The iPAQ is a Pocket PC and personal digital assistant first introduced by Compaq in November 1999. Since Hewlett Packard's acquisition of Compaq, the product has been marketed by HP. The device is the main competition to the Palm Pilot, but provides more multimedia capabilities and the familiar Microsoft Windows interface. Higher end units were very modular, having "sleeve" accessories which would slide around the unit and add functionality like a card reader, wireless networking, GPS, and even extra batteries.

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

Newest revision

In June 2003, HP announced a new line of iPAQ's, and sent the 3xxx series to pension, now there is a 1xxx budget line, a 2xxx consumer line, and a 5xxx professional line. These will be sold with Pocket PC 2003 as standard. As of August 2003, the latest model is the h5555, which runs on an Intel XScale 400 MHz microprocessor and has 128MB of RAM and 48MB of flash ROM. This device also includes WiFi, Bluetooth, and fingerprint identification capabilities. (November 2003, this is still true)

Model Variations

Compaq iPaq 3600 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 and 16MB of ROM.

Compaq iPaq 3100 series

Released shortly after the 3600 series as a cost-effective model for those not requiring color screens. Needless to say, its success was limited.

Compaq iPaq 3700 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 3800 series

Compaq's original high-end series models. These units were also the first to include 16-bit screens, incoporated an SD card reader and the highest RAM capacity of any Pocket PC.

Compaq iPaq 3900 series

The evolution of the 3800 series, the 3900 was the first series to start using transreflective displays for clearer picture, as well as the introduction of the XScale processors. Later models introduced Bluetooth and a consumer IR with remote control software.

HP iPaq 1900 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. Lost IR, SDIO, and other more advanced features except for BlueTooth. 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 5400 series

Introduced as the next generation of the iPaq corporate line after the 3900 series, adding WiFi support, improved Bluetooth and a biometric scanner. However, the 5400 was plagued with many bugs, though most were corrected though firmware upgrades.

HP iPaq 5500 series

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

HP iPaq 5100 series

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

HP iPaq 2200 series

Targetting the general consumer/prosumer, the 2200 series is almost every bit as capable as their corporate counterparts (less RAM, no integrated WiFi, 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 and CompactFlash card support built-in.

HP iPaq 4300 series

Similar to the 2200 series in terms of features, the 4300 series targets the corporate audience by having a beefier battery and integrated WiFi in addition to BlueTooth. No CF reader. Integrated a thumb keyboard.

HP iPaq 4100 series

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

Linux distributions

An alternative OS that one may use is a Linux distribution named Familiar, a linux kernel without a front-end, to which one may attach the Opie and GPE GUI's. The 0.7 version of Familiar has been released in July 2003, with support for the whole 3xxx line (including the 39xx), and 5xxx support on the way. In addition, the 1.0 Version of Opie has been released at the 4th August 2003, and its i18n has been translated into 15 languages.

External links

To do: make corrections as necessary