It really depends on what you need the PDA for.
Here're the advantages I see with the iPaq 4700:
1. It has the biggest screen (4") and yes, size does matter, even a difference of 0.3" (vs. 3.7" in Loox and Axim). It does make this PDA bigger, but it is sleek and thin, and at 6.6 oz, not 'heavy'.
2. This bigger screen makes the pictures look better, as does the facade of the PDA, which looks more like a PMC (Pocket Media Center) than a PDA. For me this is a welcome optical illusion.
3. The 4" does make a difference when surfing the internet, as well. Of course I am comparing it with the 3.5" screen of 2215, which wasn't of VGA resolution, as well.
4. I am able to use the HP's BT stereo headphones ($99 from
www.hpshopping.com) for my MP3s. I have purchased a 4GB Hitachi microdrive ($152 from
www.provantage.com), and I now have a iPod Mini for 150 bucks and I can listen to it without wires! Yes there are other stereo BT headphones, like the Blutake, but they are rather unwieldy.
5. The 128MB ROM gives me an 80MB worth of file storage capacity. I now have more programs loaded here, for faster execution, rather than in my SD card.
6. There is a slew of built in software like the equalizer, pocket informant (a great PIM, upgradable at a special HP price), iPaq backup (that you can upgrade at a special price too at Sprite Software), and the HP image viewer.
7. The battery in 4700 is rated at 1800 mAH, which is quite better than comparable PDAs.
What other PDAs (Axim, MyPal, Loox) have that my 4700 should:
1. The 64MB of RAM is a joke. Though it officially has 55MB of 'user available' memory, in reality, after all is said (loaded) and done, it is barely 31MB. I discovered that some programs, like the MSReader, have to be loaded in RAM to work. I am able to get 25MB for programs, after sliding the pointer and leaving only 6MB for 'storage. It should have been at least 128MB.
2. Why the f*** it doesn't have WMP10?
3. THe IrDa is at the bottom rather than on the top or the top-side of the PDA. I don't know who still uses it, except, perhaps, as a remote for TV, DVD, etc.
Other things I wish they (or even other PDA makers) did:
1. The stylus could have been longer. This stylus is the same length as the one in iPaq2215, and cramps my hands. Another half inch could probably have been added. Also, I do not know why they do not make the stylus that is triangular in cross section rather than round. I miss the one in Psion 5mx; it was longer as well. I use that with my PDA.
2. There is no Nevo (remote control software) like the 2215.
I hope this helps. I got mine from
www.mobileplanet.com for $514 a week ago.
Atul
Returning to PPC (posted previously on wrong board)
Linear Mode
