View Full Version : Dell to Existing Axim Owners: No Update For You!
Pat Logsdon
03-25-2004, 07:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.activewin.com/awin/comments.asp?HeadlineIndex=23288&Group=1' target='_blank'>http://www.activewin.com/awin/comme...x=23288&Group=1</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040325_axim.jpg" /> <br /><br />"Dell will deploy Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition in future Axim products. We have no plans at this time to offer Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition updates for current Axim X3 or Axim X5 products."<br /><br />Is it just me, or does this make no sense? It can't be all that expensive or difficult to offer the <i>option </i>of an upgrade, especially if <u><i><b>TOSHIBA</b></i></u> will be giving the update away for free! What makes this even more confusing is that Dell is apparently flashing WM2003SE to Axims at the Mobile Developer Conference in San Francisco. Have those updates been bricking an inordinate number of Axims and we just haven't heard about it, or is this just an ill-conceived effort to save a few bucks?<br /><br /> :razz: I don't even own an Axim anymore and I'm pretty peeved about this. Unless Dell changes their collective mind, I forsee a vast migration to HP or even Toshiba. What do you think?<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> According to a <a href="http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37042&perpage=20&pagenumber=1">post on Aximsite</a>, Dell has backed off a bit from their initial statement. <br /><br />Chris Leckness reports the following: "I received another email from Dell that prompted me to call back. Basically, Dell strives to be a customer oriented company. That said, Dell is not standing firm on the initial statement. What does that mean? Not 100% sure, but my guess would be that Dell would rethink their stategy here with feedback from the customer." <br /><br />Sounds good so far, Dell. Keep listening to what your customers are saying... :mrgreen:
Jeff Rutledge
03-25-2004, 07:03 PM
That's junk. Dell had an opportunity to really make a mark in this space, but they're systematically screwing it up. This latest "grab the money and run" decision isn't going to help them bring in new business. It will definitely turn away a lot of potential reutrn business as well.
kagayaki1
03-25-2004, 07:09 PM
What evidence do you have that HP is going to do any better in this respect? (it's just a question, not a jab - I actually own a couple HPs, and I would like to know if I get an update :D )
entropy1980
03-25-2004, 07:10 PM
May the wrath of past Toshiba owners be brought upon their head! What did Toshiba and Dell switch executives? This is retarded now 2 PPC vendors I will avoid like the plague: Toshiba (I don't care that they are offering it now too little to late) and now Dell... :soapbox:
entropy1980
03-25-2004, 07:12 PM
What evidence do you have that HP is going to do any better in this respect? (it's just a question, not a jab - I actually own a couple HPs, and I would like to know if I get an update :D )
RTA! It says in the article...
Jacob
03-25-2004, 07:12 PM
What evidence do you have that HP is going to do any better in this respect? (it's just a question, not a jab - I actually own a couple HPs, and I would like to know if I get an update :D )
Someone posted this link (http://www.ipaqabilities.com/reviews_articles/articles/0304-windows_mobile_2003_se.php) which at the bottom claims that their contact at HP said that the 2xxx series and up of current models will get the update.
cdcooker
03-25-2004, 07:14 PM
The most important feature of the 2nd Ed is the support of VGA mode, screen rotation next. I think Dell make a good business decision not to make it avaiable for the existing Axim owners. However, it would be a dumb decision if the next Axim doesn't offer VGA mode, which I doubt it is gonna to happen.
Axim x3 is consistently the lowest priced PPC one can purchase with all the coupon and discount circulate on the net.
dblml320
03-25-2004, 07:14 PM
May the wrath of past Toshiba owners be brought upon their head! What did Toshiba and Dell switch executives? This is retarded now 2 PPC vendors I will avoid like the plague: Toshiba (I don't care that they are offering it now too little to late) and now Dell... :soapbox:
I was burned by Toshiba and will NEVER buy another Toshiba PDA. While I am not happy about this news from Dell, my Axim X3i is usable without SE.
If Dell is flashing X3's to SE, then it will be available on the web soon enough...
