Compaq iPAQ 3650 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 make 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 has also 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 3650
• Two Styli
• Vinyl slipcase
• AC adapter
• Docking cradle
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery
• iPaQ Expansion Pack system
• User Manual

Price: Cassiopeia E-115 and Jornada 548 are both ~ $600 (if you go for the 16 M RAM, the price drops, but I don't recommend it). iPAQs are cheaper at ~ $500.

Processors: Cassiopeia (MIPS) and Jornada (SH3) processors are about the same speed (131 MHz) but Cassiopeia is a 64 bit processor. iPAQ has a StrongArm processor running at 206 MHz and noticeably faster.

Expandability: Cassiopeia comes with a Type II Compact Flash slot. This means you can put any compact flash cards out there, including the snazzy 1 inch IBM-microdrives that store upto 340 MB of data. Jornada comes with a Type I slot which means it cannot accomodate type II cards or the IBM-drive. iPAQ needs to add an expansion "jacket" to allow any cards. It is an innovative design that allows the main unit to be smaller - but you have to carry more components if you want to lug around more data or music.

Display: Only Cassiopeia has a true 16 bit display (65000 colors). iPAQ and Jornada are both 12 bit (1000 colors). Can you make out the difference - mostly not, unless you are looking at photographs.

Size: Cassiopeia is bulky and comes in at 9 oz. It does not have a hard top - so it needs to be carried in a soft case that comes along. Jornada unit is about as bulky as Cassiopeia, but it comes with a hard top so the total package (unit and case) is definitely less bulky. iPAQ wins hands down with a Palm like form factor.

Bottom Line: If you need dislay, multimedia capabilities and expandability - buy a Cassiopeia. Looking for a sleeker option with decent built-in expansion options - buy a Jornada. You need speed and sleek - look not farther than an iPAQ (remeber you need a separate jacket at times).


Some useful pointers   November 20, 2000
magellan (Santa Clara, CA)
70 out of 70 found this review helpful

I've had my IPAQ for several months now and am extremely satisfied with it. Over that time I've learned a few things that might be helpful to to other users, so rather than write another general review, I thought I would post a few suggestions on this, especially for those that may be making the transition from the Palm platform to the iPAQ, (as I did).

The iPAQ saves individual Notes that you make in the sub-directory where you create them in the Notes app area. This results in them initially having a name such as "Work1, Work2, etc. (i.e., if you have a Note directory called Work). This is not very helpful so you have to rename them by doing a "tap and hold" on the file name, and giving it the new name. Otherwise you end of with lots of Notes with non-descript names with numbers at the end. Not too helpful.

For better power management, watch the screen brightness setting which you set from the Settings menu. You can also hit the "Q" button and pop up the Q menu and get to it from there. A lot of times you can reduce the backlight setting and save power and extend battery life. Otherwise running it at the highest intensity you'll only have about 3 hours. Also, in direct sunlight, where the iPAQ works great but the Palm and Casio units wash out totally, you can set it on "power save" mode

If you use the digital recorder function, be careful what you have the settings here. The iPAQ will record anywhere from 8,000 Hz, Mono, 2KB/sec, to 44,100 Hz, 16-bit, stereo, 172 KB/sec. You'll find that even the 22,050 Hz, stereo settings will cause even short notes to take up 300K of space. After a few of these you're out of memory and you'll wonder why. The default setting of 8-bit mono is okay so I just leave it there.

This setting is also hard to find and can be found under Settings\Personal\Input\Options.

I've found my iPAQ to be the best of the Pocket PCs out there. Hope these suggestions help.


No confusion here   December 8, 2000
K. Wilder (Tempe, AZ United States)
69 out of 71 found this review helpful

For those of you are trying to find this very hard to get PDA, Keep in mind that the H3650 and H3630 are the same device. The H3630 model is sent to direct re-salers (i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA, etc), and the H3650 is sent to the online retailers. However, I've noticed on-line that you will see both. I've called compaq to confirm this. Good luck, and good shopping! I've been sold!


Good Choice If   December 18, 2000
64 out of 67 found this review helpful

NOTICE: The IPAQ does not support "Open Host Control" USB.

To check this out right click mycomputer->properties->Device Manager, then look under the USB icon.

If you have that kind of USB you will not be able to sync with the IPAQ through usb. I have been syncing with a serial since and it is terrible. It takes approximately 30 min. to sync an mp3, and at least 20 min. to sync avantgo. If you have an open host controller USB I would not advise getting the IPAQ.

Overall, I have to say that I am very happy with my IPAQ since I can sync at work with a USB.

