Compaq's iPAQ is going to be the gadget to have in 2001. But this PDA isn't just for gadget fans - most people will find it useful and easy to use.
In the past PDAs have never done quite enough to make them great value for money. But now the market has evolved. The iPAQ has all the features ... Read review
Handheld - 64 MB RAM - Screen: 3.8 in, 3.7 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: SA-1110 - Infrared - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2002
Handheld - 128 MB RAM - Screen: 4 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA310 - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi - Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic
Handheld - 64 MB RAM - Screen: 3.8 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: SA-1110 - Infrared, Bluetooth - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2002
Handheld - 64 MB RAM - Screen: 3.8 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA250 - Infrared, Bluetooth - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2002
Advantages: Clear Screen, Great finish and build quality Disadvantages: Price, MS Money limitations, MS Reader limitations
...messages.
Compaq have revolutionised palm computing with a little help from Microsoft's excellent Windows CE operating system. There are several other CE machines available, but non are quite as practical, or as cool as the iPAQ. In particular the wonderful clear screen (Colour on the 3600 series) and the nice metallic finish of the iPAQ make it a pleasure to use, and the neat pop up stylus holder adds that little finishing touch. ...if you're a Office user, so you can use it in conjunction with your desktop machine - what more can you ask for. Setting up the sync with the cradle should be easy for most non-technical Office users, but iPAQ owners might have more problems getting the infra red link to work with either their PCs or their phones.
My iPAQ is a 3630 and I don't currently have any expansion jackets or cards. I don't find the 32MB of memory to be a constraint ... more
Compaq's iPAQ is going to be the gadget to have in 2001. But this PDA isn't just for gadget fans - most people will find it useful and easy to use.
In the past PDAs have never done quite enough to make them great value for money. But now the market has evolved. The iPAQ has all the features we've been waiting for. More computing power than you could get for several thousand pounds on a desktop machine a couple of years ago; but it costs under half a grand and you can fit it in your pocket. In addition it comes with mini versions of the familiar Microsoft Office software, plays music and can record voice messages.
Compaq have revolutionised palm computing with a little help from Microsoft's excellent Windows CE operating system. There are several other CE machines available, but non are quite as practical, or as cool as the iPAQ. In particular the wonderful clear screen (Colour on the 3600 series) and the nice metallic finish of the iPAQ make it a pleasure to use, and the neat pop up stylus holder adds that little finishing touch.
The sync facilities are easy to use if you're a Office user, so you can use it in conjunction with your desktop machine - what more can you ask for. Setting up the sync with the cradle should be easy for most non-technical Office users, but iPAQ owners might have more problems getting the infra red link to work with either their PCs or their phones.
My iPAQ is a 3630 and I don't currently have any expansion jackets or cards. I don't find the 32MB of memory to be a constraint (yet). I hope that in the longer term the memory limitation will simply encourage me to delete Apps and Data that I no longer require. This should be easy for users who also have a conventional PC as the iPAQ can simply be used as temporary storage for the data they need to have with them. Don't expect to store loads of MP3 music unless you're prepared to buy some expansion cards. Games, such as Doom, can also take up a lot of space.
The iPAQ comes with a couple of extra software packages. ListPro is my favourite at the moment - I always thought that the features of office were less than suited to keeping lists - project lists, to do lists, shopping lists and the like. ListPro addresses this wonderfully. I also like the AvantGo web caching which users of other CE devices can download for free. Microsoft's Transcriber is also first class - I defy anyone not to be amazed at the handwriting that it can recognise!
A few warnings -
Microsoft reader looks promising - I even bought some electronic books to read on holiday, but it appears that the currently available version of Microsoft Reader for CE won't support the encryption on purchased books. Version 1.5 which is currently available for Windows 98 etc, will eventually be released and this can read encrypted books.
I'd hoped to be able to use my iPAQ on the bus to work and I can just about do so if I'm reading or if I'm playing a game, but I find that handwriting is too tricky when you're not stationary.
Also note that in the UK it's now supplied with a serial cable instead of the more practical (for most users) USB connection - presumably to accommodate the many NT4 machines that can't support USB devices.
