HP iPAQ HX4705 Pocket PC

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointed!!
Review: I got this device as a Christmas gift. Very excited, I started to play with it right away. I only enjoyed for about 5 minutes, and then it started to freeze. The only way to make it work again is to disconnect the battery and have it cooled down for about 15-20 minutes.

I did like it a lot, because it has a large vivid color touch screen. The touch screen was also very responsive, unlike my old one, which I had to press hard to execute a command. The size and weight is just about right. You can comfortably rest it in your palm, and browse the internet. The touch pad is kind of useless to me, but I think it makes this device look unique.

I wanted to buy it again after the first one was returned, but discouraged based on the experience that I had. HP should work harder on their quality control, especially a device cost this much!

Rating:
Summary: Nearly perfect device -for what?
Review: I have loved HP products since getting my 15C scientific calculator in high school in 1984. This calculator was designed for the long haul and it still works. This type of industrial strength design is what I associated HP with, and I am pleased with the iPaq 4705's build and design. It isn't ugly like the original Compaq iPaqs, and it beats anything by Dell which takes the approach that a computer should have the shelf life of a cantaloupe. Sony makes wonderful kit, but its devotion to Betamax and the like annoys me to no end. Apple's stuff is great. Can't get enough of it but it is a Windows world.

I have to admit that I have a serious gadget addiction. I started with a Casio palmtop back in the early nineties, then to various Psions ending with the netbook which was nearly perfect but for lack of support and refinement, never reasched its promised potential. Even so, it was very useful, and I got a lot of work done on it. I use a Treo 600 for communicating with work, and it is nearly perfect because it simply works. But it is not a useful platform for word processing. I was going to wait for Apple to come around with a PDA, minilaptop/tablet type device (a small iMac sans pedestal?), but the Photopod completely underwhelmed me. I take a lot of digital pix with compact flash and SD card media, and wanted a viewer that would take both, and wanted Wifi and word processing without having to take my laptop (Vaio S150 -very nice, but not pocketable). My Psion Series 5MX is great for word processing, spreadsheeting on the go, but no color. Netbook -everything for it was an alpha or beta level product, and finally it is obsolete. When I saw ipaq 4705, it appeared to hit many sweetspots. The screen is the best I have seen ever for a PDA. It will probably not be surpassed until OLED displays come out. I use it to watch DVD's I've ripped. It is a great photo displayer -will take CF and SD card and my IBM microdrive -although my older IBM microdrive is too slow to pass video. The bluetooth keyboard works nicely, but it won't stay in place in landscape.

My big beef is with Windows Pocket PC OS and the miserly 64mB of memory. It is clearly inadequate, and there is no clear way for one to manage the memory. This is my first Pocket PC, and it amazes me that I can't quit out of a program from the program itself. Pocket Word is awful -I bought Softmaker's Textmaker which works mostly , but needs to work out bugs for the VGA display -it won't display text at the far right edge as you type it in especially in landscape.

The form is quite nice and appealing -I disagree with those who think it is ugly -it is quite contemporary and not the cheap looking stuff made by Dell.

I am surprised at how many times a week I have to soft reset the device to make it work. With Palm devices I have owned (Clie's, Tungstens, now Treo), the need occurs about once a month. With Psion products, hardly ever -my netbook routinely had ten or more programs running simultaneously for months and months at a time without a hiccup. This drives me crazy. Pocket Word froze up three times in a row with data loss -this is the reason why I've moved to Textmaker.

Battery life is not a problem with the extended battery I purchased -rotating the two, I have not had a power related data loss so far. The extended battery makes it impossible to fit a "standard" case (not many available yet) and will not sit well in the cradle.

Even so, there is nothing quite like being able to surf anywhere Wifi is available with this device. That is why I am giving it 4.

Like the touchpad and hate it. Touchpad takes a bit of work to get used to, and does work once you finally accept having to use it, but really does not eliminate the stylus. Scrolling annoyingly not easy -would love a jog dial, scroll wheel, or touch pad scrolling option.

Media software such as DVD/video streaming which is available for other "consumer" iPaqs should be made available. Omission is annoying, but truthfully, all of that would not run smoothly with the limited 64mB of RAM.

