Dell to Unveil new Axims, MP3 player Thursday

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/09/19/HNaxims_1.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infoworld.com/article/03.../HNaxims_1.html</a><br /><br /></div>"The new Axims will come in more configurations, and the higher-end one will come with integrated Wi-Fi, the source said. Dell also slimmed down this new generation of Axims, according to the source. Dell will almost certainly include the new Windows Mobile 2003 operating system on the new PDAs, a transition that didn't go very well for the company earlier this year. A line of Axims sold after the June launch of Microsoft Corp.'s operating system featured buggy firmware developed by Dell, and a plan to release an update patch on its Web site backfired when enterprising Pocket PC 2002 users were able to find Dell's patch before it was distributed and give themselves free upgrades. A Dell representative declined to comment on unannounced products."

[Sslixtis]

Well, I've missed my 6 month PPC replacement cycle and am going through withdrawals! Looks like whoever gets the next PPC to market first gets my $$$. JVC best hope the Axim sn't available befor Oct. 21st! :lol:

[GoldKey]

Curious to see the 15GB mp3 player and see how it compares to an Ipod.

[David Prahl]

Well, I've missed my 6 month PPC replacement cycle and am going through withdrawals!

I've had my Axim X5 for almost a year! Unless the X3 is a major breakthrough I think I'll hang on to my Ax.

First one to find a leaked photo.....wins! :lol:

[ventivent]

Crap! And I literally just bought:

HP Ipaq 1945
Rio Nitrus

Which both arrived in the mail today.

Al

[Foo Fighter]

Ha ha ha! I knew this day was coming. Apple had better look in its rear view mirror because I suspect they are about to be passed by Dell. I was just lamenting on my blog that the iPod is overhyped. Watch Dell undercut Apple's pricing. :twisted:

[Sslixtis]

Well, looks like the new Axim is going to get my $$$, the JVC release date has been pushed out yet again...Sept. 15 - Oct. 21 - Nov. 15.

Oh well, guess i'll have to settle for a smaller, lighter Axim with WiFi! 8)

[klinux]

Ha ha ha! I knew this day was coming. Apple had better look in its rear view mirror because I suspect they are about to be passed by Dell. I was just lamenting on my blog that the iPod is overhyped. Watch Dell undercut Apple's pricing. :twisted:

Duh, Dell always undercut EVERYONE's pricing. :) That's their entire line of business.

I do not think iPod is overhyped. It is the most elegant solution out there. Overpriced? Maybe. However, now you can get a 20GB iPod for 1/2 the price that it was 12 months ago. I think that is a heck of a good deal.

To be fair, I own both a 20gb iPod and the Axim.

[GoldKey]

What I would love to see is Dell make the MP3 player and the Axim talk to each other natively either via cable or wirelessly so the Axim can use some of the space on the MP3 player.

[Ed Hansberry]

Ha ha ha! I knew this day was coming. Apple had better look in its rear view mirror because I suspect they are about to be passed by Dell. I was just lamenting on my blog that the iPod is overhyped. Watch Dell undercut Apple's pricing. :twisted:

Duh, Dell always undercut EVERYONE's pricing. :) That's their entire line of business.
And yet they are still profitable! That is just one well run company.

[shawnc]

Ha ha ha! I knew this day was coming. Apple had better look in its rear view mirror because I suspect they are about to be passed by Dell. I was just lamenting on my blog that the iPod is overhyped. Watch Dell undercut Apple's pricing. :twisted:

No doubt Dell will undercut Apple's pricing, but that's not enough. I love my Axim but I will no longer comprimise on size when it comes to features. The key will be rather Dell can come up with a machine that matches the Ipod's form factor AND cost less.

I hope they can, but I have my doubts. Either way, Dell has a way of moving the market and their entry is good news for consumers.

[CameronK]

While it will be neat to see what Dell's MP3 player looks like, I can almost guarantee that it won't compare to some of the new devices coming out, or even the ipod. There are already many different HDD players to fit just about anyone's needs. Examples:

Low Price, Good Features:
Creative Zen NX ($250). (http://www.americas.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=1227&category=2&maincategory=2)

Fairly Low Price, Great Features:
Creative Zen ($300). (http://www.americas.creative.com/products/product.asp?maincategory=2&category=2&product=732)

Mid Priced, Fairly Good Looking, Rich in Features:
Rio Karma ($399) (http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=220&cat=53)

High Priced, Good Looking, Rich in Features:
Apple iPod (www.apple.com/ipod/)

I know I missed some of the other mp3 players, like the new one coming out from phillips, but you get the jist of it. There are already many quality devices out there, and unless dell delivers something in the sub $200 range, or something with incredible features (doubtful), I have a feeling this is going to be a flop for them.

[Sven Johannsen]

I don't think it is going to be a flop for them. It may not be a device folks clamor for, but if it is an accessory check box on every system configuration page on their web site like their printers, and the cameras they sell, they'll move them. Dell is not one to lose money on sales so everyone out the door is profit.

[bradolson]

I can't wait to see these devices. I have gone a long time without upgrading either my PPC or MP3 player, so I'll be awaiting these.


Brad

[Jonathan1]

Well I'm not all that interested in the MP3 player considering I just ordered an iPod yesterday. :p It may be overpriced but it isn't ridiculously so. And the form factor IMHO makes it worth the extra money Esp a 40 GB hard drive in something that is slightly larger then a deck of cards. That and it really was the iTune Music store that will be accessible this fall by Windows that sealed the deal.
As for the new Axims. Bring on the X3. I've been in a holding pattern since spring to get a new PDA. I'm still on my Jornada 568 and am looking for a new PDA but this time I want it small and light, The iPaq 19xx series is a dang good series and almost exactly what I want but the screen is unacceptable. So I hold out hope for the X3. Please let it be as small as the 1940 series.

[maximus]

What I would love to see is Dell make the MP3 player and the Axim talk to each other natively either via cable or wirelessly so the Axim can use some of the space on the MP3 player.

So both of us can retire the 5GB toshiba PCMCIA HDD ? :wink:

[shawnc]

I just read the interview with Dell executives in the USA Today and the pictures they provided on the Axim looked pretty close to what I've seen posted on this site. The pleasant surprise was the MP3 player. It's tough to guage from the picture angle, but it looked very similar in form factor to the ipod. That would be good news for me as I was V-E-R-Y close to purchasing an ipod about 2 months ago. Now I'm pretty eager to see what they release.