My Dell Axim Arrived Today

[Jason Dunn]

Dell is loaning me the 400 mhz Axim to review, and it's charging as I write this. First impressions? A damn fine unit for $299 after rebate. The overall construction seems solid, I like the way it looks, and it's certainly not a "brick" by any means. I feels a little too wide in my hands, but nothing serious. I thought it was curious that there's no charging light on the unit itself when you connect directly to charge and bypass the cradle - I had to turn it on to confirm that it was in fact charging.<br /><br />The cradle is cool - it has a "Darth Vadar" feel about it. 8) More to follow later.

[GoldKey]

I thought it was curious that there's no charging light on the unit itself when you connect directly to charge and bypass the cradle - I had to turn it on to confirm that it was in fact charging.



Look at the power button on the Axim. It lights up. It is red when charging and green when fully charged.

[jngold_me]

Jason,

How does the thickness compare to your Jornada? (I seem to recall you have a Jornada 560) Could you post a couple of pics comparing to the Jornada?

Thanks.

[enemy2k2]

I read the manuals I got as a pdf file to kill some time before my unit comes *sigh* still hasn't come yet. Any way, a solid amber light on the power button indicates charging, a solid green light on the same power button indicates it's finished charging, and finally a flashing amber light indicates that the unit is low on power. I thought that was a wonderful bonus to be put into a 'budget' device. Now just can't wait until I get one in my hands. Now that the manuals have been read, I greatly look forward to your review. Please make it as in depth as possible :twisted: Thanks :!:

[rlobrecht]

A damn fine unit for $299 after rebate.

I received a Dell Catalog in the mail yesterday. They had a 10% off deal going, so it was like $269 after rebate!


The cradle is cool - it has a "Darth Vadar" feel about it.

Are you referring to the device who will bring balance to the PDA market?

:wink:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Could you post a couple of pics comparing to the Jornada?

I rather think that if we wait a few days we will get that and much more! :D

[analog_chainsaw]

The cradle is cool - it has a "Darth Vadar" feel about it. 8) More to follow later.

I saw a picture somewhere and the little Dell logo looked like it was lit up. Does it actually just do that or was I fantisizing?

[GoldKey]

The cradle is cool - it has a "Darth Vadar" feel about it. 8) More to follow later.

I saw a picture somewhere and the little Dell logo looked like it was lit up. Does it actually just do that or was I fantisizing?

Yes, the logo is not visible until you dock the Axim. Then it lights up in a cool blue color. Kind of hard to explain until you see it.

[whyPocketPC]

Jason,

Just a quick look at the dimensions....

Product Dimensions Weight
HP iPAQ 3900 series 3.3” x .63” x 5.3” 6.3 oz
HP iPAQ 5400 series 3.3” x .6” x 5.3” 7.1 oz
HP Jornada 560 series 3” x .7” x 5.2” 6.1 oz
Dell Axim X5 3.21” x .71” x 5.04” 6.9 oz

....shows that it is almost a quarter of an inch wider than your "old" Jornada.

Regards!!

[[email protected]]

Hi, regarding the current discussion on how the different units treats ROM memory (Viewsonic V35 and HP iPAQ H1910 both use up memory of RAM), how much memory is available for you? RAM that is? BEFORE you install a ton of fun stuff that is. The Viewsonic V35 has ca 36MB (out of the 64MB to start with) and the H1910 has ca 46MB (out of 64MB).

[mike6024]

Yes, everybody the Dell does have a charging light and it functions in the way enemy2k2 described. I agree the Axim is not a brick by any means. It is definitely thicker than the Ipaq, but it fits better in my hand and in my pocket. It doesn't feel as wide and it's definitely not as tall as the Ipaq. I'm still not a fan of the center "navigator button", but this is still the best handheld out of all I've owned.

[GoldKey]

Hi, regarding the current discussion on how the different units treats ROM memory (Viewsonic V35 and HP iPAQ H1910 both use up memory of RAM), how much memory is available for you? RAM that is? BEFORE you install a ton of fun stuff that is. The Viewsonic V35 has ca 36MB (out of the 64MB to start with) and the H1910 has ca 46MB (out of 64MB).

