Log in

View Full Version : Problems with the DELL Axim....


Cortex
12-03-2002, 04:37 AM
I dont have any but I know someone here does...

Fess up!!! What disappoints you about buying the Axim? :eek:

Jhokur2k
12-03-2002, 07:09 AM
The fact that it isn't here yet :P

ThomasC22
12-03-2002, 07:13 AM
Well, here's a few:

1 - (and number 1 in my book) the case it comes with is AWEFUL! It literally almost doubles the size of the unit. Useless...

2 - Screen is a little small in comparison to the iPaq (since most are coming from an iPaq I would assume)

3 - I wish the JogDial and SD Slot switched places. The Jog dial is lower which makes it difficult.

4 - Flat stylus takes a little getting used to...

That's all I can think of right now, pretty minor issues all and all (the Case really bothers me being there aren't any after-markets available yet)

Rirath
12-03-2002, 07:17 AM
The fact that it isn't here yet

Seconded. Though, my "disappointment" is in the sells rep that messed up my order, charged me for an order I didn't make, and canceled the order that was placed on the 18th! It's because of him I'm still waiting.

Erm... isn't this thread a bit obvious? "It's a little heavy", "The stylus is odd shaped", "the reset button is a little too far in", "I'm confused with what to do with my left over money.", "the screen is could be bigger", "The stylus doesn't have a built in grip warmer to warm my fingers.", "It's an Xscale", "It's not an Ipaq, and I'm not sure how I feel about that."

enemy2k2
12-03-2002, 11:00 AM
The fact that it isn't here yet

Seconded. Though, my "disappointment" is in the sells rep that messed up my order, charged me for an order I didn't make, and canceled the order that was placed on the 18th! It's because of him I'm still waiting.

Erm... isn't this thread a bit obvious? "It's a little heavy", "The stylus is odd shaped", "the reset button is a little too far in", "I'm confused with what to do with my left over money.", "the screen is could be bigger", "The stylus doesn't have a built in grip warmer to warm my fingers.", "It's an Xscale", "It's not an Ipaq, and I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Play nice now, young man :P

mscdex
12-03-2002, 12:47 PM
I really didn't like the cheap plastic stylus, I just couldn't get used to it.

Kati Compton
12-03-2002, 04:12 PM
If I'm not careful, I tend to activate the scrollstick button just by holding the unit. It's where the base of my thumb naturally goes. But I have small hands, so maybe it's different for others.

Now if it was where the *tip* of my thumb goes, that would be useful! :)

I thought I wasn't going to like the rubber side grips but I do.

I kinda wish that the CF slot had a door instead of a "slug". When I put in my memory card the top isn't as smooth and pretty as it was. ;) Not a big deal though.

I don't see why they can't put at least one button on the right side. I know that seems to be PPC convention, but it just seems a bit weird to me that one side is completely lacking in ports/buttons. Probably makes cases work better though.

And speaking of cases, yes the one that comes with it bites. For some reason they chose a cheap case that makes it more than twice as thick as the Axim itself.

ttran
12-03-2002, 05:38 PM
My problem is that I need to upgrade to a new Windows OS on my
notebook. My Win95 just does not cut it as I can't synch with the Axim
via USB :(

theforsh
12-03-2002, 05:42 PM
I have a problem with my axim...
It shipped the same day I ordered it even though the website estimated a three week lead time. Now where am I going to hide it from wife till Christmas.

Mike Temporale
12-03-2002, 06:40 PM
I have a problem with my axim...
It shipped the same day I ordered it even though the website estimated a three week lead time. Now where am I going to hide it from wife till Christmas.

wrapped up under the tree. Where else! :D

Sven Johannsen
12-03-2002, 09:13 PM
My problem is that I need to upgrade to a new Windows OS on my
notebook. My Win95 just does not cut it as I can't synch with the Axim
via USB :(

That's a plus :wink: Just make sure you go to the OEM site and check on drivers.

