Customer Reviews

HP iPAQ HX4705 Pocket PC

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This iPaq gets none of the love it deserves. In truth, it is the best stand-alone PDA available on the market. First, let me address the immediate complaints made about the 4705.

1. Price

Um, get a paper route. This is the highest end device of its kind, because of its speedy processor, VGA screen, and extras which are packed into the device. There are Pocket PCs available for much less money, but with lower price you sacrifice quality.

2. Size

Seven Ounces, the size of a pack of index cards. This PDA fits in your front pants or jacket pocket, and form factor dictates that it be that big to accomodate the large screen.


3. Screen flip cover.

This is removable. I've never understood this complaint.


4. Touchpad.

Using a floating cursor, like a laptop computer is actually a huge convenience. Using the pad as a navigation director isn't easy, so be aware of that before purchasing.


Anyway. The 4705 runs on a very fast processor, and can handle several tasks at once. The VGA screen displays 640X480 pixels, making videos, games, and websites absolutely gorgeous to view. There is tons of built-in memory, as well as SD and CF slots to accomadate another 3 GB of storage. This is more than enough room for all your videos, music, photos, games, and PIM. Pocket Informant is included, to manage your Notes, Calendar, Tasks, and Contacts. It integrates with Outlook for your Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, and Inbox. ActiveSync 3.8 works very quickly, and you'll have no problem taking both your office, and your personal life with you on the go. Microsoft Office is included, so you have both Word and Excel. You can read, edit, write, and print documents and spreadsheets. These can be transferred to and from your computer. Windows Media Player 9.0 is included, allowing you to listen to .wma files, or watch .wmv files. A free e-book reader can be found to allow you to read books on the device, and if you subscribe to Audible.com, you can listen to books. There are literally hundreds of games that you can find for the device that are mind blowingly realistic graphics-wise. Some are free, some cost a small fee to download. HP Image Zone lets you make slideshows of your favorite photo albums. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also integrated in the device. This means you have two options of accessing the internet at any given time. Wi-Fi means that you can get a high speed internet connection near a Wi-Fi hotspot such as a coffeehouse, hotel, airport, office, home network, etc. If you're not near a Wi-Fi area, you can connect at dial-up speed using a Bluetooth modem. I use my Motorola V710 phone from Verizon. This may cost more, so check with your wireless company. All in all, this device is a life saver. To recap, I use this iPAQ to:

1. Maintain my Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Inbox
2. Keep all documents and spreadsheets handy
3. View all my photos
4. Read ebooks
5. Connect to the internet whenever, wherever
6. Play numerous PC console- quality video games
7. Listen to hours and hours of music
8. Watch video, including full length DVD movies
9. Record notes
And tons more! This iPAQ is worth every penny you'll pay for it. And if you have a job that involves anything more complex than soaking french fries, it will basically pay for itself, because you'll save hours from your job. The question isn't: Should you buy the HP iPAQ 4705? The question is: You haven't bought the HP iPAQ 4705 yet?!

Ive had this device for about 2 weeks and I can just say its amazing! It is bigger than most PDA's but it is not an uncofortable size. You can easily put it in your briefcase and forget about it. The screen is superb... Ive placed a few pictures of me and mi girl and the look great, its like having a mini album in your pocket.
The wireless capabilities have an outstanding range and hold a steady connection.
BATTERY LIFE: It will easilly give you 4 days without having to recharge.
TOUCHPAD: It is very weird and hard to get used to it... but its not hard enough as to say its a disadvantage.
EXPANTION SLOTS: Cards are easy to acces, and the blend in beatifully...
SPEED: speed speed speed.... lighting fast... sometimes I think its faster than my PC notebook

In conclusion... this is my third pocket PC and it has convinced me once and for all HP iPaqs are the best PDA's out there. I highly recomend this product. You will be then envy of every pocket PC holder.

Also ... I ordered it directly from HP because amazon does not have it available imediatly... HP has the same price in the webpage... so you might want to check that out...

This iPaq gets none of the love it deserves. In truth, it is the best stand-alone PDA available on the market. First, let me address the immediate complaints made about the 4705.

1. Price

Um, get a paper route. This is the highest end device of its kind, because of its speedy processor, VGA screen, and extras which are packed into the device. There are Pocket PCs available for much less money, but with lower price you sacrifice quality.

2. Size

Seven Ounces, the size of a pack of index cards. This PDA fits in your front pants or jacket pocket, and form factor dictates that it be that big to accomodate the large screen.


3. Screen flip cover.

This is removable. I've never understood this complaint.


4. Touchpad.

Using a floating cursor, like a laptop computer is actually a huge convenience. Using the pad as a navigation director isn't easy, so be aware of that before purchasing.


