Ipaq HQ Reviews the iPAQ 4705

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ipaqhq.com/articles/link.php?id=228' target='_blank'>http://www.ipaqhq.com/articles/link.php?id=228</a><br /><br /></div><i>"If want VGA and prefer HP, this is the model for you. If you are a budget PPC'er, this is not for you. I am trying not to call it an overpriced gadget, but it is hard knowing pricing on other VGA models. If you want dual memory slots and a whopping 4" VGA screen, then the price is justified in my opinion. Yes, there are cheaper models out and to come, but the hx4700 is a solid performer and is almost the perfect PocketPC right now. Shrink it and lower the cost a bit and it is perfect. Even though it has a stellar CPU and the frame rates are very nice, I NOT RECOMMEND THE HX4700 TO GAMERS. The navigation pad makes this unit a tough gaming unit. (I am sure HP did not design this one for the gamers anyhow.)"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041005-iPAQHQ4700.jpg" /><br /><br />As the conclusion's tone suggests, Chris has a detailed yet useful review for anyone out there still trying to decide if the hx4705 is for them.

[Stephen Beesley]

I am very impressed by how much the 4700 looks like a (very :D ) scaled down version of the good ol' Newton mp2k:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/1931/MP2k.jpg


Of course it is well less than half the size has a colour screen, heaps of memory.....

But the styling is very similiar even down to the flip over cover.

[David Johnston]

I'm SURE the nav pad could be adapted to suit some games very well, better than a digital d-pad, that's for sure. It's a matter of time.

[Greybard]

I'm SURE the nav pad could be adapted to suit some games very well, better than a digital d-pad, that's for sure. It's a matter of time.

Agreed, I expect to either see or code myself an interfact to turn off center select and or mode the d-pad.

I think it has tons of potential.

It took a little while to get used to but I am completely falling in love with the hx4700.

GB

[James Fee]

Have you ever tried to play a game on the trackpad on a laptop? If you had you'd understand why its not the best.

[Greybard]

Have you ever tried to play a game on the trackpad on a laptop? If you had you'd understand why its not the best.

Works with Nethack perfectly! :D

[Janak Parekh]

Ultimately, it depends on the type of game you're trying to play. ;)

--janak

[Jonathan1]

I am very impressed by how much the 4700 looks like a (very :D ) scaled down version of the good ol' Newton mp2k:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/1931/MP2k.jpg


Of course it is well less than half the size has a colour screen, heaps of memory.....

But the styling is very similiar even down to the flip over cover.


:roll: Don't even get me started. I still use my Newton on a regular basis. Its still the best at taking notes on the fly IMHO. The 4705 is nice. It ain't no Newton. Damn you jobs for killing my baby. I can only cry at what a current up to date Newton would look like. :bawl:


[Woot. 1,000 posts! :D ]

[Wiggster]

:roll: Don't even get me started. I still use my Newton on a regular basis. Its still the best at taking notes on the fly IMHO. The 4705 is nice. It ain't no Newton. Damn you jobs for killing my baby. I can only cry at what a current up to date Newton would look like. :bawl:

Did you read the /. (http://apple.slashdot.org/apple/04/10/05/0023212.shtml?tid=180&tid=100&tid=190&tid=3) post about Newton OS?

[Jonathan1]

I really hope the 4705 does well. :way to go: Seriously. :worried: Go out and buy one guys. Ignore the Dell line of PDA's.

*waves his hand at the PPCT's audience* These aren't the PDA's you are looking for.

Just skip them and get an HP.
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*mumbles to himself something about shipping delays on the X50v because of demand.*
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[huangzhinong]

Still try to afford one VGA device. But this one? :bangin: No, no, too big.

Well, I gues theres are always some people with much bigger hands so that this monster fit them perfectly.

X50 is a good size for me. :D

[SHC]

This PDA grows on you, at first it looks to big and plain boxy. But the more I handle it and get to used to it the better it gets. I'm even finding the touchpad good especially when used in combination with the stylus, sounds bizarre but it works for me. and that screen.....I dont seem to be using landscape much though.

[Wiggster]

This is not a big device, not after the first ten minutes. The thinness make it seem surprisingly small, and the big screen is gorgeous. My biggest non-touchpad complaint about the device so far is choosing which background to use...

[Stephen Beesley]

I am very impressed by how much the 4700 looks like a (very :D ) scaled down version of the good ol' Newton mp2k

....

Of course it is well less than half the size has a colour screen, heaps of memory.....

But the styling is very similiar even down to the flip over cover.


:roll: Don't even get me started. I still use my Newton on a regular basis. Its still the best at taking notes on the fly IMHO. The 4705 is nice. It ain't no Newton. Damn you jobs for killing my baby. I can only cry at what a current up to date Newton would look like. :bawl:


[Woot. 1,000 posts! :D ]


Yep that is why I still have a upgraded Message Pad 2000 sitting on my desk. There are some things that my Toshiba e755 and Calligrapher (as much as it has improved) still cannot do!

[KH]

I am more impressed with my 4705 every time I use it. The clarity of the screen in true VGA mode is something amazing - I can't get over how clearly even those microscopic letters are! Picture viewing is amazing. eReader is amazing - once I got the font size adjusted for the full VGA mode (using SE_VGA of course) I was amazed at the words-per-line, lines-per-page appearance. Note taking with Calligrapher is also great - the Notes screen shows a much larger page, and my conversion accuracy seems improved - I don't know why - maybe the faster processor has something to do with it?

I was worried about the size when I first saw the specs. I have small hands and loved the 2215. But it isn't much wider - the biggest change is the length. I think it is even fractionally thinner. And the 4 inch screen is WOW. I don't think I could go back to a smaller one and I've only had it a few days...

[Palmguy]

I am more impressed with my 4705 every time I use it.


Me too :D

[timothyt]

Coming from a 1945 (which is an EXCELLENT Pocket PC but I need to do some hi-res development and update VOCalendar to support landscape) - I have to say that the feel of the touchpad is quite a bit better than I expected.

At first I expected that it would work like a notebook's touchpad, like (for example) on my M205 tablet PC, where you have to drag in the direction you want to indicate. Actually, though, while you CAN do this, I don't find that I do - there are little raised braille style bumps indicating up/down/left/right and you just lightly tap on them. I don't game that much but it's a little easier (for me) than the 1945 was, because the DPad resistance on the 1900 series was enough that it hurt my thumb after only a few minutes (the 1900 has a little DPad and it has some pretty good firmness to it, plus it has the raised bumps on it too for some reason I can't figure out...)

On the X50, I called Dell Monday (the 4th) and was told that the X50 would not be shipping on October 12th, and that as far as he knew, it wouldn't even be out until around Thanksgiving(!) - I don't know if that's true - it wouldn't be the first time a Dell rep was just in the dark on something within the company, but I decided not to wait and jumped on the 4700 for $620 at Buy.com.

Cheers,

Tim