ThomasC22
12-03-2002, 10:11 PM
Play nice now, young man :P

I would keep my distance from Rirath for the next few days, as his arrival date nears he's liable to be a little..how shall we say...volatile :D

It should all be cured after a little "in hand" time.

Rirath
12-03-2002, 10:27 PM
lol :lol:

Jhokur2k
12-03-2002, 11:43 PM
Sounds like one of my previous posts about leaving my former platform :P

GoldKey
12-03-2002, 11:49 PM
Been playing with it a few hours now. Here are my thoughts. Overall it is great, most of my dislikes are really nitpicky. Size - Great, Feels right in the hand. Stylus, I like the shape, once you get used to it, it feels pretty natural (although I liked the spring loaded one on the Ipaq). Don't like the mirrored finish on the cradle. While cool looking it shows fingerprints. Would have prefered black or the finish of the Axim instead. Jog wheel (not really a wheel, more of a lever) feels kind of cheap, also wish it were switched with the SD slot.

Cortex
12-04-2002, 12:13 AM
it is interesting that

1. they placed the dial where they did
2. they didnt make it similar to prior dials, rather than like a switch/toggle

i haven't heard any complaints about the screen yet...
any dust? banding?

ThomasC22
12-04-2002, 02:07 AM
i haven't heard any complaints about the screen yet...
any dust? banding?

Neither. I haven't heard of dust problems on Transflective screens though so I don't know if that has ever been a problem. As for banding, I've played videos on it and the looked perfect.

Kati Compton
12-04-2002, 04:17 AM
it is interesting that

1. they placed the dial where they did
2. they didnt make it similar to prior dials, rather than like a switch/toggle

i haven't heard any complaints about the screen yet...
any dust? banding?

No dust in mine. I don't see banding, but since this is my first Pocket PC perhaps I'm less likely to notice.

What I *do* see, but really only while the unit is in the cradle and thus I'm looking down at the screen at an angle, is areas at the bottom where it looks like... how can I describe it... It looks as if there are 6 white LEDs spaced equally along the bottom behind the screen, so the screen is slightly brighter in the command bar at those 6 LED-wide locations. But like I said, it's only at an angle. Maybe it's just mine...

I actually find the jog-stick easy to use, and I like how it works. Less thumb movement required than for a real dial. I just disagree slightly with its positioning, and I think it might be better received if there were more physical resistance while using it.

Janak Parekh
12-04-2002, 05:05 AM
No dust in mine. I don't see banding, but since this is my first Pocket PC perhaps I'm less likely to notice.
Actually, you won't see dust in backlight screens (e.g., transmissive or transflective), even if it's there. Dust is only really visible with sidelit screens.

My T68, for example, has dust if you look at it in the sunlight on an extreme angle, but face-up in standard ambient light you'd never be able to notice the dust.

--bdj

Sslixtis
12-04-2002, 05:12 PM
Ok, is it just my Axim(or user error)or does everyones power button require you to press it to turn on the unit and then press and hold it to get the light to come on???

Also, as for there being no after market cases for the Axim try EB Cases they have a couple that fit the Axim quite nicely. :wink: You can even request new styles/products!

http://www.ebcases.com/StoreFront.bok

GoldKey
12-04-2002, 05:17 PM
Ok, is it just my Axim(or user error)or does everyones power button require you to press it to turn on the unit and then press and hold it to get the light to come on???

Also, as for there being no after market cases for the Axim try EB Cases they have a couple that fit the Axim quite nicely. :wink: You can even request new styles/products!

http://www.ebcases.com/StoreFront.bok

No problem with the backlight on powerup.

I looked at EB, are you referring to their Generic cases or do they have something tailored to the axim that I am missing.

