it's worth what I paid for it - $199.
Written: Apr 15 '03 (Updated Apr 15 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A Pocket PC at an affordable price
Cons: the jog button, size
The Bottom Line: Jog button sucks, but hey, it's a pocket PC for 199.00! Get it.
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| ro_bro's Full Review: Dell Axim¿ X5 Pocket PC |
I think other reviewers have basically covered all the tech specs, and all the specs are at the dell site and other tech review sites out there, so I will just get to my experience in using this for about 3 months.
1. the jog button sucks.
-it's located at the wrong place. it should be located on the upper left (assuming that you're right handed), b/c when you hold it, it should allow your thumb to easily flip it up and down. however, on the upper left, is the sd card slot, and the jog button (not really a button, but a little protruding switch looking thing) is right around in the middle of it. so it's awkward to use, since you have to hold it a little lower. Perhaps it's personal preference, but hey, I used to have a sony clie s320, and the jog dial (not switch) was perfect.
-the jog button is also flimsy. it's supposed to also be a button, where if you press down, it's supposed to have the effect of being some sort of 'enter' key. you really have to press hard, and when you do, it feels like you broke it.
Basically, I don't use this jog button.
2. The screen display is quite nice!
I was nicely surprised at how bright it is. You can see it in sunlight, and you can see it well in the dark (you can also adjust the brightness of it, when it's on battery or plugged into the outlet.
3. The SD card is key!
I bought a 128mb sd card from amazon.com for around $50. I suggest you get one too. Otherwise, you will be severely limited by the 32mbs on this thing. When I run apps on songs from the SD card, it's pretty seamless... except when I try to play movie files from them, then it's a bit choppy. But I rarely play movie files, it's just for show. :)
4. Go to Ebay and search for "pocket pc software"
do this to get all your software for your pocket pc. I bought a cd that a guy burned for about $7. Well worth it! don't waste your precious time searching the net to download free and shareware. There are plenty loaded on the cd (yes, legally, they are freeware, but handy). Included are dictionaries, and ebooks, and antivirus apps, etc, along w/ some movie files.
5. Get a leather case from www.ebcases.com
This saved me. I dropped it a couple of times, but the flip case I got absorbed the impact, and it's fine. It also protects your Axim from scratches and such.
6. Get a screen protector from...
This site: http://shop.brando.com.hk
Best screen protector. It's semi stiff, but stil very clear! It will last you a very long time! Not one of those temporary covers. It doesn't scratch easily.
7. Get used to applications taking longer to open (if you were a former palm user
It took me awhile to get used to this, that you have to wait for an application to open. On my sony clie (palm os 4), you just select an app, and it opens right away. But this is really a pocket pc OS vs palm OS issue, not the dell axim...
8. The size.
Everyone talks about the size of this thing. It's not terribly big, but don't expect to carry it around in your pants pocket. It really bulges, especially with a leather case on it. I carry it in my big side pocket in my cargo pants, or in my small bag, or in my jacket pocket. to help you envision the size, imagine it slightly wider than the Handspring Visor Deluxe, and about the same thickness.
Hope those personal experience insights help!
FYI, I paid $199.00 after $50 rebate (which dell offered a couple of months ago).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199.00
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Epinions.com ID:
ro_bro
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Location: oakland, ca, united states
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I like basketball, tennis, and now volleyball. I also like some tech gadgets.
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