Dell shakes up the PDA market again with its new Axim model.
The Axim X50v sustains Dell’s reputation for top-of-the-range products at mid-range prices. At 11.9 x 7.3 x 1.7cm, it’s surprisingly small for such a powerful package. The 3.7in 640 x 480 display is powered by Intel’s 2700g graphics chipset with 16MB of RAM. It does a great job of rendering text and graphics, especially when toggling from portrait to landscape mode to view spreadsheets and Web pages. If you plan to switch orientations regularly, this action can be assigned to one of the six hardware buttons.
Intel’s 624MHz PXA270 processor powers the Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating system. Even though this is the same CPU as HP’s hx4700, the X50v’s overall Spb Benchmark result of 1,248 is about 25% lower. However, the Axim is also 25% cheaper.
The X50v is loaded with plenty of memory and expandability. The 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM leave around 150MB of usable memory, 90MB of which is non-volatile — perfect for storing important documents and system backups taken with the inbuilt utility. The slots can be used for IO devices like cameras, VGA outputs and GPS receivers.
There’s no need to use the memory slots for adding communications as the X50v comes with both 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Networking is enhanced with the addition of the Odyssey Networking client for connecting to corporate LANs using most popular encryption and authentication standards. Bluetooth was easily configured with the Widcomm software that’s common to most Pocket PCs. The IR port can be used as a universal remote control and to beam data to other devices.
For a device that does so much, the battery is a little underpowered at 1,100mAh. Running Spb Benchmark’s battery test yielded a little over three and a half hours in the application test, running a series of programs in a loop. While this easily translates into a day’s use under normal operating conditions, it’s disappointing.
Dell has incorporated a lot of capability and expandability into a tight package. If the price tag seems steep, there are other versions with slower processors and without the VGA resolution screen. However, the Axim X50v offers excellent value.

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