Dell Axim X5 300 MHz Pocket PC Review

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(More customer reviews)I worried and read every review available before getting the AXIM, so I'll share those things I most wanted to know before the purchase.

I purchased the AXIM X-5 300 on 11-26 with a ship date of 12-18. I received it on 12-9, a very pleasant surprise. The case is sturdy silver plastic with rubberized sides. I've had the AXIM in my hand for as long as 4 hours and, because of the size, shape and rubberized gripping surfaces, I have experienced no cramping or muscle tension. Very good human factors design in this instance. Most importantly, the unit feels secure in my hand with no sensation that it's slipping or that I'm about to drop it. With the screen setting as bright as it will go (and it is very, very bright and clear), I have used the AXIM for 16 total hours on it's original charge and have 40% of the battery remaining. This is not gaming, but does include about 1 hour of Media Player to watch video (excellent!). With the backup battery I have no fear of taking it until it shuts down. The stylus is OK, all metal except for the point, and better than those little round plastic styli. The Navigator button does not have an "enter" feature, but it does scroll appropriately. To see the real potential of the button it should be used in Excel. The speaker is limited, but there is a headphone jack (I have not used this yet). Otherwise, everything is sturdy and functional.
The synch software installed with no difficulty (HP laptop, P-III, w/XP) and I am very pleased with the Pocket PC interface and applications. It appears to be a very full-featured software package. At the entry-level price I have money left over to purchase some software I might really want (but it is such a good package, I have no clue what else I should buy. Look at your MS Office and Explorer and think "I can do all of this on a handheld").

This is my first venture into Pocket PC, and I made the appropriate choice with the AXIM X-5. I have the potential of my laptop and desktop in an extremely portable package. Don't worry about the size and weight of the AXIM; to me it is a non-issue. I cannot fairly compare the AXIM to other Pocket PC's, but it is almost exactly the same size as my Palm III-XE. As for weight, it's light enough. All of the other Pocket PCs I've seen and hefted are too big and too heavy. All of them. Everyone wants a matchbook size computer that throws out an 11X14 holographic screen that we can navigate through telepathically, and that weighs only 4 grams. Even at that size and weight people would carp that it's too big and heavy to be an earring. The AXIM is as light as a feather compared to any laptop. On a budget, it is outstanding. If budget were no limit, I say get a Winnebago to carry your servers, satellite uplinks, wet bar, and Jacuzzi.
...Unless you really loathe inserting a CF card (it just slips in the top), connectivity is a non-issue. Memory: CF, or Secure Digital cards that slip in the side (so you can have boat loads of memory). In the box: The AXIM; CD-ROM software; USB cable; charger; sturdy carry case; ubiquitous manual, quick start guide, warranty, etc.

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The Dell Axim X5 is the ultimate handheld device, delivering style and outstanding features at an affordable price. It's powered by the Intel XScale processor at 300 MHz to help you keep up with the tasks of everyday life, and is equipped with 32 MB SDRAM and 32 MB Intel StrataFlash ROM.
The Axim X5 is equipped with Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Premium and pre-installed with familiar applications like Pocket Word and Pocket Excel, along with a calendar, contacts database, voice recorder, and a number of other built-in features.
With an integrated Type II CompactFlash card slot and a Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard slot, the expansion capabilities seem endless. And with its removable, rechargeable battery, the Axim X5 is never tied to its cradle--simply leave a spare battery charging in the cradle, and swap your battery when it's low.
The Dell Axim X5 features a backlit, 3.5-inch, 16-bit, touch-sensitive, transflective TFT color LCD display capable of displaying 65,536 colors at 240 x 320 resolution.
The Axim X5's audio capabilities include 16-bit stereo, full duplex record and playback, and an integrated microphone and speaker. The Axim also features a headphone jack.
The Axim X5 comes with a rechargeable, removable 1440 mAh lithium-ion battery. A rechargeable, removable 3400 mAh lithium-ion battery is optional.
What's in the box
Axim X5
Stylus
Sync cradle
AC Adapter
1440 mAh Lithium-Ion Removable, Rechargeable battery

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