my Jornada with Gdrive so I can have outlook on a couple of PCs and do the same with palm desktop, I'd like to see if you do it differently so let yes I'm interested, if you could send a link that would be great!
There is a run dialogue box but no command shell. It can run DosBox (paid for and still available) to give command line option. There's also a basic terminal client built in.
@@HandheldComputing I can't change the language because it's built into the ROM, but they are available....It's solvable then.....thank you... No puedo cambiar el idioma porque está integrado en la ROM, pero están disponibles....es solucionable entonces.....gracias...
I have a better device - GPD win max 2021:)it is also a handheld - but a gaming handheld. It’s more actual for our Days. It’s bigger - but still portable.
@@HandheldComputing yep. Before buy gpd win - I try to buy some PDA - all we have in Ukraine is HP 214 - it’s cool. It’s one of the best PDA ever - maybe you like to make review on it.
Hmm, as what I suspected. My long reply was once again taken down by TH-cam. I guess the main "offender" is my list of killer apps. Does the TH-cam people/AI really think of the program names being promotional or anything ideologically incompatible with their grand scheme of things? PS: It seems spelling the program names in small case can dodge the amazing youtube filtering things. lol
This video review of the 720 has piqued my interest. And you're absolutely right about the form factor. I genuinely believe the clamshell HPC form factor will see a major comeback in the mobile space. I can't imagine a more convenient way to get serious work done.
Glad you liked it! Yes there are a few devices running Android with this form factor but they are in the minority. For serious work the lack of internet and other distractions make these older devices very useful :-)
I can't believe that collection in the background, outrageous.
Do you have one of those Astro Slide things that never came out?
Thanks, I have been collecting for a very, very long time 🤣😂🤣
Honestly I don't like the risk of crowd funding tech though I was tempted by the astro...
I have a J720 still, used it for many work projects. These are quite special as the Pocket Excel program is in fact feature complete, and is capable of advanced databasing and programming operations including integration with the Pocket Access SQL app.
That is part of the reason the J720 (and 728) is my every day PDA, with the exception of web based activity I can do 90% of the computing I need on the go which at 22 years old with a 17hour battery life is pretty impressive 😉
What was this music in the background? It was nice video. Keep on good work😀
the 1st one is Crazy - Patrick Patrikios, and the second is Desert Brawl - Vans in Japan, they are royalty free in youtube studio. I will add the reference to the description
When I was shopping back then for a replacement of my Handspring Edge, I was deciding between Psion, Jornada and HP iPAQ hx4700. I ended up with the last one mentioned, adding a foldable keyboard very similar to Jornada keyboard but slightly larger when unfold. So for fast memo I just used the onscreen keyboard and for longer texts I used the foldable keyboard. But at the end I left the keyboard in the office at my desk together with the cradle, using it as a kind of docking device. Had very good eyes back then and the VGA resolution of the 4" screen was very good "real" PC replacement. For browser I used both IE and Opera... Exciting times, still have the iPAQ.
The Hx4700 is quite the beast! Ah yes to be young and find those high pixel densities clear again 🤣. Joking aside it would have been a great laptop replacement once the foldout keyboard was added, did you have the IR one or did it connect to the sync connector?
@@HandheldComputing it was wireless with batteries, dont remember the protocol but at that time IR was still way to go. But WiFi started to be a thing or even the BT, so... well, dont really remember, dont think I had to fiddle around with its position relative to iPAQ. And I used the iPAQ in both orientations, so hmm, I think it wasnt IR at the end, but BT or WiFi. The keyboard was foldable in half and sold via Sunnysoft (at least so I remember). I still do have the iPAQ but the keyboard got lost when I did quit the job.
@@madigorfkgoogle9349 probably Bluetooth in that case! I have the IR one and it's a pain if you knock it out of alignment during use!
Oh and for you 680 users, theres a patch to download that will take the 256bit color and turn it into 16k. Looks sooooo much better.
Oh and what web browser is everyone using on these ?
Yes there is and its a massive upgrade!
I'm amazed that your Jornadas look fairly in good condition! And sad I didn't win the giveaway... :(
The 720 looks a bit more battered in person but I do try and look after them. Sorry you didn't win, there will be another competition sometime next year....
A great video! The 720 brings back so many memories for me and I was mesmerised by the form factor. Is there still any way to get a WiFi card operational anymore or is the browser security a barrier now? 👍🏻
so yes you can using a wifi extender (which can be put into the body of the 720) as shown here...
www.hpcfactor.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20423&start=1
I intend to make a video on it as some point ;-)
the 720 was a brilliant form factor, especially the keyboard. My friend got Linux booted on the 720 from the Compact Flash port and netgear wifi running with X. If only today they put the highest hardware spec, sharpest display, huge RAM, wifi, USB-C, multi camera, and just put Debian on it, not side loaded, just straight up direct boot, that would be the dream. The Nokia 9500 COMMUNICATOR then N900 was the last of the dream, but that is quite out of date today. The clam shell device is just the best.
I love the clam shell design, nothing beats a good keyboard for input. Yeah the specs on the J720 are very low so while you can run linux its not fast!
