| Bonnie's PDA hit list | ||||
![]() Bonnie Cha, associate editor |
Just as CNET portable audio expert James Kim has seen a few MP3 players in his lifetime, I've seen my fair share of PDAs. And not a week goes by that I don't get asked the question, "What's the best handheld out there?" While there's no clear-cut winner, I can certainly share with you the devices and accessories I would want in my bag. The first thing that caught my eye about the Dell Axim X50v is its VGA screen. Sure, it's not the first PDA to feature the high-resolution screen, but from an overall design standpoint, the X50v has everything--it's compact, sleek, and attractive. In addition, it keeps me entertained with Windows Media Player 10.0 Mobile (perfect with Shure's E3c headphones), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a gaming bundle. Yet while the Axim X50v wowed me with its advanced features, I also fell in love with the PalmOne Tungsten E2 for its simplicity and affordability. The Tungsten E2 is an all-around solid PDA with amazing battery life, so I'd be happy to have it by my side. I'm not a fan of Graffiti or any of the input methods on handhelds (is anyone?), so the spacious Think Outside Bluetooth Stowaway keyboard saves me the pain of scribbling doodles on my device or pecking out one letter at a time. Finally, I like to get away on weekends, so pairing my PDA with the Belkin GPS receiver ensures that I'll have a smooth ride.
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| Product name |
624 MHz Axim X50v Handheld with 1-Year Advanced Exchange Service and 1-Year Tech Support |
Palm Tungsten E2 |
Think Outside Stowaway Universal Bluetooth keyboard |
Bluetooth GPS Compact Receiver |
E3c Sound Isolating Earphones |
| Review date | October 12, 2004 | April 12, 2005 | October 5, 2004 | May 26, 2004 | December 5, 2003 |
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Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained) |
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Excellent |
| Buying choices |
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| Product videos |
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| Review summary | The Dell Axim X50v is filled to the brim with PIM and entertainment features; unfortunately, it suffers from subpar performance. | The Palm Tungsten E2 delivers the sleek and affordable combination of productivity and entertainment in a package that should satisfy mobile professionals and consumers alike. | Fashionable and functional, the Stowaway keyboard is the perfect accessory for those who want to do more with their PDA. | A pricey but powerful wireless add-on for Pocket handhelds and laptops, the Belkin Bluetooth GPS exceeds expectations. | The Shure E3c is expensive, but if you're into the stealthy form factor of earbuds, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding pair. |
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| Basic Specs | |||||
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624 MHz IEEE 802.11b , IrDA , Bluetooth 16-bit (64K colors) Microsoft Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition Display Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen 6.2 oz 64 MB Full specifications |
200 MHz IrDA , Bluetooth 16-bit (64K colors) Palm OS Garnet 5.4 Display Stylus , 5-way navigation button , Touch-screen 4.7 oz 32 MB Full specifications |
9.9 in x 5.8 in x 5.8 in Keyboard English 5.6 oz Programmable Wireless - Bluetooth Think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard Keyboard QWERTY 2 x Triple AAA None Full specifications |
2 years warranty Elevation , Speed GPS kit 0.55 lbs Detachable 12 channel Full specifications |
Stereo In-ear canalphone Full specifications |