User Review of HP's iPAQ 4700

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://benn600.no-ip.org/public/hx4700/review.html' target='_blank'>http://benn600.no-ip.org/public/hx4700/review.html</a><br /><br /></div>As I mentioned earlier, iPAQ 4700s seem to be <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32535">trickling out of warehouses</a> and into the hands of users. One new owner decided to put up detailed thoughts and compared his shiny new 4700 to his 3835. It's a great user-centric review, and if you've been debating whether to upgrade you might want to check it out.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040925-iPAQ4700Review.jpg" /><br /><br /><i>"Like many others, I have been awaiting the arrival of my iPAQ HX4700 pocket pc for a while now. I originally placed my order with eCost but later canceled it when I found out that Buy.com had the device for about the same price (after a discount that I had). I then placed my order with Buy.com and patiently waited. I was assuming that I wouldn't hear anything about it being shipped until October. However, I was presently surprised when I read that my order had shipped on Tuesday September 21, 2004 and was supposed to arrive on Thursday September 23, 2004."</i>

[OSUKid7]

Awesome. A comparison to a 3870 would be just a tad better, but this rocks! :D Now to decide how long I should wait until ordering mine.

Hmm...no-ip domain. We're gonna kill him lol. I'm thinking that's on a home server...so it prolly isn't legal to do it anyway. Hope his ISP doesn't notice the extra bandwidth. Already slow, pictures aren't displaying. :|

[benn600]

I'm going to get that fixed and no it's not "illegal".

[OSUKid7]

I'm going to get that fixed and no it's not "illegal".Alright...sry, just meant that hosting on home connections is typically illegal. I just (apparently mistakenly) assumed that the slowness and no-ip signs pointed to a home connection.

Look forward to seeing the pictures though. :)

[benn600]

Well I must say it is a home connection but why is that illegal? I've never heard of it being illegal and my ISP has never told me it's illegal. If it was, they would block that port. I slimmed the images down from a total of 10mb to less than 2mb total. They don't look as nice but when the traffic (hopefully) dies down, I will change them back to the originals. I'm going to my neighbors to see how the speed is. I'm taking my HX4700 to do it on--I trust it that much!

[Janak Parekh]

Well I must say it is a home connection but why is that illegal? I've never heard of it being illegal and my ISP has never told me it's illegal.
Some ISPs do forbid it -- it all depends on the Terms of Service that you're provided. Anyway, let's take that discussion offline, please, and focus on the topic at hand. :)

I'm taking my HX4700 to do it on--I trust it that much!
:mrgreen:

--janak

[farnold]

benn600, I just went to have a look... or let me say: a read :D The pics are not showing up and it is really very slow. Would it be possible to post the review here?

[Janak Parekh]

I guess we Thoughtted another site. :| I could mirror it, in theory, but the problem with that is that he's constantly editing it and adding more thoughts. The best way, if he chooses to do that, would be for him to post it in the forums on this or a similar site and I could then link to it.

Anyway... if I get a new link, I'll update my post.

--janak

[benn600]

It's fine now. The problem is that I was editing the graphics while people were downloading them and apache got messed up. I restarted my computer and it all works fine now. The graphics should load quickly too. The whole review is only about 130kb. The enlarged images are now between 20-75kb and they were about 400+kb before. Everything should run smoothly now.

[OSUKid7]

I guess we Thoughtted another site. :|I thought that might happen. ;) :lol:

Site's still loading very slowly, but a little faster than before. Hope you post it on the forums here or on IpaqHQ. It'll save you a ton of bandwidth (but then again, you're not paying per-byte ;)). Either way, the images finally loaded, so I'm happy. :clap: Good review. :D

[ctitanic]

benn600, the quality of the pictures are so bad that the last picture where you are comparing the quality of both display, the 3800 looks better. Instead of decreasing the quality you will do better if you decrease the picture size (resolution) ;) that picture will look better at 640x480 and with more quality ;)

[Dermot81]

Everything loaded fine for me, didn't notice any slowdown at all.

Most of the pictures are fine, 3800 has a pretty crappy screen so I wasn't looking to be suprised in the pics, but those last couple with the VGA to QVGA comparisions out to be better in resolution, I want to see how legible the text is but it is hard cause the picture quality blurs it a bit.

Anyway, thanks for setting it all up!

[jimski]

Geezzz. After viewing this it's going to be a tough couple of days. My 4700 shiped on Friday (from PC Connection-now available for immediate ship) and will arrive at my office on Monday....but I will be away on a road trip :( until Tuesday night.

May just have to go straight to the office when I get off the plane on Tuesday.

[Dolphin]

Thanks for sharing!

