Which Axim X51v is right for me?

ZioGiovanni · 12-12-05, 07:01 PM

I’m looking at the Axim X51v with Windows Mobile 5 and I need help from the community deciding which one is right for me. I’ve perused the forums and other sources, but I don’t have the solid, real-world-experience answers I’m looking for.

Is the increased MHz (520 to 624) and the 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory worth the extra $100? I had never thought about playing Windows Media files on my PDA, but if the opportunity is there I might take advantage of it. As far as games go, I prefer puzzle games versus action games (at least on a PDA) so how important would the 16MB of video memory be?

I work for a technology company that provides wireless LAN in all their buildings. Can the Axim X51v and Outlook Mobile connect directly with the Exchange server through the wireless LAN or must I set up a POP3? One of the main reasons I want to upgrade my PDA from an older Palm is to have live calendar and e-mail information while I go from building to building.

Can the Axim X51v access a share on the network through the wireless LAN?

How limited is the Internet Explorer included in Windows Mobile 5? I don’t hold delusions that Web sites designed for much larger screens are going to magically shrink to PDA-screen size, but will I still be able to read book reviews on Amazon and access Outlook Web Access, for example? What about Shockwave, Flash and Java?

These are the main points I need answered. My thanks to the community for their assistance. Hopefully soon I’ll be an Axim owner and forum contributor rather than some guy on the outside with too many questions. :)

ZioGiovanni

stevenator65 · 12-12-05, 09:54 PM

Go for the x50v over the x50. You may not use the extras right now, but in the future you may want to watch movies or store photos of family. Plus the resale value is much higher on the "v". It's the one everyone wants.

Going online is easy and pocket ie is decent. There are some hacks for the V that allow you to see 4 times the screen real estate as in the non V model.

Lots of people use their Ax for reading ebooks and stuff, so reading amazon reviews should be fine.

Welcome to the club - in advance.

Tankman · 12-12-05, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by stevenator65

Go for the x50v over the x50. You may not use the extras right now, but in the future you may want to watch movies or store photos of family. Plus the resale value is much higher on the "v". It's the one everyone wants.

Going online is easy and pocket ie is decent. There are some hacks for the V that allow you to see 4 times the screen real estate as in the non V model.

Lots of people use their Ax for reading ebooks and stuff, so reading amazon reviews should be fine.

Welcome to the club - in advance.

Steve:

I agree. The X50v is great! Although only available on Dell's outlet. Was going for $312.00US yesterday. Great buy!
Warranty, 1 yr. advanced exchange
Cables, cradle, CD, manual, you can't tell "new vs. refurb'ed!"

:approve:

12-12-05, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Tankman

Cables, cradle, CD, manual, you can't tell "new vs. refurb'ed!"

:approve:

Except for the yellow or red refurb label under the batter cover.

JordanChris · 12-13-05, 12:02 PM

Go for the X51V.
Latest OS software - likely to be current for more years than 2003 would be.
Bigger screen - much easier to read e-mail (Outlook on X51V is quite possible to use as you walk from building to building).
WiFi sync to the Exchange Server is quite possible. Depending on how your Wifi security is handled, you might need to down-load a certificate first, or enter a WEP code.

Access to a network share? Never tried it. But the X51V does have a Terminal Services client on it, so it certainly should be possible.

XPLORx4 · 12-13-05, 12:23 PM

I second the others' recommendations. Get the x51v.

With 3rd-party software you can access a network shared volume. With WM5's Terminal Services client, you can use Windows XP Remote Desktop and control the remote host with your Axim, although the screen is much smaller.

Using OWA on the x51v is possible with Pocket IE, but it's rather cumbersome because the display is so narrow. The sidebar frame that has "Inbox, Calendar, ... etc" takes up over a major portion of the screen, so you have to practically shrink it down to nothing in order to view the Sender and Subject fields in the Messages windowpane.

If you don't mind scrolling a lot, OWA is usable. I don't think the QVGA screen of the x51 would be nearly as usable as the VGA screen on the x51v for OWA use.

ZioGiovanni · 12-14-05, 05:12 PM

Thanks, everyone, for their input. My fiancee got wind that I am looking at the Axim X51v so, who knows?, I may find one in my stocking this year. :)

ZioGiovanni

DJAd · 12-14-05, 06:24 PM

lol! is the Axim X51v the "top dog"??