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View Full Version : Dell Axim X30 Reviewed by PCWorld


Pat Logsdon
06-21-2004, 11:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,116418,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/arti...d,116418,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"By now it's no secret that Dell has built an empire by selling high-quality equipment at terrific prices (achieved by eliminating intermediaries and--I suspect--squeezing suppliers mercilessly). That strategy has turned the company into a PDA powerhouse in less than two years.<br /><br />For Pocket PC fans, Dell's entrance into the market has meant tough competition for the likes of Hewlett-Packard's and Toshiba's handhelds. But I can't deny that Dell's Axim X30 is one of the best PDA values out there. (We received it too late to include in the current Top 10 chart, however.) Prices start at $199, and $349 gets you a slim, lightweight device with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the latest version of the Windows Mobile OS, a 624-MHz Bulverde processor (the successor to Intel's XScale), plus 64MB each of ROM and RAM."<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040620_aximreview.jpg" /> <br /><br />PCWorld has a fairly high-level review of the Dell Axim X30. Oh, and they talk a bit about something called a Zire. There's also some stuff about a company called Sony that left the PDA market. For those of you that actually have the 624-MHz X30, what do you think? Was it worth it, or do you wish you'd waited for a VGA model?

jonathanchoo
06-21-2004, 11:40 AM
Oh, and they talk a bit about something called a Zire. There's also some stuff about a company called Sony that left the PDA market.

1/3rd of the article was for the Zire 72 and Sony has not left the PDA market. They will continue to introduce new PDA models (as with other super cool electronic gadgets) to the Japanese markets while the rest of the World weeps like Victorian urchin stuck with primitive Axims, Zires and iPaqs.

The review was nice especially for the Z72.

foldedspace
06-21-2004, 12:49 PM
I just wish mine would come. Only 2 more weeks, though....before it ships. Here's hoping it works great out of the box.

Don't Panic!
06-21-2004, 01:25 PM
I've had mine for two weeks now and I've got to say this is an excellent device for the money. My only gripes are with the stylus and the lack of a CF slot. Out of the box the battery was at 12% so some charging is called for before you can take advantage of the high powered chip and new OS. Bluetooth and wireless setup was extremely fast and simple. Videos and games run smoother than ever. Having been an E-125 owner I'm usd to a square shaped device so the feel and fit of the X30 was very familiar. one last gripe 'the battery' SPB gprs monitor reports 2 hours and 25 minutes on a full charge wheras my HP2215 reports 4 hours plus. Get an extra battery as one of your first accessories and you'll be golden.

Don't Panic!
Bobby

foldedspace
06-21-2004, 01:59 PM
I'll be getting the Mugen 1100 before the X30high arrives. Still debating about screen protectors....I hate the hard plastic ones that slide under the edges of the screen, and the sticky ones kill the look of the display.

Jonathan1
06-21-2004, 02:50 PM
For Pocket PC fans, Dell's entrance into the market has meant tough competition

It also means, I'm sorry to say, beige box syndrome has set in on the Pocket PC. Dell doesn't in any way shape or form innovate and their devices are about as boring as Palm. Heck at least the Tungsten takes some risks in its design. Dell's PPC's? *shrugs* Boring.

silver99
06-21-2004, 03:42 PM
I think any handheld now without a VGA screen is not worth buying - it's clearly time to start bumping up the technical specs of most handhelds - this market is so SLOOOOOOOOW. It seems like phones are the fastest to integrate technology compared to PDAs.

24va
06-21-2004, 03:44 PM
May not be very pretty, but it is EXTREMELY functional! Best PPC I've owned!

tthiel
06-21-2004, 03:55 PM
I wouldn't crow too much. You better hope that Palm is still around for a long time because once Microsoft owns the handheld market innovation will cease. The meager Pocket PC OS updates have been pretty pathetic as it is. Maybe now that the Tablet PC has failed miserably Microsft will put more resources into Pocket PC. The Pocket PC interface is still a joke.

"By now it's no secret that Dell has built an empire by selling high-quality equipment at terrific prices (achieved by eliminating intermediaries and--I suspect--squeezing suppliers mercilessly). That strategy has turned the company into a PDA powerhouse in less than two years.

For Pocket PC fans, Dell's entrance into the market has meant tough competition for the likes of Hewlett-Packard's and Toshiba's handhelds. But I can't deny that Dell's Axim X30 is one of the best PDA values out there. (We received it too late to include in the current Top 10 chart, however.) Prices start at $199, and $349 gets you a slim, lightweight device with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the latest version of the Windows Mobile OS, a 624-MHz Bulverde processor (the successor to Intel's XScale), plus 64MB each of ROM and RAM."

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040620_aximreview.jpg

PCWorld has a fairly high-level review of the Dell Axim X30. Oh, and they talk a bit about something called a Zire. There's also some stuff about a company called Sony that left the PDA market. For those of you that actually have the 624-MHz X30, what do you think? Was it worth it, or do you wish you'd waited for a VGA model?

foldedspace
06-21-2004, 05:24 PM
I think any handheld that costs 500-600 dollars can take a flying leap...VGA screen or not. The Dell has the latest processor and OS, plus has wireless and BT built-in in a pretty small package for cheap.

And as far as the interface being a joke, I don't see that at all. I always thought my PPC interfaced with my PC a lot better in fact. The Tungsten C is pretty nice, but since I don't buy these things for the PIM features, the mono sound makes it worthless to me.

It's all about what you want to do with your device.

gohtor
06-21-2004, 06:18 PM
I got mine for about a week now. Dell had neglected to include a usb sync cable so I was without 3rd party apps for a while. I like the unit but I miss my 1940 more. Wifi was annoying switching from one access point to another required me to either reset the unit or fiddle around with browsing for the new network.

I've also encountered problems losing emails from this Dell using Exchange server syncronization. I posted it on the newsgroup. If anyone else has had the same problem I'd like to hear about it.

I still like to have a vga screen to really make use of terminal services but pricepoint was may major buying factor for this Dell x30.

Definately a worthy buy if you're not too concerned about getting a vga ppc.

crispeto
06-21-2004, 07:10 PM
This is my 6th PPC and the X30 is by far and away the best I've owned. I got the high end for $300. BT, WiFi, 624mhz, and Windows Moble 2003SE. I've had 0 problems with this unit. Nothing comares to that.

CoreyJF
06-21-2004, 07:53 PM
For Pocket PC fans, Dell's entrance into the market has meant tough competition

It also means, I'm sorry to say, beige box syndrome has set in on the Pocket PC. Dell doesn't in any way shape or form innovate and their devices are about as boring as Palm. Heck at least the Tungsten takes some risks in its design. Dell's PPC's? *shrugs* Boring.

How many other devices are on the market right now with a 624 processor, and WM Second edition? Ignoring the fact it has duel wireless and a price point well under the competition.

torok
06-21-2004, 09:32 PM
It also means, I'm sorry to say, beige box syndrome has set in on the Pocket PC. Dell doesn't in any way shape or form innovate and their devices are about as boring as Palm. Heck at least the Tungsten takes some risks in its design. Dell's PPC's? *shrugs* Boring.

Ah, so you think that a tech product is innovative is it looks cool? I like the look of the X30. Nice and clean. And it's got more hardware then any other PDA available at the least price. Seems pretty innovative to me.

alcdroid
06-22-2004, 03:01 AM
I think the x30 is definitely worth it, considering the price. It is quite powerful and I can do without the VGA screen. Although impressive, i was just not comfortable looking at it when I was playing around with the Toshiba e805.

Cheers!