HP iPAQ 514 Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the HP iPAQ 514

The HP iPAQ 514, announced in February 2007, was a part of Hewlett-Packard's line of handheld devices that bridged personal digital assistants with the functionalities of a smartphone. Aimed at professionals needing both communication and computing capability on the go, this device provided a blend of modern technology and practicality, though it has since been discontinued.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 107 x 48.6 x 16.3 mm and weighing approximately 102 grams, the HP iPAQ 514 was designed to be compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and handle. The use of a mini-SIM slot ensured compatibility with many GSM networks, and the black color gave it a professional appearance.

Display

The device featured a 2.0-inch TFT screen that supported 65K colors. Although the screen-to-body ratio was a modest 24.2%, it provided sufficient clarity for basic tasks with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density). The display was adequate for viewing emails, browsing the web using its WAP 2.0/xHTML, PocketIE browser, and other standard smartphone tasks at the time.

Performance

The HP iPAQ 514 was powered by a TI OMAP 850 chipset with a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU. Though modest by modern standards, this setup was typical for a device of its class in 2007, allowing it to handle basic multitasking and run applications smoothly enough for business and personal tasks.

Operating System

Running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, the iPAQ 514 allowed users to access Microsoft Office Mobile applications, enabling productivity similar to what users experienced on their desktop computers. The operating system's usability on a smaller screen, however, was dependent on users’ familiarity with the software suite and its capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The device came equipped with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM, allowing users to store a modest amount of data locally. An expansion slot for a microSD card provided users the ability to extend storage and accommodate more files, such as documents, music, and more—an essential feature given the limited internal storage in devices from this era.

Battery Life

The HP iPAQ 514 packed a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, which offered a respectable standby time of up to 188 hours and talk time of up to 6 hours and 30 minutes. This made it a reliable choice for users who required prolonged phone usage for communication while traveling or working remotely.

Camera Features

For imaging, the HP iPAQ 514 included a single 1.3 MP rear camera, which was typical for phones released in the mid-2000s. While it did not feature a front-facing camera, the rear camera allowed users to capture basic photos and video, useful for quick documentation or sharing simple images via email or MMS.

Audio and Communication

The device supported polyphonic ringtones, and MP3 and AAC files, further expanding user personalization options through downloadable content. A built-in loudspeaker ensured that call alerts and media playback could be heard easily in various environments. While it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, users could utilize Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio devices, the Bluetooth 1.2 standard ensuring basic wireless communication capabilities.

Connectivity Options

The connectivity range of the iPAQ 514 included GSM technology supporting 2G bands across GSM 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies, ensuring global connectivity across many networks. The device supported Class 10 GPRS and EDGE, providing basic mobile internet capability for checking emails and browsing with the built-in WAP/HTML browsers. For local area connectivity, it featured support for Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, which was becoming a staple in business environments for wireless networking at the time.

Additional Features

Though lacking positioning sensors such as GPS, the HP iPAQ 514 was built to deliver practicality in communication and basic computing. It maintained connectivity with miniUSB for data transfer—a ubiquitous standard for its time. While it did not have FM radio or specialized sensors, its utility in professional contexts was nevertheless deemed adequate given its price point in the marketplace.

Market Positioning and Pricing

At a launch price of about 90 EUR, the HP iPAQ 514 catered to business users and tech enthusiasts seeking a budget-friendly solution with essential smartphone capabilities. Though it was eventually overshadowed by more advanced smartphones, it remains a notable example of early business-oriented mobile devices.

Conclusion

The HP iPAQ 514 represented an important step in the evolution of mobile technology, bridging the gap between older, simpler mobile phones and modern smartphones with expansive computing capabilities. Despite the limitations imposed by its hardware, it offered meaningful utility and connectivity for its target market, laying the groundwork for future advancements in mobile computing.