Dell Axim X5 handheld fast and now more powerful than ever with improved software drivers and Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC. It integrates all features you... more
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Handheld - 32 MB RAM - Screen: 3.5 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA270 - Infrared - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition
A review by chrispitts on Dell Axim X5 December 3rd, 2003
Author's product rating:
Look & Feel
Good
Memory / capacity
Good
Comfort & Portability
Good
Ease of use
Easy
Value For Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Cheap, powerful, versatile
Disadvantages:
A bit bulky . Not as "cool" as an IPaq
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
OK, I admit it. I'm a technophile. I'm one of those people who believe something that has 20 extra buttons and 100 extra functions must be inherently better than something that doesn't.
And so the time came to upgrade my basic, and, quite frankly, boring, Palm personal organiser (can't even recall which model it was - but it was black-and-white, and had hardly any memory with no expansion sockets...)
And, as many technophiles do, I researched... and researched... and researched. In fact, I read around the subject so much, I almost forgot what it was I wanted one for in the first place.
So what did I want?
Affordable. Much as I love the top of the range Compaq Ipaq, I don't feel I can justify £500 to my wife.
Function. I was sick of just having a portable address book/diary. I wanted easy connection to my pc, I wanted games, I wanted full colour screen, I wanted mp3 playback, and video, and photo storage. I wanted easy storage upgrades.
Looks. Less important, but, hey, it has to look good too, right?!!
And so after looking through websites and magazines endlessly, I settled on the Dell Axim.
Why?
If you compare raw power/memory, like for like, you'll see that the Dell Axim X5 Advanced is on a par with the top of the range Pocket pcs, such as the Ipaq. but it's less than half the price!! In fact, it's the same price as most machines with 1/3 or less of the memory/power capacity.
That was the main draw. It also has support for Compact Flash/mmc and SD memory, so I could swap cards from my digital camera (SD), and also buy a cheaper CF card for permanent use in the Axim. Which reminds me - one slight low point of being a technophile is that you tend to "experiment" with your new toy a lot. Buy a large capacity storage card - you'll need it. My 256mb card is already full...
In terms of connection to my pc (running XP, although it works with anything from Win 98 up, I believe), things really couldn't be simpler.
The Dell Axim ships with a docking cradle, which looks lovely (with a nice blue light spelling out "Dell" on the front), but, in all fairness, is a bit fiddly to line up with the pocket PC during docking. Once the Axim is connected, the software takes care of updating all the information, synching with Microsoft Outlook 2002 (which is included with the Axim). THis takes care of the business side of things (Address Book, To Do List, Calendar, E-Mail Inbox). Then you can use the ActiveSync programme to add programs or files, use Microsoft MediaPlayer to download MP3s.... the world's your oyster, really.
The screen is full colour, and generally brightness is very good. The viewing angle is quite narrow, so you can't really have more than one person watching the screen at a time, but looking directly, you find the images are sharp and the colours are clear. In fact, the output is so bright, I've occasionally used it as a makeshift torch in the dark...
Sound quality from the inbuilt speaker is about as bad as you'd expect, but you can certainly recognise tunes etc. (despite slight distortion at higher volumes). Plug in the headphones, however, and you really notice a difference - the quality is fine - not quite CD, but perfectly OK for a portable device.
Video playback depends on the compression and size of the original video, but is generally good. I've had a few clips "stutter", but these tend to be the bigger, higher quality ones, and, really, on a screen this size, they should have been compressed more.
OK, so, there must be something to moan about, surely.
How about the general design of Pocket PC 2003. As everyone knows when you finish with a programme in Windows, you tap the "X" in the top right, and the programme closes. Not in PPC03 it doesn't... It minimizes. And so does every other programme that you open and then "close". Until, without realising it, you've got 8 programmes running, and a top of the range PPC running close to melt-down. There are free add-ons to easily close programmes down, but, to me, it seems a bit of a design fault in the programming.
And sometimes the machine does move very slowly indeed. But then, I suppose we're used to powerful PCs, and this is only 400MHz....
Many people moan about the size of the Axim, saying it's too big to be a handheld. Actually, it's very comparable with the IPaq. Yes, it's chunky, and you'll know it's in your pocket, but I consider that a good thing... I'm less likely to lose it!
As to the day to day use of my machine....
Text input is great. It uses one of 4 methods - text input via an onscreen keyboard, character recognition (like Palm-based machines), block recognition (a bit like that too...) and transcriber, which really cleverly takes your handwriting, and converts it to text - even in full sentences.
