Dell Axim X5 400 MHz Pocket PC

To start out, the Dell Axim X 5 is fantastic! 90% of the negative reviews for it have to be from people who shouldn’t have gotten a pocket pc in the first place. I ordered my X5 on a Thursday, and received it the following Tuesday with regular ground shipping. After charging it for the required four hours before turning it on, I had it up and running and synced with my desktop without any problems. I’ve been using it for a week now and am loving it.
The display is bright and easy to read, the battery life is everything it’s supposed to be and I’ve been perfectly happy with the included software. I’m actually writing this review on my X5 using pocket word!
The touchscreen feels sturdy, yet requires only a gentle tap to make an entry. I find the screen easy to look at, and usually keep the brightness level set at 50%. In direct sunlight the colors on the screen do appear washed out though.
I can’t say whether or not Dell customer service is any good or not, but then I don’t know that I’ve ever had a good experience with any companies customer service. I was impressed with how quickly I received my ppc, and how quick and easy it was to start working with it.
I’ve run several high-end multimedia programs on it without any hitches, and highly recommend downloading the free divxmvp program for running videos.
In CNET’s review, they complained about the protector case which comes with it being too large to fit in your pocket. The thing is, it’s not made to be put in your pocket while in the case, it’s a hip case with a sturdy, removable belt clip that holds my Axim securely and protects it from even moderate bumps, as I’m an engineer who has to do a lot of climbing in and around a lot of equipment.
The X5’s shape makes it a pleasure to hold, being slightly tapered at the bottom makes it feel more natural in my hand than a unit which is completely squared off. The rubber grips along the sides of the unit makes it feel very secure while holding it.
On the downside though, I can say that the X5’s navigator button is mushy as others have reported, making it nearly useless for gaming. The sound quality from the single speaker on the face of the unit is only adequate, but what can you expect from a mono speaker? The unit does include a standard 1/4 inch stereo headphone jack which provides excellent sound even with a pair of cheap headphones.
The record button on the left side of the Axim is very tiny, and has to be pushed in with the corner of my thumbnail, which is very hard to do, especially while moving or driving. I suppose on the plus side it does make it virtually impossible to accidentally press the record button.
I’ve found it a little difficult to slip the unit into the syncing/charging cradle, the receptacle on the bottom of the unit doesn’t quite line up as well as it should with it’s male counterpart in the cradle, making me nervous that I could accidentally damage it.
The included documentation, while adequate does seem sparse, mostly consisting of warnings about what not to do with the unit. More tips about what could be done with it would have been nice.
Overall though, the X5 is a great value for the price, which was $269 including shipping and handling direct from Dell. I wouldn’t get rid of it for anything and can’t wait to start getting some of the great accessories available for it. I highly recommend this pocket-pc to anyone in search of powerful windows computing in a compact package.

For more information on this product visit Amazon.com

Dell Axim X50 Handheld Pocket PC 416MHz

After having my Palm go completely un-synchable, I was determined to find an easy to use, up to date PDA. Though my needs are generally for addresses and appointments, the Axim was so easy to set up and use that I will explore its other uses. The software offers continuous synching while it is attached to my computer, and simple drag-and-drop for moving files from the computer. In short, the Axim suits my needs perfectly and promises easy exploration of other, more entertaining functions.

For more information on this product visit Amazon.com

Palm TX Handheld

This is, quite simply, the best gadget I have ever owned, and a miracle of technology. Who needs a laptop, an ipod, and a PSP when you can do it all with one device??
NOW WAIT – Before you think I’m just advertising for Palm or something, let me tell you this: After I bought the thing, I got so frustrated I almost returned it. Strange things would happen: programs would be corrupted, icons would disappear, and it would constantly go into an infinite reset loop, which is a common complaint around here. After checking with Palm, and searching around, the consensus seemed to be that it was a software conflict (Unlike most older Palms, the TX uses non-volatile memory, so info is not lost if the unit loses all power. But the creates conflicts with some older software). But I didn’t think it could be a software conflict, because the problems happened even when I wasn’t using any software.

Finally, I found a website that saved my sanity. It has a list of software which conflicts with the TX (something Palm should have put out). Previously, I put the link in my review, but Amazon erased it. I guess I’m not allowed to put hyperlinks here. Anyway, do a web search, it is worth it. In my case, it turned out the problem was my AOL palm software. Incredibly, AOL worked fine but was causing conflicts with everything else, even when I wasn’t using it! I deleted the AOL and everything has been just fine ever since!

