Difference between the Axim x3's and x5's

stearic · 03-11-04, 08:06 AM

being i'm new to pocket pc's. whats the difference between these 2 models? I"m looking to buy one and i want to know what the differences are, what the pro's/con's are for each so i can have all the info i'll need in helping me choose.

alanpeabody · 03-11-04, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stearic
being i'm new to pocket pc's. whats the difference between these 2 models? I"m looking to buy one and i want to know what the differences are, what the pro's/con's are for each so i can have all the info i'll need in helping me choose.

IMO, there are three major differences: size, expansion and WiFi. The X5 is slightly larger and offers two expansion slots (compact flash and secure digital). The X3 only offers a secure digital slot ( although it is SDIO which can be used for gps cards, camera cards, etc.) but it also offers built-in WiFi and possibly bluetooth in the near future.

Either way you go, you will be getting a great machine, and this site has tons of information about each. Dell doesn't seem to offer X5's anymore, and I cannot find any in the outlet. There are usually some here in the classifieds or on Ebay.

Jogga · 03-11-04, 08:31 AM

I guess the answers to the questions you pose depend on what you want to use a ppc for.
In simple terms the x5 is a faster machine with a bigger memory, but of course nothing is that easy!
You can configure any of the machines (starting with a basic model) and therefore 'upgrade' the basic spec.
Ask yourself "what will I use this for now? What am I likely to want from it later?
If you want mobile communications, will you need, Wifi, Bluetooth or infrared?
if you want to play games, do you want a faster processor?
If you're likely to add lots of additional software, you'll probably want the larger memory capacity (a mistake I made before I knew what you could get on these machines!).
Do you need the cradle or will a USB sync cable better meet your needs?
If you want the machine as a PIM (personal information manager) a basic machine is cheaper and very effective.
There's no right or wrong answer, it depends on you. I use the X3, it's fast enough (for me) but I wish I'd had more memory.
This probably ain't much help, but I wish I'd thought as carefully when I chose my X3! I'd still have bought a Dell though!
Jogga

X3iwhat · 03-11-04, 11:05 AM

Jogga
How can you say that the X5 is faster than the X3? Benchmarks show the X3 is faster than the X5. Also they both have the same amount of memory available on each.

Jogga · 03-11-04, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by X3iwhat
Jogga
How can you say that the X5 is faster than the X3? Benchmarks show the X3 is faster than the X5. Also they both have the same amount of memory available on each.

X3iwhat
I ask your forgiveness: in my defence, I did say that it wasn't that simple!
I run the standard X3, 300MHz processor and that's slower than the wife (that's why it's fast enough for me)
Clearly, time has moved on, but when the X5 was widely available it had the 400MHz processor: that's why I (mistakenly) generalised.
I have to agree that the X3i is a fantastic machine (if only I'd held on a little longer) and easily out performs the outdated X5.
Hope this clarifies my obvious error.
Jogga

X3iwhat · 03-11-04, 03:11 PM

haha :) Sir you are forgiven. I think either are good. BTW I'm on the X3i typing this :-)

ikehiker · 03-11-04, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jogga
... but when the X5 was widely available it had the 400MHz processor: that's why I (mistakenly) generalised....

Actually, when the X5 was widely available, it also came with either a 300MHz or a 400MHz. Thus, the processor speeds are equivalent but the PXA263 processor in the X3 has much better video capabilities making it seem faster in many uses (and some of us only have a 100MHz bus speed on the older PXA250 processors which makes it even slower. Still, my X5 is faster than my invisible wife.)

Jogga · 03-11-04, 05:37 PM

Ike
I glad I started this!
Once again, my profuse apologies; it's now clear that I should engage my brain before I let my fingers loose!
You are, of course, quite right, I hope you think no worse of me.
Jogga

ikehiker · 03-11-04, 06:42 PM

It's no problem. I just wanted to set the record straight for other readers. Believe me, I've made some pretty idiotic comments at time. Yours was pretty minor in the realm of things.

[edit: corrected a stupid mistake. :crooked: ]

stearic · 03-12-04, 07:05 AM

whats the difference between the cpu model in the x3 and x5? bare with me here, heh. i'm new to pocket pc's. heh

MrKlaatu · 03-12-04, 07:20 AM

.
.
X3 = PXA263

X5 = PXA250 -or- PXA255

Google 'em if you want the specs.

HighTymes · 03-12-04, 02:57 PM

My X3i says it has a PXA255 chip in it.

alanpeabody · 03-12-04, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
My X3i says it has a PXA255 chip in it.

I just received a new X3i this week and it shows the processor being a PXA263. Dell must have switched the processors at some point in production.

spoon · 03-12-04, 08:14 PM

I find the CF AND SD slots allow me to do everything on my X5 - for instance, my maps on the SD card allow more main memory use while the CF GPS is working - if your going for a GPS I think you need the 2 slots. - Also I just bought a CF wifi card and can store my downloads on the Sd card - this may also be useful in the future when the idiots start writing viruses for the PPC.