The iPAQ Desktop Personal Computer was Compaq Computer Corporation’s branded take on the EasyNow PC platform, a legacy-free PC design that AMD, as chip vendor, promoted around 2000. Both aimed at a simple, internet-capable computer that was easier to set up than a beige tower. The oval shaped PC in a translucent case invited iMac comparisons, and owners still found a portable desktop computer that left room to upgrade.
Compaq iPAQ Desktop vs EasyNow PC
The iPAQ Desktop and the EasyNow PC are one hardware idea sold under two names. “iPAQ” was Compaq’s product label, and “EasyNow” was the underlying platform design. The sections below cover where the units differed in looks, parts, software and sales.
Design and Appearance
The iPAQ Desktop shipped as two variants with different styling, and the white case is the one most people picture. A blue version also existed but was less common, so it is the harder find today. The translucent case and oval-shaped PC outline invited iMac comparisons, though practitioners tend to describe the machine as a portable desktop computer rather than a style statement.
Clipper and the Flat-Panel Relatives
- Clipper: The Windows CE-based version, a stripped-down internet-capable computer rather than a full PC.
- Flat-Panel iPAQs: Integrated-display relatives that sit in the same family tree and are often confused with the tower-style units.
- Backpack: An add-on module that reportedly changed the rear profile and what the machine could plug into.
Processor
Early systems relied on AMD chips, with the K6-2 and K6-III running at roughly 500 MHz, while later builds are reported to have used Intel Celeron and Pentium III parts in a PGA370 socket, reaching about 1 GHz. The EasyNow platform was meant to be chip-flexible, so the processor inside depended on the build and on whether it reached buyers through direct and retail channels.
| Era | Typical Chips | Approximate Speed |
| Early systems | AMD K6-2, AMD K6-III | Around 500 MHz |
| Later builds | Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium III (PGA370 socket) | Up to about 1 GHz |
Ports and Connectivity
The first version was legacy free, so peripherals connected easily over USB ports, including USB ports on front. That suited buyers with minimal technical skills. Documentation describes a backpack accessory that restored PS/2 ports, serial ports and parallel ports and added 3 additional USB ports for older gear. The second version was a more traditional model with different styling, and it carried legacy ports built in. In practice, the two models differ mainly in how much old hardware they tolerate.
Ease of Use and Upgrade
The iPAQ Desktop was easy to use and upgrade, with very few limitations for a machine of its size. The EasyNow PC platform and AMD’s reference design aimed at tool-free access to the CPU, RAM sockets and hard drives. Technicians who service these units note that expansion cards, hard drives and Multi-Bay drives can be interchanged. That upgradability is the machine’s strongest argument against its “appliance” reputation, and a first-time owner could manage the work.
Availability and Release
The platform was announced in 1999, and Compaq units began appearing in 2000. Press coverage at the time said units would arrive later this month, with sales through direct and retail channels. Early systems came with Windows 98 pre-installed, and Windows 2000 followed. Windows XP is the practical limit today, partly because the Intel815 Windows XP Drivers exist for the chipset. Windows Vista and Windows 7 are poor fits, since the onboard video chip and a low RAM limit hold the desktop back. The EasyNow platform was built for its era, not for later operating systems.
Multi-Bay Slot
The Multi-Bay slot accepts interchangeable HP/Compaq drive modules, including optical drives, a 3.5 inch secondary hard disk device, a floppy disk drive or an LS SuperDisk drive. The format is shared with Compaq Armada laptop computer systems, so modules from those machines may fit. A common trap is assuming standard Multi-Bay floppy drives will work; reports say they do not work in this slot, so check the module before buying.
Cooling and Noise
The iPAQ Desktop runs quietly, since the low-output components rely partly on convection cooling and low noise was a selling point. A dB reading at the desk was seldom the issue, and the machine suited office environments. Dust in the vents, not fan noise, is the fault most commonly found on older units.
RAM
The system takes 168-pin SDR SDRAM at 100 MHz, and the Intel 815 series chipset caps installed memory at 512 MB. The memory is upgradable, but the BIOS reports internal RAM at system boot, and a user who exceeds the RAM limit may see boot trouble. The usual fix is to decrease RAM installed until the machine starts reliably.
Internet Appliance Models
The internet appliance models were cut-down iPAQ units built for very basic use, with very few ports and a compact operating system. Around the year 2000, Compaq customized them for different markets. They ran a Windows CE build, with Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger and the Microsoft Network sign-up on a start-up screen, and some reportedly reached Canada. A BeIA variant, based on BeOS, used the Opera or Wagner web browser instead. France Télécom’s Minitel client was another variant. Most had a dial-up connection and a 10BASE-T Ethernet port, and a CD-ROM drive was rare. Some had a command line for administrators. Commercial environments with a company logo on the start-up screen were an obvious target.
Instant On and Power Management
The “Instant On” feature promised a boot time of about 15 seconds. It relied on advanced power management and a sleep mode so the machine could wake without a full re-start. Those figures were vendor claims, and real-world results varied with the operating system.
Manufacturing Partners
The EasyNow platform reached buyers through partners making PCs for regional markets. First came Compaq, then Biostar Group, alongside AMD. Others tied to the platform include Sofmap, CyberMax, Tecnodiffusione, Education to Home, Pionex, Proton, Dixon’s, Leo Systems, Gentry Tokyo and Softsell. Their exact roles varied from builder to seller, so treat any single firm’s role as uncertain without a source.
AMD Statement
AMD framed the platform as a way to expand the market for stylish, easy-to-use personal computers. Dana Krelle, VP of marketing for the Computation Products Group, spoke for the company, saying AMD believed the EasyNow platform design could reach buyers that conventional PCs had not. The wording above is a paraphrase, so check the original press release before quoting it.
