Dell Axim 400 or Ipaq 3970 - if same price?

[KuroNeko]

Due to a local special deal, I can get an Ipaq 3970 (same specs as Axim 400Mhz model, added Bluetooth) for approximately the same price.

Which to choose..?

Neko

[KuroNeko]

Due to a local special deal, I can get an Ipaq 3970 (same specs as Axim 400Mhz model, added Bluetooth) for approximately the same price.

Which to choose..?

Neko

[Kaber]

This is a no brainer. iPAQ all the way. The amount of accessories for iPAQs is nearly endless. And if you can get it for the price of a DELL buy two and sell one. :wink:

[etalianstallion]

Or even better, buy 4 of them and sell 3 of them on ebay, keep one for yourself. The 4th unit that you keep for yourself will almost be free.

Seriously though, this really depends on what you want to use it for. The bluetooth is nice on the iPAQ since it is integrated, but if you don't have any other Bluetooth-enabled devices then it does not matter too much anyway.

If you are going to need storage space, the Dell makes more sense since CF memory is cheaper than SD, although prices for both seem to be coming down. The iPAQ will require a sleeve if you want to use CF cards.

I do like the screen on the iPAQ better than the Dell simply because it is a little bit bigger and slightly brighter. You won't be able to differentiate the brightness unless you have both side by side.

If there are many accessories that you are planning to get, then go with the iPAQ since it is a form factor where many accessories are already available.

If battery life is an issue then go with the Dell. The battery on the iPAQ is not removable.

Guess that doesn't do much to help you pick one except to weigh some of the pros and cons. Personally, I'm very pleased with my Axim X5. It's got all the features I was looking for (a very practical PPC), for almost half the price of the iPAQ at the time that I started shopping for my PPC.

[Pat Logsdon]

I'd go with the Axim, mostly due to its two slots.

Yes, the Ipaq has a lot of expansion capability, but a) they require expansion packs which makes the PDA bigger and heavier, and b) most of what you'll want/need is available in CF format, and will work in the Axim's CF slot.

Also, the battery in the Axim is removable, and even then lasts quite a bit longer than the non-removable Ipaq battery.

Plus, you get a cool cradle with the Axim. C'mon - cool cradle! How can you resist? :wink:

[Kaber]

Has anyone seen a 3970 in a cf sleeve next to an Axim? Is there a difference in size?

[etalianstallion]

Straight from the product spec sheets:

Dell Axim X5 dimensions (in inches):
5.04 x 3.21 x 0.71
weight = 6.9 oz.

Compaq iPAQ 3975 dimensions (in inches):
5.3 x 3.3 x 0.6
weight =6.5 oz.

iPAQ is both longer and wider than the Axim, but it is only thinner by 0.11 inch (w/o sleeve).

If you have seen any of the sleeves for the iPAQs, I would say that they are considerably thicker than 0.11 inch. Plus it's another $40 just for the single-slot CF sleeve.

You really have to pick up the Axim in your hand and see that it is definitely not a "brick". The pictures really don't do the device much justice. Same thing with the iPAQ 1910. Once I held that device at the CompUSA store, I was simply blown away at the size. Pictures didn't do that device justice either.

[Rirath]

Add my vote for Axim. Dual slots, insanely long lasting removable battery, and just a bunch of little things with the Dells. Either way though, should be a good ppc. For that price... you may want to grab an Ipaq while you can.

[KuroNeko]

My thanks to all of you for your informative replies.

I've been searching the web, in the hopes of finding a site that reviewed both and offerend comparative test results, but no luck.

So a couple of questions are left open:

- I heard the Ipaqs are relatively slow, not as suitable for playing movies for instance. Maybe also less good for games. Is this true, and is the Dell any better?

- my fear with the Dell is mainly the rather poor service here, and the fact that so many have issues with the Dpad. But is the Ipaq's Dpad any better?

- the Ipaq has a fixed battery (my biggest contra argument for the Ipaq; I don't need the CF slot, so that isn't an issue). How is battery life of Ipaq vs Dell?

For reading e-books (major use for PPC for me), the Ipaq seems best due to larger screen, but the battery issue... argh, too difficult a decision at 2:30am :?

Neko

[pocketpc67]

would you mind telling us where you could get a new IPAQ 3970 for the same price as the Axim? Thanks

[KuroNeko]

HP Belgium has a special offer, only 24 hrs valid, namely today!

Only via official Belgian HP Partners. See HP.be website.

Price: Euro 480 incl taxes.

The Dell costs Euro 441 here, without Bluetooth card. So I consider them same price

Neko