Sslixtis
12-04-2002, 06:03 PM
Ok, it was user error, I had unchecked the "Light the display if a button is pressed" check box under brightness>Battery Power :oops:

Yeah, I was refering to the Generic cases they have available right now, however if all of us new Axim users request a slipper type case under their request new product option, I'm sure they will make us our own case! :wink: I'm also keeping an eye on Pocket Solutions, they are working on an Anodized Aluminium Flip Cover for the Axim.

All I can really say about my Axim is WOW. I was using the iPaq 3955, and while the iPaq does have a brighter 3.78" screen, the performance of my Axim kills my iPaq! The SD card integration is much better, no more losing track of where the program/eBook is on the SD card, no more lag when exiting certain programs and with the CF slot built in and a removeable battery, no more Sleeves!!! WooHoo!! Since I no longer have to use a Sleeve my PDA is now much smaller and lighter :lol:

Kati Compton
12-04-2002, 07:01 PM
Ok, is it just my Axim(or user error)or does everyones power button require you to press it to turn on the unit and then press and hold it to get the light to come on???


I seem to remember having to do that at one point, but now it turns on with the light. Not sure what I did. Check the Brightness settings.

GoldKey
12-04-2002, 08:01 PM
Two more little nickpics.

1. Don't know if this happens on all handhelds with built in slots, but did not on the Ipaq with sled. When ejecting or inserting either CF or SD cards, the unit powers on automatically.

2. Maybe I am just not use to it yet, but it takes me two hands to set it properly in the cradle.

Kati Compton
12-04-2002, 08:02 PM
2. Maybe I am just not use to it yet, but it takes me two hands to set it properly in the cradle.

I can get it into the cradle with one hand. Getting it *out* is more of a problem for me. I can do it 1-handed, but only clumsily.

GoldKey
12-04-2002, 08:03 PM
Actually 3, forgot one

3. Switcher Bar has a problem closing active sync. If active sync is up and choose to close it from the switcher bar I get "ActiveSync is not responding..."

ThomasC22
12-04-2002, 08:03 PM
2. Maybe I am just not use to it yet, but it takes me two hands to set it properly in the cradle.

Cradle placement is a problem for me too, it's not huge but it is inconvienent. But, the glowing "Dell" is so cool I'm willing to look past :)

GoldKey
12-04-2002, 08:04 PM
But, the glowing "Dell" is so cool I'm willing to look past :)

Agreed, it is kind of like a little reward for setting it in properly.

Sslixtis
12-04-2002, 10:51 PM
I had to use 2 hands when putting mine in the cradle at first, but it seems to have loosened up a bit now and I can put it in one handed :wink:

GoldkeyDon't know if this happens on all handhelds with built in slots, but did not on the Ipaq with sled. When ejecting or inserting either CF or SD cards, the unit powers on automatically.


I don't know about all, but my HP 568 used to do that when I inserted or removed the CF card.

The Dell light is really cool, and I also like the red/green light on the side of the cradle for the extra battery that lets you know when the backup is fully charged. I can't wait for the Extended battery to come out!

dartman
12-05-2002, 03:56 PM
You guys are making it hard for me not to pull the trigger on my Dell shopping cart with the Axim in it. I have until 12/6, tomorrow, to decide.

I have the 15% discount for small busines as well as the $50 rebate.

None of the problems you talk about are significant to me.

It's probably time to retire my Ipaq 3635 but I can't decide whether to wait for the next model Dell with (hopefully) built in BT and/or WiFi.

dart

GoldKey
12-05-2002, 04:43 PM
None of the problems you talk about are significant to me.



I agree, all of the problems I have mentioned are insignificant. I think the fact that we are noticing these little things speaks well of there being no major problems.

dartman
12-05-2002, 05:56 PM
goldkey wrote:

I agree, all of the problems I have mentioned are insignificant. I think the fact that we are noticing these little things speaks well of there being no major problems.

Good point. Sounds like they have done a lot of things correctly. I use my Ipaq a lot but I've always been disappointed with the battery life when I use it out of the cradle. (I think by this time the original battery capacity is decreasing which makes it worse. ) It's pretty worthless with a WiFi card into my office network because of the additional drain. I wonder if the devices with internal WiFi connections are easier on the battery?

