Dell Axim X30 scores big. Read this review before buying!
Written: Aug 05 '04
Product Rating:
Pros: Fast, wireless capabilities, nice cradle, good bundled software and accessories.
Cons: Bulky, plain looking, tiny nav button, and takes a while to ship.
The Bottom Line: It is a no brainer for someone who wants it all without breaking the bank. It's fully featured with plenty of extras all for under $300.
The Dell Axim definitely ranks at the top for the most bang for your buck in the PDA market. I paid $297 plus tax for the new Axim X30 with 624MHz and integrated wireless. Dell recently had a promotion for 15% off which made my decision to buy any other pda very difficult. I've previously owned a Palm m100 and most recently an HP iPaq 1935 so I have some validity behind what I say in this review.
The screen
I've read other reviews on the X30 and some people have said that Dell could have done a better job with the screen. I disagree and don't let those people who say that deter you from buying the X30. I think the people who say that probably didn't know that they can change the system setting and disable "Clear Type" font. By default clear type font is enabled on the X30 which, in my opinion, actually makes all the fonts look blurry and thus scares you, as it did me, that the screen's resolution is poor. Once I adjusted the setting the screen looked just as good if not better than my iPaq. The color is rich and accurate. With the screen at it's brightest setting it is actually brighter than my iPaq. In my opinion, only the high end Sony Clie handhelds with resolutions of 320 x 320 have a better screen. But if you've seen most iPaq’s, you can expect the same if not slightly better screen from the Axim. I've also tried watching a short mpeg and viewing high res photos on the Axim and it ranks par with all other pda's. The X30 also allows you to change the orientation of the screen to landscape mode which makes it easier to view websites. I've also read that the Axim comes with a screen protector. No it doesn't. The cheap plastic film that comes with your new Axim is the same crap that comes with new cell phones to protect the screens during shipping. It's oversized, thin, rips and scratches easily. The first thing I did when I got my new Axim was to put on a proper screen protector from Fellows. Much like Durex, it fits perfectly and the screen doesn't lose sensitivity. No complaints from me on the screen.
The Intel 624Mhz processor
Awesome! The best part of the X30 for the price. It blows the Samsung 203MHz processor on my iPaq out of the water, but of course. I definitely experienced an increase in speed as programs launched, files downloaded off the internet and when syncronizing with my desktop. If you use 10 or more channels on AvantGo or use a processor demanding application like PocketMap it's a definite must to have a faster chip. With the XScale technology the chip can automatically switch from running at 624Mhz down to 208Mhz to save battery power. It's like the speedstep technology that Intel uses on their mobile processors in laptops. You can override this manually and have the processor always run at full speed as well. The WMMX technology is also supposed to increase the performance of multimedia like games and video.
Integrated wireless
Totally cool. With Windows Mobile 2003 SE connecting to a wireless hotspot couldn't be any easier. And with the X30's dedicated button to turn on/off the wireless hardware getting connected is just a push of a button. When you turn on the integrated wireless a green light blinks from the antennae which means the 802.11b is running as well as a blue light which means the bluetooth is running. You can manually turn each one of them on or off. I tested the wireless 802.11b at a local coffee shop and it worked fine. If the wireless was already on when you entered the hotspot you may have to turn it off and back on for it to automatically recognize new connections. But hey, what do you expect, it's Microsoft Windows. Once you have made a connection then browsing the internet with the pocket Internet Explorer is almost like doing it at home/work.
The docking cradle
Looks fantastic. The cradle has a metallic look to it which makes it look very cool and futuristic. It's also heavy enough, but not too heavy, so that it makes docking your X30 fumble free. Once the X30 is docked, the Dell logo shines bright blue behind the tinted plastic of the cradle which looks very cool. The power cord and the usb wire on the cradle is long enough to place it on your desk while your computer is on the floor or even off to the side. Also, for the price that I paid for the X30, the included cradle is a big plus. Thumbs up in this category. You also get an adapter so that you can charge your X30 while you’re on the road, no need to carry the cradle.
Bundled Software
It comes with all the basic software you expect from today's PDA's. In addition, it comes with Microsoft Word, Excel, IE and Media Player. It also comes with a picture viewer, not as nice as the one that came with my iPaq, but one cool thing is that it can be used as a slideshow screensaver when your X30 is docked. It also allows you to use any of your photos as your Today’s wallpaper and even allows you to change the transparency level. It also comes with a data backup software which is really easy to use and nice to have if you have sensitive data.
Carrying case
Wow, a nice leather slip case with belt clip comes with it too? Though I don't use it, it's definitely an added bonus. Don't expect getting that from an iPaq. The slip case is rigid with a soft cloth lining on the inside so it has the strength to protect your new X30 but has the gentleness not to scratch it.
Battery life
Very typical for a PDA. It will last you 4-5 hours if left on continuously. There are many features that can save battery life on this X30 such as: screen dims after a manually set amount of time, processor slows down from 624MHz to 208MHz, and you can individually turn off the 802.11b and bluetooth.
The stylus
Dell took advantage of the bulky X30 body and created a thin, flat stylus that works well in the hand. The shape of it looks like a elongated paddle you use to row a boat. It's actually quite ingenious. Think about it, with larger hands it's harder to hold a thin round object then something that is flat and has more surface area. I like it.
OK…so what’s not so good about the Axim X30
Dell describes the Axim as “Light and thin, sleek and stylish design”. Sorry Michael but I don’t think so. Compared to my iPaq, the Axim is “Heavy and thick, bulky and clumsy design”. If you plan to carry your pda in your shirt or pants pocket or try to use it to impress girls then maybe the Axim is not for you. It also takes about 2-3 weeks for it to be built and shipped to you. The 5 way navigation button is too small and you’re prone to pushing the center button on accident.
Overall, the Dell Axim X30 is a must buy for anyone who wants a fully functional PDA without the high price tag. So if you don’t mind the bulky body and the very mediocre appearance, the X30 will definitely satiate your appetite for a complete mobile power play. I give this product four stars for it’s great performance and the long list of additional features and accessories. It loses a star because it lacks in portability and style which is a huge category for anything that you use outside the home or office.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 297 Recommended for: Business Executives - Powerful and Professional
DELL AXIM X30 624 MHZ 64MB PDA With WIFI&BLUETOOTH Display: 240x320 pixels at 65,536 Colors OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003!! Lastest Version. Slots...More at Amazon Marketplace
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