[benn600]

I know. In the beginning, when I created the review, the enlarged images were full quality. 500Kb each. The VGA text is super clear with no distortions. The creator of PPCThoughts offered to host the images and he has a lot of bandwidth. I emailed him accepting the offer and as soon as he replies, I will let him download a zip file with all the images so he can host them. They will then be much higher quality.

[Dolphin]

Ben...

You could use Photobucket (free) as a server to host your pics and copy and paste you review to a post. Just use the [img] tags around the url that you can copy and paste out of Photobucket.

http://photobucket.com/

If you want a step by step walk thru on how to post images... let me know! It's easy!

[Stephen Beesley]

Getting back to the actual substance of the review all I can say is: I want one and I want it now!

The comparison image of the programs screen on the 4700 using VGA_SE is unbelievable. For the last year or so I have found myself thinking that the PPC/WM GUI looks a little outdated compared to Palm or the Zaurus Linux PDAs, but running in full VGA changes all that. I would be really interested to hear how you usable you find the 4700 running at true vga. Does VGA_SE require a reset to switch modes?

All in all this looks like a great device - still not convinced about the touchpad (I can see it being hard to play some of my favourite games with the touchpad) but I really like just about everything eles - except the price of course :mrgreen:

[vic2rp_stealth]

me too, i dont really like the touch pad. It gives me headache everytime I use it on my laptop.

[Lex]

6:40 A.M. East Coast: Photos in review do not display at all.

[gorkon280]

I see that they have the goofy power dongle again. HP: Put a regular power jack in your devices!

[David Johnston]

The posted photo (here on PPCT) was REALLY freaking me out. I couldn't work out what the hell that weird thing to the left of the iPaq was... My eyes were making me feel queasy with that photo...

Only when I upped the gamma in PSP and took a closer look did I realise it's just the reflection off the (open) cover. I can now go about my normal life without it haunting me.

P.S. Great review!

[aner]

A question from owner to owner ;-) Did you too notice the static when listening with the headphone? On my 3970 it is absent. The static persists after shutting down the wireless.

André

[h3seaking]

Great review. The size is the killer for me. I will wait for the next generation or a Dell while I enjoy my 2215.

[benn600]

You didn't need to post it twice. I did notice some static and it is very annoying. When I listen to music, it isn't extremely noticeable. However, I also noticed the smearines when you tap the screen, which I hate.

[aner]

sorry for posting twice. I am writing these posts with images turned off and I couldn't find the delete button. So the static is a 'feature' and I don't need to send my new beloved 4700 back for repairs. Thanks for the quick reply!
I disagree on the tapping 'problem' though, it doesn't bother me in the least.
Andre

[ignar]

I've played with 4700 for a day, and it feels a little slow to me. I am surprised that most of reviews or first thoughts mentioned 4700 is very fast. For me, it is obviously slower than iPaq 4150 especially in screen drawing. I like style and color. Build quality looks very good. I still don't get the point of touchpad other than it helps to keep the unit thin.

[alex_kac]

I've played with 4700 for a day, and it feels a little slow to me. I am surprised that most of reviews or first thoughts mentioned 4700 is very fast. For me, it is obviously slower than iPaq 4150 especially in screen drawing. I like style and color. Build quality looks very good. I still don't get the point of touchpad other than it helps to keep the unit thin.

Were you using it in Landscape or Portrait? I've been using a 4700 for quite a few months and I only see it slow down in Portrait or when using software like WISBAR 2.

[OSUKid7]

I've been using a 4700 for quite a few months... :confused totally: How? It was just released...even media contacts didn't get it that long ago. How have you been using it for months?

[ignar]

OSUKid7, Alex is a developer of PI. Considering PI is preinstalled on the ROM of 4700, it's no wonder he has an access to the unit for some time. :)

Alex, I use mostly on portrait mode. (though I think you meant you noticed slow down on landscape mode)

[OSUKid7]

OSUKid7, Alex is a developer of PI. Considering PI is preinstalled on the ROM of 4700, it's no wonder he has an access to the unit for some time. :) :oops: Didn't realize that! lol sorry!

[PPCMD]

While I wait for Buy.com to either ship mine or accept my cancelation I was wondering. While this is obviously geared toward business users we all do play games on it while we wait for meetings or kiling time. What games are working on it and what ones aren't. Getting ued to the tap pad will be a challenge but how difficult are some of the apps to use?

Buy.com now lists the hx4700 as an orderable so I doubt mine shipped or even will ship on Monday.

[WyattEarp]

Good review benn600. Now debating whether to give up my h5555 and get this iPAQ or wait for the next incarnation. I still wish they made it with 128MB RAM/128MB ROM, that would have been sweet. BTW benn600, can you post a pic of the stylus?

