Product Review: Dell’s Axim X30 – a Great Buy
I’ve been in the market for a PDA the past few months now, however all the ones I looked at in stores like Best Buy seemed either a little too pricey or lacking the features I wanted. I too couldn’t decide between a Palm-based PDA or the newer Window’s Pocket PC-based Pocket PCS. One day on Dell’s website I was browsing the deals they had for laptop computers and I saw an advertisement for their brand new Axim X30 PDA, so I clicked on the link. I was amazed at the features the X30 included at it’s given price, $250 after a 15% off rebate that Dell does from time to time. The Axim X30 had everything I was looking for in a PDA, speed, memory, bluetooth, and 802.11b wireless access. It also came with 64 MB of storage space and 64 MB of RAM. Not to mention a SD card slot for optional additional storage needs. I simply could not believe my eyes that it was so cheap.
Other PDAs I had looked at in stores also featured about the same speed (in mhz) chip and about the same memory, but if you wanted wireless capabilities, those PDAs typically cost at least $300 and many were over $400. Many too charge even more for bluetooth (think of it like USB cable, just without the wires) capabilities. To make the Dell Axim X30 even more attractive to me, Dell included Intel’s brand new XScale Processor with WMMX running at 312 mhz. From what I’ve read the 312 mhz XScale out-performs the older 400 mhz Intel Pocket PC chips. However if you are worried that you will need more speed, Dell also sells a version of the X30 with the new Intel XScale 624 mhz chip (for about $100 more), which is probably faster then my desktop computer, and more speed then I needed in my Pocket PC. For those who don’t need or want the 802.11b wireless capabilities, a stripped-down X30 with the Intel 312 mhz chip is available for about $40 less.
A Couple Qualms
I placed my order for the Axim X30 312mhz on Dell’s website immediately. I was a little dissapointed at the ship date Dell had estimated, which was about 3 weeks. I didn’t see why the Axim had a “build-time” of around 2 week, after all, it isn’t a computer with a lot of interchangable parts and add-ons, I would assume they would have these things pre-made and ready to go. However I would hope Dell is putting these things through rigorous testing to make sure they work as advertised, so I didn’t make a fuss about the wait-time.
When I received the Axim about 2 and a half weeks later (about 5 days early of the estimated ship date!) I was excited to boot it up. Unfortunately the directions say you should charge it for at least 8 hours before you first use it, so there was to be more waiting. I started charging it and read over the manual. Taking everything out of the box I noticed that I was missing the USB sync-cable that I was supposed to be getting with the package. Even though I wanted Bluetooth for syncing the Axim with my computer, I don’t have my laptop with Bluetooth yet, so for now I have to use USB cables (also note that the 312 mhz Axim includes the USB travel sync cable, while the 624 mhz Axim includes a USB sync cradle). I emailed Dell about my missing sync cable, and within 3 days dell had it at my doorstep free of charge.
Product Review and Summary
Performance and Operating System
The Dell Axim X30 works great. I hooked it up to my computer after installing the included software and it immediately sync-ed with my Outlook Calendar, Mailbox, Notes, Contacts, and Tasks list. Now I have these things with me where ever I go, and I feel much more organized. The Windows Pocket PC Operating system is extremely easy to use, anyone who has Windows XP or earlier varieties of Windows will feel right at home. I found the 312 mhz Intel XScale chip to be more then fast enough for me. This is especially true when considering that to save power, the chip often “steps” down to about 208 mhz.
Input
You can input data into the Axim via the stylus, using it to either write as you would on a piece of paper or using an on-screen keyboard to type in individual letters. I prefer this keyboard method, as I find the writing method to be frustrating. You have to write a certain way, not necessarily the way you actually write, in order for the Axim to recognize what you’ve written. Despite numerous attempts I could not get it to work exactly right, which is fine, I’m perfectly happy using the keyboard on the screen.
Included programs
The Axim X30 comes with many programs built in such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and games like Solitaire. Programs like Word are great to have if you want to take documents on the road. Windows Media Player is also included for playing MP3s if you want to store them on the included memory or on a SD memory card. Other programs can be found on the internet for free or a fee, I recommend the game Pocket Euchre.
Wireless
The wireless works great on the Axim. I took it to a coffee shop the second day I had it, and it immediately picked up on a Wi-Fi connection available in the store and connected me. I was then surfing the internet and checking my mail on a 6-inch rectangle in my hand, it was great! The device is making me question my need for a laptop all together. Perhaps I will just buy another desktop for cheaper and use this baby to surf the web and check email while not at my apartment.
Battery
I have yet to run out the battery completely, though I have received a battery-low warning once. I’d say it typically will last for 4-5 hours of continuous use on a single charge, which is pretty good. There are also other settings you can use to make this longer (such as turning off Wi-Fi or dimming the screen).
Overall
I can’t be happier with the Dell Axim X30 and all it’s capabilities. The only complaints I have are for the long build time as I discussed, Dell’s forgetting to send me the Sync cable, and also for the screen-protectors I ordered. It took me about 4 tries to get a screen-protector on the screen correctly, and those things aren’t cheap. Plus if you mess up, they are almost impossible to get off (I recommend using another piece of adhesive like strong tape, and yanking it off). All in all though, I highly recommend the Dell Axim X30. You can’t beat its price with the features it offers.
