Best PDA ever.
This is no doubt the best PDA ever made. (Not counting the new HP 211, which is the same as this one except it has 128mb RAM).

It is very fast, I can play DVD Quality movies from the SD Card, run Skype and browse the internet without any problems. I can even convert this to a GPS device if I attach a CF GPS antena. Much better than buying a Ipod / dedicated PMP etc.

LOVE my ipaq
I cannot comment on the hp customer service. I have not had to deal with them at all. HOWEVER, i really love my ipaq 4700 series. I had one that was stolen a few months after purchase (it was a refurb, but everything worked perfectly) along with the computer i lost the foldable keyboard, and 5 memory cards for my camera. GRRRR. So we tried to purchase another from HP and were told they no longer make them. There were no refirbs OR regular models left. The reason given was people complained about a 'short' battery life. (of 3 hours or more!) I had to get a 'new' one used on ebay.

This product does have a very large (by PDA standards) screen. That is the #1 reason why we chose this (my dad has an identical one). It is basically a tiny laptop computer, capable of doing nearly everything a laptop can do. Therefore I do not expect the battery to last for days while running things like Word and PowerPoint!!!

I have taken this on trips to the middle east, UK, and all over the US. I have GPS software for it that has been wonderful, as well. It has been dropped more than once with no problems (though I wouldn't recommend that!!)

I can send emails (with pictures) from faraway places, write papers for classes, play solitaire, listen to music (though i tend to use an mp3 player for that so i don't waste ipaq battery time for insignificant functions), and find my way around a strange city all with one device. I can even keep in touch with my family through instant messages when halfway around the world! It is my alarm clock, sound recorder, and basically everything i could need on a trip rolled into one device. (i've even heard of people watching movies on these!)

For additions i recommend a memory card to store all your files on (if the machine goes completely flat battery, or is hard-reset, everything is lost from memory with Windows 2003) and definitely a plug in keyboard if you want to type alot. Bluetooth would work if you don't want to use it on a plane.

It's a great product and i'm sorry HP doesn't make it any more. I haven't seen any other product on the market that compares.

Troublesome....then self-destructs
I had a Dell Axim which I sold on eBay to get the 4700. The Axim was well done and it simply worked. The 4700 has been too troublesome to use regularly. The WiFi software gets moody, PDF files don't always display (has no converter like the Axim does), the backup battery discharges in a couple of days even with the unit off, and doesn't have enough memory for some applications. I've had it about a year, and now it won't boot...just out of warranty. It just comes up with a white screen. I've tried everything, including firmware update using the boot loader. HP Tech support was no help. After paying about $600 for this thing which I haven't used much, now I need to spend a few hundred bucks on repair. It has a great screen though!?! I think I'll take the screen out and sell it on eBay.

I have had good luck with HP customer support
True my relationship has been with HP printers, but they were friendly, shipped me a replacement printer and fast. With computers -and this 4700 is one,- it likely pays to get an extended warranty,or perhaps a rider on one's home insurance policy that covers laptops and PDAs. If the warranty is expired then that ends the base for negotiation as I see it. What surprises me is that there is such a disparity in comments on this 4700 here which is the same as the 4705 except one is retail and one is from HP direct. There have been no such dire comments re early system board failure in the 40 comments at the other page to my recollection... I am keeping fingers crossed on my 4700 unit, and no way I will bump or drop it or let a stranger fondle it. These are not Fujitsu ruggedized units,they are pretty delicate items,especially the TFT screen. I am sorry to hear the bad luck stories and hope I do not become one.

Terribly Flimsy, NO support
I have had my 4705 for just over a year. The unit has been in a steel protective case since I removed it from the box. It has NEVER been dropped or misused in any way. I now have found that the SYSTEM BOARD needs to be replaced. I paid $650.00 for this thing 14 months ago and HP says to fix it is going to cost me $300.00. Are they kidding! I have had a palm for three years that had to have a battery replaced. Thats IT! a battery! HP tells me that I can not expect to get 14 months out of their SYSTEM BOARDS!! I spoke to several people in HP's corporate office and wrote a letter to Mark Hurd (HP's CEO) and was told by everyone in HP "this is corporate policy". I work in the electronics industry maintaining and repairing laptops, PC's, servers, and other LAN equipment, so I know how components fail. I have never heard of anybodys system board fail in 14 months without the manufacturer backing up their product. HP however says once again "this is corporate policy". Well HP I have a new policy that I will share with my company and everyone else "do not go near HP!"