Pocket PC Magazine Reviews the Dell Axim X5

[Brad Adrian]

<a href="http://www.pocketpcmag.com/mar03/dell.asp">http://www.pocketpcmag.com/mar03/dell.asp</a><br /><br />Pocket PC Magazine's Rich Hall has completed his review of the new Dell Pocket PC. In it, he takes a look at the features and useability of the "high performance" (a.k.a. 64MB) version of the Axim. His well-written piece focuses on the device's:<br /><br />• Overall design<br />• Accessories<br />• Built-in software<br />• Add-on software<br />• Value<br /><br />If you're at all interested in the X5, you should give the whole article a read. I'll spill the beans a bit, though, and let you know that Rich does write that "I was quite impressed with the high-performance version of the Axim X5 that I reviewed. It's not the smallest or lightest of the Pocket PCs reviewed in this issue. But it's nice to look at, fits comfortably in your hand, and has a powerful Intel processor, two expansion slots, and replaceable batteries. It can hold its own against any of the top Pocket PCs available, and at $300, it costs about half the price of its competitors."

[Sven Johannsen]

Well, this is the first review that commented on a future serial cradle and serial sync cable to come. The spec sheet listed also says USB/ RS232 serial. If that is right, it will be good news to those that are using serial GPS connections and using terminal programs to program console ports.

Can't what for the embedded wireless models :P (no, I don't know anything, just hopefull)

[heyday]

Info we have already seen.....

No offense but lets get some REAL user reviews from people that are really using it.

heyday

[acronym]

checked shipping status on the dell site - "in transit to local shipper"

should be in my hands mid to late this week. on another note, I retired the compaq laptop for a new titanium - wonder how well that mac-pocket pc software is coming.

[jet8810]

there will be a review on my site, PDAJunkie.net within the next few days!

[gpspassion]

Wasn't this already posted last week as a News item...
Can we please stop calling it a "review" too, it's more a description of the product, which fine but different...
Hopefully someone more analytical will tackle a review of the Axim soon !

[Brad Adrian]

Can we please stop calling it a "review" too, it's more a description of the product, which fine but different...
Hopefully someone more analytical will tackle a review of the Axim soon !
Sure would like to oblige you, but we've not been able to get our hands on one of the devices yet. In the meantime, we just thought it might be helpful to read what other users think of the new models.

[paulv]

I had a quick look at one this morning here in Australia and have to say that it looks quite good. I put it against my Jornada 565 and it was slightly shorter and wider. Felt a bit chunky but OK in my largish hands. I particularly liked the screen and think that this form-factor is fine for having two slots in it. (My only gripe is of course the lack of cover - damn, why won't anyone else do a standard flip cover)

It looks like we may get a decent price model for our country as well rather than the usual ridiculous price that non-US people pay.

[gpspassion]

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't criticizing PPC Thoughts!
It's just disappointing that PPC Mag guys who have access to pretty much anything they want didn't come up with a better review.

I spent quite a lot of time using the Axim at Comdex and made some rather startling discoveries about the screen on 4 different devices. Since I'm apparentlly the only one to have noticed the "low refresh" rate that they're using, I'm anxious to see what reviewers have to say about that!

[Rirath]

I spent quite a lot of time using the Axim at Comdex and made some rather startling discoveries about the screen on 4 different devices. Since I'm apparentlly the only one to have noticed the "low refresh" rate that they're using, I'm anxious to see what reviewers have to say about that!

If you mean the flicker, it was simply a bug in the early units at the show. Everyone who's ever seen one at a kiosk or got their units in the mail says it's not there.

[enemy2k2]

Info we have already seen.....

No offense but lets get some REAL user reviews from people that are really using it.

heyday

No doubt. I've been extremely disappointed with the vague and general stuff being slopped out by the 'real' reviewers. I want something that gives me a feel for the machine and it's ins and outs. I want lots of pictures. Disassembled views would be even nicer :) All I can say is lame...

I also bought an issue of Pocket PC mag this month... and very few pictures. Very little talk of actual Pocket PCs. I was very disappointed, especially with how much it cost for what I got. It felt like nothing more than a newsletter.... :?

[frauen1]

I received it last week (day before Thanksgiving). I had an iPaq 3635 before this, needed to get an inexpensive PPC to do some playing. (I'm currently using a Sony Clie T615C as my main day-to-day PDA). BTW I got the low end model, not the top of the line.

The good: very peppy, was easy to get my Linksys CF 802.11 card up and running; Pocket IE is easier to use than under PPC 2000; SD and CF expansion capabilities at this price it's a pretty competative device.

The bad: screen isn't quite as crisp as I would like (i've played with Cleartype). (Note that I'm suffering with a bad case of 40-itis, so I've taken to reading glasses which sharpens it up). It's a little heavier than I'm used to, but I think the comments about it being too heavy are rubbish.

The ugly: Simply: The Stylus! It is a nearly flat thing that has a little hook head at the top. It took me a few seconds to get it out of the device. I keep putting it in backwards (with the hook pointing in instead of out - it doesn't go down all the way). I could live with all that, but it's really hard to use. (Note: I have a Sony Clie T615C and the Dell stylus is as bad as that!).

More ugly: Trying to deal with Dell's $50 rebate program is a pain in the a**. Even without that, though, the price is quite good, but the rebate is nice...

My overall rating: I'd give them an 8/10. The stylus, screen crispness bring it down. The value for the money brings it up.

Fantastic first effort on a PPC PDA from Dell. Can't wait to see their 2nd or 3rd generation devices. At this price point it will definitely shake up the PDA market on both the PPC and Palm sides.

[Chris Spera]

Is the CF Card Type 2 Compatible??

Kind Regards,

Christopher Spera

[tccox]

Anyone compared one to a IPAQ 3835 ?????? I'm just really not happy with how dark the screen is on my 3835. Is the Dell any better ?????

[frauen1]

Anyone compared one to a IPAQ 3835 ?????? I'm just really not happy with how dark the screen is on my 3835. Is the Dell any better ?????

Don't know how the screen on the 3835 is, but the Axim is quite bright and very readable. I'll compare it to my 3635 tonight (don't have both units with me...)

[frauen1]

The Axim screen is physically smaller but the same resolution. The Dell at maximum brightness is definitely brighter than the iPaq (if I turn down the Dell a couple of "notches" it is the same brightness). The 3635 screen seems to have a reddish tint to it compared to the iPaq. I prefer the colors on the Dell to the iPaq.

(Also compared it to my Sony Clie T615C - the Dell has warmer colors than the Clie and it is brighter - had to go down 4 "notches" on the brightness to match the Clie. And I have used both the 3635 and Clie as flashlights during power outages in the past :D)

Don't know how the 3835 compares to the 3635, the Clie, or the Axim.

Hope this helps.