Slideshow presentations with the X50v

[G M Fude]

On page 28 of the user manual, Dell refers to the connection of their new PDA to a projector -- presumably an LCD data projector -- with a VGA cable. There were three notes on this capability:
1. The VGA option is only available with the VGA model of the device (not sure why they didn't just say "with the X50v" and be done with it);
2. The VGA cable will not ship with your device unless you order it;
3. You need to install the Viewer program for the device to detect the projector... (their bolding).

This sounds like a pretty neat alternative to the impressive but expensive Margi add-on unit. Especially for a geek like me who gives lots of PowerPoint presentations but suffers lugging around a 4 year old Dell laptop that, by the third airport, feels like it's coal-powered.

Do any other PDAs offer this presentation feature, that is, plugging in a simple cable rather than buying an add-on like a Margi Presenter-to-Go or Portsmith Pitch?

[G M Fude]

On page 28 of the user manual, Dell refers to the connection of their new PDA to a projector -- presumably an LCD data projector -- with a VGA cable. There were three notes on this capability:
1. The VGA option is only available with the VGA model of the device (not sure why they didn't just say "with the X50v" and be done with it);
2. The VGA cable will not ship with your device unless you order it;
3. You need to install the Viewer program for the device to detect the projector... (their bolding).

This sounds like a pretty neat alternative to the impressive but expensive Margi add-on unit. Especially for a geek like me who gives lots of PowerPoint presentations but suffers lugging around a 4 year old Dell laptop that, by the third airport, feels like it's coal-powered.

Do any other PDAs offer this presentation feature, that is, plugging in a simple cable rather than buying an add-on like a Margi Presenter-to-Go or Portsmith Pitch?

[Darius Wey]

Nope. I believe the X50v is the only one to have a VGA output at this stage. If it's successful however, I'm sure you will see many more VGA-port enabled Pocket PCs explode into the market.

[G M Fude]

Thanks DJ. I'm glad I downloaded the manual. That 'simple' feature would make it a no-brainer for me in choosing between the iPaq 4705 and the X50v; the Axim wins hands-down.

[jrc50]

I assume what you are talking about is the Presentation Package Option. I have not been able to find any detailed description on Dell's website of what it is and when I called Dell, I got a real cloudy answer from a far distant phone operator.
Anybody have more specifics on this, like contents? I would assume the VGA cable, some sort of software, ? I did not order mine with it but I do not see it as an add-later option-does it have to come with the unit?
I agree with the writers, it sure would be nice not to have to drag around a laptop for running a projector!

[G M Fude]

Excellent, jrc! Here's what we're gonna do: you change your X50v order to include the Presentation Package Option, then you can write a review for all of us when it arrives!

From the scatty reference in the owners manual, most of which I quoted above, I guess it includes just the cable (which presumably is nothing special, just a VGA cable with the appropriate Axim adapter at one end) and this "Viewer" software, which apparently automatically recognises the particular LCD data projector.

[jrc50]

Well that sure clears it up. Even with using 2 coupons and ordering the x50v on one and the accessories (Dell Bluetooth GPS and big spare battery) on another it was more than I preferred to spend to replace my old Compaq 3630 (whose internal battery dies a little more each day).
I left off the presentation pak, sounded more like a bell than a whistle in the mostly nonEnglish description given me. Perhaps we could take up a collection for me to add it, although with a ship date of 11/23 I am concerned a change would put it out to 12/23.
Any idea which type of projectors it works with? (I am sure Dell of course) - I end up using a lot of customer's units when I do not have mine with me.

[G M Fude]

Originally Posted by jrc50

I left off the presentation pak, sounded more like a bell than a whistle in the mostly nonEnglish description given me. Perhaps we could take up a collection for me to add it, although with a ship date of 11/23 I am concerned a change would put it out to 12/23.
Any idea which type of projectors it works with? (I am sure Dell of course) - I end up using a lot of customer's units when I do not have mine with me.

Didn't think you'd be keen on my idea, jrc.

I have no idea what projectors it will work with. However, I do a lot of presentations with borrowed projectors in faraway places -- e.g. a two-week seven-venue tour of China in July. My experience with a laptop is that the bad old days of spending a teeth-gnashing hour trying to get the bloody computer to work with the bloody projector are gone. I've not had an instance of this happening since a drama with an old clunker in Taiwan more than two years ago.

So what I'm saying is that most modern projectors appear to plug-n-play very nicely with computers (my laptop is a 4-year-old Dell Inspiron, so State of the Art it ain't). Does this extend to PDAs? Dunno; I would take a gamble and say it does, but we're really at the bleeding edge, right now.

[jrc50]

Well I agree it sounds like a good idea putting all the presentation stuff on flash memory cards, and I may get one anyway. Unfortunatly Dell has sent me two delivery delay notices on the x50v so I really have no clue now when it is coming in.
I think once I get the rest of the bluetooth and GPS stuff figured out I will go to the next step. Perhaps by then Dell will be offering English descriptions of what it is.

[G M Fude]

The whole projector connection issue is moot if you're an Aussie, anyway. I see the X50v has just popped up on the Australian website and isn't being offered with the VGA connection cable as an option.

Gee, thanks Dell. No sale, then.

I note that the BT keyboard is not being offered as an accessory either, as it was with the Axim 30s up until about two days ago.

BTW, our price Downunder is $850. At the current exchange rate of about 0.75, that's roughly US$635. Ouch.

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by G M Fude

The whole projector connection issue is moot if you're an Aussie, anyway. I see the X50v has just popped up on the Australian website and isn't being offered with the VGA connection cable as an option.

That is a bit of an odd one. Have you tried calling the Dell sales team and asking them why it's not listed as an option?