The Ipaq HW6915 Mobile Messenger is fine if used just as a phone but is easily outclassed by dedicated mobiles.

If you want mobile email, a Blackberry is both smaller and better supported, plus there are better, cheaper GPS receivers, not to mention smartphones that offer similar PDA functionality. If, however, you want all these features and more in one neat and very professional-looking unit, the latest Ipaq Mobile Messenger is hard to beat.

Aimed at the mobile professional, this recently revamped device certainly looks ready to do business. Weighing in at 175g it’s a little heavier than a Blackberry and bigger, but still fits snugly in the palm of the hand, with a bright 3in colour screen protected by a transparent flip-up cover. There’s room, too, for a full Qwerty keyboard, along with a mini joystick and extra keys to operate the built-in phone independently.

So, pop in a Sim card and the Mobile Messenger becomes a quad-band GSM phone, with a plug-in hands-free kit provided in the box, and Bluetooth support should you need it. Bluetooth can also be used to connect the Ipaq to printers and other devices, as can the integrated infra-red interface, while GPRS/Edge connectivity provides internet and email access on the move.

This model also comes with an 802.11b Wifi interface, which means you can connect to the internet and receive email via hotspots and private wireless networks. A VPN client also comes as standard but, for reasons best known to HP, no softphone to make Voice over IP calls over the Wifi link.

You do, though, get a lot of other software bundled with the Windows Mobile 5 operating system, including mobile versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Internet Explorer. Outlook messaging is similarly built in with support for ‘push’ email when used in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange, plus facilities to synchronise to a desktop using the Activesync software, also bundled with the unit.

A fast 416MHz Intel PXA270 CPU provides the processing power with 64MB of SD-Ram which can be further supplemented via mini-SD cards. You also get a digital camera and a GPS receiver, plus Tomtom navigation software.

Of course compromises have been made. For example, finding the right keys to use when dialling numbers can be difficult. Call quality isn’t that great either and, call us picky if you must, but your ear leaves marks on the screen during long calls.

We also struggled with the GPS features at times, with no way of turning the receiver on and off other than through the navigation software which, if left running, can be a big drain on battery power.

On the plus side we found the screen a delight and, although quite different from desktop Windows, it didn’t take long to master Windows Mobile 5. The small keys don’t help, but then we mostly used the onscreen keyboard, working up quite a speed using the stylus provided.

A USB cradle and independent charger complete the outfit with the battery good for about a working day between top-ups. As such it’s a good choice for mobile workers unwilling or unable to carry a notebook and phone around, especially with the Wifi and GPS functionality built in. However, it’s relatively expensive compared with a dedicated phone or Blackberry, especially if on contract, and ultimately not a match in functionality or ease of use.