Some comparisons:
I am currently in Iraq and wanted a portable device to keep me entertained. I almost bought a PSP, but I’m glad I didn’t. Yes, the TX costs $100 more, but it is still cheaper in the long run because many great games for the Palm are free, and even the ones you pay for don’t cost as much as PSP games. Some of my friends who got PSPs are jealous of my TX, since it is far more versatile, smaller, batteries last just as long, I can wirelessly surf the web, and it also has a bright beautiful screen. But unlike a gaming unit, I can also do office work on it.
I also considered the Lifedrive, but it is more bulky than the TX. Plus, with 4gb and higher SD cards now becoming available, the extra memory on the Lifedrive is not quite so much of an advantage anymore. The only real thing the Lifedrive has over the TX is the voice recorder, something I had no use for myself.

Some essential software that’s free:
TCPMP (The core pocket media player) will play movies much better than the Media player included with the bundled software. To use it, you will need software to convert your DVDs. If you google, you will find dozens out there, but VEMode is the best of the free ones. If you pay a little, you will find ones that are better at copying encrypted DVDs, and some other tasks.

Blackborder by Canuck – This simply puts a 2 pixel black border around the screen (as opposed to the default white border). Suprisingly, this small change greatly improves the look of the screen and makes the colors stand out better.

FileZ – A file management program, that works like windows explorer. It is much better at managing files than the file manager built into the Palm. Its absolutely necessary for seeing everything on your memory card.

For more information on this product visit Amazon.com

HP iPAQ 211 Enterprise Handheld (210 Series)

I’ve been using Windows Mobile and Windows CE products for almost 10 years. I’ve owned the 4700, 2595 and now the 211. My wife has the 110. I use these devices extensively and have an entire workflow planned around it. It goes everywhere with me. My requirements are such that a converged device doesn’t provide much use to me: processor usually too weak, memory too little, and definitely the screen too small.

I bought the 211 about a month ago. Here are my impressions:

- My first reaction was “BIG!”. It is bigger than all my other devices. It’s thick, more so than the 4700. The weight is ok, though. I don’t think about the size any more. I’ve gotten used to it.
- The screen does require more pressure to operate, but again, I’m used to it now and it’s forgotten. I haven’t noticed different pressure reactions on different screen locations.
- The screen is perfect. To address previous comments about being able to see more stuff: I scan all my documents and commit to PDF. Everything. Then I sync to the 211’s SD card. I have a lightweight PDF reader, and I can read PDFs easily without scrolling horizontally. I can’t come close to doing that with my wife’s 110, or my 2495. Yes, you can fit much more on the screen, and it’s much much sharper than any other device. Yes, the unit takes advantage of the higher resolution: it’s not just bigger pictures on a bigger screen, honestly. Having said that, it’s up to the application to do that. Most do.
- I have *not* noticed any negative performance difference between this and my previous devices. It’s as fast as my 2495 and my wife’s 110.
- I have approximately 30 applications(!) on it. None have had compatibility issues. And because of the impressive amount of memory, I still have approxiamtely 55% of storage memory left.
- Yes, there’s a proprietary cable for sync and power. However, there’s also a mini-USB port, so the proprietary cables aren’t necessary at all. I don’t travel with them. I only use a retractable mini-USB for charging and synchronization. It’s really not an issue.
- Battery life is better than the 4700 and the 2495.
- I love the buttons. I honestly don’t understand the criticisms I have read about them. I’m happy.
- Bluetooth and WiFi have worked without any issues. My only complaint here is for WM6: it can’t connect to my work WiFi network because WM6 doesn’t support WPA enterprise.

Sorry for the rambling review. Just wanted to give my opinion on issues raised here. It’s the perfect device for my requirements: no converged phone/PDA, and I don’t need a camera. BTW, my employer gave me a 8525. I don’t use it at all. It simply can’t do what the 211 does.

For more information on this product visit Amazon.com

HP iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld (FA979AA#ABA) (110 Series)

I just got this PDA for my son, so I’ll let him do the review…

Hello, Chris here. Well, I can say one thing, Amazon’s shipping is pretty fast when something is in stock. We got it Tuesday, after ordering it Sunday. If only all the accessories came at the same time, but it’s ok.