[KTamas]

Very nice review, i wrote a news about this article to the website I'M writing news and articles :)

[wbuch]

I disagree on the tapping 'problem' though, it doesn't bother me in the least.
Andre

By that do you mean that the "tapping" problem (i.e. discoloration like you're pushing a laptop lcd screen) doesn't happen on your unit, or that it does, but just that you don't mind it?

[wbuch]

benn600 (or anyone else with a 4700),

Could you comment on how you like the included flipcover? I have a Jornada 568, which has a plastic cover that flips from the top. I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).

Thanks.

[wbuch]

I did notice some static and it is very annoying. When I listen to music, it isn't extremely noticeable.

Does anyone else with a 4700 notice static? Between that and the LCD smeariness, those could be dealbreakers for me.

[OSUKid7]

I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).I'm pretty sure you can take the flip cover off.

[wbuch]

I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).I'm pretty sure you can take the flip cover off.

That's actually not quite what I meant...what I was trying to get at is that I prefer any plastic flipcover at all (even if from the side) and I was wanting to hear comments on the functionality of it (like if it gets in the way at all, whether you can flip it all the way around to the back, etc).

[WyattEarp]

benn600 (or anyone else with a 4700),

Could you comment on how you like the included flipcover? I have a Jornada 568, which has a plastic cover that flips from the top. I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).

Thanks.

If you think about it the flip cover is only on the "side when in portait mode but on the "top" when in landscape mode.

[wbuch]

benn600 (or anyone else with a 4700),

Could you comment on how you like the included flipcover? I have a Jornada 568, which has a plastic cover that flips from the top. I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).

Thanks.

If you think about it the flip cover is only on the "side when in portait mode but on the "top" when in landscape mode.

True...and I hadn't really thought about that aspect. I imagine that personally I would probably be using it in portrait the majority of the time though (for PI) and only use it in landscape for web browing or reading ebooks.

[Stephen Beesley]

benn600 (or anyone else with a 4700),

Could you comment on how you like the included flipcover? I have a Jornada 568, which has a plastic cover that flips from the top. I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).

Thanks.

I have not had the chance to play with a 4700 yet :( , but I have used a Newton 2000 pretty extensively which also had a cover that flipped to the side. As long as the 4700 cover will flip right around to the back of the unit (which is how the Newton cover worked) then it should be no problem at all.

[normaldude]

I prefer flip covers that flip over the top. But either way, I'm just happy to see Pocket PCs with flip covers.

Now if they could just have flip covers for some of the smaller Pocket PC models (like the HP iPAQ h4150) life would be perfect.

[FortimirCE]

I've had my hx4700 since Thursday...

The noise is just the symptoms of an inherently noisy power-amp. The device wasn't designed for music or audiophileness, so it was a corner they could cut.

I use Bang & Olufsen A8 earbuds (top-O-the-line earbuds) and the noisiness is crystal clear... but it's not like IN-YOUR-FACE static... it's just an underlying noise. It's not a deal-breaker. Especially for movies, you'll forget it's there.


And the flip cover has grown on me. I can use cursor mode (which is also growing on me) with the cover closed.

[x999x]

I've had my hx4700 since Thursday...

The noise is just the symptoms of an inherently noisy power-amp. The device wasn't designed for music or audiophileness, so it was a corner they could cut.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I find that quite ironic for a device marketed as a Multimedia Companion.

:?:

[aner]

I disagree on the tapping 'problem' though, it doesn't bother me in the least.
Andre

By that do you mean that the "tapping" problem (i.e. discoloration like you're pushing a laptop lcd screen) doesn't happen on your unit, or that it does, but just that you don't mind it?
I don't see any discoloration, but while dragging an object over the screen it causes a kind of rippling. But I can type with great accuracy without any noticeable distortion. It would be foolish not to buy because of this 'problem' (IMHO) Now the static is another matter, once you notice it it is very annoying, so audiophiles should check this for themselves before buying.

[wbuch]

I've had my hx4700 since Thursday...

The noise is just the symptoms of an inherently noisy power-amp. The device wasn't designed for music or audiophileness, so it was a corner they could cut.

I use Bang & Olufsen A8 earbuds (top-O-the-line earbuds) and the noisiness is crystal clear... but it's not like IN-YOUR-FACE static... it's just an underlying noise. It's not a deal-breaker. Especially for movies, you'll forget it's there.


And the flip cover has grown on me. I can use cursor mode (which is also growing on me) with the cover closed.

Thanks for the comments. Does the flip cover flip all the way around to the back?

[benn600]

I'd like to let everyone know that I switched hosts and iPAQ HQ is now hosting my images so everything is working great and is very fast.