I will say, this may make me look elsewhere for the next PDA....
PetiteFlower
03-25-2004, 07:15 PM
Yeah what does the upgrade offer and would it really be worth it to Axim owners with the capabilities of their hardware?
AZMark
03-25-2004, 07:17 PM
Well just wanted to add my 2 cents, to make sure this thread gets long enough that maybe Dell will pay attention.
Heck, they never even fixed their Bluetooth card to work WM2003, I know it's OEM, but still they sold it as theirs , they should support it, they sold me the upgrade, didn't warn me,,,,no resolution still.
Now WM2003SE comes out,,,maybe some better Bluetooth support included in the OS, and what do they do,,,,NOT FOR YOU!
Jonathan1
03-25-2004, 07:17 PM
Wow. In one single announcement Dell has helped me narrow the playing field as to what my next Pocket PC will be. (Currently on a HP Jornada 568.)
Thanks Dell. :roll:
entropy1980
03-25-2004, 07:19 PM
Yeah what does the upgrade offer and would it really be worth it to Axim owners with the capabilities of their hardware?
Pocket IE is better, landscape support to name a few...
Kati Compton
03-25-2004, 07:20 PM
Well, if you own an Axim, and want SE, email them. It seems to me like sometimes companies make announcements like this to gauge customer opinion to help them figure out if it makes sense for them to actually do it or not. I'm not promising results, of course. But it's possible.
You see. This is why I read this sight so much.
I was seriously considering buying an X3i, VGA be damned. Now that we're hearing that it won't get WM2003FPPC and thus will not even have landscape, I am on hold and looking to HP (previously scorned by Audiovox/Toshiba).
Thank you all for the update. Kudos to you!
:clap:
Jonathon Watkins
03-25-2004, 07:30 PM
:soapbox:
:silly: What were they thinking of? :silly:
A free upgrade would be great, but I would have happily paid up to £25 for this - that's fair.
Not offering it, is not fair. :twak:
I am NOT impressed. :evil:
I WAS seriously thinking of getting a new Dell X3i or waiting for the X7, but not now.
I just hope they reconsider this foolish decision.
Fishie
03-25-2004, 07:37 PM
May the wrath of past Toshiba owners be brought upon their head! What did Toshiba and Dell switch executives? This is retarded now 2 PPC vendors I will avoid like the plague: Toshiba (I don't care that they are offering it now too little to late) and now Dell... :soapbox:
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
foldedspace
03-25-2004, 07:37 PM
I think this is something they will revisit, IF enough users let them know that they want it. The number of people that use PPC's is relatively small, so it's easier to be heard.
Mojo Jojo
03-25-2004, 07:38 PM
(Looks down at PDA road map)
Let's see... I am here... I need to get to VGA and Landscape...
(moves finger following possible routes)
Can't go that way... the Toshiba Memorial bridge is out due to the huge flamming metor and the spontaneous combustion concrete that was used.
The Dell Avenue has reports of large sink holes, stopping people in their tracks.
I could take the HP Parkway... however it seems to be taking the long route and will add alot to time before I get there.
(taps finger on the map)
Maybe if I take the ASUS Route 730...
************
Is it me or in a 'niche' market is it bad to keep burning your limited amount of customers? Why do PDA's even HAVE flash memory? Sure not the end of the world. But from my armchair....
possmann
03-25-2004, 07:39 PM
Stupid Move Dell - without a good reason why, this is a dumb move.
I mean really - what is the risk?
:takethat:
DaleReeck
03-25-2004, 07:42 PM
I wonder if there will be an SE "phone edition" and if it will ship on their upcoming iPaq 6300?
entropy1980
03-25-2004, 07:43 PM
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
Oh yeah a company screws over E740 users six ways to sunday the only ass they kicked was their own. :roll:
Howard2k
03-25-2004, 07:46 PM
Not a good move Dell.