Pros: Screen, screen, screen. CF and SD card slots great. Wifi sniffer tricky but reliable at finding airwaves to surf. SE VGA hack that allows full VGA is great for rendering full size web pages.

Cons: Windows OS -unbearably awful requiring about a reset every 2 to 3 days. Memory is too small for a high end device such as this -am spending a lot of money for top of the line -should come with 512mB of RAM. 64 mB would be fine if the OS wasn't such a kludgy resource hog. No easy way of moving Windows components off main memory onto cards or built in Flash memory without hacking, which I don't have the inclination to do.

For me, this is a stepping stone device to Apple's PDA/Tablet type device.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT!
Review: I just received my hp product and I began playing with it. For the novice, it is a bit difficult to figure out all of the software and gadgets, but I'm optimistic. Well, contrary to those who say that this is heavy, I prefer to say it's solid. It doesn't feel too heavy and although the specs. may be similar, it's feel is much better than the 5455. It's sleek and solid. The screen clarity is absolutely beautiful. Wi-fi is simple to use. I am having some trouble connecting to my bluetooth phone. I am most likely doing something wrong. The touchpad is cute but a little strange to use. Not too practical. I find the stylus is a much better and faster way to get around. I love this ipaq. By far the best I've had!

Rating:
Summary: Gadget lovers dream! Best PDA right now...
Review: I'm a gadget lover, and the hx4705 is one sweet gadget! Web surfing at my local Panera bread, or checking a quick email (via home wireless network) before going to bed has NEVER been so easy. I personally feel this is the perfect bridge between a desktop PC and a laptop. I debated buying a laptop for over a year, but I didn't want to shell out $1500-$2000 for something I would not use as often as I can use my hx4705. And I got mine through an employee discount from HP for $585. Enroute to work, I can read PDF's, read an ebook, create simple Word docs (redundant, since all my Word docs are "simple"), play a game in VIBRANT color, or listen to MP3's. This is mostly what I will use this for, so it suits me fine. BUT, it's nice to know I am capabale of doing other things (GPS, camera, BlueTooth, etc) if/when the need arises down the road. I LOVE THIS THING!!

I would like to comment on some of the negative commentary I have read here in Amazon and in several online reviews.

REBOOTS - Yes, they happen, but I've have yet to have to reboot where I lost data. I have yet to own a PDA which never needs a reboot.

WEIGHT - Are you kidding me? Saying this device is heavy, is like saying the screen is TOO colorful! First off, it's a PDA, so if you can lift and hold a TV remote control comfortably, this PDA will NEVER cause you any hand/wrist injuries. Second, the added weight only means this thing is NOT constructed of CHEAP PLASTIC (i.e. Visor). I'll take a few more ounces for better quality construction any day.

TOUCHPAD - Not the greatest idea, but if you practice enough and you like the idea, it works fine. I like the stylus, personally, and usually use it. I may get a thumb keyboard for banging out quick docs, as well.

PRICE - In my case, the hx4705 is MUCH cheaper than a laptop, though it is the priciest NON-PHONE pda. But you get bang for your buck with embedded 802.11b, Bluetooth, 4" VGA screen, etc. Personally, I like keeping my phone and PDA separate, and I don't like gadgets that try to do too much, i.e. Phone-PDA-Camera.

If you are on the fence, go to a CompUSA and check it out for yourself. I did and fell in love with it. No regrets at all.





Rating:
Summary: Touch pad adjustment
Review: I've had the HP 4705 for about a week now. Very impressed with the screen clarity. Nice solid feel to the metal case. The touch pad was almost useless at first because it would jump to the left when you wanted to up, or it would jump to the right when you wanted to go down. Rather frustrating. However, in fooling with the settings, I found that you can reduce the sensitivity of the pad, and lo and behold, it works right now. :-) Guess it's sort of like how Windows 3.1 came with an impossible double click speed. (Microsoft finally got the double click speed set right in new versions of Windows.) Maybe HP will take a hint and have the touch pad default to a less sensitive setting in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome PDA. I love mine
Review: My first Ipaq was a 3600. Considering the fact it went through the battery so fast it ended up just wasting shelf space. I eventually lost interest in it and got tired of having to rebackup my lost info when the battery died if I didn't recharge it quick enough.

