This article is about the iPAQ PDA; for the iPAQ Desktop Personal Computer, see iPAQ (desktop computer).

iPAQ presently refers to a Pocket PC and personal digital assistant first unveiled by Compaq in April 2000; the name was borrowed from Compaq's earlier iPAQ Desktop Personal Computers. Since Hewlett-Packard's acquisition of Compaq, the product has been marketed by HP. The device is the main competition to the Palm, but provides more multimedia capabilities and the familiar Microsoft Windows interface. Higher end units are very modular, having "sleeve" accessories which slide around the unit and add functionality like a card reader, wireless networking, GPS, and even extra batteries. These are technically called jackets.

Note: PDAs branded "Pocket PC" run the proprietary Microsoft Pocket PC (Windows Mobile) OS. HPCs and HPC Pros run earlier versions of the OS, namely Windows CE.

Origins

The iPaq was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation Western Research Laboratory (WRL), the internal code name for it was Itsy.

Newest revision

In February 2005 HP introduced the iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6500 series to selected media at the 3GSM conference in Cannes, France. The article has been updated to reflect this. In August 2004, HP announced the h63xx series of Pocket PC Phone Editions, the hx47xx high end model, and the 17xx budget end. In June 2003, HP announced a new line of iPAQ's, and sent the h3xxx series to pension, now there is a h1xxx budget line, a h2xxx consumer line, and a h5xxx professional line. These will be sold with Pocket PC 2003 as standard. As of February 2005 the latest model for sale at retail is the hx2000 series. Aimed at the Enterprise it sports features introduced in the iPAQ h5000 series such as built-in Biometric fingerprint reader. At the top of this series is the hx27xx with a 624 MHz Intel PXA270 processor, 312 MB total memory (128 MB ROM and 192 MB SDRAM); Up to 185 MB user available memory (includes 80 MB iPAQ File Store), Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth® wireless technology and Windows Mobile 5.0

Model variations

Compaq iPAQ H3600 series

Compaq's flagship iPAQs were those of the 3600 models. Originally running the Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC 2000 OS, these devices featured 12-bit color displays, 32/64 MB of RAM, and 16 MB ROM.

Models in the 3600 series are:

3630, 3635, 3650 - which are identical models with 16 MB ROM and 32 MB RAM sold via different marketing channels. The 3635 was accompanied by a CF expansion sleeve that was sold separately with the other 2.

3660, 3670 - 64MB RAM. The 3670 was distributed in the US while the 3660 was distributed in Europe.

A Pocket PC 2002 OS upgrade is available, but the smaller ROM requires some software such as the media player to install in volatile RAM instead of the ROM as in the previous Pocket PC 2000.

As used units at low price, they are a great way to inexpensively get started with a PDA.

While limited by no on-board expansion slot, the iPAQ 3600 series memory and functionality can still be expanded by optional Compact Flash and PCMCIA sleeves, which allow users to add memory and peripherals. Some of these sleeves contain extra batteries to extend the iPAQ's battery life under the strain of added devices.

Compaq iPAQ H3100 series

Released shortly after the 3600 series as a cost-effective model. It has a grayscale semi-transmissive STN LCD and only 16MB RAM. Limited success.

Compaq iPAQ H3700 series

These devices had the exact same form factor as their 3600 model predecessors, however, they had an increased ROM size and ran the PPC2002 OS natively.

Compaq iPAQ H3800 series

Compaq's original high-end series models. These units were also the first to include 16-bit screens, incorporated an SD card reader and the highest RAM capacity of any Pocket PC. They were also the first to offer integrated Bluetooth, on select models such as the 3870. The 3850 had 206 MHz StrongARM CPU, with 32MB ROM and 64MB RAM, 240x320 TFT screen, running Microsoft Pocket PC 2002.

HP iPAQ H1900 series

After HP's acquisition of Compaq, the 1900 series was the answer to Palm's budget units. Adopted a smaller, slimmer frame making it more competitive in terms of portability. Main memory size was 64 MB, larger than all other budget units. Ran PPC2002 (1910 only) or 2003. Introduction of removable batteries, allowing for the user to buy extra batteries and swap as necessary. Unlike older iPAQs, many existing iPAQ accessories were incompatible or unsupported due to its budget nature.

HP iPAQ H5400 series

Introduced as the next generation of the iPAQ corporate line after the 3900 series, adding Wi-Fi support, improved Bluetooth and a biometric scanner. However, the 5400 was plagued with many bugs, though most were corrected through firmware upgrades. The CPU is the ARM-based Intel XScale PXA250.