Glad I've moved to HP.
rzanology
03-25-2004, 07:50 PM
HAAA HAAAA
should have bought an ipaq :takethat:
griph
03-25-2004, 07:59 PM
Well, if you own an Axim, and want SE, email them. It seems to me like sometimes companies make announcements like this to gauge customer opinion to help them figure out if it makes sense for them to actually do it or not. I'm not promising results, of course. But it's possible.
Is there any way to email this whole thread to them? What is the point of having a flash ROM on these machines. I have to say that so far HP have followed in Compaq's foot steps and continued with ROM updates - so I guess I am right to stay with them for the time being!
As for Dell - yah booo!!! :takethat:
lhauser
03-25-2004, 08:01 PM
Maybe I'm missing something...I want to contact my Dell rep, but I'd like the souce of the original quote from Dell so I can beat him over the head with it (gently, he's been a very good rep for several years). I'm a happy X5 owner, and I was getting all hot and bothered by the idea of the upgrade (and yes, I'm a ticked off former E740 owner, too).
Lee
What evidence do you have that HP is going to do any better in this respect? (it's just a question, not a jab - I actually own a couple HPs, and I would like to know if I get an update :D )
Someone posted this link (http://www.ipaqabilities.com/reviews_articles/articles/0304-windows_mobile_2003_se.php) which at the bottom claims that their contact at HP said that the 2xxx series and up of current models will get the update.
Not for the 1940? but it has the same rom size than the 2210! and even than the toshiba e400 wich gets a free update... mmm... all brands suck.
MonkeyGrass
03-25-2004, 08:03 PM
Now all the Axim owners get to feel the same helpless rage and frustration that us e740 refugee's felt...
Not that I would wish that on anyone, honestly. There are two major differences, however!
1) The Axim X5 and X3i DO work as advertised. You may not "gain" some features from this update, but we all know that upgrades are always a question with the OEM's. At this point, the X5 is starting to get a bit long in the tooth, anyway.
With the 740 fiasco - we were all so pissed because that POS *NEVER* worked right at all. We weren't asking for "new" features, we simply wanted the darn thing to work as advertised!
2) Axim X5/X3i (as mentioned in an earlier post) are two of the lowest priced PPC's out there. The 740 was Toshiba's *flagship* and cost up to $600 at retail outlets. To pay that much for the device and get screwed out of a FIX (not to mention an OS upgrade) was simply appalling to anyone with a lick of marketing or customer relations sense. :evil:
I am SOOOO glad, that for once, I listened to a friend and went hp. The 22xx may not be "perfect" - but it works, it's already gotten 2 patches and a new ROM since it's been out, and it looks as though we will get this SE upgrade.
All I can say is, hp (compaq) did it first, did it right, and still does it best. I have another friend who has both the X5 and the X3i. He STILL can't get the X3i to connect to his access point. He's been thru the ringer with Dell support and they at least acknowledge that there is a known issue there. They just have yet to actually *DO* anything about it.
Stupid, Dell. Very, very stupid. You were just starting to gain some respectability in this market. :devilboy:
I was burned by Toshiba and will NEVER buy another Toshiba PDA. While I am not happy about this news from Dell, my Axim X3i is usable without SE.
Wow, this sounds suspiciously similar to Toshiba's rational for not releasing a WM2003 update for the E740.
AZMark
03-25-2004, 08:13 PM
Who wrote the original quote?
Doesn't hold a lot of weight if its a CSR or a Sales Rep. They never know anything. Even if it were a higher up, they did say "at this time". The thing has just been announced. If it's easy enought and will make them some money Dell might go for it, if enough people say they want it!!!!
WindWalker
03-25-2004, 08:19 PM
Dell's position was quoted on Brighthand here. (http://www.brighthand.com/article/When_Will_WM03SE_Updates_Be_Available)
It apparently comes from a "spokesperson, " who accroding to Brighthand was completely unambiguous.
Gremmie
03-25-2004, 08:19 PM
I think it's funny--most people on this site are PPC fanatics (including myself) and think Dell is going to shoot themselves in the foot because of this. A lot of people forget that most users probably won't be aware of WM2k3SE nor care when they do find out.
