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Review: Compaq iPAQ H3660/H3670By Jørgen Sundgot, Wednesday 30 May 2001
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Compaq's iPAQ H3660/H3670 is exactly similar to the H3630/H3650, but there's one major difference that will let you have more fun with it: It has a whopping 64 MB of RAM.

In today's market, one can wonder if it's still enough just to launch a little over one year-old Pocket PC as a new model with 32 MB extra RAM on top. Fact is, the iPAQ line of Pocket PCs are still ahead of most other PDAs when it comes to its hardware configuration, and that's probably the only reason Compaq could ever allow themselves to release a 64 MB version of its H3600 series iPAQ Pocket PC.

The hardware

Compaq could really benefit from a lesson or two when it comes to what should be in a PDA box. The box is big and filled with unnecessary cardboard, but luckily once I got through all the wrapping I found out that there weren't any unuseful extras. That is, except from the hideous number of different Microsoft instruction this and instruction that leaflets and manuals which Compaq graciously enough had packed in a plastic bag for me to throw away. What then was left was the USB cradle, the power supply, an iPAQ protective sleeve and a leather holster and a getting started CD.

The accompanying iPAQ protective sleeve covers all of the unit's back and comes around the sides
Compaq's line of iPAQ Pocket PCs has a solution that involves so-called "sleeves" that add functionality to the devices. For instance, one sleeve can contain a Compact Flash slot, while another can contain a storage solution or a digital camera module - anything goes, but it'll add a little bulk to the otherwise so slim and good-looking iPAQ. That's right, the H3660/H3670 is an exact clone of the H3630/H3650 (in case you're confused by now, those numbers divided by a / means that it's the same device, just with a different model number depending on where it's sold) and shares its good looks.

The iPAQ also feels rock solid, with the exception of the stylus which looks like it could break if you look too hard at it. It is very much a product with sex appeal, but its good looks are functional as well. There are 7 external hardware buttons on the outside; the power button, placed in the upper right corner on the front, the voice recording activation button placed on topmost on the left side and four application shortcut keys placed on the lower front of the device along with the five-way navigational button that doubles as a speaker.

On the upper front of the device you will also find a LED that is used to indicate the iPAQ's recharging status when in its cradle, and to indicate when you have a reminder. Right next to this LED is also an ambient light sensor that allows your iPAQ to use its unique function of adapting the display brightness to your surroundings, and the built-in microphone. The stylus is located in a fully integrated silo placed right on top of the device, and will eject when you press a button located next to it. Also on the top of the device is the IR port and the earphone jack.

The accompanying protective sleeve will slide on the back to protect a little over 60 per cent of the silvery surface from scratches, and it also improves the grip slightly. You'd better not wave it too much around while your grip is only on the sleeve, because when I gave it a good jiggle to stress test it I found out that its connection to the iPAQ itself was a bit more loose than I liked. In fact, I figured out that I prefer not using it since the iPAQ won't fit in the leather holster of a somewhat dubious quality that accompanied it with the sleeve on.
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