Dell Axim X5 300 MHz Pocket PC

Features:

• 300 MHz InteláXScale Processor, 32 MB RAM, and 32 MB ROM
• Brilliant 3.5" high-resolution transflective 65,000 color display
• Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard slots to add storage or wireless communication cards
• Built-in microphone, speaker, and stereo headphone connector
• What's in the box: Axim X5, Stylus, Sync cradle, AC Adapter, 1440 mAh Lithium-Ion Removable Rechargeable battery

Accessories:

Targus PA870U Universal Wireless Keyboard

Customer Reviews:

Pretty amazing for its price! [Posted on 2004-02-06]
INTRO:
Hey, if you're reading this review, you are thinking whether to buy this or not. If I were you, I would buy it. This is because this little handheld is pretty amazing (with some attachments).

CAPABILITIES:
Well, first thing first. This is my first Pocket PC. I bought DELL because my computer is DELL and it's pretty good. With the optional SD and CF card (if you're going to get one of these, i recommend to buy a large SD card. This is because if you buy a CF card, your CF slot is full, forcing you not to put in additional attachments such as GPS, camera, ect.), you can add music, MOVIES, books, maps, and virtually anything digital memory. Without the optional SD and CF card, you can still add these, but the Dell Axim does not really have the memory. If you happen to buy the GPS from Pharos (recommended by DELL), you cannot fit the headphones because its right next to the CF slot.

PROS:
This DELL Axim is pretty slim, and pretty fast. It also features BLUETOOTH technology for wireless stuff. It has a CF slot and a SD slot. Also has a "Hard Reset" which is basically like "reformatting" except it takes less then a minute. You can watch movies, listen to songs, never get lost (GPS), take photos, and virtually anything with the optional attachments.
SIMPLIFIED:
*Slim
*Fast
*Bluetooth
*CF and SD Slot
*Hard Reset
*Play movies/music
*Never get lost (GPS) OPTIONAL
*You can do virtually anything (digital) with the optional attachments

CONS:
A cradle for fifty dollars? I don't think so. The customer support can be better, if you know what I'm talking about. I tried to call them for something simple, asking for the foldable keyboard, and they put me on hold for 30 minutes! Small memory (32 MB).
SIMPLIFIED:
*Cradle for fifty dollars?!
*Customer Support sucks
*Small Default Memory (32 MB)

BOTTOM LINE:
If this is your first handheld to buy, buy it. It is the best you can ever get in the price range. But before you go off and buy it, read the recommendation below.

ADDITION TO THIS PRODUCT:
256mb Lexar SD Card
128mb SanDisk CF Card
Screen Protector
Pharos GPS
Pharos GPS Car Kit
VEO Camera

CONCLUSION:
All the above products are optional. But I do recommend you get the first 3. Go get this product. It's well worth the money!

Dell doesn't care about you or your data. [Posted on 2004-03-12]
I bought one of the Dell Handhelds and found that the SD slot did not work after buying three cards to try. I ended up calling Dell Support to help troubleshoot my problem and they told me to perform a "hard boot". They failed to tell me that this would wipe all my data on the device and I lost two days worth of information on it. When I found that this was the case and the representative didn't mention that it would wipe it all, I was very frustrated. Worst of all, it didn't fix the problem. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, I was informed that they didn't have one because "they've all gone home". As a result, it's been sent back and I'm very happy with my iPaq--and its support. Buy a Compaq, they know that data is important and my calls to support don't get treated as a casualty of doing business.

Axim X5 is the worst that could happen with you [Posted on 2004-04-19]
I ll be short. I am really tired of explaining in details what i HATE about Axim X5, and how I regret that I was on a cheap side and bought this monster. I noticed that some of the happy Dell customers are happy for the first couple of months. Wait till your warranty expires!!! This axim x5 is good only for 6-7 months then its good for hammering nails. I am sure that nobody is happy about an idea of buying a new Pda from Dell every 8-10 months, except for Michael Dell.
So quality is bad, and I am really surprised as they do pretty good laptops and desk tops.
Customer service: God!! Send some mercy!!! Listen, I speak with an accent, I live in New York, I got used to dozens of accents. But I refuse to understand this ridiculous mumbling, robot's phrases,like "Or Mister Smith, I understand your frustration". Yeah right... But what kills me the most is the fact thaty they LIE to you. "Did you sent my axim 5 back???" "Yes we did!!" 3 weeks later no results!!!

I am tired of dell,

Save your money for something else... [Posted on 2005-01-09]
Dell does not make a reliable PDA. I am on my third one and it is now a paperweight. Dell does not support their PDA's so if you do buy one, spend the money for the extended service. In my case, the repair cost was stated at $199 and they would send a factory reconditioned unit. You can buy there bottom end PDA, brand new for $199.

biggest piece of junk [Posted on 2005-03-07]
My Dell Axim is the stupidest $500 I ever spent. It locks up, won't recharge, needs constant tending and the battery life is like that of an insect. If you need this kind of useless equipment, buy another brand. Sure, they ship quickly, but using the Microsoft platform just adds to the problems.

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