Anyway. The 4705 runs on a very fast processor, and can handle several tasks at once. The VGA screen displays 640X480 pixels, making videos, games, and websites absolutely gorgeous to view. There is tons of built-in memory, as well as SD and CF slots to accomadate another 3 GB of storage. This is more than enough room for all your videos, music, photos, games, and PIM. Pocket Informant is included, to manage your Notes, Calendar, Tasks, and Contacts. It integrates with Outlook for your Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, and Inbox. ActiveSync 3.8 works very quickly, and you'll have no problem taking both your office, and your personal life with you on the go. Microsoft Office is included, so you have both Word and Excel. You can read, edit, write, and print documents and spreadsheets. These can be transferred to and from your computer. Windows Media Player 9.0 is included, allowing you to listen to .wma files, or watch .wmv files. A free e-book reader can be found to allow you to read books on the device, and if you subscribe to Audible.com, you can listen to books. There are literally hundreds of games that you can find for the device that are mind blowingly realistic graphics-wise. Some are free, some cost a small fee to download. HP Image Zone lets you make slideshows of your favorite photo albums. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also integrated in the device. This means you have two options of accessing the internet at any given time. Wi-Fi means that you can get a high speed internet connection near a Wi-Fi hotspot such as a coffeehouse, hotel, airport, office, home network, etc. If you're not near a Wi-Fi area, you can connect at dial-up speed using a Bluetooth modem. I use my Motorola V710 phone from Verizon. This may cost more, so check with your wireless company. All in all, this device is a life saver. To recap, I use this iPAQ to:

1. Maintain my Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Inbox
2. Keep all documents and spreadsheets handy
3. View all my photos
4. Read ebooks
5. Connect to the internet whenever, wherever
6. Play numerous PC console- quality video games
7. Listen to hours and hours of music
8. Watch video, including full length DVD movies
9. Record notes
And tons more! This iPAQ is worth every penny you'll pay for it. And if you have a job that involves anything more complex than soaking french fries, it will basically pay for itself, because you'll save hours from your job. The question isn't: Should you buy the HP iPAQ 4705? The question is: You haven't bought the HP iPAQ 4705 yet?!

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.

Pros;
Great display, excellent image quality, and quite large for the overall size of the unit.
Very fast, with applications not found on previous iPAQS.
Screen cover is detachable and convient.
Two expansion slots are great.
Cons;
Application buttons are too far recessed. Hard to find by feel, must look for them. Stylus is not a pop-up as with 5500 series.

I buy a new pda every year and I've acquired tons of experience on these devices. From teh Apple Newton to the this awesome machine I've seen em' all, and I'll tell you, the PDA has come a long way and this is the latest tech. If PDa's were cars, then the Dell AximX30 is a 2004 Mercedes-E500, the Treo 600 is an 2004 760iL BMW, the Axim X50v is a 2005 Porsche 911 GT Carrera, and last but now ay least, the Ferrrari Enzo...is the iPaq hx4700. When you watch the Lord of the Rings Return of the King on the iPaq (use Pocket DVD Studio to transfer DVD to PDA) you will be blown away by the VGA screen. Furthermore, this has one of the biggest screens available, a whopping 4.0" display (considered a cinema screen in the handheld world). Next, it has Wi-Fi (802.11b; wireless internet; if you go to Starbucks often, whip this baby out, go to Internet Explorer and surf the web by checking the last stock quotes, stream music, watch news clips, etc.) and Bluetooth (a technology to communicate with other high-end devices like the Sony Ericcson P900 phone) in addition to infrared-which it obviously has too. It has 192MB of which 80MB is iPaq storage ROM. And, it has the fastest processor ever made, an Intel 624MHz that can be overclocked by special software to about 660MHz easily. Two card slots allow the owner to use an SD card and CF Type II cards-I use a Lexar 1GB SD, and a 5GB Seagate Microdrive to watch movies and listen to music. Last, it has the first finger touchpad for pda's like the ones in laptops in which you use your finger to move the cursor.

Pros-
4" 640X480 VGA screen
Processor Speed
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
CF/SD card slots
Windows Mobile 2nd Edition; the latest handheld OS as of Nov 2004
ATI Imageon 3220 graphics chip
Software (Cleartek Powerpoint Prentation)
Included Screen Cover-broke prev. pda's screen w/o this

Cons-
1. 4.5 Hour Battery life in "real-world usage"
2. Screen gets VERY Hot (this a Pro in winter though)
3. If you're a software-monster with like 15 installed apps, this pda starts to become like a real pc with 15 sec. boot-up delay.
4. Trackpad really isn't that great, true it's innvoative but not really practical for users
5. Screen cover PLACEMENT-it's annoying and always flipping backwards since it's horizontally placed-like a young sister
6. Price- like I said, it's a Ferrari Enzo for the few at $650
7. Speaker-this really is a problem with EVERY PDA in the market

Please do not miss the superb review provided by JD Woody, it provides a much better description and is considerably more useful than HP's description of its own product.