JohnnyFlash
03-25-2004, 08:24 PM
It looks like Dell is gonna have to learn the same lesson that Toshiba did...and the HARD way too!
As far as Toshi goes now...apparently they've learned their lesson, and taken it to heart as well. As evidenced by their announcement that both of their current models will receive the upgrade.
I mean, Big T is trying now folks...and making amends to boot. Let's give 'em a break.
AZMark
03-25-2004, 08:25 PM
But we are the one's that reccomend!
Don't upgrade us and we'll tell all our friends, who will tell all their friends.
I've influenced at least 2 others to go with Dell. How many have those two influenced?
Just me alone, that 4-5 lost sales for Dell next time around.
Fishie
03-25-2004, 08:32 PM
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
Oh yeah a company screws over E740 users six ways to sunday the only ass they kicked was their own. :roll:
Hey I got burned by Toshiba before.
They are a Japanese company tough and with that in mind are nowhere near as bad as Sony and for PPCs they have been quite the innovator so they do deserve my money still.
sundown
03-25-2004, 08:32 PM
Well I was seriously considering an X3i but this has me reconsidering. Hmmmm.
Gremmie
03-25-2004, 08:34 PM
I use to think that when PPC communities like this get upset about something that it'd effect sales...but I started to notice that after non-upgrades, specific quality issues, etc., that company sales never fell.
mr_Ray
03-25-2004, 08:37 PM
Heh this really didn't surprise me in the slightest. Dell showed their true colours with the WM2003 intro. Completely screwed it up and refused to admit to it, and I was one of the ones to suffer (well until I forced them to refund me). As others have said here, most people don't have a clue about this stuff, but those of us who do are the guys they come to for buying advice. I've had loads of people ask me what PDA to get, some specifically asking for Axims, and I'm glad to say that every one of them soon steered clear of the Axim. (Somewhere over a dozen people). Likewise they then pass similar on to others.
I guess we'll soon see where this business decision of abandoning their existing customers will get them. Hopefully right out of the market. Congrats to Toshiba for seemingly coming to their senses - pushing the boundaries and actually supporting the users who buy from them. Shame Dell couldn't learn from that.
Hey, is anyone looking to upgrade from their Axim because of this considering getting another one? :wink: :devilboy:
sundown
03-25-2004, 08:42 PM
Don't know if the info is passed on at Dell but you could post a message on their customer forum in this thread. Go ahead, tell em how you feel:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=aximgensw&message.id=8655
dean_shan
03-25-2004, 08:59 PM
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
Oh yeah a company screws over E740 users six ways to sunday the only ass they kicked was their own. :roll:
Hey I got burned by Toshiba before.
Same here and I still love and buy their products. I'd buy them over Dell anyday.
Howard2k
03-25-2004, 09:04 PM
But we are the one's that reccomend!
Don't upgrade us and we'll tell all our friends, who will tell all their friends.
I've influenced at least 2 others to go with Dell. How many have those two influenced?
Just me alone, that 4-5 lost sales for Dell next time around.
Same here. I directly influenced 3 people to buy Dell. After the fiascos I had with them I've since swung two people onto Ipaqs. And myself of course.
May the wrath of past Toshiba owners be brought upon their head! What did Toshiba and Dell switch executives? This is retarded now 2 PPC vendors I will avoid like the plague: Toshiba (I don't care that they are offering it now too little to late) and now Dell... :soapbox:
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
I start to wonder.....
When Toshiba first got in the PPC game, rumor had it that they had two different divisions making devices. The first devices were the Genio E5xx and the Audiovox Maestro. Then came the e310, e740, etc. I thought I had heard somewhere that the E-series 310 and 740 style devices were from a consumer division and the others were from a more commercial division.
That said, it ould appear that the new models are from the more consumerized division. Maybe this group is better than those int he past. Can anyone give some insight into Toshibas more recent levels of support and consumerism?
I only ask because it looks like some of us might be looking for another vendor other than Dell.
huangzhinong
03-25-2004, 09:32 PM
That said, it ould appear that the new models are from the more consumerized division. Maybe this group is better than those int he past. Can anyone give some insight into Toshibas more recent levels of support and consumerism?
