Even people who don't have computers at home can get online with the Compaq iPAQ Home Internet Appliance, IA-1. While the iPAQ IA-1 is limited in its uses to casual browsing, Web-based email, and online shopping, it is inexpensive, easy to set up, and easy to use. The 10.75 x 9 x 5 inch device turns on and off like a TV. It gives users instant connectivity to the Internet and a flashing red light notifies them when they receive new email.

Compaq's iPAQ IA-1 is powered with a 266 MHz AMD K6-2 processor and has 32 MB SDRAM and 16 MB flash memory. It connects online with a 56 K v.90 modem and has an extra RJ-11 pass-through phone jack. It also has four USB ports for a printer, mouse, and other peripherals. It includes a built-in mono-speaker and has a stereo line out for connecting additional speakers.

It features a 10.1 inch flat panel color display that adjusts for any viewing angle, but you can't go very far and still see the small display. It also has wireless keyboard with ten dedicated keys for one-touch access to home page, email, instant messaging, favorites, Compaq support, search, news, shopping, entertainment, and financial services. A push pad on the bottom of the keyboard provides mouse functions.

The iPAQ IA-1 runs MSN Companion, an all-in-one software package that includes Microsoft Windows CE 2.12 operating system and Internet Explorer v4.01 Web browser. Internet connection and services are provided by MSN. It offers Internet-based email and automatically creates an MSN Hotmail account at set-up. Its multimedia support is limited to Windows Media Player for playing audio and video files, including MP3. It also supports Macromedia Flash, HTML, Java, JVM, Cookies, and ActiveX controls and offers 128-bit SSL for secure online transactions. The iPAQ IA-1's automatic upgrade ensures users of the latest and greatest MSN Companion software.

Pricing and Availability

The Compaq iPAQ Home Internet Appliance IA-1 is currently available for $99 with a $400 MSN rebate and $100 Compaq rebate and includes 36 months of MSN Companion Service at $21.95 per month. Without the rebate, it sells for $599.

(For access to more than 4,500 other hands-on product reviews on all variety of wired and wireless appliance and consumer devices, go to the iAppliance Web Portal Page. )