Summary Like many others I'm sure, I had been shopping for a reasonably priced yet robust PocketPC device for quite some time. I found that PDA in Dell's Entry-Level Axim X51.
Don't let the words "entry-level" fool you, this a very powerful PDA and definitely worth your consideration ... Expand full review
Summary: Like many others I'm sure, I had been shopping for a reasonably priced yet robust PocketPC device for quite some time. I found that PDA in Dell's Entry-Level Axim X51.
Don't let the words "entry-level" fool you, this a very powerful PDA and definitely worth your consideration if you're looking for a great bang/buck ratio while also keeping an eye out for your device's upgrade potential in the future.
I just received mine yesterday and here's the skinny on the device.
First and foremost, the Dell Axim X51, as the X50 before it, is a great design. The Axim X51 feels great in your hands with its rounded edges and sleek, modern look. This is truly one of the most comfortable PDA's that I have ever held.
The entry-level X51 utilizes Intel's 416MHz processor, which is very fast I might add, and is also the same chip used by other high end Palm PDA's such as the LifeDrive, etc. that cost upwards of $500. I'm not sure why folks think they need anything faster such as the mid-level 520MHz and 624MHz models. Since the performance/battery life ratio is so critical for these units, you will seldom find yourself running on all cylinders anyway for long stretches of time, it's just not worth the battery consumption that it requires. I set my unit to auto adjust the processor speed as needed depending on the workload before it and I haven't a complaint yet. Even my buddies that on the mid-level 520MHz and 624MHz devices often reduce their processor speed to 416MHz or lower to get better battery longevity out of the units. So what's the point for paying for all the speed when you're going to be running it alot slower most of the time anyway? Do yourself a favor and save a few hundred bucks, and by a nice case or some SD/CF cards, it will be money better spent.
The Axim X51 is the first on the scene to utilize Microsoft's Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, and I'm digging it, it's very cool. The new OS definitely delivers more robust application features than that of Windows Mobile 2003 SE. The Axim 51 also sports 64MB more ROM than the previous X50 line-up, which capped at a total of 64MB ROM, compared to the X51's 128MB.
Now if you're like me and don't need to live out of your PDA, then this entry level model will do just about any power user just fine for quite a while. Granted this model does not incorporate 802.11b wireless capabilities, you do get BlueTooth. Depsite that, it's still not worth the extra hundred bucks for the mid-range X51 with 802.11b wireless and a slightly faster processor. Dell was very smart in including both SD and Compact Flash slots, so if your needs to change over time you can upgrade to suit your tastes. I managed to get this unit with an SD wireless 802.11b + 128MB card and still came out cheaper than what the mid-range along from Dell would have cost me. Do yourself a favor, save some money and still wind up with a fantastic PDA.
Now with the good comes the bad. In this case, the bad was rather miniscule. I definitely thought that Dell could have included a better case for the unit, considering the investment costs of these devices. Also, Dell could have thrown in an additional stylus, I don't think that is asking too much of them. Also, the unit comes with the travel sync cable, not the cradle, which is fine with me because I'm constanly on the go and the cable is much easier to manage than the cradle. So for you cradle fans out there, you have to buy the cradle as an addition for this model, but I actually liked it that way.
So if you don't need to live every waking computer moment out of one of these tiny units, get the entry-level X51. Though the wireless capability of the mid-level and up is nice as well as the VGA screen of the X51v, ease the swelling of your wallet and consider this model, you won't be disappointed. With the upgrade potential, you can't go wrong if you can't afford or don't need all the extra bells and whistles up front. Save some of that money for more immediate needs after your purchase such as a nice case, memory cards, screen protectors and such.
No matter how you add it up, you can't go wrong with this model. I gotta steel when it came out $285.25 out the door, free shipping from Dell. I bought this unit once, and will be buying another for wife for her birthday, I'm that happy with it.
