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Dell Axim x51v falls short
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By David Ciccone, posted Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
Reader Comments: 19
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Unfortunate shortcomings make Axim enthusiasts unhappy
Well I have been reading all the reviews this morning of the new Dell Axim x51v. If you aren't familiar with it's the newest Windows Mobile 5 PocketPC released by Dell. Dell will be releasing 3 models Axim X51v ($499), Axim X51 WiFi ($399) and Axim X51($299).Many enthusiasts who have been using these units under NDA are unfortunately very unhappy with this release! Every review we read complained about the following shortcomings..
Cons
Battery poor
Unoriginal, if still stylish, design
No Jog Dial
Soft reset on battery swap
Shaky performance
No Bluetooth Networking Profile
Windows Mobile 5 issues
No hardware enhancements for Windows Mobile 5 softkeys
Poor 3rd party addons
One of my biggest questions for Dell is why they placed a data backup utility which is included in ROM? This is less likely to be necessary now that Windows Mobile 5 uses persistent storage and none of your data will disappear if your battery dies.. Sometimes I wonder if OEM's really understand the capabilities of Windows Mobile 5 and this "ism" validates my thought. What are your thoughts?
If you would like to read a great review of the Axim x51v with a full overview of Windows Mobile 5.0 checkout our friends at Bargain PDA
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What is the difference between the x50v and x51v?
Not much! WM5 and a little more memory. Buggy WM5 and a little more memory?? Should never have come out with the x51v. Great price though! All the cheap suckers should get the dell....you get what you pay for....crummy battery life and no jog dial! If you have to keep on using your stylus a lot when the ergonimics could have been better...shame on you dell. This is a reincarnated x50v no much more!!!
Posted by
edros,
Tuesday, Nov. 22nd, 2005
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The data backup utility is ABOSOLUTELY neccessary. Dave, you are definately the one who's wrong, not dell. It is EXTREMELY OBVIOUS that data backup not only restore the system from data looses but it also recover the system when there is problem. Don't tell me that you never experience any serious system crashes that requires hard-reset. I mean, PC DON'T loose data but they also have system restore/backup software. WHY?? Ask yourself! Now, please don't let your biased view influence good judgement. Even though you don't like dell, it doesn't mean you should just make up some stupid, absurd reason to complain.
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I've read most of the popular reviews and certainly didn't see the general consensus that people are very unhappy with the new release. Could you point me to all the reviews you are referring to?
Even the review you referenced ended with the following: It's well designed, well built, and is loaded to the hilt with features.
Posted by
csmith75,
Thursday, Sep. 22nd, 2005
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Well, HP has not being able to release an upgrade for it's hx4700 while Dell has released 3 WM5 devices using WM5 and it seems that it will hit the market with the WM5 CD before anybody else. In another hand, you can't blame Dell for the shortcomings of WM5. So far all reviews that I have read are a lot more positive that all reviews I have read about the hx4700. And I own one so do not tell me that I don't know the hx4700.
In fact, so far the only note that I have read in the web that is completely negative is your David. This reminds me a little incident a while back in this site when the hx4700 was released and I pointed there were sites selling it at much lower price than mobileplanet (BTW, I ended getting my iPaq 50 dollars cheaper and with free shipping from that same site that told everybody that they were lying and they were going to charge our credit cards at the end with the same price that mobile planet was charging). ;)
But, this is an iPaq site sponsored by HP, so these kinds of comments are expected.
Posted by
ctitanic,
Thursday, Sep. 22nd, 2005
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OK.. I know this is a iPAQ site, but I just have to say something about this TOTALLY biased comment on x51v. Dave, it is very unfair for you to list only cons of x51v. Anyway, I can list at least a 100 times more cons for 4700 and hp. Most discussions on the two devices indicate the x50 series is far better according to FAIR, UNBIASED reasons. Also, I don't get why you listed "Unoriginal, if still stylish, design" comment for x51v. I don't think the GIANT, ugly 4700 even looks half as good as x50/x51v. I can hardly say that " Unfortunate shortcomings make Axim enthusiasts unhappy". Despite a few cons, majority of feedback about the device is positive.
I'm sorry if I offended anyone, but I just have to speak out against this unreasonable judgement of dell. I just can't stand to see people treating x50/51v like trash with BIASED view.
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I, personally, like the idea of the data backup software. I use it especially when installing some new (and therefore suspect) software just in case I need to get back to square 1 or if I screw up. Or, perhaps, they are looking ahead when viruses will be as commmonplace on PDA's as PC's.
Posted by
CleanGene,
Wednesday, Sep. 21st, 2005
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Just for Jason's review. PocketNow, MobileTech review, and PDAGeek (PalmSolo), and BargainPDA's reviews give good reviews. Anyone that doesn't have a current Axim that want's one would do well by choosing this device. The consenses is that current Axim owners may want to get the upgrade.
Dave, did you really read the reviews? Unlike yourself, I am not biased toward any particular vendor. The success of the Axim speaks for itself.
Posted by
JNGold,
Wednesday, Sep. 21st, 2005
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wow gold a winner... I read the majority of the reviews and one even said if it were a software update it would be a dot release....
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A little wheel usually on a side of a device to assist in scrolling.
Posted by
JNGold,
Wednesday, Sep. 21st, 2005
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I have read several reviews thusfar. They all seem relatively positive. From what I can tell the WM5 issues seem relatively minor. Overall, battery life is improved which is a good thing. I can just imagine the improvements to batteries that fair better than the Axim's.
Sounds like a winner to me.
Posted by
JNGold,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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well, it's nice to know that other companies are not perfect either. I'd much rather wait then have some rushed out sloppy buggy WM5 device that DOES NOT have Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP for Exchange 2003 SP2) I'm perfectly happy using the 6515 for several more months. All my data is secured backed up, I have a 3rd party photo caller id, wm5 isnt that critical of an upgrade to bitch and moan about not having it today instead of tomorrow.
Posted by
s4czech,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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Thats my point everyone is getting rumors and fact confused.
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With RD costs and the time it takes to bring a product to market, I have to assume that the rx will see the light of day.
Posted by
JNGold,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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Read somewhere that FCC approved it. Does it mean that an approved device doesn't make it to market?
Posted by
JNGold,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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Never been anounced JNGold.. Show me the press release?
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Yeah, they did, the low-end hz1900 or whatever it's called.
Posted by
JNGold,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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I dont understand your point? HP hasn't announced YET what models will be coming out for WM5?
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there may be a number of shortcomings - but at least Dell do not clown around regarding what models they will release WM5 for !!!!! HP take note!!
Posted by
jturnbull,
Tuesday, Sep. 20th, 2005
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