I have owned the palm IIIc and the Handspring Prism. First the Prism, simply, not worth the money. The only advantage of the prism over the IIIc is the expansion port but the components are so expensive that it isn't worth it. So given the choice I would choose the IIIc over the prism. The screens for all intents and purposes are equal and you will not be able to tell the difference most of the time. My primary reason for getting the IPAQ over any palm type device would be the unit's speaker. I purchased all of my pda's to make sure that I am on schedule but the palm type devices don't have a loud enough speaker to warn me of a meeting. The IPAQ is loud, extremely loud. I also found the palm type devices to be somewhat limiting. In approximately one day you will know the entire machine and you will also know that, that is about all you can do with it. However, on the other had the IPAQ is way more complicated to use and to set up but I feel that if there is something unique that I need to do it will be able to do it.

Before buying the IPAQ I read many reviews and many of them said that Compaq's service was terrible. I must say that I do not agree. As a matter of fact I found there service to be A++ and the operators to be extremely polite and patient.

Also DO NOT buy this unit to play mp3's. It will be maxed out in about 4 standard mp3's because the IPAQ allocates part of it's memory for running programs so in reality you only have about 14 mgs of space to work with for your files. Also don't plan on upgrading the memory for the ipaq since the 64 meg cards cost $310 + $50 (prices from Compaq) for the expansion jacket.

One more note about the available software. There is not as much available software for the IPAQ (or any other PocketPc) as for the Palm devices. So if you want to do something highly specialized plan on spending more money after you get your pocketpc.

I know that I gave alot of cons and little if any pros, eventhough I said I was happy with my unit. I did this primarly because when you are spending [this much] on anything, the cons are way more important.


Compaq iPaq (Pocket PC) vs HP Jornada HPC   January 20, 2001
49 out of 53 found this review helpful

I have owned handheld devices for 10 yrs. My 1st was HP 95LX. I found (as I am writing a technical book), that the keyboard was an important addition. My latest handheld was the HP jornada 690. It was very useful, but the OS was not stable & would crash occasionally (necessitating reformatting of the CF card!!).

I bought the ipaq 3630 pocket pc as it seemed the handhelds were 'going out of style' so to speak, & I wouldn't have as wide of choices of 3rd party software or updates available to my existing applications (if you can't beat them, join them).

I think the ipaq is the best of the pocket pc pdas available. Its very fast, the OS is much more stable. The handwriting recognition is very good & you really don't need the extra HW recognition pgm that comes with it 'Transcriber', as Transcriber is slower too. The battery lasts about 6 hours. (1-2 hours less than the standard Jornada battery). The best settings on the ipaq to save your battery are: turn device off if not used for 1 min + turn off backlight if device is not used for 10 sec. I am using the ipaq with a IBM 1 gig microdrive - this allows for many reference DBs (I have about 9 of them) to be carried with me. The screen is very readable. I have not had a problem with the stylus getting stuck (as I remember to put it back in, in the correct orientation). The MP3 player or making home movies & sound (with digital camera pictures & recorded songs)are fun, but I really don't use that feature much (it uses up your battery fast), & I need this machine for work.

I guess the biggest drawback to the ipaq is what is in common to all pocket pcs & palm devices, the small screen & limited word processing conversions. I have M'soft word documents that are quite long & in a outline form. They are essentially unreadable on a pocket pc even in landscape mode or even converting them to eBooks format with M'soft reader. Reformatting the hidden codes in these MS Word documents even on your desktop to fit a small screen is not a job for the faint of heart. Pocket Word is very limited. I also bought a keyboard for the ipaq, but the keyboard doesn't support 'ctrl B' for bolding, etc. Pocket Excel works great tho.

Syncing with my desktop has been fine, no problems there. With the HP, I could do editing, change excel, get on the Internet etc & really not worry about getting things onto the desktop. With a Pocket PC or Palm, its best to do all your work on the desktop, then sync with the PDA.

I don't bother accessing the Internet from the ipaq so I don't need a modem. If you want to use a modem tho, then you can't use a CF card or the IBM microdrive, as an expansion sleeve only allows a modem OR a card.

The HP Jornada 690 (or now 720), lets you do EVERYTHING but it has a larger footprint & costs more. However I kind of miss it, but it was bigger & I am not sure software developers will support it as enthusiastically as the Pocket PCs which are more consumer oriented.

As for a Palm, if you want anything more than a calender or contacts, forget it. I bought one of these too & returned it the same day. The Palm can only have 1 to max 3 applications open at a time, then it runs out of memory. I have had 9 programs open at once on the iPaq or the HP & never run out of memory & the machine doesn't come to a halt either.