When Compaq had the need to come up with a space saving Internet computer, they rolled out this Ipaq system model. It is a 'system family' designed to serve a dual function. 1. Compete with Apples iMacİ, and 2. Serve as a small inexpensive desktop solution for businesses that needed little or no expansion needs for their desktop workstations.

This little, but big-hearted unit fits that bill nicely, thank you very much! This computer comes in 2 models. The Legacy model has the standard array of ports, (parallel, serial, and PS/2) for existing peripherals, running Windows 2000, 98, or NT4. The Legacy-Free iPAQ has Windows 2000 bundled and has five USB ports for the new wave of USB peripherals, this eliminates PCI and ISA slots as expansion possibilities for this machine. You read it right...there are none!

You can purchase this machine in a wide variety of configurations to suit most any need. The Processor options are a Celeron at 500Mhz, or the Pentium III at 500Mhz or 733Mhz. The base configuration for either processor at 500Mhz is 64Mb of Ram and a 4GB hard drive using the Ultra ATA 66 standard. The Pentium 733 base model comes with 128MB of memory and a 10GB HDD. Both systems are expandable to a maximum of 512MB of Memory, and the 733Mhz PIII system uses a 133Mhz Front Side Bus.

Both Ipaqs have AC97 audio, Intel 3D Graphics w/4MB Cache on the 733 model, and an Intel PRO/100+ Management network controller all embedded on the system board. Compaq has introduced into this machine a common port for most current laptops called a MultiBay. The MultiBay supports hot swapping of drives available for this machine that include, DVD, CDRW, LS-120 and a couple of different hard drives.

In summary, this is an awesome little machine! It takes up little space, has a lot of power and expansion options available, and is easy to service. (a big plus for us Techie types) I will not go further in details of the iPaq's technical aspects, since they are readily available online. I will however, provide the link in this review. This is a screaming little machine, and well worth the price!

For Technical specs and options go to:

http://www.compaq.com/products/internetdevices/iPAQ_desktop.html

This site has a virtual tour and should be more than informative enough for the most technical among us. As always, Thank you to those who read me!











Recommended: Yes

Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 501-600
RAM: 64
Hard Drive (GB): 4-6