I only ask because it looks like some of us might be looking for another vendor other than Dell.
If just judging from the model styles, I will say they come from same group. Both e740 and e800 have some important innovation, one is first buildin wi-fi and dual slot, another one is first VGA screen. Both e310 and e400 has the same superslim designing too.
But, I guess some people may not like it, All toshiba models are ugly and boring. So my conclusion is e310,e740,e750,e350, e400,e800 come from same group, Toshiba USA.
jolam97
03-25-2004, 09:49 PM
I have just recently helped 2 people purchase Dell Axims X3's and was about to help 2 other friends get the X3 as well. But seeing where Dell is about to screw things up, I'm turning them toward Ipaq's instead. It's just such a shame but that's what happens when you leave customers out in the cold.
PPCRules
03-25-2004, 09:58 PM
Is it just me, or does this make no sense?
It's apparently not just you, but it makes plenty of sense - business sense, at least.
They know from past experience how messy it can be to offer a new OS for an existing product. When they didn't know better, they thought slipping WM2003 into an existing product made a lot of sense (that's the only reason there was upgrade for previously sold product - it was already developed). No other manufacturer had ever upgraded an existing product, and in the end it gained them little or nothing to offset the pain.
I see Dell loosing interest in making compelling products in the current environment where there is such rapid innovation and short product lives. They have two products that cover the old bases pretty well, and I'd expect they'll stay with this offering until things settle down a bit, and in the mean time keep their costs low. That's what they do best - commodity products.
I don't think they care if a few individual consumers switch to HP or Toshiba. Overall, it's peanuts compared to the business accounts, and their current products will be acceptable for that market for a while more.
That said, Dell still needs to be recognized as the one that originally shook up a compacent PPC market and caused these other guys to innovate in order to differentiate their products like we are seeing now. And Microsoft deserves credit for forcing a compelling-enough common baseline long enough to get the market established, and now opening things up to allow this kind of innovation. And Toshiba gets credit for not waiting for them.
mil_x3i
03-25-2004, 10:09 PM
Petition: We want Window Mobile 2003 Second Edition
===================================
---------------------------------------------------------------
Join this thread on the DELL SITE itself!
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=aximgensw&message.id=8667
---------------------------------------------------------------
===================================
I will not buy or recommend any Dell unless they change this policy. Charging for the upgrade would be acceptable. Not offering it at all is not, unless there is a hardware limitation that disallows it (in which case they should 'fess up).
townsendtribe
03-25-2004, 10:35 PM
Does anyone remember all the trouble that Dell had over the WM2003 upgrade. They tried making a lagitimate upgrade available and people hacked it and within two days posted the hacking procedure on the net for everyone to use.
I fail to see the logic in not providing the update, that IS why the ROM is flashable, but I would recommend that they put more thought into how to do it for the customers that want it, while still keeping honest people honest.
Think about it, they already have the upgrade available if they are flashing people's Axim at the show. Is there an official statement from Dell yet?
All I can say is, I love my Axim, but I will use my experience dealing with Dell as a deciding factor when it comes to replacing it.
huangzhinong
03-25-2004, 10:40 PM
I think the ROM upgrading may be another big difference between POS and PPC. Although a lot of POS devices ROM can be flashed too, Palm(now PalmSource) provide very little support for the upgrade, very few palm users complain about it. But for PPC, it is totally another story.
While Toshiba made mistakes before for not providing EUU3 to both e740 and e310 in time, I still don't think Toshiba has the responsiblity to provide e740 WM2003 upgrading.
Same thing here, Dell may be blamed for not providing upgrading for x3, but x5 is a discontinued model and has been provided WM2003 upgrade.
Just my 2 cents.
bvkeen
03-25-2004, 11:47 PM
I just cancelled an order with Dell thanks in part to this. I had ordered a laptop at the time I ordered my Axim X3i, but received an e-mail a few days ago saying it would be delayed by about 3 weeks beyond the original shipping date estimate. Seeing this announcement today about lack of support for WM2003SE for my X3i was the final straw.
