Upgrade an iPAQ hx4700 to 128 MB of RAM

BY: Ed Hardy, Brighthand.com Editor
PUBLISHED: 10/14/2004

While the iPAQ hx4700 has a lot to offer, many were disappointed by HP's decision to put only 64 MB of RAM in this handheld. These people should be pleased to learn that Pocket PC Techs has developed a way to upgrade this model to 128 MB of RAM.

Unlike many of Pocket PC Techs' RAM upgrades, this one does NOT require its proprietary driver. The new RAM is fully recognized by the operating system.

After the upgrade, the hx4700 will have just over 126 MB of user accessible RAM, versus 62 MB for the standard model.

During the upgrade process, Pocket PC Techs will remove the existing 64 MB chip and replace it with a 128 MB chip. This unit uses low-voltage, high-speed BGA memory, so stacking is not available and 128 MB will be the maximum capacity.

This upgrade is not supported by HP and will void the iPAQ's warranty. Pocket PC Techs does offer a 90-day warranty on the upgrade and motherboard of the unit.

This RAM upgrade costs $199, including second-day return shipping (USA only).

For more information or to place an order, visit the Pocket PC Techs web site.

European Customers

European customers will be able to order and ship through Pocket PC Techs' authorized upgrade center, eXpansys.

The handhelds will still be upgraded by Pocket PC Techs, but ordering through eXpansys will save the customer international customs and shipping fees, and shipping time.

To place an order, visit the eXpansys web site.

A Quick Overview of the iPAQ hx4700

The hx4700 is the first iPAQ ever to include a 4-inch VGA display. As this model uses Windows Mobile Second Edition, this screen can be easily switched between portrait and landscape modes.

This device has a 624 MHz Intel XScale processor and it includes both 802.11b and Bluetooth 1.2 wireless networking. It has two memory card slots: a CompactFlash slot and an SD/MMC slot that supports SDIO.

This iPAQ doesn't have a D-pad. Instead, it has a small touchpad below the screen intended to be used with a fingertip.

The list price for this model is $650.

Much more information on the is available in Brighthand's review of the iPAQ hx4700.