HP’s entry-level device is advertised as a media-player style machine rather than a classic PDA for business. Thus, I expected nothing short of a stunning screen - but is the ipaq rx4240’s screen really top-of-breed?
The backlight of the ipaq rx4240 cannot be turned off completely. However, it can be regulated down very low - the pictures below show a Palm TX and the HP machine next to another with the screens dimmed all the way down:
At full brightness, the ipaq slaughters the HiRes+ screen of the TX contrast-wise. Images look dull on the TX when compared with the ipaq’s brilliant screen:
The Palm Treo 680’s screen scored very well in the TamsPalm review - however, the ipaq’s screen has a nit more contrast(full brightness, look at the fingers):
Outdoors, the ipaq’s screen does not reflect ambient light well. The Treo easily beats the ipaq when it comes to reflectivity - the image below was made in the sun with the screen brightnesses turned all the way down - the ipaq does not reflect any light:
Overall, the HP ipaq rx4240 has a great screen…as long as its kept away from the sun. Indoors, the incredible contrast makes viewing images and videos great fun. Outdoors, the high brightness helps - up to a point. In the end, it once again comes down to personal taste - high contrast indoors and outdoors or excellent contrast indoors and average contrast outdoors…