Well, I've had my Axim for two whole days now and I thought I'd add a few items to the review. The last time I was very, very positive about the item... and I still am. But this time I'm going to point out some flaws and see if Dell pays attention (grin).
First of all... HARK ALL YE DELL USERS!
THE DELL AXIM HAS JUST BEEN CHOSEN BY "HANDHELD COMPUTING" MAGAZINE AS THE BEST PRODUCT OF THE YEAR!!!
Like we didn't already know.
Now, to the review, pt 2...
In every review I've read about the Axim, one thing has been mentioned as a "bad" item... the thumb-scroll device. It's not a handy, dandy easy-to-use thumbwheel.. it's more of a thumb lever. Everybody seems to hate it.
Same with the speaker built into the case. Considering the size of the Axim, couldn't a better speaker system have been built in? When I record a message, I can barely understand it on playback. It's worthless for any kind of music.
The other item that receives constantly bad reviews is the pitiful-poor IR device. It is so weak in power it is almost unusable. I don't know what Dell was thinking there, but of all the problems of the unit, I think in the long run that's the one that's going to tick users off the most. Apparently from general comments of Dell users, that IR window is good for a maximum of about 6" distance (that's inches, not feet) whereas other PDA IRs are so powerful they can actually be used to turn televisions on and off (in fact there's a program out there that allows you to use the IR on a handheld as a programmable remote control. It doesn't work with the Ax... not enough power and range).
So in these three things, despite my being a big fan of Dell, I have to ask, "What were they thinking?" Didn't they ask anyone what they thought about the idea of a thumb lever? Surely they must have realized that a sub-standard speaker would be received badly. And the IR snafu... major major problem.
THE GOOD THINGS.
As I stated in my last review, the Dell is an incredibly good unit all around (I mean, like I said, it DID just win a product-of-the-year award!). Yes, it's a brick. But so is the Compaq Ipaq. No real difference in size or weight between the two.
To compare, let's check a couple of units:
DELL AXIM
ROM 48 meg
RAM 64 meg
SPEED 400 mhz
Battery Long life
Software Expanded
HP1910
ROM None
RAM 64 meg, not all available
SPEED 200 mhz
Battery Short life
Software Standard MS package
Both units cost $300... so which would you choose? The choice is obvious. The Toshiba and other units are all so costly it's prohibitive (I mean face it... I had to argue with myself to justify $300) and not a one of them exceeds the power and expandability of the Ax.
SOFTWARE
I love the little SWITCHER program that Dell includes with their unit. It serves two purposes: to act as a task switcher, and a task killer (which for some odd reason that no one can fathom, is not a standard function of PPC2000). Dell didn't have to include that program... or the others they just throw in with the unit. But they did.
Once upon a time, software companies threw in a TRUCKLOAD of free software with their computers. Now you're doing good to get a functional copy of Windows.
So I like the fact that Dell decided to throw in software extras. I'd encourage them to expand it and even add more free downloads to their website. A few more really neat games and utilities would be a cool addition to their CD. There are a lot of freeware programs out there that are really spiffy.
By the way... does anyone have a CLUE as to how to get the SUPPOSED MS Encarta dictionary onto the handheld? I'm a programmer, and I still haven't figured it out. That's a flaw in the software installation system that needs corrected.
IS IT A BRICK?
I carried around the unit all of today, and didnt' feel uncomfortable at all. But I was carrying it bare in my suit jacket pocket. I checked several stores today, and did not find even one case that I thought was practical. So yeah, it's a brick, but a nice brick. The problem is, that if one adds a leather case, it REALLY becomes a brick. What to do, what to do?
CASE SUGGESTION:
The leather case that comes with the Ax is high-quality, but it's a LUNK to carry around. It's heavy and bulky and cannot be carried comfortably in a suit pocket.
What the Ax really, really needs is a semi-hard vinyl, very thin snug-case with a flip-over flap to cover the screen. That's all we need, is something to protect it against scratches and screen-bumps. We don't need several thicknesses of leather surrounding it, dramatically increasing its weight and making it impossible to carry. Basically, the Dell needs easily removable, skin-tight plastic/vinyl "armor" with all the right holes exposed or exposable. The front cover flap should be good and stiff so that if something hits it, the screen will not shatter. I can store SD cards and compact cards and other goodies in a business card case if necessary. All I want (and I think others want) is something to protect our investment.
OK, that's about it for this review. I think I've covered the additional points. All in all, I'm very pleased with the Ax, but the above mentioned things really need to be corrected. (In honesty, I wish Dell would do a "recall and correct" on the lousy IR port. That is a real disappointment).
See you on the next round.
http://Truesite.org .... There's something there for everybody.
hahahaha