HP iPAQ H5500 series

A corrected version of the 5400 series with double the RAM (128 MB) running on PPC2003, PXA255 CPU.

HP iPAQ H5100 series

A cutdown version of the 5500 series, loses Wi-Fi support and the extra RAM (only 64 MB).

HP iPAQ H2200 series

Targeting the general consumer/prosumer, the 2200 series is almost every bit as capable as their corporate counterparts (less RAM, no integrated Wi-Fi, no biometric scanner). Main memory size was 64 MB RAM, PPC2003, better support for iPAQ accessories than the 1900 series though still no iPAQ expansion "sleeve" support. Bluetooth, SD card and CompactFlash card support built-in. There is an advanced IR port built into the 2245 and 2210 models (and perhaps others in this series), and the software bundle includes a program which essentially turns this device into a universal remote control.

HP iPAQ H4300 series

Similar to the 2200 series in terms of features, the 4300 series targets the corporate audience by having a beefier battery and integrated Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. No CompactFlash reader, but does have a SD-card and SDIO slot. A thumb keyboard is integrated into the device.

HP iPAQ H4100 series

Essentially the corporate version of the 1900 series with many of the functionalities that were stripped from the budget unit. Also adds Wi-Fi and SDIO. Closer to the 4300-series internally. It came with PPC2003

HP iPAQ hx2000 series

Aimed at the business market, this series of PDAs sports built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD Card and CF Card slots, and Windows Mobile 2003 SE. Some have included a Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 firmware upgrade disc. The different models have some different features.

HP iPAQ hx21xx sequence

This series of PDAs sported only the barebones set of features listed above, and ran a slower 400 MHz XScale processor. No fingerprint reader and only 64 MB of memory.

HP iPAQ hx27xx sequence

This is the ultimate enterprise edition PDA. Sporting a top-of-the-line 624 MHz Intel PXA270 XScale processor, 128 MB of RAM and ROM (each), and a built-in biometric fingerprint reader, this model set is aimed at high-security and -performance enterpises. The fingerprint reader, with the proprietary HP ProtectTools software, can create "encrypted folders" in RAM or on storage cards (in these models' case, the iPAQ File Store, the SD Card, or the CF Card) to prevent anyone from swiping the memory cards and reading sensitive company-critical data. The processor, running at the aforementioned 624 MHz, helps with the encryption/decryption processes (HP ProtectTools can also encrypt the entire contents of the onboard memory), and also makes this model series the ultimate Pocket PC gamer's model. CEOs beware, your employees may be distracted. The high amount of internal RAM and ROM enables the installation of many, many programs without the addition of storage cards. Adding external cards (no capacity limit is known) expands infinitely (limited by available IT budget and personal cash) the storage available, making movies available to the traveling executive (movie files sold separately).

HP iPAQ hx4700 series

The high end corporate edition to replace the 5500 series.

Sturdy magnesium alloy casing, 4 inch diagonal VGA screen at 65K colors, integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2, MMC and Secure Digital slot with SDIO, Compact Flash slot, 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of ROM, with an Intel XScale PXA270 624 MHz processor.

It contains a 1800 mAh battery in the selling package with a removable 3600 mAh battery as an option. HX4700 is known as the first and only (?) WinMobile PDA with 2 modes touchpad.

By design it is not compatible with previous IPAQ jacket accessories, but the proprietary USB connector at the bottom is still the same. It does not include leather or plastic case, but contains a removable screen cover instead.

Little known fact: Headphone adapter accepts 55xx series 4 pin plugs (microphone input) (?)

HX4700 running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition at first release. There is a Pocket Informant 2005 integrated in ROM. Built-in encryption software also included. Can't run NEVO TV (remote control software) because it does not have Consumer IR. It contains Fast IR instead.

In April 2006 HP finally sells Windows Mobile 5 upgrade option for HX4700 users at their website. In this upgrade most of the additional software is also being upgraded including the Pocket Informant.

HP iPAQ rz1700 series

The new budget handheld from HP runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, with no wireless options and only 32 MB of RAM.

HP iPAQ rx3100, rx3400 and rx3700 series

Billed as "Mobile Media Companions", these models feature Nevo personal media software, onboard 1.2 megapixel cameras (rx3400 and rx3700), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and an onboard Secure Digital card slot. All of them run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on Samsung ARM processors.