Jonathan1
03-25-2004, 11:56 PM
But we are the one's that reccomend!
Don't upgrade us and we'll tell all our friends, who will tell all their friends.
I've influenced at least 2 others to go with Dell. How many have those two influenced?
Just me alone, that 4-5 lost sales for Dell next time around.
Same here. I directly influenced 3 people to buy Dell. After the fiascos I had with them I've since swung two people onto Ipaqs. And myself of course.
Add me to the list of people that have recommended Dell. 12 users total. 9 in the office I work, 2 of my friends and 1 stranger at Best Buy who was looking at a HP. I now regret sending him to Dell’s website to take a look at the Axim.
Not anymore and the funny thing is we have at least 15-20 Palm Pilot Pros and Palm III’s that are starting to show their age in the office. You can bet cash I won’t be suggesting Dell. :twisted:
pdauser
03-26-2004, 12:01 AM
Aximsite has an update....
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37042&perpage=20&pagenumber=1
Seems like they were caught off guard with the response...
Mitch D
03-26-2004, 12:01 AM
I was the first to try and calm my customer's over Toshiba's lack of support when it came to upgrading the E740 to WM2003 but I am now able to see their side of it more easily. I love my X3i and have not been able to part with it even though I have an XDA now. But this lack of willingness on Dell's behalf to upgrade those of us using an X3 or X5 to WM2003SE is really pissing me off.
I guess I will be taking a harder look at the ASUS MyPal A716 (In case your wondering why I would be looking at this unit, I am not convinced that the XDA is all I am looking for in a PPC device).
gorkon280
03-26-2004, 12:05 AM
I think the ROM upgrading may be another big difference between POS and PPC. Although a lot of POS devices ROM can be flashed too, Palm(now PalmSource) provide very little support for the upgrade, very few palm users complain about it. But for PPC, it is totally another story.
While Toshiba made mistakes before for not providing EUU3 to both e740 and e310 in time, I still don't think Toshiba has the responsiblity to provide e740 WM2003 upgrading.
Same thing here, Dell may be blamed for not providing upgrading for x3, but x5 is a discontinued model and has been provided WM2003 upgrade.
Just my 2 cents.
Well, you see, alot of us would like it very much if Microsoft themselves started selling WM 2003 SE on a CD and installable by all. We see the PPC as a Personal Pocket Computer. and not as a Palm. Palms are oraganizers that can run programs. PPC's are so close to running a full computer that in a short time period, they could BE someone's computer sooner, not later. Palms never aspire to be someones computer. They aspire to keep your schedule and play silly games. Oh sure, the screens are nice and they can do similar things to PPC's, but the OS the use cripples their hardware.
pdauser
03-26-2004, 12:09 AM
Same thing here, Dell may be blamed for not providing upgrading for x3, but x5 is a discontinued model and has been provided WM2003 upgrade.
I thought the same thing, but you can still buy an X5. 8O
Nothing like a 18 month old PDA... :roll:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_axim2?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
guilmon
03-26-2004, 12:40 AM
An idea to get dell to notice that we want WM2003SE...
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=aximgensw&message.id=8655&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
A thread on their site's forums specifically for this cause.
Dell didn't officially announce one way or another, did they?
The fact that they scrambled to response was a good sign. At least they listened.
sundown
03-26-2004, 01:33 AM
Wow, I've checked around the online PPC communities and there is quite an uproar over this. And it sounds like it might be having an impact over at Dell. I do hope they listen.
CTSLICK
03-26-2004, 02:40 AM
How could Dell have been surprised by the outcry in the user community? Any moron could have guessed how this would be received and how quickly the fire would burn. The memory of Toshiba hasn't faded that much. What is Dell saying about their commitment to the PPC platform?
My X5 has worked well, I gladly fessed up for the WM2003 and waited patiently for Dell to straighten things out. My expectation was that Dell would offer WM2003 SE, probably charge for it and do it more smoothly than last time. Instead they throw a hand grenade out there...what a fiasco.
