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Author : Chris Leckness
Vendor : Dell
Price : $399
Discuss this review : Click Here

The new "Sleek" Axim
Forget the X50v, the X50 Mid comes with a 520mhz, 64mb RAM, 128mb ROM, Dual memory slots, and a nice sleek design. The only thing wrong with the Mid is that it does not sport the 3.7" VGA Screen. Benchmark results show that the X50 Mid is just a hair below the performance of the X30 High.

What do you get?

• Dell Axim X50V Pocket PC unit
• AC adapter
• Stylus
• Companion CD
• USB Cradle
• User’s Manual
• Slip Case (Not available at review time though)

Specifications

Software

Click Images for Larger Shots

The Dell Axim X50 has another new Lan Utility. It is a cross between the one on the X3i and the X30.

Screenshots of the new Lan Utility

64MB RAM is divided automatically by the system. The spare ROM is used as an Built In Storage, like the iPAQ File Store.

Surfing Aximsite in Landscape (Default Settings)

The Design
The X50 Series knocks the doors over all previous models. The size is just right and the sexy look picks up where HP left off last year. The casing is feels solid and does not feel like it will break if dropped from 2 inches like another popular device I have been using.

Unfortunately, Dell had to change the connector again. A Dell Official told me that it was necessary to accommodate the VGA out on the VGA Model.

The Buttons (from left to right) are the Calendar Button, Contacts, Dpad, Mail, and Home.

The X50 is coming with a lanyard hook now and is pictured on the far left. To the right you have a screen lock latch. With the Screen Lock on, the screen and all buttons are unresponsive. Next you have the Wireless button and the Record button which act as volume controls when Media Player 10 for Mobile is in use.

The top of the X50 series we have (from left to right) the Stylus, Dual Slots (cf and sd), IR, and a stereo headphone jack.

The Dell Axim X50 Mid in its cradle. The cradle is missing the Bold Blue Lit up Dell Logo found on previous model’s cradle.

A nice new stylus. I actually prefer the flat stylus now too….

The little 1100mah battery slides in to its place on the back and is covered with a plastic cover that locks into place.

The QVGA Screen is no VGA Contender, but it ranks up there with the best QVGA Screens I’ve seen.

Who is Bigger? From Left to Right.
iPAQ 4155, Axim X50 Mid, Axim X30 High, iPAQ 2215, and Axim X5

Features
Adding 128MB ROM and Dual Memory slots is about all the new features that excites me here. For $399, you getting : A smaller, sexy contender with WiFi, Bluetooth, CF, and SD!

• Built in WiFi and Bluetooth - This has become a standard now it seems. Leaving WiFi out of a top level PocketPC seems taboo now.
• Dual Memory Slots - When the Dell Axim X5 came out, many were spoiled with dual slots. The iPAQ 2215 followed suit in a smaller form factor and we got even more spoiled. Then… Dell and HP both pulled the rug out from underneath us. SD only on both companies following offerings. Now the X50 Series brings this back. What does it mean? Well, more memory expansion than you know what to do with!
• 128MB ROM – Now you have 80mb or so of built in nonvolatile memory that can be used to store backups (that will survive resets) and applications that run better locally.
• Windows Mobile 2003 SE - We’ve all seen it by now, right. Now own it with the X50.

Performance
The X50 Mid performed wonderfully at on 520mhz.

Audio/Video - The X50 Series comes packaged with the brand new Windows Media Player 10. It allows for play lists and auto scanning of memory cards.

This latest version of Media Player makes it simple to download TV and movies and even supports access to online stores and subscription services, such as CinemaNow, MusicMatch, MSN Music and MLB.com.

All audio and video loaded on my test card played no problem. No skipping or choppiness in the video, even a 640×480 30fps clip. Even though there is no formal hole for the speaker output, the sound radiates pretty clearly from the units open areas like the Memory slot area. The speaker is not stellar, but with a good set of headphones, LOOK OUT iPOD!

BetaPlayer Benchmark (X50mid)

All benchmarks show the X50 mid slightly behind the X30 High!

Benchmarks using SPB Software Benchmark

• Battery Life – The battery life, Like the X30’s is poor. The 1100mah battery is not one that will make it through a typical day for a handheld user than makes the most of their handheld each day by utilizing the WiFi feature. Allot extra money for a spare if you are away from AC for extended periods of time.

  

• WiFi – WiFi performance was super as well. The range was just as good as any other device I have tested. I can roam all corners of my 1/2 acre lot through my brick walls without losing a signal. The speed is great and I have no complaints at all. After losing the ugly bubble on the X30, I only lost 2-3db in comparison to the X30 in each location I tested.
• Bluetooth – Although my version of Pharos Ostia would not load onto the unit, I was able to see and connect to my Pharos Bluetooth GPS.

Conclusion
Shave down the ugly bubble and add a nice looking chassis and a CF slot with the guts of an X30 minus some MHZ and you have yourself an X50 Mid! So, all coupon codes aside, $50 for a better looking PPC and a CF slot. I’ll buy it even though the speed is a bit slower. Dell’s first machine built by HTC (manufacturer of past iPAQs as well) is a sure fire hit in my opinion.

Pros

• Small, Sleek Design
• Dual Memory Slots (CF/SD)
• WiFi and Bluetooth
• 128MB ROM

Cons

• Battery Life
• No Consumer IR

Chris Leckness (3549 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Chris Leckness is the Owner/Administrator of Mobilitysite. He is a Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices and a member of the exclusive focus group, Mobius. Chris runs a Mobilitysite, GotZune, and a few other smaller sites and blogs. His personal blog is chris.leckness.com.