Please look at my pictures toward the bottom and one of them shows the picture of the HX4700 stylus (and the 3835 stylus). I will also comment about the flipcover in my review. Please look for text in light blue (it will be up in about 30 minutes)

[thenikjones]

[quote="FortimirCE"]

The noise is just the symptoms of an inherently noisy power-amp. The device wasn't designed for music or audiophileness, so it was a corner they could cut.

quote]

I use my PPC instead of a dedicated MP3 player, as I'm sure many people do. If it couldn't be used satisfactorily in this way, I'd be most upset.

Nik

[benn600]

I'm going to investigate the quality of the audio in the next few hours and post the results to my review.

[jmbneaf]

I'm not sure I would like the cover flipping from the side (although it would be better than one that doesn't include a plastic flipcover at all, which seems to be every other PPC).I'm pretty sure you can take the flip cover off.No static at all from mine - its actually quiter than my old H2215 IMHO.

The LCD is a lot like a laptop or tablet with a touch screen - push too hard and yes you'll get the same results.

On the cover: Even with the cover's ability to flip all the way around to the back; I find that I take it off while using it about 75% of the time & put it back on for protection during non-use. I guess b/c I'm sooo used to slipper leather cases like those from E&B and Sena. I am looking for a good leather case for simple use (like I have in the past).

So far I have been very happy with mine - esp. the VGA landscape mode - a must as I surf/read most of the time w/ my PPC's.

-JB

[benn600]

I'm going to add something to my review about the screen protector. It will be in a different color. You will know when I've posted it because I'm converting all the current text to black and starting the colors over. When you see that, it's been posted.

[vic2rp_stealth]

Nice review... it's colorful. Anyway, I'll just wait X50 to come out before deciding which to buy, its only two months from now. Many choices, much better.

[Mark Johnson]

The size is the killer for me. I will wait for the next generation or a Dell while I enjoy my 2215.

It's been such an incredibly long wait for VGA that I really want to upgrade. At the same time, living in California my year-round "dress code" is jeans and a t-shirt so there's no place to carry something this large. Before I got my 1910, I carried my previous units in a clip-on belt holster that was pretty geeky to be honest. When the 19xx/4150 size arrived, I could finally keep my PPC in my jeans pocket. I just REALLY don't want to go back to that. I don't need to carry a briefcase or backpack and I'm just not OK with starting to haul around some kind of "man purse" so I'm kinda stuck.

I love the overall size of the 1910, and a 3.5" screen is more than large enough but the QVGA resolution is not even close to being detailed enough. I'm not sure how HP got the idea that in the same generation that (finally!) brings a higher PPI, there was also a need to increase the actual size of the screen. There's no more "information" visible on a 4" VGA than there would be on a 3.5" VGA screen. It's just wasted space and makes the 4700 too big to be pocketable. Bummer.

The problem is that since the next version of WinCE won't be until well into 2005, I doubt we'll see any actually new VGA hardware after these fall models (4700, x50, e830, Loox720, etc.) until next spring. Unless Dell comes through with the x50, my hoped-for pocketable VGA unit isn't coming for quite some time.

[benn600]

Did you guys know that I just added a lot more to my review. I got some good questions in an email and answered the questions. They are in red boxes. http://benn600.no-ip.org/public/hx4700/ and I am also listing some of the essential aps for ppc's. If you guys have any, go to my review and email me from it and I will consider adding them to the list. I only have one right now but that's because I didn't have time to add anymore. The one I listed is probably the most important one for me.

[MacBirdie]

This effect of screen reacting to pushing it like notebook LCDs is also present in the LOOX 720 but I think it's less apparent there.

[KH]

Has anyone tried Calligrapher or Transcriber input on the 4700? How does the screen react to that?

[benn600]

I've used transcriber and it does smear a bit when you write. Don't forget to check my review out again. I added a lot more information about 6 hours ago.

[aspeve]

It's nice review, keep up the good work. My compliments. :D

[PPCMD]

Keep up the good work Benn600 good to see your review keeps growing. I noticed on HP's site there is a portable battery charger like $ONY made for their Clie products. It took AA's and would charge your batter or run as a second power source. Might look into that.

I ordered from PCconnection yesterday and will have mine tomorrow. Buy.Com takes 1-2 days to process and PCconnection ships same day if it is in stock. The hx4700 is in stock and ready to ship at PCconnection.

Theirs however says cable and no cradle so I ordered one and if I get one in the box I will send it back or sell it.

[benn600]

I'm glad to hear you guys liked my review. I would also like to thank the creator of PocketPC Thoughts for posting me to their homepage!

[benn600]

Over the past few weeks, I have been adding software throughout my review that I like and recommend. Many of the programs that I add are games but they are also mostly commercial titles. Does anyone know of any "good" free games that I could post? That would really make me happy if I could post a section of freeware games. It is not hard to find great commercial games but sometimes freeware games are a little harder, and there is good reason for that.