Also take special heed to all of the complaints by other reviewers about the touch pad feature. Unfortunately I chose to ignore them - everyone who isn't familiar with touch pads complains about them, it seems. I prefer a touch pad to a mouse any day, and the touch pad was the main reason I purchased this item, and was I ever disappointed - it's totally worthless. As a matter of fact it's intrusive, as it frequently opens/closes applications unintentionally when I brush by it with my thumb. I wish it could be disabled, but it can only be toggled between cursor mode and the NavPoint mode, which is even worse. I have had to settle for desensitizing the cursor & NavPoint settings as much as the software will permit and then handling the unit like it is a firearm.

I almost sent the unit back until I discovered that it has a handwriting recognition feature that actually works - the Block Recognizer. The others that are included aren't too shabby either, but the Block Recognizer manages to recognize my horrible handwriting 98% of the time.

Because of the Block Recognizer and the many other useful features the iPAQ 4705 provides, I've decided to keep the unit.

Hopefully HP will provide a software update for disabling the touch pad in the near future. Or dare I wish for an update to make the touch pad actually useful.

(I've edited it from original to give a better view now that I've had it a while)

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. I do think it suffers a little from lack of RAM. Speed makes up for it but I have at times overloaded it and wished it had more RAM. 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 the speed seems to help it a lot. I know despite the small RAM it still is way better than my old machine and it usually can handle many programs running because of the fast processor.
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). You can get an upgrade to RAM from a seperate company if you want to spend 200 dollars and void your warranty. Honestly, HP really should have increased the RAM on this thing. It's an awesome machine but the limited RAM hampers what could be a perfect PDA in my opinion (every other complaint is just small things for me that don't bother me so much).
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 (it comes with Worldmate and if I'm not using Beta Player to play movies, 90% or more of the time it's Worldmate messing the PDA up. Doesn't crash it usually but messes the today screen up so you have to reset. I've gotten used to it and know what to do to keep it from crashing a lot so it's not that big an issue anymore. But Worldmate is a finicky program so I'll warn you that before you install it)
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). Minor issue I've gotten used to and don't have the problem anymore. still woulda been nice for the design to be pressing down on hinge.
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).

This is my fifth Pocket PC atfer migrating from the honorable palm line. I must confess that Ipaq hx4705 has all I have be waiting for in a compact pc. Just name but a few,,,security, speed, view, touch pad and size. The backup is so great that with my ipaq off and password protected, it still does the daily backup assuring me that my data will be available no matter what happen. The backup to my Ipaq file storage is one of the thing that make me want to kiss my ipaq. I did a hard reset just to put the backup files to a test. I am proud that the restore process was easy and I got my ipaq back the way it was before the hard reset. HP, the security and backup system in this model is a great step up... The VGA IS EXCELLENT.. If you are in the market for a high end pda, don't hesitate as this is the right pda for you. So far I think it worth every dollars I've invested on it.
I must say I am proud to have invested on this little machine.
Storage is unlimited. I have 2GB CF AND 1GB SD CARDS on my Ipaq. Now I have more than enough room for any thing I can possibly load on it.......Just a Perfect machine and technology.

My husband and I currently own an ipaq 1945 and a new member to the family, an ipaq hx4705. I absolutely love it! It is super fast, performs tasks rapidly and efficiently. The screen is amazing, frontrunner in its class, and can be viewed outdoors better than any pda screen I've ever seen. Too new to find many accessories locally, though, only drawback so far. Large 4" screen is lovely, and very easily switches to landscape mode for right or left handed individuals. Wifi works seamlessly, and even can access files and copy them to its memory from our other networked desktops at our home. Wifi is a huge advantage.

We had to get a pda with compactflash and sd card slots, and this one is perfect. Lightweight, metal body (not plastic and painted silver like most of today's pda's), buttons that are not able to get junk under them because they are flat, and a neat protective flip screen that comes with it are just a few of the features. IR port is on the bottom this time, so it is much easier to use our ir keyboard. New thumb-cursor controls at the bottom are hard to use at first, but become a neat way to use the pda without scratching the screen. Overall, awesome pda that really delivers, with a ton of ram and endless possibilities. Just a little ahead of its time for now.