My second was a 3955. The thing became indispensable to me. Unfortunately it started getting overloaded by all I wanted it to do at once. Doubly unfortunately HP didn't seem to think people might want a faster processor or at least more memory when they upgraded (on top of that the screens got smaller while I was kinda wishing I could view more on my screen. I honestly think Ipaqs overall got worse after the 3955 but before the 4705. They had some improvements but nothing that was important enough to upgrade to and to deal with a smaller screen).

The 4705 is the first true upgrade since the 3955. They still for some reason think people dont' want more RAM but honestly with the fast new processor, the PDA doesn't seem to suffer cause of it.

Improvements/Benefits:
1. Speed, Speed, Speed. Despite not having more RAM it's fast enough that the lack hasn't bothered me. It can still run the program that lagged the old PDA down quickly and run other programs on top of that program. It may not have more RAM but I have yet to see the processor really need it.
2. Display - Gorgeous display. I'm so spoiled by it. Cannot emphasize how nice it is. I cannot go back to non-VGA PDA displays after having this PDA... they just look so grainy now to me. On top of that, it is a large display, largest of any PDA I have yet to see ever (4.0". My previous one had a 3.7" and then they started putting 3.5" on most). And yet the 4705 is smaller than my previous PDA despite the bigger screen.
3. Size. I consider it pretty small for the fact it gives you such a nice large screen. As said, smaller than my previous PDA that had a smaller screen. It fits nicely in my purse and my purse feels roomier (it is a smallish purse and everything has to be arranged right to fit). Not great for putting in a pocket (better than my old PDA), but I bet they will make holsters for it if they havent' already (they did for my previous one). I personally would prefer it as is now than if they tried to make it even smaller and put in a smaller screen. Give me my large screen... 3.5" is too small and 3.7" is adequate at best.
4. Removable battery. Old news by now but those upgrading from the 3955 will be happy :).
5. Trackpad (only in mouse mode). I thought I'd hate this. I complained bitterly when I heard they were going to do this (I had been waiting for a suitable upgrade to my 3955 so was following news closely). I knew it wouldn't work well in button mode as real buttons and thought I had no use for mouse mode. I was half right. Button mode sux. But mouse mode is so useful it more than makes up for pretty much not having a four way button (it's useless in button mode). Of course I never really sued the four way button in my previous PDA, but that's cause inevitabley I'd have to bring out the stylus anyway (there was always something the buttons would not do). Mouse mode makes it so you don't need the stylus if you want to do something without bothering to remove it. It's still faster to use the stylus ultimately but useful to be able to use it without.
6. Recessed buttons. I like them because it means my PDA doesn't accidently get turned on by an accidental button press. Some people say they're hard to find. I haven't found that to be an issue honestly. The power button is nice for the same reason, it's harder to accidently turn it on. For something that will be put in purses/briefcases/pockets, that is a very good design feature.
7. Looks. I like the looks. Of course this is very much a personal preference thing, but I think it looks sleek/powerful/useful, and not silly/stupid like most other PDAs (I went with the Jornada before the Ipaq and switched because the screen was unviewable in daylight. But i went with it cause the Ipaq looked stupid to me). Also, I like the symetry they put in it even when horizontal. It makes it much better for viewing my converted DVD movies/shows on. It would be distracting on a non sysmetrical viewing screen. And also better for using it horizontally vs. vertically. I think it was a thoughtful design feature.

Cons/things they didn't improve that should have been:
1. RAM!!!!!! I could go on a long rant why I can't believe they decided to increase flash rom rather than RAM (you can increase flash with SD cards and Compact Flash, RAM is not easily increased if increasable at all). But, that's all I'll say.
2. Tends to crash easily though I'm not sure that is not more a function of what I install on it. I find it's easy to figure out what is crashing it and avoid it (beta player tends to crash if you use the mouse mode a lot to control it. Worldmate messes up the Today screen if you don't keep the weather updated enough to display three days of weather).
3. Screen cover. Great idea, bad implementation. Sadly, it's just one small thing that could have just as well been done differently. They designed it so the cover was removed by pressing up on the hinge. Well, guess what? Right underneath the cover hinge makes a great place for grasping the PDA... or at elast it feels that way. You'll find yourself instinctively going for that area to hold the PDA and then pop, off comes the cover and you almost drop the thing. This easily could have been avoided by making the cover come off by pressing down on the hinge rather than up. And it would have created a good grasping place for the PDA (as is you have to remind yourself not to grab there).
5. Not the ipaq's fault, but Microsoft's laziness in not programming close buttons in a lot of programs. All I got to ask is, what is up with that? I know it can be done cause many non MS programs have close buttons. it's such an endemic problem other software companies have made programs that allow you to close those programs that dont' come with a close option.
6.Trackpad in button mode: Completely useless. Mouse mode more than make up for it though.