Dell has always done well for me and I never hesitated to recommend them. Like many others here I can take credit for several folks picking up a new Axim...X5's and X3's. And now as I sit here poised to buy a new laptop and replace an aging Dell desktop I think I may just hold on for a bit. If they don't clean this up I'll go else where.
Brad Adrian
03-26-2004, 02:54 AM
I wonder if there will be an SE "phone edition" and if it will ship on their upcoming iPaq 6300?
I wouldn't hold my breath. It's taken T-Mobile to this past week to make the PPC2003 available on their Phone Edition. I'm only basing this on my personal experience, but the telcos seem even more reluctant to mess with upgrades than the device manufacturers.
Brad Adrian
03-26-2004, 02:55 AM
There's another important question here...
Let's say that Dell DOES decide to offer the upgrade. How long do you suppose it will be before they got it tested and ready to roll?
Fishie
03-26-2004, 07:32 AM
Screw that, Toshiba kicks ass.
Oh yeah a company screws over E740 users six ways to sunday the only ass they kicked was their own. :roll:
Hey I got burned by Toshiba before.
Same here and I still love and buy their products. I'd buy them over Dell anyday.
Likewise, especialy if they continue to deliver quality and inovation like they did with the e800/805
Fishie
03-26-2004, 07:34 AM
Is it just me, or does this make no sense?
It's apparently not just you, but it makes plenty of sense - business sense, at least.
They know from past experience how messy it can be to offer a new OS for an existing product. When they didn't know better, they thought slipping WM2003 into an existing product made a lot of sense (that's the only reason there was upgrade for previously sold product - it was already developed). No other manufacturer had ever upgraded an existing product, and in the end it gained them little or nothing to offset the pain.
I see Dell loosing interest in making compelling products in the current environment where there is such rapid innovation and short product lives. They have two products that cover the old bases pretty well, and I'd expect they'll stay with this offering until things settle down a bit, and in the mean time keep their costs low. That's what they do best - commodity products.
I don't think they care if a few individual consumers switch to HP or Toshiba. Overall, it's peanuts compared to the business accounts, and their current products will be acceptable for that market for a while more.
That said, Dell still needs to be recognized as the one that originally shook up a compacent PPC market and caused these other guys to innovate in order to differentiate their products like we are seeing now. And Microsoft deserves credit for forcing a compelling-enough common baseline long enough to get the market established, and now opening things up to allow this kind of innovation. And Toshiba gets credit for not waiting for them.
You conveniently seem to forget all the Ipaqs that were flashed from PPC 2000 to ppc2k2
Fishie
03-26-2004, 07:37 AM
But we are the one's that reccomend!
Don't upgrade us and we'll tell all our friends, who will tell all their friends.
I've influenced at least 2 others to go with Dell. How many have those two influenced?
Just me alone, that 4-5 lost sales for Dell next time around.
Same here. I directly influenced 3 people to buy Dell. After the fiascos I had with them I've since swung two people onto Ipaqs. And myself of course.
Add me to the list of people that have recommended Dell. 12 users total. 9 in the office I work, 2 of my friends and 1 stranger at Best Buy who was looking at a HP. I now regret sending him to Dell’s website to take a look at the Axim.
Not anymore and the funny thing is we have at least 15-20 Palm Pilot Pros and Palm III’s that are starting to show their age in the office. You can bet cash I won’t be suggesting Dell. :twisted:
If they need a quick replacement get the Toshiba e800, if not do what i would do and wait for the Asus 730 and/or whatever else might be anounced in the next few months.
i must say tough the ASUS is damn SEXY.
gohtor
03-26-2004, 09:05 AM
I guess Dell didn't take into account how loyal and attentive ppc owners are with their hardware. I would have assumed they knew by now how angry people were when Dell had a small delay on their ppc2003 upgrade cds. =)
oldan
03-26-2004, 02:43 PM
I'd have to agree with the general PUH-TUI! feeling on this move.
1) I bought my Axim 5 because I know Dell has a good reputation of deploying ROM updates on desktops and laptops. I assumed they'd move forward with this strategy on the PocketPC world. Apparently not.
