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The
top panel of the 4150 now features a regular 3.5mm stereo
headphone jack rather than the 2.5mm jack used for some
of the 19xx series so you'll not need to be fiddling with
adaptors.
Places
centrally is the SD slot which accepts a range of SD/MMC
memory expansion cards plus additional peripherals like
radio tuners and digital camera add-ons. To the left of
this (as viewed below) is the stylus silo.
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Top
View
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The
bottom of the 4150 is dominated by the docking connector
and, to the right of this as viewed, the slightly oddly
sited IrDa window.
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Bottom
View
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This
side view certainly drives home how compact the 4150 actually
is. The chrome-effect button here activates the voice memo
function and you can make out the hole which gives access
to the reset button. This can be pressed using the stylus
point and saves having to screw off the end-cap every time.
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Side
View
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On
the opposite side is the sliding catch for releasing the
battery compartment cover. The cover feels a little awkward
to get off at first as you need to pull quite hard to release
the retaining tabs which causes it to fles a lot, but you
soon get used to it.
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Side
View
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If
you're used to the press-to-release type of pop-up sprung
stylus, the 4150 will bring you down to earth with a bang.
To remove the stylus from its silo involves application
of a preferably un-bitten finger nail.
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Stylus
Silo
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Back
to the top plate and a bit of hunting reveals the cleverly
camouflaged microphone. You can probably just about make
it out by the edge of the SD memory card below.
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Microphone
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And
here's a closer look at that awkwardly placed IrDa window.
Having said it's awkwardly placed, I can also think of quite
a few instances where this placement would actually wok
better. Imagine you have your mobile phone on your desk
and it's not incievable to see how holding the 4150 above
it and beaming down would actually make more sense than
trying to point the top of the unit at the phone. IR keyboards
could be a problem though.
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IrDa
Window
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The
D-pad is your conventional 5 way affair with four direction
functions and a push button function. The integral speaker
is located right behind the D-Pad and offers the usual,
relatively poor quality audio. It is however plenty loud
enough for reminders and alarms and is as good as or better
than other PocketPC speakers.
The
centre of the D-Pad is actually a separate button which
makes it eaiser to press without accidentally using the
D-Pad in stead. It also makes it slightly harder to use
the D-Pad without activating the button. Some you win!
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Programmable
Buttons and D-Pad
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Why
manufacturers place etched symbols on buttons that are often
programmed to perform different functions remains a mystery
to me. Surely just numbering or lettering them would make
more sense?
The
4150 comes with a rather nice elasticated and fleece lined
wrap-around textile case. The textile is quite stiff and
thick and offers ample protection against most daily knocks
and bumps. Removing it from the however usually ends in
you inadvertently activating the voice memo function unless
you remember to slide it out from the bottom rather than
grabbing it from the top.
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Protective
Case
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In
my clumsy hands the stylus is quite simply too thin to use
comfortably for any significant period of time. With plenty
of combined biro/stylus units on the market I'm sure I can
live without it though it's always handy to have it stowed
inside just in case.
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Stylus
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