HP iPaq hx4700

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By Lee Chee Wee
Sep 07, 2004

In December 2000, Compaq's iPaq was awarded the "World's Most Powerful PDA" by the Guinness Book of World Records. Now HP looks set to evoke this title with the hx4700, a powerhouse that sports a VGA screen along with numerous connectivity and expansion options. The main stumbling block has to be its steep price tag of S$1,199 (US$881.62).

Design
One look at the HP's hx4700 and you can't help but notice the missing directional pad. In its place sits a touchpad similar to those seen on notebooks. This novel approach, while innovative, requires some getting used to. Fortunately, a host of customizations is available to tweak the sensitivity level and users can alternate between navigation and cursor mode. The quick access buttons are almost flushed with the surface so it's tricky to use, too.

The two-toned dark-grey finish of the hx4700 offers a fresh alternative in a mobile market proliferated by silver-colored handhelds. That said, this power slate is rather chunky with its 131 x 77 x 14.9mm dimensions, so don't expect this iPaq to win any design awards like the original H3600 series.

Noteworthy is this handheld's display. The sizeable 4-inch TFT offers a 480 x 640 resolution and is a pleasure to use. It is adequately sensitive to taps and doesn't exhibit any yellowish or bluish tint observed on some models.

Expansion capability comes in the form of two sockets located at the top of the hx4700. The Secure Digital slot's spring-loaded mechanism is well-implemented but we can't say the same for the CompactFlash variant. The lack of an ejection system hampers the removal of Type II devices such as Microdrives as a groove is absent for prying out of the bay.

As HP has opted to position the infrared port at the bottom of the unit, it is a hassle to beam files and business cards.

Features
The hx4700 utilizes the same snappy 624MHz XScale processor seen in the Dell Axim X30. This Bulverde chip from Intel sports Wireless MMX for enhanced multimedia capability and SpeedStep technology to decrease power consumption by varying the voltage and frequency intelligently.

This iPaq is a new breed of high-resolution Pocket PC that sports a VGA screen of 65K colors. Paired with Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE, users can orient between portrait and landscape view on-the-fly. This is a godsend when browsing the Internet or working on spreadsheets and documents.

The handheld giant doesn't skimp when it comes to memory. Our review unit had 64MB of RAM onboard which HP complemented with a whooping 80MB of iPaq File Store. Due to its non-volatile nature, important documents can be safely stashed here as they will remain intact even if the backup cell is fully depleted. If this amount isn't adequate, you can rely on the dual expansion slots.

Having a replaceable battery spells convenience for travelers and power users. Instead of lugging along the charger, an extra 1,800mAh cell can be purchased. There is an optional one of 3,600mAh capacity, too.

The hx4700 shines in the connectivity department and offers an arsenal of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and infrared for your usage. However, it lacks GSM function. As the handheld market moves toward converged devices such as the iPaq h6365 and O2's XDA II, this Pocket PC may face an uphill battle.

Almost like a stab at MP3 players, this powerhouse is equally competent at music playback and HP has tweaked it to please music aficionados. Audio can be adjusted to your liking with the five-band equalizer or the preset ones available.

Performance
Overall, the HP iPaq hx4700 was a solid performer, but we expected more from this Pocket PC. Although it possesses the same 624MHz Intel processor as the Dell Axim X30, the hx4700 scored lower than the Axim in our benchmark tests. This was largely due to its lower scores in video performance, so gamers won't find an ideal playmate in the hx4700. Otherwise, the PDA is very fast, and all applications responded instantly, even when multiple programs were running in the background.

What the hx4700 lacks in video performance, it more than makes up in quality. The 4-inch VGA screen is very bright and sharp, with great support for the 3D interface of Windows CE 4.21. Viewing photos was also a pleasure on this crisp screen, and it's easily readable outdoors. It's crystal clear that the iPaq is the winner over the X30 when it comes to display quality.

The hx4700's wireless connections were superb. We were able to get the device connected to an access point and the Web in a matter of seconds, and it offered great range. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth worked flawlessly in our tests, and they can run simultaneously.

Speaking of power, the hx4700's battery life was very good. In our drain test, in which the device was left to play a looped video clip with all wireless turned off and both the sound and the backlight cranked all the way up, the HP lasted 5 hours 25 minutes--that's almost an hour longer than the Dell Axim. Since our test is designed to drain the battery as quickly as possible, the hx4700's battery life can be two to three times longer in real-world usage.

Performance analysis written by CNET Labs project leader Dong Van Ngo.