To the device itself..

I’ve seen review videos before, detailing the unboxing of a handheld device, thinking, why? Well, now I know why. It’s a wonderful thing to see a pretty “cool” and handy box design. The box interior, as has been seen in various reviews online, has some detail about the iPaq itself, and the handheld is well-protected from damage. Everything is organized, and I didn’t notice anything in the box that didn’t seem atleast necessary.

Setting up the iPaq was a breeze, in fact, all I did personally was just update my PC’s Adobe Acrobat Reader, and install the last freeware version of TCPMP (a media player) to the iPaq. For those of you that may be interested, yes, TCPMP v7.2 does indeed work with Windows Mobile 6. Everything else on this iPaq is “stock”, from the factory, atleast for now.

Afew things I’d like to mention.. There is a kind of glitch common to alot of iPaqs, in that ActiveSync will turn the device on quite often, trying to connect to the PC, whether there’s a cable or not. This can drain the battery “a little bit” (between 3% and 5% over 24 hours, I’ve heard). There is a fix for this if you search online, but it’s very simple. I noticed the “glitch” within afew minutes of having the iPaq out of the box, but I was prepared, and the fix worked. Also, as I’m sure many will make note of, the power button is in an “awkward” place, very close to the voice recorder button. If you hold the iPaq just right, or keep it in a clamshell case of some kind, this probably won’t be a problem, but I’ve already accidentally recorded myself, while trying to put the iPaq in it’s included slip-case. If you remember where the record button is, however, it likely won’t be a significant problem.

I know this is quick for a proper review, posting it the following morning from receiving the device in the mail, but if anything changes, I’ll update it, promise.

Wi-fi connection is very strong. Lastnight just sitting in my bedroom messing with it, I was able to connect to a neighbor’s WLAN hub, and access the internet. I haven’t been able to check out the bluetooth capability, as I don’t have anything that uses it at the moment. I don’t foresee myself getting a bluetooth keyboard in the near future, or headphones. The jack-in headphones I have work GREAT with the 3.5mm jack on the iPaq. Audio quality is fine. If you use the speaker, the only way you’ll get good output is in a mausoleum with no other noises. This device’s speaker was probably an afterthought, but that’s ok, as headphones are perfectly good. A speaker system that connects to the 3.5mm jack should work also. I have a small battery-powered one that is for mp3 players, and the iPaq connects with it nicely.

I converted a music video for play with Windows Media on the iPaq. It played ok. Windows Media on a mobile device is adequate, but I personally look for other players whenever possible, especially for larger video and audio files. The iPaq’s included PDF and TXT programs work fine. HP’s Photosmart Mobile does a great job of viewing images, but that’s expected. The device is alittle more compact than I thought, but I like it. Now that I have installed the familiar and more functional TCPMP software, I have no real complaints. Battery life is good. The device responds to my input. I can do tasks without waiting for the device to “catch up” with me. It connects via a standard mini-USB connector, however, there are some non-HP connectors that WILL NOT work with the iPaq. Please be aware of that. Some “professional” reviewers on various websites have made a point of mentioning that the iPaq won’t connect with their non-HP cable, and I think personally that’s rather juvenile. Reasonably, you can’t expect a company to be responsible if another company’s plug won’t fit in their socket, right? Just use common sense, do alittle research online, and there’s nothing at all I can complain about with this iPaq. I love it. Even though I’ve had it less than 24 hours. LOL!

**Update** Sunday, 04/27/2008
———-
While I mentioned that there was a problem with the power and record buttons being very close together, I’d like to say this afternoon I fiddled with the buttons settings, and sure enough, there is a way to shut the record button off. So, there are as of now no complaints whatsoever that I have with this PDA.

I’ve been using this iPaq for afew months now, and it’s still just as good today as the day I unboxed it. I loaded up my first feature-length movie onto SD memory the other night, and it played in WMP *FLAWLESSLY*, no visible jerking or hanging. I would also like to note, that I have not had to perform a single reset on this device yet, soft or hard, and I use it daily. I keep very little on the ROM, but I just thought I’d mention that positive from my experience. Not bad for a handheld, as I’ve heard many stories about people having to reset their device every once in awhile.

So, in short, I still love this PDA, and fully recommend it!

For more information on this product visit Amazon.com