The buttons are recessed, and not easily pressed by accident, although easily usable when needed. It goes without saying that all buttons can be reconfigured, as can the start menu, the desktop background, the sounds....
Battery life is goodish. Expect to get about 6 hours continual multimedia use out of the machine before recharging. (More if you're only using the diary etc.) As a general rule, I charge up each night - it also gives me a chance to download the day's news in the morning.
And I haven't even mentioned the fantastic customer support offered by Dell. I purchased my Axim just before the release of Pocket PC 2003. Dell ensured the CD was shipped out (from the US, no less!) on the day of release, and then shipped out a separate update CD.
All in all, if you're after a powerful pocket PC, which could easily be considered "top of the range", but at a fraction of the price, head to Dell.
Advantages: Stable, full of features Disadvantages: Bulky, very expensive accessories
I wanted a PDA for some time, because its like a laptop but smaller and more efficient, especially for somebody like me who has probably has the worst short term memory and is hence completely dependent on technology.
After having gone through what's on the market I finally decided on this nifty little toy, it seemed to be a perfect match. Here is what I found...
First Impression:
Opening the highly unstylish box (nothing like the iPod's superb ... ...from instruction manuals to cable and software and a battery and a charger. The battery was slightly charged already to my extreme joy so I was able to straight away insert the battery and test it. It really does have everything you'll ever need. Excel, Word, Calculator, Calendar, Games, Notes, e-Mail, Contacts, and best of all its not only compatible with SD cards but it has a flash slot as well. This is something that very few if any of the competition ...
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Advantages: Ease of use and functionality Disadvantages: Not compatible with Outlook Express
...and when switched on the Dell logo lights up. So overall it’s visually impressive. Although it did take me a few minutes to find the stylus as it fits flush in a channel in the top of the device rather than running along the side like my Palm.
Specifications:
OS : Windows Pocket PC 2002 (although about a week after I got mine they started shipping Pocket PC 2003 - typical!);
Inbuilt Microphone and Speaker;
Dell rechargeable battery with Backup ... ...cards;
Touch Screen - 16bit colour TFT; Shortcut buttons for Calendar, Contacts, Inbox and Home;
Scroll dial at side as well as large navigation button on front;
Infrared Sensor;
400mHz, 64 MB SDRAM, 48 MB Flash ROM ( the standard version has a slower processor speed - 300 MHz - and less memory - 32MB each of SDRAM and FlashROM);
USB Cradle;
Headphone connector;
Record and Reset Buttons(they're inset and so not easy to push accidentaly);
...
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Advantages: Stylish and handy for a girlie! Disadvantages: None, I love it.
...electronic. But I felt my Dell Axim 5 had to be written about. My husband had told me that he had bought me a combined birthday and Christmas present and that it was going to be delivered the next day. Did I want it now or wait till xmas? Going on previous gifts, I thought it best to see it now, so that I would have time to change it. Sounds rude, but he would be the same, probably? Imagine my amazement when a sizeable box came through the post and ... ...was stated on the invoice, Dell had sent the next model up worth £230 inc. Vat. What a result, all 400MHz and 64 ram! Software wise, it came with Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. It also came with Microsoft Reader which is great because you can download ebooks from the internet and have a portable library in the palm of your hand. Just be aware that you have to activate Microsoft Reader online to start. It does have internet capabilities where you can ...
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...work. thanks. graham
Dell Computer Corp. has finally thrown its inexpensive hat into the Pocket PC ring with the release of two versions of its new Axim X5. The quality and power of the new Dell Pocket PCs, coupled with extremely low introductory pricing (£279/$£199), is guaranteed to please handheld consumers and worry other Pocket PC manufacturers. The "high performance" version of the Axim X5 sports 64 MB RAM, 48 MB flash ROM, and a 400 MHz XScale ... ...a cradle, the two new Dell Pocket PCs are identical devices. The Axim X5 weighs 200 grams and has a substantial feel and a stylish appearance. Black rubber side grips not only add to the smart look, they make it less likely to slip out of your hand. The 3.5" diagonal color touch screen is bright and easy to see indoors and out. The X5s come with a jog wheel on the left edge of the device, which lets you move up and down through lists and menus by ...