I installed a couple of things (Money and a game I think) and mine says Total Main Memory = 63.54 MB I keep all my other data on a memory card. Plus I have 21.24 MB of Built in memory free. I assume this is the extra ROM space in the 400mhz model.

[BruceG]

My Axim (400MHz) arrived yesterday, even though the original scheduled ship date was for 12/10/02. I've been pretty busy, so I haven't been able to play with it very much. So far, I am very satisfied with the look and feel. Compared to my old Jornada 548, the screens change very quickly, and I don't know if this is the OS or the processor. It is a little bit wider than my Jornada - I tried to slide it into the Jornada EB case, but it was too wide to fit in. I put an order in to an EB case last night, and hopefully I will receive it early next week.

I was able to take my 256MB CF card and just slide it into the Dell, getting immediate access to the WMA and MP3 files. I haven't tried MS Reader yet, as I have a ton of book on the flash card. I'm a little disappointed that the Dell doesn't have something to cover the CF card, like the Jornada did - just a little flap that snapped shut. There is a noticeable gap in the top of the Dell now. The cradle has the blue Dell logo lit up when the Axim is in the cradle, which looks pretty cool.

I'm going to start migrating and installing applications this weekend, but it was very, very easy to synchronize and load my Outlook information and My Documents onto the new device. :D

[tccox]

Well, stopped by the Dlee store at the mall today and took a look at one. Came home and ordered one to replace my IPAQ 3835. Just a much nicer display and with a built in CF slot and SD slot , much slammer than my 3835 with sleeve.

[redlikemethodz]

Go to earthv.com for a great dell on the 400mhz Axim with a 128MB SD card for $292!

[gpspassion]

Jason, can you check the scren on yours, the 4 units I tried at Comdex had some notable "striping" when you moved the scrollbars (in say Excel), signalling the use of lower refresh rate than the 39xx series.
Thanks

[Yuta]

Please, can you post if your unit also has the infamous D-pad problem?. 8O Yes, it should be harder to press on the right.
Maybe Dell hear your rants if it's so! :twisted:

[James]

This is getting annoying...everyone I know that ordered one has theirs now while I'm stuck waiting thru the weekend yet again :evil:

[Daniel]

stopped by the Dlee store

I don't know if that was deliberate or not but it was funny all the same, I might start calling Dell Dlee from now on. ;)

Does anyone know if the Dlee does anything that other existing PPCs don't or is it just the Dlee version of the same?

Daniel

[jamesbe2759]

Dell is loaning me the 400 mhz Axim to review, and it's charging as I write this. First impressions? A damn fine unit for $299 after rebate. The overall construction seems solid, I like the way it looks, and it's certainly not a "brick" by any means. I feels a little too wide in my hands, but nothing serious. I thought it was curious that there's no charging light on the unit itself when you connect directly to charge and bypass the cradle - I had to turn it on to confirm that it was in fact charging.

The cradle is cool - it has a "Darth Vadar" feel about it. 8) More to follow later.

:roll: No wonder I'm still waiting for Dell to build my Axim 400....they give every Tom, Dick and Jason a unit to play with.

[st63z]

Everytime I insert/take out an SD or CF card the Axim turns on, weird or normal?

Also anyone had an initial problem with your desktop PC not recognizing the Axim when plugged in to USB port (and your ActiveSync 3.6 doesn't pick it up)?

Oh, and I had the hardest time finding the reset button w/o reading the manual :)

[Kati Compton]

Everytime I insert/take out an SD or CF card the Axim turns on, weird or normal?

Also anyone had an initial problem with your desktop PC not recognizing the Axim when plugged in to USB port (and your ActiveSync 3.6 doesn't pick it up)?

Oh, and I had the hardest time finding the reset button w/o reading the manual :)

1. Happens with mine.

2. Didn't have this problem

3. In my impatience, I skimmed the manual before it arrived. ;)

[BruceG]

Everytime I insert/take out an SD or CF card the Axim turns on, weird or normal?

Also anyone had an initial problem with your desktop PC not recognizing the Axim when plugged in to USB port (and your ActiveSync 3.6 doesn't pick it up)?

