When I first considered buying a PDA, the Dell Axim X30 caught my attention. OK, it wasn't the sleek, sexy looking PDA that some people have but it certainly seemed well capable of most tasks. It has a fast 624MHz processor, 64Mb of internal memory which is expandable using an SD card. Above all, it has built in wi-fi (wireless connection) and blue-tooth - what more could you want?!
It arrived with a docking station with a USB connector for connectng to the computer and some software. Setting up the PDA was a piece of cake and I was up and running without a problem in no time. I had a slight problem connecting to my PC using wi-fi but Dell Tech Support were very helpful and in the end it turned out to be my firewall (on my PC) that was causing the problem.
The applications include: E-mail, Contacts, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Calendar, MSN Messenger, Games and a few other applications. Of course you can also use the PDA as an MP3 player as well as watch movies on it.
After using it for a few weeks, however, I realised that my initial instincts about not going the Microsoft route came to haunt me. Yes, you guessed it - the normal problems of programs hanging or not starting are something I am having to learn to live with. And yes, you have to re-set the PDA when you load some applications (this means pressing a small recessed button at the back of the PDA and is akin to doing the old "ctrl-alt-del" on a PC).
Syncronising with your PC is very easy with the supplied Microsoft Activesync application and I have to admit that surfing the net on my PDA while sitting in front of the telly is nice (using the wi-fi). And of course you can download all your E-mails wirelessly as well as use MSN Messenger.
In summary, it is great piece of kit if you accept that the software, even after over 20 years of development, still plays havoc with your temperament. In hindsight, I may have been better off going for a Palm based PDA, but then, at the time of purchase, they cost a lot more!
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Handheld - 64 MB RAM - Screen: 3.5 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix, Transflective - CPU: XScale PXA270, Intel® XScaleTM PXA270 - Wi-Fi, Infrared, Bluetooth - Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
Handheld - 32 MB, 64 MB RAM - Screen: 3.5 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale - Infrared - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003, Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Premium, Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2002 Premium
Handheld - 64 MB, 32 MB RAM - Screen: 3.5 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA263 - Infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003, Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Premium
Handheld - 128 MB RAM - Screen: 4 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA310 - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi - Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic
I've bought one of these second hand, and although it does need to be reset occasionally, I honestly haven't found it to be that much of a problem. Not sure why the product listing has IrDA, since as far as I know this model doesn't have it??
Deru 15.04.2005 22:37
I've got an HP iPaq. Same OS so got the crashing problem too =/
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Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item....
Advantages: Capable and robust PDA with rich features including Wireless B and Bluetooth. Disadvantages: Shortcut button does not allow just switch on BT or Wireless networking.
wealthsaver 30.09.2005 (30.09.2005)
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Review of Dell Axim X30
Apr 15th, 2005
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