OWNERS OF AXIM X5 EXPERIENCING SCREEN PROBLEMS, READ THE UPDATE AT THE END OF THIS REVIEW

My PDA Requirements
I jumped on the PDA bandwagon last July. Up to that point, I had used a day planner to organize my calender and keep track of contacts. My first PDA was a Cassiopeia EM-500, which served me well until I realized that I had used it to its capacity and needed a more powerful PDA with more memory. I knew that I wanted to stick with the Windows based Pocket PC operating system due to its compatibility with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Internet Explorer, and Money. I also use my PDA for entertainment, so I wanted one that could handle most games and play MP3's. With that in mind, I reviewed several products, mainly focusing on Toshibas, Compaqs, and Dells. My top priorities were:

*At least 300 MHz processor
*At least 32 MB memory
*Compatibility with SD/MMC cards (I already owned one)
*Color screen
*Durability (I carry it in my pocket everywhere I go)
*Cost!!

My Selection Process
Those factors guided my search. Both the Toshiba and Compaq models met my several of the specifications, but not all. For a Toshiba PDA with the above system requirements, I was looking at an e335 at $235 minimum, which is acceptable except that the Toshiba was almost too thin, and did not feel as durable in my hand as the Dell. A similar Compaq, the H1910 was a little more expensive ($249) but had only a 200MHz processor. The Dell Axim comes with the following specs:

*300 MHz Intel XScale processor
*32 MB RAM
*32 MB ROM
*Beautiful color screen
*SD/MMC and Compact Flash compatible

The Dell is slightly larger than the other PDA's (mainly heavier and thicker) but I liked the feel of it-to me it felt more durable. The sides have soft rubber grips which make it easy to hold. Better yet, I found a brand new Dell Axim X5 (300MHz) for only $189.

It should be pointed out that Dell has an awesome warranty for their handhelds. They come with a 1 year, Advance Exchange warranty, meaning if your PDA fails, you call Dell and they send you a new unit next day air. When it arrives, you sync it up to your PC and send the old one back. Sounds great to me!

My Thoughts After Using the Dell
Now that I've had an opportunity to use my new Dell, I have no regrets. Its been a solid performer for me day in day out. The screen is bright and clear, and I would recommend getting screen protectors for it (available online from Dell or other computing stores). The stylus is oval shaped, not round, and is initially uncomfortable if you are used to a round stylus.

The Dell has nine buttons: ON/OFF/Dimmer, UP/DOWN scroll key, recorder key, reset key, multidirectional navigation key, and four hot keys (calender, contacts, inbox, and home). The ON/OFF key is centered above the unit, which I find difficult to use without using both hands; I'd prefer it on the side for easier access. The scroll key is located on the left side and you can scroll up or down and select items by pressing it in; I personally don't use it as much as the stylus. The record key is also on the left and is easy to access and use. The reset key is almost invisible (a good thing) and can be pressed only with the stylus (also a good thing). The multidirectional navigation key is centered below the screen; I find it easy to use, but if feels somewhat loose-I prefer more resistance when I use navigational keys. The hot keys are located adjacent to the multidirectional navigation key and are useful for accessing the often used programs.

As I mentioned, the record key is easy to use and is handy if you need to record a quick note to yourself. However, the microphone, located at the top of the unit, does a poor job of picking up your voice unless you speak very close (1" to 2") to it. The speaker, located at the bottom of the unit, is adequate but produces mediocre sound-common to most PDA's I've used. The unit features a 16 bit stereo headphone jack, which is great when listening to MP3's with Windows Media Player.

I use several programs daily, including MS Money (for balancing my checkbook), MS Word (note taking), Calender, Contacts, Internet Explorer (you can use a program called AvantGo to download web pages to your PDA daily), and Solitare. I use the Media Player to listen to MP3's (over 2 hours on optional 128MB card). The unit is also equipped with MS Messenger, MS Reader, and Pocket Excel. The downloadable programs available on the web are almost limitless.

There are several accessories available that I have yet to try, including a keyboard, wireless CF cards, digital CF cameras, and a CF GPS system.

I have had no problems syncronizing it to my PC once ActiveSync, Outlook, and the cradle driver were installed. I have not had any problems with the unit, so I can not comment on Dell's customer service, but I feel confident in their warranty.

My Final Verdict
Pros:
*Great Performance to Cost Ratio
*Awesome expandability (SD and Compact Flash Type II slots)
*Great Color Screen (3.5", 240x320 resolution, 65,536 colors)
*Sufficient Memory
*Useful hot keys (Calender, Contacts, Inbox, and Home)
*Uses Windows Pocket PC 2002 Premium operating system
*Wide selection of programs
*16 bit stereo headphone jack (for playing MP3's)
*Rubber grips on sides

Cons:
*Thicker than competing PDA's (actually a Pro for me)
*Loose feeling navigational key
*Weak microphone (must be 1" to 2" away)
*Location of ON/OFF button (top of unit, requires two hands to use)
*Design of stylus

UPDATE!
I have owned and used my Axim X5 for over year now, and have one major complaint. The touch screen began operating erratically after a few months of use. It would not register my screen taps correctly, rendering the unit useless. In reviewing Dell's support site, I found that Dell recommends removing and reinstalling the screen protector to fix this issue. However, my unit did not have a screen protector on at the time, so this fix was not helpful. Neither was Dell's customer support. After some haggling, I eventually got a replacement unit sent to me free of charge (since it was still under warrenty).

One month after my warrenty expired, I experience the exact same problem. This time I received not help from Dell's support, since the warrenty had expired. Dell's customer forum had numerous posts of users with my exact problem, but Dell still has not acknowledged the flaw.

Fortuanately, one resourceful individual devised a simple fix that has restored my unit to full operating capacity. This fix was posted on Dell's support site, and I have pasted it below for use by other Axim X5 users experiencing this problem:

QUOTE DELL USER MARKINS
I had this problem for about 6 months. I was able to work around it by pressing in on the sides. The problem progressively got worse, so I decided to open it up and see what was going on. This is what I found:

The touch screen lays on top of the display screen. At the bottom of the touch screen, directly below the "Inbox Button", there is a flex cable (flat mylar with conductors). I found that the contacts from the button had scratch through the mylar on the flex cable and would short out. I suppose this would scramble the decoding from the touch screen.

To correct the problem, I cut a small piece of electrical tape and laid it across the damaged area on the flex cable. I reassembled it using just the screws (I left the rubber sides and feet off) and tested it. After I was sure it was working correctly, I finished assembling it.

You can find detailed disassembly instructions on the web by doing a search for X5 screen replacements. The procedure isn't that difficult, just be careful when you remove the rubber sides and feet to lift them slowly and try to keep the glue stuck to the rubber (this makes reassembly much easier).

Quick instruction:

1. Do a complete backup of your unit (you will loose all your data).

2. Remove both batteries and any cards.

3. Remove the rubber feet, sides and plugs at the bottom back.

4. Remove 6 screws from the back.

5. You should be able to remove the back of the unit.

6. Unplug the speaker cable (pull straight up on the plug).

7. Lift the motherboard and screen away from the front cover.

8. Make your repair.

9. Reassemble in reverse order.

Hope this works for you, I did this about a week ago and haven’t had a problem since.
END QUOTE

I tried this fix and have been pleased with my Axim X5 ever since. I love the unit, but am disappointed with Dell's support and lack of acknowledgement of this problem. Therefore, I cannot recommend it without hesitation.

Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 189
Recommended for: Students - Stylish and a Best Value