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Advantages: great screen, fabulous software, accessible customer service, usually kind Disadvantages: a little bigger than normal
you won't be unhappy with this pda. My only word of caution is that if size is really important in the sense that you need something small, you're not going to love this unit. but if you need to do writing or spread sheets you will. I use it most for writing reports, fiction, journalistic, all kinds as I am a writer. Anyone who needs the unit for extreme writing needs is really going to love it. I haven't had much of a problem on transfer. I think ... ...people's stories, that's pretty good. I found the keyboard indispensable. As mentioned before, I really do a lot of writing, sometimes over 3000 words a day, and this little unit has been dropped on the floor and everywhere. I find it highly versatile, and it sure has better graphics than the Palms in the same price range. The keyboard is a little expensive, but I found it worth every penny. The fact that it runs on Microsoft OS is great. Anybody ...
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Advantages: Flexibility and expansion Disadvantages: Side grips are a nightmare if you squeeze the unit.
...I got this little beauty primarily to use for work, which it does superbly thanks to the multitude of connection options available with it. (Bluetooth, Infra red and USB.)
Originally I was trying to decide between the DellAximX5 and the 2210, but the flexible build on this unit, the slender lines and the fact that HP / Compaq have been making these much longer than Dell, eventually persuaded me to go iPAQ.
The display is bright in most conditions and the sound is good from the built in speaker and excellent through headphones.
The iPAQ 2210 comes with 64Mb RAM and 32Mb ROM, as opposed to the 64/48 configuration of the DellAximX5.
This means that if power is lost for any length of time, files saves to RAM are lost. Howeve ROM memory remains. The iPAQ 2210 gets a 4-5Mb ROM filestore, as the rest is given over to the operating...
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Advantages: Bright screen, fast, CF and SD expansion slots Disadvantages: Bulky, tendency to freeze
...DellAximX51 - 520MHz
Specs:
Windows Mobile 5.0
Intel Processor at 520MHz
3.5" colour TFT display
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
64MB SDRAM
Integrated Compact Flash and Secure Digital expansion slots
USB cradle
Software Included:
Media Player 10
Mobile Office (Word, Excel & Powerpoint)
Calendar, tasks and contact management
Internet Explorer
Basic games
Several demo games
Additional Software Purchased
Dell Navigator
Monopoly
Scrabble
My Palm Tungsten E was beginning to show its age after a couple of years and I started looking at a replacement. I am not confident about the future for Palm units so thought I'd look at Pocket PC models. After initially looking at HP iPaq models I felt that the Dell range offered better value for money. My criteria included straightforward compatibility with MS Outlook and other...
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Advantages: Speed - Power - 3d Graphics - Vga Screen Disadvantages: Battery Life
...receive its position and partly because it uses a lot of processing power.
Last week I tried the update to Windows Mobile 5 (WM5) very nice programme except it wouldn't install Destinator PN it said installing then said installed but nothing had happened, so this week back to 2003se, at which point you realise how much nicer WM5 looks to the eye. I have spoken to Destinator they said update very soon! Dell said update for the WM5 rom is out very soon.
When Dell released the AximX51v I looked to see what they had changed, not a lot little more memory and got rid of the backup battery.
I think that when they get the rom working properly then the battery life will be a lot better.
So my conclusion stop reading the reviews and go and buy an Axim you wont be disappointed!!!...
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OS Provided: Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003, Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Premium, Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC
Software: Clock, Calculator, Notes, Voice Recorder, Calendar, Contacts, File Explorer, Inbox, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, Solitaire, Tasks, Pocket Outlook, ActiveSync, Memory, MSN Messenger, VPN Client, Terminal Services Client, Infrared Beaming, Microsoft Reader, Align Screen, Windows Media Player 8.5 for Pocket PC , Pictures, Volume Control
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Manufacturer's product description
Dell Axim X5 handheld fast and now more powerful than ever with improved software drivers and Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC. It integrates all features you need regardless if you use a handheld as a Personal Digital Assistant, for Mobile Internet connection, gaming or advanced industry applications. It's powered by an Intel XScale Processor for fast application computing. It is easy to keep yourself organized with your everyday tasks while the Axim X5 is equipped with familiar applications like Pocket Internet Explorer and e-mail "Inbox", along with a calendar, contacts, voice recorder and a number of other built-in features. With an integrated Type II CompactFlash card slot and Secure Digital / MMC card slot, the expansion capabilities might seem endless. With its unique dual battery architecture the Axim X5 is not tied to its cradle - simply swap your battery when running low without losing your critical data stored in RAM.
Handheld - 32 MB RAM - Screen: 3.5 in inch - Display: TFT active matrix - CPU: XScale PXA270 - Infrared - Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition
15.05.2006
21.12.2005