@@HandheldComputing only running a terminal it did run quickly, The true Linux gurus prefer the terminal. Why cant a modern day clam shell version using today hardware be made? The Astro Slide is a still an Android ROM, like the Cosmo Communicator which side loads of a SD your preferred Linux Distribution. Can't they make like a laptop, that can format the unwanted OS and straight load Linux. The N900 was it but iphone and android took over.
@@garvintimmann You should check out the GPD pocket 7 series, GPD provide drivers for Linux and even the original Pocket 7 has enough grunt to multitask under Linux
I have two 720s and used them on campus to take notes. They were perfect and reliable. Had 2 batteries, so I just switched mid-day if I had to. But my main problem is that the plastic just gave up on them and they became weak. Somebody should be able to print new casing for them.
They are great machines and still very capable even today! I feel sure someone must already have had a go at 3D printing new casings, if not then one day when I get a 3D printer I will have a go!
@@HandheldComputing I try to convince my friend to print new cases, but he has limited time and I don't know how to model it.
Also, the other problem is the screen. The quality of it is pretty bad and the touch layer tends to become hardened and yellowish, making it even harder to read. Since it is a very strange form factor and have also touch buttons at the right side, probably it is not possible to just replace it.
Otherwise I think the Jornada is quite indestructible, since the ROM, CPU and RAM are pretty sturdy. It's good that it is not equipped with a flash memory.
Glad to see another Windows CE video. I think you and I would have been good friends back in the day ;) With regards to the 720/728 and the games issue, it’s likely due to the fact that they both came with 2D graphics acceleration rather than using the CPU to draw the screen, which is why old CE devices with slow CPUs felt sluggish. You can see the difference in screen draw from say a 300/320 to a 680/690 - 44MHz VS 133MHz.
I think we would have been, I've seen a lot of your videos most enjoyable! I did think it might have been due to a graphics chip but struggled to find any sources that could confirm it. The main thing I think is people need to know how to fix it :-)
@@HandheldComputing All I can find is references to 2D acceleration but nothing else, no mention of how or what chip. Thanks for the kind comments and congrats on the number of subs!
Great video.. just wondering if its possible to password protect any of the applications such as notes or if its possible to password protect when device is turned on?
Yes you can, it's got options for how long before it activates the lock too. Just be aware of you forget your password there isn't a way to recover anything stored in RAM 😉
@@HandheldComputing wow thank you so much for the quick reply!!
Could you share the wallpaper? I'd like it for my Jornada 720 :)
Sure thing...
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-XZ-l9KniKkeP0yOjweq4xVGoR496kU1?usp=sharing
I love this form factor, why are there no new PC's like this?
The nearest modern device is the GPD pocket 7 series (they are on 3rd gen now) here's a link to my review of the 1st gen model th-cam.com/video/LuC1ndh7DWI/w-d-xo.html
@@HandheldComputing Yeah but the keyboard is not real. I just want a new Sony Vaio P, is that too much to ask!?
@@jjurksztowicz I do love the Vaio P, that super wide display is great for films and using two documents at once!
always glad to see new videos from you .. keep up your good work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
How are the sound capabilities on this little guy? I've googled around for 15 mins, but all I've found is "stereo sound" ... Is it (hopefully) 16-bit at 44.1kHz? (I have a feeling it is 16-bit, 22.05kHz like many other portables of the era.)
According to the audio player Hum the J720 supports 44KHz but the mono speaker isn't exactly amazing by modern standards and there is some inherent noise when using the audio jack.
For casual MP3 playback its great but if you are an audiofile I would suggest getting a dedicated MP3 player or Sony Clie...
What is the batteries to use in one of these ? Im using 2800mah EBL's that you charge with a cable to that goes to micro USB hoook up on the battery. My 680e is now getting 15 hours before charges. Stock batteries id say maybe 7 hours total. New batteries are like the SSD speed improvement on desktops for us Palmtop users. So far this and the 360LX are my fav palmtops. Followed close behind by the Casio A-11+ I own.
They are 18650's and its exactly the same as the batteries in the Jornada 720 - here's the link for my battery replacement video
th-cam.com/video/PRGn7COoN1w/w-d-xo.html
Very informative, but please lock the focus on your camera
Thank you, will do 😊
I have a 680e. I use Linux on my laptop. What would be involved to put Linux on a 680e? Is there a detailed procedure anywhere? Thanks.
There is a version of Linux for the 680e, check out the forums on HPCfactor
I want to get a 720. I dont own any color units right now and only model im interested in is the 720. I know you can run linux on the 680 but the specs are better on the 720. Cool video :-)
-Walt B
Glad you likes the video, yes Linux will run on the 680 but you are right the 720 has the better specs
Great video 👍 I remember having a 728 which I ran alongside a Psion 5mx. A much nicer colour screen than the Psion, otherwise I really preferred the 5mx. The 728 came with a dock, which incorporated a stylus holder.
The inbuilt agenda and office apps on the 5Mx are way are better than the native apps in CE. Yes it comes with a dock with serial and USB and a stylus holder, I can't believe I forgot to mention that in the video!!!!!