Being able to swap batteries as well as a higher capacity will make me more comfortable trying to be "mobile" with it.

Still haven't made up my mind. Tick Tick Tick

dart

garretwp
12-05-2002, 06:38 PM
I say purchase the axim what can go wrong if your not happy with it return it. You have 30days to play with it. :) order it now and maybe youll get it before christmas as i now see the ship date being pushed to the 30th now.


Garrett

garretwp
12-05-2002, 06:41 PM
Thats odd when i go for a education purchase it says the 30th for ship date and they are charging me for shipping and tax. but when i purchased it on the 2nd it didnt charge me for either. hmmm very stange but also the home or home office purchase the date for shipping is the 20th and not the 30th. very weird.

Garrett

Pat Logsdon
12-05-2002, 06:45 PM
Thats odd when i go for a education purchase it says the 30th for ship date and they are charging me for shipping and tax. but when i purchased it on the 2nd it didnt charge me for either. hmmm very stange but also the home or home office purchase the date for shipping is the 20th and not the 30th. very weird.

Garrett
My understanding is that if you use a discount code, they'll charge you tax. Not sure if that's the law, or just their policy, but in my case, the 10% discount minus the tax would only have saved me 10 bucks. :(

Not sure about the shipping thing, though. They had a free shipping thing going for a while (for 5 day UPS), but not sure if it's still going on.

mscdex
12-06-2002, 02:38 AM
How long would the battery in the Axim X5 last if you had it on the Power Save backlight setting, with moderate use (Word, RealOne Player, a few games)?

I'm thinking about switching from my ipaq 3635 to the dell axim x5, but I want to know some (a lot?) useful benchmarks on the battery.

Kati Compton
12-06-2002, 07:47 AM
Not that this is recommended usage, but does anyone else notice background hiss & other noise when playing .mp3's through the speaker on the Axim? I don't hear it through headphones, just the speaker.

Sslixtis
12-06-2002, 09:18 AM
garretwpThats odd when i go for a education purchase it says the 30th for ship date and they are charging me for shipping and tax. but when i purchased it on the 2nd it didnt charge me for either. hmmm very stange but also the home or home office purchase the date for shipping is the 20th and not the 30th. very weird.

Not sure about the shipping part but the Tax charge is mandated by the government for all sales other than home/home office and they are required to charge tax on those in TX where they are based. It's on the Dell site in the fine print :wink:

mscdexHow long would the battery in the Axim X5 last if you had it on the Power Save backlight setting, with moderate use (Word, RealOne Player, a few games)?

I've only had my Axim 400Mhz for a couple of days now and the battery life on the Auto setting for the CPU speed with backlight on max is excellent, it was at 65% battery life after about 3 hours of reading and listening to 9 MP3s with headphones. It seems to be much better on battery life than my iPaq 3955, and without having the CF Plus sleeve makes it about half the size and weight. :lol:

kati42Not that this is recommended usage, but does anyone else notice background hiss & other noise when playing .mp3's through the speaker on the Axim? I don't hear it through headphones, just the speaker.

It seems that I have more static and noise with the speaker on the Axim than I did on my 3955 however this only seems to hold true for the lower bit rates (under 128Kbps) I will give the iPaq credit for its powerful little speaker. :P

I must say that I am extremely happy with my Axim! :D

Kati Compton
12-06-2002, 05:58 PM
Actually, I think the noise may not be the speaker...

I have a constant low-level crackle/hiss from somewhere. At first I suspected the speaker, but I can hear it just as clearly from putting my ear up to the CF slot. It's not broadcast over headphones. It's there whether or not the backlight is on, whether or not the volume is muted. It gets slightly louder while a sound is "played" even on mute.

