It makes it much eaiser to install programs and explore files/folders on your Axim. You would also need it if you ever plan on doing a ROM update that Dell puts out once and a while. So if I were you I would install it. From there you don't have to use it all the time. But you will need it at some point. I would also not worry about the USB problems as I don't think they are very common anymore. Don't know what verson came on your disk, but ActiveSync 3.8 can be downloaded form the M$ site
www.pocketpc.com Good Luck~
PS - Congrats on the Axim and welcome to AximSite!