The rx3100 and rx3400 had 32 MB of RAM and 300 MHz processors, whereas the rx3700 had 64 MB of RAM and a 400 MHz processor. The latter also came with a 1440 mAh battery as standard, rather than the rx3400's 920 mAh unit.

These models have been known to suffer from a bug related to the way the iPAQ File Store, the rx3700's ROM, operates and manages files. This bug prevents the user from deleting or renaming files on the ROM, causing significant deficiencies in its operation. This bug is known by HP, but there is not yet an official solution for the problem.

The current version of the Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating system has been known to cause issues with Bluetooth functionality. Some patches have been released by the manufacturer, such as for Bluetooth headphones, but others, such as connectivity with HP GPS devices, have not been released. The devices continue to be non-functional for these models despite being published as compatible.

HP iPAQ h6300 series

Pocket PC Phone. Contains a GSM phone, 64 MB RAM, 168 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor, and comes with a detachable thumb keyboard. Also includes VGA quality camera and 1800 mAh battery. It has built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b).

T-Mobile used to sell the h6315 but has decided to withdraw it from the market. The firmware was never updated to remove all of the bugs which cause sporadic behaviour, including dropped calls, not answering calls, turning off, erasing all user memory (factory reset), etc.

Variants include the h6340 which is sold in parts of Europe without a camera through normal distribution points- hence is not carrier specific. The h6365 has identical specifications to the h6315 but it is not signed to a carrier.

HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6500 series

This iPAQ is the first Pocket PC phone to have built in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities with support for NMEA. When no GPS signal is available the device attempts to calculate its location by switching to cell triangulation. It has an integrated keyboard and unique 240x240 resolution. It may seem that the screen size can be an advantage regarding the standby time, but there are reports that actually many software products do not work on this device as they should because they were created for the standard 320x240 resolution (menus are not fully visible, hidden buttons- sort of problems).

It has two card slots SD SDIO and mini-SD and like its predecessor the h6300, two versions are/were available: one with camera and one without.

Most notably, compared to the previous model, this unit does not have internal support for WiFi.

Specifications can be found here.

This unit, as with most similar units, comes in a variety of languages. For a number of reasons, including the assurance of price in higher priced markets, languages are designed to not be changeable on the units. For example, if you have a unit with a German operating system, you cannot "officially" change the language.

The language can, however, be changed to English at this time by flashing the BIOS using upgrades released by HP.

HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6900 series

These units entered the market in late 2006. Anticipated specifications can be found here (PDF)

Most notably, compared to the previous model, this unit is expected to (once again) have internal support for WiFi as well as Windows Mobile 5.

Quick reference chart

Jacket-compatible

These older models are compatible with the iPAQ Jacket which can have 1 CompactFlash, 1 PC Card or 2 PC Card slots.

Newer models

Alternative operating systems for the iPAQ

Familiar Linux

An alternative Linux-based OS is available for the iPAQ, called Familiar. It is available with the Opie or GPE GUI environment, or as a base Linux system with no GUI if preferred.

Both Opie and GPE provide the usual PIM suite (calendar, contacts, todo list, and notes) as well as a long list of other applications. Support for handwriting recognition, on-screen keyboard, bluetooth, IrDA and add-on hardware such as keyboards are standard in both environments.

The v0.8.4 (2006-08-20) version supports HP iPAQ H3xxx and H5xxx series of handhelds, and introduces initial support for the HP iPAQ H2200, Hx4700, and H6300 series.

Plan 9

Plan 9 runs on the iPAQ. The nickname of the architecture is "bitsy".

Upgrades

Some of the iPAQ series are upgradeable to newer versions of the Windows Mobile software. This is limited to very recent releases, such as the hx2000 series. Upgrades are available from HP for approximately $39.99 + shipping, and include the Windows Mobile 5.0 software and an updated version of Microsoft ActiveSync

See also

• Personal digital assistant
• Hewlett-Packard
• Jornada
• SuperWaba: Free and open software development kit for Pocket PC and Linux iPAQs.

Microsoft trademarks:

• Pocket PC
• Windows CE

External links

• Large and Active Pocket PC Specific Community at PocketPCAddict.com
• iPAQRepair.co.uk: iPAQ Parts and Repair Services.
• PDA Hotspots - List of websites that adjust to the small PDA screen
• iPAQ Software - Software for iPAQ PDA
• iPAQ on NetBSD