This could just be my unit. I'd be interested in hearing if others are having the same problem.

dartman
12-06-2002, 09:20 PM
I say purchase the axim what can go wrong if your not happy with it return it. You have 30days to play with it. :) order it now and maybe youll get it before christmas as i now see the ship date being pushed to the 30th now.


Garrett

Ok, I was hinting around for some "bad influence" to talk me into ordering. Thanks!

It's gonna have to be pretty terrible for me to give it back in 30 days.

I ordered last night and got my 15% Dell small business discount + the $50 mail in rebate. Web site today says ship date 12/19, status "shipping".

dart

mscdex
12-07-2002, 07:53 AM
Right now, the only thing stopping me from buying the new Dell Axim is it's foldable keyboard. It looks HUGE compared to the Stowaway from Targus. Also, judging by the picture on the site, it looks kinda ugly and clunky. :?

othell
12-07-2002, 10:38 PM
I ordered last night and got my 15% Dell small business discount + the $50 mail in rebate. Web site today says ship date 12/19, status "shipping".

You mean that it's already shipping to you? It's passed the "In Production" Phase and is on its way??

Ekkie Tepsupornchai
12-08-2002, 12:04 AM
You mean that it's already shipping to you? It's passed the "In Production" Phase and is on its way??
Uh oh! Do I sense another customer peeved about Dell's inconsistent shipping?

Sslixtis
12-08-2002, 12:30 AM
ekkieUh oh! Do I sense another customer peeved about Dell's inconsistent shipping?

This makes perfect sense to me.

Business get theirs as fast as possible, because of potential quantity sales.
Home cunsumer next as a core market, Education last due to the fact that generally speaking people in the field of education are underpaid making it a less likely volume market for a $200-$300 product that most people can do without.

But hey, what can I say, i'm an admitted capitalist :lol:

Cheers!

Jhokur2k
12-08-2002, 09:50 AM
Something wierd I just noticed on mine - now, I'm only asking this because I've not had a ppc before, but is it normal for the backup battery to drain? I've only had mine since thursday, and charged the main battery for over 6 hours the first night (put it on the charger around 5, had to go out for the night, came home after 11.) Everything is fine, except today I checked the battery out of the cradle - main battery is 100%, backup battery is 90% :o :o is it normal to drain 10% of the coin cell battery in 3 days time? Is this from leaving it in the cradle to charge constantly? How often would I change the backup battery? Tell me to RTFM if it's there :lol: *didn't see anything, kinda skimmed over it since it looked to only cover the basics*

Pat Logsdon
12-08-2002, 10:15 AM
Something wierd I just noticed on mine - now, I'm only asking this because I've not had a ppc before, but is it normal for the backup battery to drain? I've only had mine since thursday, and charged the main battery for over 6 hours the first night (put it on the charger around 5, had to go out for the night, came home after 11.) Everything is fine, except today I checked the battery out of the cradle - main battery is 100%, backup battery is 90% :o :o is it normal to drain 10% of the coin cell battery in 3 days time? Is this from leaving it in the cradle to charge constantly? How often would I change the backup battery? Tell me to RTFM if it's there :lol: *didn't see anything, kinda skimmed over it since it looked to only cover the basics*
There's a thread about this issue here:
http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/forum/showthread.php?s=654f445f61affe2650eccff6f4ed4800&postid=115345#post115345

Seems like it might be the monitoring program, ambient temperature, or maybe both...

Rirath
12-08-2002, 10:26 AM
Tell me to RTFM if it's there

Sorry, can't help... but I'll check mine now too. O_o; Anyway, I about bust a gut reading that. :lol:

Jhokur2k
12-08-2002, 05:14 PM
Hehe I may be a tech, but sometimes even I can overlook things :)

erikadams
12-10-2002, 10:05 PM
When i sync with my PC i get weird fonts/symbols in my notes, tasks, and notes portion of calendar. Whats a guy to do?

I have a picture of the screen to better explain but cant figure out how to insert it.