Psion 5 have a wonderful keyboard - best ever at all handheld device I see.
there is also the 710, a 720 without modem build in.
Yes they did!
I remember owning one when it was new. Didn't really have enough software support compare to a Pocket PC. Cool idea tho.
Its true! I got and MC12 and at the time there was hardy any software support and what there was, was expensive! The PPC's seemed to do much better in that regard
I always thought that for some reason MS intentionally crippled the software. I had an 820, the hardware was brilliant, with moderately capable software it would have been a complete laptop replacement. Which is why I think MS really wanted to kill it. The Windows CE and pocket office software was so frustratingly bad. I used the 820 for awhile anyway, but had to abandon it due to the software limitations.
Also using a 720 - great stuff indeed. Now I'm getting my head around my new Cosmo Communicator - will see. They sync with each other via nextcloud anyway =)
Gotta love the 720, just a great machine! Oooh the Cosmo, I would love to get my hands on one of those, they look excellent!
@@HandheldComputing Yes - I'm still on the fence. Running Android, it is flawless, but I miss the "object-focused" environment, rather than the "app-focused" environment of Android.
Also the Cosmo BEGS for a pen.
But - you can send e-mails. =) I can send e-mails and sync my Jornada to my iPhone because I host a full complex solution at home.
In Linux... well, you would need a pen, and sometimes things cut of the screen unless you set scaling to unreadable levels. And you lose a lot of functionality from the external screen when it comes to notifications. Unfortunately the external screen software is not open source.
I'll publish a review later on, but, overall, I can see myself finally retiring my 720 =)
@@Shiunbird I agree the object-focus GUI is much easier to use when it comes to lots of documents etc and a pen would be nice!
I didn't realise that there were issues with Linux on the Cosmo, I thought they had designed it with Linux in mind.
Yes, let me know when you have done a review!
@@HandheldComputing Linux works fine, they just never truly... finished it.
For example, I didn't manage to get the HDMI output to work, which would have been amazing to have it as a dockable computer.
Also OXI support for Android, as far as I know, has never been finished.
I'll let you know once the review is done. I've also published how to sync the Jornada with nextcloud and some short review of the Jornada as well if you are interested.
@@Shiunbird Seems an odd thing not to finish, I mean the HDMI out could make the Cosmo a great carry around PC!
I sync my Jornada with Gdrive so I can have outlook on a couple of PCs and do the same with palm desktop, I'd like to see if you do it differently so let yes I'm interested, if you could send a link that would be great!
Do these have the command line on them too?
There is a run dialogue box but no command shell. It can run DosBox (paid for and still available) to give command line option. There's also a basic terminal client built in.
@@HandheldComputing ha, yeah the run dialog is what made me think there might be cmd. Dosbox would be just fine I imagine, that's cool!
This HP JORNADA 680 Laptop can be translated into Spanish....??.....
Este Portátil HP JORNADA 680 se puede traducir a español....??.....
You need the Spanish version, unfortunately you cannot change the language as its built into the ROM, they are out there though 😃
@@HandheldComputing
I can't change the language because it's built into the ROM, but they are available....It's solvable then.....thank you...
No puedo cambiar el idioma porque está integrado en la ROM, pero están disponibles....es solucionable entonces.....gracias...
Como se desbloquea el teclado!?
¿Desbloquear el teclado? No entiendo, no se puede bloquear el teclado, ¿tal vez esté desconectado?
@@HandheldComputing y como se conecta porque lo único que me anda es el on/off
@@elcritico4136 Parece que necesitas un teclado nuevo, lo siento
I have a better device - GPD win max 2021:)it is also a handheld - but a gaming handheld. It’s more actual for our Days. It’s bigger - but still portable.
That is a great device! the analogue thumb sticks should be good for gaming! Not instant on like the Jornada though ;-)
@@HandheldComputing yep. Before buy gpd win - I try to buy some PDA - all we have in Ukraine is HP 214 - it’s cool. It’s one of the best PDA ever - maybe you like to make review on it.
@@TheJoinqwerty Its a good pocket PC that one, very powerful. They come up cheap on ebay sometimes so I will keep an eye out
@@TheJoinqwerty Are you alive?
Nice video
Glad you enjoyed it :-)
@@HandheldComputing yeah i really like the hp jornada i had a year ago a 670
@@jaydprogamer4485 Did you mean the 680? They are great machines and the keyboard is great for its size!
@@HandheldComputing yeah hp jornada 680
@@jaydprogamer4485 Its a good palmtop, I used mine for 2 years before the allure of a headphone jack and updated IE drew me to the 720
Hmm, as what I suspected. My long reply was once again taken down by TH-cam. I guess the main "offender" is my list of killer apps. Does the TH-cam people/AI really think of the program names being promotional or anything ideologically incompatible with their grand scheme of things? PS: It seems spelling the program names in small case can dodge the amazing youtube filtering things. lol
Honestly I'm at a loss to understand why your comments keep disappearing!
jornada 728 + xt-ce= color 200lx
This is very true! I've heard DosBox being used for just this
And not to forget - it runs Linux!
This is too true and a great way to get more out of such an old device!
You have huge eyes
Ha ha that because my glasses magnify them