All in all, worth every penny. I have a few complaints but only one that annoys me that much (not increasing RAM). I absolutely love mine and do not miss my old one one bit and they have yet to release one that makes me wish I waited for it. I think this one will make me happy for another two years (I love gadgets, I'm sure to eventually start wanting something newer and better for it is in my nature).

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Awesome
Review: Received this last Friday evening from UPS, had ActiveSync with Outlook, Bluetooth modem through Motorola v551 and Cingular, and Wi-Fi through my home wireless network all working in a matter of minutes. The 4705 is lightning fast and makes this unit a pleasure to use. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Super-fast, but big and heavy, poor customer support
Review: The HP iPaq hx4705 (and its 4700 cousin, which is identical except for a slightly different bundling) is clearly a corporate Pocket PC. It packs a powerful processor and loads of RAM. The 4" VGA screen makes surfing the web and using Excel practical, compared to old Pocket PC's 3.5" quad-VGA screens. The hx4705 includes both wi-fi and Bluetooth, but neither of which works well: frequent dropped connections and (in the case of BT) difficulty of establishing partnerships make wireless a chore rather than productivity booster on this Pocket PC.

The biggest cons on the hx4705 are:

1) Homely styling. This is clearly not a cute toy or iPod-fashion. It's actually more than just plain; it's pretty ugly.

2) It's big and heavy.

3) The screen is washed out outdoors. Indoors it looks great, but I have a hard time with the VGA resolution outdoors.

4) Poor battery life, esp. if you leave wifi or BT on.

5) It's too expensive. Well since it's designed for the corporate office, it just has to be expensive since its designers wanted to include everything including the electronic equivalent of a kitchen sink.

The value of the 4705 is further diminished by HP's poor customer support. It's next to impossible to find someone who can help you. Accessories are alawys out of stock and way over-priced, too. This is definitely NOT a consumer-oriented company.

Should you get the hx4705? If you are a consumer, forget about it. This is way over-equipped and you won't use 90% of the features (or they are too hard to learn anyway). I'm not even sure if corporate power users need something so fancy. On the other hand, if you drool over VGA and wireless, and have the deep pocket, this could be a versatile (if ugly) toy for you.

Rating:
Summary: Better than prior model...but still underpowered
Review: The latest most powerful ipaq from hp is an improvement...but still is in no way a "pocket" pc or a laptop replacement.

Just trying running more than one application at the same time (streaming a video and checking mail, etc.).

Definitely not a device for the business/enterprise yet, but the promise is there.

Only true improvements over prior models is a/v streaming (but not over vpn network, encrypted wifi, or while bluetooth headset is attached), and the VGA screen.

Just try loading PPC applications with network drives mounted or browsing large corporate networks...be ready to reboot...and I reboot it probably 40+ times daily with heavy use.

It's a great toy/gizmo...but definitely not a serious device yet.

I'm still waiting...these PDAs are still underpowered by 400% or so.

Rating:
Summary: Just about right!
Review: Well, it's an incredible machine. I had my doubts when it came to actual size but when it's in your hand, in your pocket or on your belt it's actually about the right size considering the 4 inch VGA screen. Battery life is quite exceptional. A previous review suggesting it was lousy with the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi left on, well, I'll let the reader figure that one out.

The touchpad may take a while to get used to but it's a real joy to use after the learning curve. Try to keep in mind this unit is not a gaming machine, it's made for business and more serious endeavors but you can play a mean game of Pinochle during the off time.

The only negatives that I have for this machine is:

1. Only 64 megabytes of ROM. It using Windows Mobile OS, much of the software available is a bit bloaty, hence you must be quite selective what and where you install it.

2. Has Pocket Informant software installed in ROM hence it cannot be deleted unless HP chooses to do a ROM update.

Beyond that, it's a great Pocket PC.