Finally, I'd hoped to sync the Microsoft Money on my iPAQ with the Money 2000 on my PC - a feature that I've seen mention of in the specifications for the iPAQ and which I think is fundamentally important if you're already a Money user and you want to keep track on the iPAQ. Well forget it because it only works if you have the $ version of Money - I guess there will be a solution to this, but I've not yet found it.
As a former Palm Pilot user, I can say that I'm very happy with iPAQ and I recommend it highly to anyone who wants to get organised.
Advantages: Fast, stylish, good value Disadvantages: Lack of connectivity, lack of affordable expansion
...'jacket' and memory cards.
Compaq have always been associated with network and connectivity, however connectivity is limited on this product - unless you have an infrared mobile phone with built in modem. You need to buy an expansion jacket, modem and GSM kit. This adds up to a huge extra cost for Internet access at just 9.6kbps. It could be argued that the iPAQ was not designed for mobile connectivity, but then why include Pocket IE and Outlook ...
djfoulkes 27.09.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC H3630
Look & Feel
Memory / capacity
Comfort & Portability
Ease of use
Value For Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC H3630"
Advantages: Features and functions, operational speed, compact Disadvantages: None
I’ve almost written about every electronic device or appliance that I possess, expect for my PDA, which I got during the first week of this month.
I work in the Export business so the company decided to replace my existing Laptop with a newer version. I suggested that we go for the PDA due to its high reviews and compact size.
After a lot of deliberations and looking around and reading some of the opinions on this site, I settled for a CompaqiPAQH3630PocketPC.
The cost was STG.320.00 which many may find expensive.
This pocketPC is amazing. It has 16 MB of ROM, which holds the Win CE operating system. It has 32 MB of RAM, which is for your data storage and any other programs you might want to install.
It is very lightweight and compact and weighs just 6 ounces.
A very important feature is that you can allocate how ...
Advantages: It's an improved Vx with a colour screen! Disadvantages: Price
Gameboy Advance :).
It offers the same benefits as the m500 i.e. USB synchronisation, Palm OS 4.0, a faster CPU and the new expansion slot - have a look at my m500 review here at Ciao for more on these. The addition of the colour screen will make it really attractive to some. For now, at least... Handera and Sony are both releasing some very impressive devices in the near future.
One problem is the non-competetive pricing of the new m500 series machines. While they stand up well to general PalmOS prices, PocketPC units have fallen in price considerably. You can now get a CompaqiPaqH3630 for £350. This machine costs £375 (www.expansys.com to see where I got these prices from). The iPaq is an incredibly powerful machine and while not to my personal taste, it's a real bargain at that sort of price, and Palm *have* to drop their prices if they want ...
ponty 10.07.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Palm M505
Product Information for "Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC H3630" »
Audio
Audio Output
Speaker(s)
Audio Input
Microphone
Operating system / software
OS Provided
Microsoft Pocket PC
Software
Calculator, Notes, Voice Recorder, Asset Viewer, Calendar, Contacts, File Explorer, Inbox, Microsoft Reader for ebooks and audio books, Picture Viewer, QMenu, QStart, QUtilites, Solitaire, Tasks, ActiveSync 3.1, Internet Explorer 5.0, Reference Guide, Pocket Asset Manager, Virtual Tour, Microsoft Outlook 2000, Microsoft Transcriber, Windows Media Manager, Microsoft Pocket Streets, Microsoft Pocket Excel, Microsoft Pocket Word, Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer, AudiblePlayer, AudibleManager, Ilium eWallet, Microsoft Money, ListPro
Manufacturer's product description
The iPAQ H3630/H3660 Pocket PCs are designed to go everywhere with you - at work, at play and traveling. They're not much bigger than a calculator and come standard with applications like Microsoft Pocket Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player. Do more with their modular system of slide-on Expansion Packs. Use the PC Card Expansion Pack to connect to get your e-mail or connect to the Internet to put critical information at your fingertips. Whatever you choose to do, you can do it with the iPAQ Pocket PC.
Similar products and search queries by other users »
iPAQ H3630, Pocket H3630, PC H3630, iPAQ Pocket H3630, iPAQ PC H3630, Pocket PC H3630, iPAQ Pocket PC H3630, H 3630, iPAQ H 3630, Pocket H 3630, PC H 3630, iPAQ Pocket H 3630, iPAQ PC H 3630, Pocket PC H 3630, Compac H3630
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC H3630? Click here