Compaq iPAQ 3630 Color Pocket PC

Other highlights of the Compaq iPAQ include a microphone and a speaker as well as an audio-in jack. It features an infrared port for wireless data transfer. The Compaq iPAQ uses five buttons plus a five-way joystick. The iPAQ connects to either USB or serial ports. The iPAQ allows you to input data in your own handwriting, by soft keyboard, by voice recorder, or through inking. Both audible and visual alarms alert you when you have a scheduled event.

What sets this Pocket PC apart from similar devices on the market is its sleevelike expansion-pack system. The expansion-pack system allows you add functionality to suit your particular needs. Expansion-pack options currently include a CompactFlash pack, the ability to attach a CompactFlash card slot to your iPAQ, an executive leather and PC Card expansion pack, and a water-resistant sports pack. In the future, Compaq plans to release a global positioning system pack, so you can turn your iPAQ pocket PC into a GPS unit.

The Compaq iPAQ is sporty and small. At 5.11 by 3.28 by 0.62 inches and 6 ounces, it fits in your hand or slides into your pocket with ease. Don't let the size fool you into thinking you don't get many applications with your iPAQ. You receive a great deal of Microsoft software, such as Pocket versions of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and Outlook as well as the full desktop version of Outlook 2000. Compaq also has built-in utilities so that frequent actions--such as switching between tasks, adjusting volume, or changing backlighting--are only a click away.

Compaq offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor for the iPAQ.

What's in the box

• iPaQ 3630
• Two Styli
• Vinyl slipcase
• AC adapter
• Docking cradle
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery
• iPaQ Expansion Pack system
• User Manual

The brilliant and well-lighted TFT display is easily read under any cirmcumstances (even bright daylight), and the touch screen and stylus pen make standard (short) input hassle-free. Handwriting recognition is very good, can be adapted to your personal hand. For more significant amounts of text, a fold-up keyboard should be used (but for serious word-processing, better use a full-fledged notebook instead).

Not only windows can be run on this little machine, it is also LINUX compatible and can be used for serious UNIX Systems Administration using wireless add-ons.

Special Linux version available: best of them, LISA Systems' iPAQ that comes pre-installed with mLinux 1.0 for advanced users. A highly interesting special for System Developers and IT pros. ... The free Open Source LINUX Operating System is now available to palmtop computers!

iPAQ with Windows integrates easily with MS-Outlook. The LINUX version supports synchronisation with appropriate LINUX applications. Either way, you get a highly professional palmtop computer connecting to your desktop and existing infrastructure.


Dont listen to other ppls reviews.   April 26, 2001
Brandon Stavros
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is a great product. DUST DOES NOT ENTER THE SCREEN. People saying that is incorrect. What was behind the screen had nothing to do with dust. Compaq had a problem with a company in Taiwan that installs the screen. Do to poor work tiny glass fragments were left behind. That is what the so called "dust" is. This problem has been fixed with all the new iPaqs. Amazon.com only sells new ones, their will NOT be a problem with the screen. Microsoft activesync has a problem when other usb devices are in the computer. I found Microsoft ridiculous when you call user support. Your best bet is to call compaq where they will give a solution that works perfectly. There is a lot of softweare for the ipaq out, and much more coming. For gamers, go to PocketGamer.org for all the gaming news. You can get great emulators to play all the old Nintendo and SuperNintendo games. I recomend the IBM microdrive or if that is too expensive get the Viking cf card. This is by far the best Pocket PC on the line. The 3630 and the 3650 are the exact same product w/ ho differences what so all. I called Compaq to confirm this. The only difference w/ the new compaq 3635 is the cf card that comes w/ it. The new one costs 100 dollars more, where you can buy a cf expansion pack for 35 dollars. I recomend getting the 3635 or 3650.


compare casio e-125 before you spend your money   March 2, 2001
4 out of 6 found this review helpful

I own a Casio em-500 for a month. I'm glad that I had picked the em-500 instead of ipaq. From ipqa's user reviews, it seams there are quite a few problems about this ipaq PDA, such as activ sync is unstable, dust enters to the display. But the casio em-500(or e-125) never have such problems, They are very stable and the activesync work very well. If you go to read em-500 or e- 125's user reviews( I strongly recommend you do so), there's no those complains at all.

Both casio and ipaq have are powerful unites, here are a little differences, other then those ipaq bugs:

1. Display. Casio displayes over 65,000 colors and ipaq has 4,086. For those of you who cares of color and picture quality, you know the difference. The casio delivers better picture quality indoors. Because ipaq uses different display technology, it has much better display out doors. You can hardly see casio's screen when out door an under the sun. So you have to thing if you use your PDA out doors more or if you mostly use it in indoor environment.

2. Ipaq have a faster CPU speed according to the tech feature. I didn't acutally test them side by side for the speed. But after one month of using my em-500, I thing the casio em-500's speed is very fast, it runs all my applications very quick and smooth. So I think the ipaq should be ever faster too.

Bottom line, read both ipaq and casio e-125(orem-500)'s users review and go to the shop to compare both before you spend your money. They are not cheep.