Pocket PC Techs' HP iPAQ hx4700 Series 64MB to 128MB Internal RAM Upgrade Service

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

November 09, 2004

Product Requirements:
HP iPAQ hx4700 / hx4705 PDA

One of the few disappointments that I have had from the beginning of owning my HP iPAQ hx4700 PDA is the fact that it only came with 64MB internal RAM. While this may sound generous enough, especially when one considers that the iPAQ File Store includes an additional 128MB of ROM storage space, it really isn't. As I explained in Julie's and my review, "Be aware that no matter where a program is stored, it will be moved to RAM when it is time for it to actually run. That is where the SDRAM comes into play. The 64MB SDRAM is basically split in half. While one-half is available for loading programs, the other half is necessary for running the programs. Therefore, the fewer programs you can actually load in main memory, the faster the PDA will run and the more program-running memory will be available. Since there is only 64MB to begin with, it seems as if without even trying the memory will just dwindle. This makes me think that 128MB SDRAM would have been a wiser use of extra memory, rather than such a large File Store..."

 Even with only the applications that had to be stored in the main memory of my iPAQ loaded there, my Memory Manager looked like this...

Within just a few days of owning PAQo, as my 4700 was christened, I knew that he was something special. Unlike other PDAs that have quickly come and gone, the screen and form factor of this PDA ensured that it would be my daily driver for a long time. With that in mind, I did what many women will try to do when they are in a relationship with someone that is just slightly less than perfect - I decided to "change him" for the better. Luckily for me, this would not be hard to do.

By the time Julie and I were writing our joint review, I knew that I would be sending PAQo to Pocket PC Techs for their 64MB to 128MB internal RAM upgrade service. I hadn't actually received any low memory warnings yet, but it seemed like it was only a matter of time before programs such as Where is My RAM? could no longer pin-point what was happening to my rapidly shrinking internal memory.

Before I carefully wrapped my iPAQ for his journey to California, I ran Spb Benchmark, just to see how the numbers played before any improvements were done. It took about 30 minutes for this series of tests to run, and by the looks of all the subjects covered it appears to have been quite thorough. The following are the results of the tests run on my freshly hard-reset iPAQ, as well as the results on my iPAQ after Pocket PC Tech's upgrade.

One caveat: I am not sure why none of the Active Sync tests worked in my tests, but I am afraid that they are why my 4700's average was not higher in the Spb Benchmark Index. If you take each test individually however, you will see that the memory upgrade actually had a very positive impact on the iPAQ's performance .

I am getting a little bit ahead of myself here, so let me go back to the ordering process for just a moment. When you decide to take the plunge and get the memory upgrade, you'll place your order online.  Pocket PC Techs will email the packing & shipping instructions to you shortly. You'll have to pay to ship your item to them by the carrier of your choice, I chose next day air and Pocket PC Techs provided 2nd day return shipping after they had completed the upgrade. Basically, I sent PAQo in on Monday and got him back Friday morning.

According to the Pocket PC Tech's site, "During the upgrade process we remove the existing 64MB and install 128MB. This memory upgrade does NOT require our proprietary driver and is fully recognized by the OS (126.27MB Available). This unit uses low voltage hi-speed BGA memory, so stacking is not available and 128MB will be the maximum capacity."

When I received my iPAQ, I was pleasantly surprised to see the deluxe box that he arrived in...

Inside the gray plastic envelope was my much-missed 4700, along with a Klear Screen sample pack.   

After unwrapping my iPAQ, I was tempted to immediately charge its battery and then reload all of its programs...but I held off until I could once again perform the Spb Benchmark test, the results were of which were shown above.

Once I had restored all of my programs to the iPAQ and had got everything set up once again, I was pleased to see my new main storage RAM figures.

A sight for sore eyes - 126.27MB RAM

As some of you may recall from Julie's and my review, "I conducted a test with BatteryBench .NET where I ran the 4700 on half bright (my usual brightness setting) to 5% battery life. The iPAQ lasted for 280 minutes, or a total of 4 hours, 40 minutes." With the iPAQ freshly re-loaded with all of my programs, I re-ran the same battery test under the same conditions, and the iPAQ lasted for 344 minutes, or a total of 5 hours 44 minutes. I have no idea why the iPAQ actually performed better this time, it may have something to do with my battery now being broken in, but whatever the case, I can certainly live with the results.

There are a couple of down-sides to sending your brand new iPAQ in for the upgrade service. The first is that the memory upgrade will void your factory warranty. For this reason, I think it is best to use your iPAQ for a bit and make sure that there are no obvious factory defects. Pocket PC Techs actually recommend that you wait until close to the end of your warranty period. Of course, if there are any known issues with your device, then you should send it in for warranty work first. Once upgraded, Pocket PC Techs will provide a 90 day warranty on their parts and labor, as well as on the motherboard of your Pocket PC.

This is the third brand new Pocket PC that I have sent to Leonard and Mack, and I have to say that I have never regretted "losing" my factory warranty on any of these PDAs for even a second. Pocket PC Techs inspires that much confidence in me. Their staff has over thirty years of combined experience doing these type memory upgrades. What's great is while they have your unit cracked, they will examine everything - checking to make sure that all is well. I am not sure if this applies to every iPAQ, but according to their site, "We have noticed that Compaq has implemented several ECNs (Engineering Change Notices). These ECNs involve adding several small rubber feet between the main board and the screen assembly as well as a Mylar shield over a portion of the board.  We install these items during the upgrade. The result is a unit that has less chance of failing in the future." These guys really know their stuff!

I know that there will be some who'll wonder why anyone would drop this kind of money on 128MB of internal RAM, when one can easily buy a 1GB SD card for under $75. It's simple really. Just as you would want the largest amount of RAM on your home computer, you can get the same type of benefits from a larger amount of internal RAM in your Pocket PC. Internal RAM is what makes a computer run faster and better, and it will do the same for your iPAQ or other Pocket PC device.

Price: $199
Read the 90 day warranty terms here.

Pros:
Doubled internal RAM
Increased performance in many areas
No decrease to battery life - mine has actually increased

Cons:
Voids factory warranty
It's not cheap