Oh, and I had the hardest time finding the reset button w/o reading the manual :)

1. I think this is normal, and I recall it occurring with my HP Jornada.
2. My Dell Latitude didn't recognize the Axim - I had to install the drivers for the USB port.
3. Manuals? We don't need no stinkin' manuals! I turned my Axim over and over until I found the reset button. I did find the Notes button :? .

[Ed Hansberry]

you have to install AS 3.5 first. AS 3.6 from MS is missing lots of USB drivers. if you need 3.6 features, you can upgrade.

[st63z]

^ Ohhh, thank you sensei! (you too, Spike Lee and Cat Woman)

I haven't heard about that before (AS 3.5)...

[enemy2k2]

This is getting annoying...everyone I know that ordered one has theirs now while I'm stuck waiting thru the weekend yet again :evil:

Me too, i ordered on the 19th only because they said I couldn't order the 18th due to some problems. So many have already received theirs and I'm stuck waiting until monday :evil:

[taxlax]

Dell is loaning me the 400 mhz Axim to review, ...

Why is Dell "loaning" you the Axim? Can they not afford to just give you one? HaHa.

[tccox]

stopped by the Dlee store

I don't know if that was deliberate or not but it was funny all the same, I might start calling Dell Dlee from now on. ;)

Does anyone know if the Dlee does anything that other existing PPCs don't or is it just the Dlee version of the same?

Daniel

Nope , Not deliberate but the result of frozen hands. (as were the other misspellings) I live in Charlotte which just went through one of the worst ice storms in years. No power for most of the city (heck, most of the state) and 22 deg F temps. NO HEAT. But I tell you guys , in a situation such as this a POCKET PC is almost as valuable as a radio and a flashlight. Amazing how being able to access the Internet in a bad situation such as this makes the time go by.......I actually did use it as a flashlight Heck , I was going to sell my IPAQ but am now considering keeping it as a spare...... (Est ship date for my new Dell December 23) :D

[garretwp]

Anyone order there axim on dec 1 and got there's already?


Garrett

[dcharles18]

Has anyone who has received their Axim noticed horizontal lines on the display? The unit I played with a few weeks ago had these and they were quite noticible, especially on darker backgrounds.

[Kati Compton]

No horizontal lines on mine.

[BruceG]

Has anyone who has received their Axim noticed horizontal lines on the display? The unit I played with a few weeks ago had these and they were quite noticible, especially on darker backgrounds.

I have a dark blue background, and I don't have any lines. I've been putting my Axim through its paces, and I'm very pleased :D . A minor gripe is that you have to put it in the docking cradle just right :? .

[whyPocketPC]

Lines?!?! 8O I played with the Dell Axim at in Las Vegas the first day of the event, before I had to fly home and I did not notice anything. I know that the Dell folks in the booth had just gotten their units 4-5 days before the event. They may have been messing around or had low batteries, but as soon as I get mine I will let everyone know. Later!!

[dcharles18]

The unit that I played with was at a Dell Kiosk in SE Pennsylvania. Perhaps it was a bad unit, but there were definately noticible horizontal lines in the display.

[fyiguy]

Would one of you lucky owners/testers be willing to take some pictures of your new Dell? I have some product manufacturers requesting some pictures to help them in developing accessories for the Axim. If you would like to help, they requested the following:

"A 100% zoom scan of the front and back of the Dell Axim X5. Please place a ruler with inches and centimeters on one side when you do the scan, this will ensure us to make the correct scan calibration."

Thanks in advance!!
:D

[gpspassion]

Has anyone who has received their Axim noticed horizontal lines on the display? The unit I played with a few weeks ago had these and they were quite noticible, especially on darker backgrounds.

Ah, at last someone who saw what I appeared to be the only one to see!
At Comdex I noticed something wa "off" in the display of the 4 units I tried. Hard to pinpoint, but going into excel and moving the scroll bar made it really visible. There were lines/strips on that bar, typical sign of a low refresh rate. I tried the 3955 that was sitting next to the Dell and it didn't do that.
Can someone who's received theirs check possibly check that?

[st63z]

I dunno if this has been mentioned in the thread, but I find the corners of the screen harder to tap (needs more touch to register). Might just be my unit. And on the whole the screen's not as sensitive as my iPAQs...