2) I'm a little over-tired of my PocketPC. It does everything I need it to do, but my new Nokia phone is coming perilously close. I can now
surf the Internet
store my contacts
track my to do list
check my personal mail (using POP3)
check my business mail (using Movian VPN and IMAP3)
update notes
and sync with Outlook
I can record voice messages to myself, play the odd game and and even compose music. Oh, and let's not forget the fact that my pocket pc has never had the ability to take pictures!
OK, so why do I need another Pocket PC? Why do I need one at all?
The mail client on the PocketPC doesn't have configurable spam filters. It can't organize my messages well. It requires a static office machine to ActiveSYNC with.
So now, to get the newer features, I have to buy a new piece of hardware? Hmmmm... perhaps I'd be better off to renegotiate my cell phone contract for a cooler phone and put my Dell on eBay.
kamfai
03-26-2004, 03:39 PM
i brought axim x5 advance few months ago,
if dell really not give a free upgrade to wm2003 se
or option to upgrade for a minor minor fee.
then i will never buy a dell product any more !!!!!! 0X
coz i planning to get a centrino notebook!!!
10s
fai :devilboy:
fauer
03-26-2004, 10:23 PM
I JUST BOUGHT MINE AND I FEEL SCREWED @%$@! DELL FROM NOW ON. I'm not kidding. I have a DELL Charge card and everything I was going to do subsequent shopping for new scanner - camera - printer. I'll go back to eCost, et al.
I'm really upset to hear that my Dell Axim X5 is no longer going to be working. After all the work I've done fine tuning it over the last 15 months, Dell now refuses to make me an upgrade. What a disgrace!
So what happens exactly, will it explode on the day WM2003SE is released? (Watch that guy with laundry on his head and an Axim in his hand at the airport check in line).
Maybe the results will be less dramatic and the device will just not power up. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I'm encouraged that it didn't explode or stop working when the WM2003 was released, I ordered an upgrade from Dell and it never did show up. The good old Axim managed to survive through this with the 2002 OS still intact. I can't believe my luck will hold this time as well.
Actually, I'm getting my own upgrade for my PPC. If all goes according to plan it will be called an A730.
Jonathon Watkins
03-27-2004, 05:10 PM
Guys, as folks have previously said, can I encourage you all to head over to Dell's support forum (http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=aximgensw&message.id=8655&view=by_date_ascending&page=1), register and ask them to provide Window Mobile 2003 Second Edition for the X5? Thanks.
afhobbs
03-29-2004, 08:08 PM
I apologize if I have missed something that was already stated previously.
I called Dell and they clarified that, at this time, Microsoft has released Windows Mobile 2003 SE, which is for Smartphones. Pocket PC 2003 SE is expected to be released in mid-July.
According the Dell rep. I spoke to, Microsoft has not announced whether the upgrage will be made available for free or for a price. Until Micsrosoft decides, Dell cannot say whether an upgrade will be available either way.
I was told to check ball back in July. I was also told to check the Dell website or updates on this topic.
Andy Hobbs
Jonathon Watkins
03-29-2004, 10:12 PM
According the Dell rep. I spoke to, Microsoft has not announced whether the upgrade will be made available for free or for a price. Until Microsoft decides, Dell cannot say whether an upgrade will be available either way.
Thanks for that Afhobbs and welcome. 8)
I have a problem with this Dell statement however. Why should the price influence the availability? It really a matter of how much they charge for it, as there will be integration and distribution costs (though it would be good to be able to download the update - unlike last time). They have seemed to be saying up to this point that it was never going to be available at all. Also - I do not believe that the OEMs don't know what the price will be. MS usually make these things very clear in advance.
I was told to check ball back in July. I was also told to check the Dell website or updates on this topic.
Only thing is, by then we will have lost momentum and the decision will be moot. It is released now, HP and Toshiba have announced their (free) update policy - so the time for Dell to make announcements is now.
vBulletin® v3.8.9, Copyright ©2000-2019, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.