Just Got My Ax-- Review Pt 2

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 12:00 AM

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. :p

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.

rcirka · 03-08-03, 08:34 AM

Quote:

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.

Huh? All you need to do is download the file to your hard drive, then copy it to the axim using windows explorer, and open it on your axim. It is an ebook, not an installer.

Very good review; I definately agree with the IR being weak. At work, I use the IR ports on IBM thinkpads to transfer files between them. I get a good 1mb/s from the IR. When I transfer a file from my axim to the thinkpad using IR, I get around 100kb/s. Considering the great value of the axim, I guess dell had to cut corners somewhere. They could have done a better job on the d-pad as well.

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rcirka
Huh? All you need to do is download the file to your hard drive, then copy it to the axim using windows explorer, and open it on your axim. It is an ebook, not an installer.

Do you know the name of the file? Maybe I'm not recognizing it. I got some of the other ebooks to install with no prob... but can't find the dictionary file.

JakeRich · 03-08-03, 06:35 PM

You said: "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."

The SENA leather case, with a belt clip, weighs 2 oz (58 gm), adds very little bulk and protects the screen with an acrylic plate on which they have conveniently plated a mirror for the more vain amongst us. The flap on the case has room for three credit/ID cards and two SD cards, if you want to use that (I don't). The case has cutouts for all the places you need one except the CF card slot on top. The leather is one thickness, very flexible and soft, but doesn't seem to scratch easily. The front cover flap is good and stiff with just the mirror in it. The belt clip works well and the case pivots on the mounting point. I wear it under my suit coat with the Ax pushed around to the side, out of sight, and when I sit down I just pivot the Ax 90 degrees so that it is parallel to the ground and doesn't dig in to the seat or me. You might want to look at that instead of vinyl.

DennisFranz · 03-08-03, 07:28 PM

As far as the thumb lever, I hardly use it, I now use it for Avantgo more and more and I think it works just fine for me. I thought I saw a tweak somewhere to flip 1/2 pages vs whole pages. That would be nice!

As far as the speaker, I wouldn't expect it to be HiFi. Yeah, I agree that at least it should be able to hear speech from it. I think Dell or the manufacturer just want to be able to beep and able to tell what MP3 was playing but who knows. To tell the truth, I have yet to try the headphones. I wanna get the ear buds for that, Walmart here I come.

IR IS PITFUL, Nuff said about that. To be honest though, I really didn't buy it for a universal remote. I have my $7 Walmart remote for that but I know I wouldnt ever misplace my Axe if that is what I used it for. :) It may seems i am jumping on you but I am not. I always have my remote on the coffee table and that remote is more handy than using my Axe, invoking the IR app, clicking on the TV setting or DSS setting or Stereo etc. I just don't use it that much but others may use it daily. I wish I could watch TV all day

hahahaha

I agree with you as well with the size. Yeah its heavy (than others) and depending on your pocket/shirt or whatever, you may notice it. But dang! For $300 and all it does and CPU power and memory with CF and SD! I dont carry it on my person as of yet due to the Dell case size as well. I have my Moonlight-Tech (Proporta,Innopocket etc) case someing soon so we will see in my opinion of it.

dsimpson · 03-08-03, 07:53 PM

Regarding the MS Encarta Dictionary, you can check it out and download it from Microsoft's web site, I believe there is a link on the downloads page. Also, using the dictionary is just as easy as tapping and holding on word and then clicking 'lookup'. It's one of my favorite features.

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsimpson
Regarding the MS Encarta Dictionary, you can check it out and download it from Microsoft's web site, I believe there is a link on the downloads page. Also, using the dictionary is just as easy as tapping and holding on word and then clicking 'lookup'. It's one of my favorite features.

Yeah, I went to the MS website to try to download it, but all it did was install a copy of the dictionary on my PC... and hanged if I can figure out WHERE it installed it! I'm sure the file is on my PC somewhere, but where is anyone's guess. Haven't had time to experiment and find out.

I can't figure out why either Dell or MS doesn't make it readily available like all the other book files.

Oh, in reply to other messages:

[IR IS PITFUL, Nuff said about that. To be honest though, I really didn't buy it for a universal remote. I have my $7 Walmart remote for that ]

Yeah, but that's not the thing. An IR on a handheld has many, many potential uses. For example, imagine porting data directly from your computer using a wireless accessory. But that can't be done if the Ax IR is only good for 6" or less. About the only thing that can be done with it right now is if someone VERY CAREFULLY lines up two Axs and trades data. And how often is that going to happen? I think it's a real oversight on an otherwise excellent product.

[As far as the speaker, I wouldn't expect it to be HiFi. Yeah, I agree that at least it should be able to hear speech from it. I think Dell or the manufacturer just want to be able to beep and able to tell what MP3 was playing but who knows. ]

Yeah, that was my only gripe. I don't expect HQ stereophonic sound, but I would like to replay my recordings and be able to understand them.

Not really grousing, mind you. Everything has flaws. To expect the Ax to be perfect would be unrealistic. (Of course, the next model will undoubtedly be so... ; )

DennisFranz · 03-08-03, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayfinder
Yeah, but that's not the thing. An IR on a handheld has many, many potential uses. For example, imagine porting data directly from your computer using a wireless accessory. But that can't be done if the Ax IR is only good for 6" or less. About the only thing that can be done with it right now is if someone VERY CAREFULLY lines up two Axs and trades data. And how often is that going to happen? I think it's a real oversight on an otherwise excellent product.

Not really grousing, mind you. Everything has flaws. To expect the Ax to be perfect would be unrealistic. (Of course, the next model will undoubtedly be so... ; )

I send files to my Axe from my Inspiron 8K, it xfers fine. I just don't use it much. One thing I came into problems with that (not Dells fault) is to XFER files from an Apple. I can not get it to communicate via IR. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I am looking forward to the next model as well :D

Quinn · 03-08-03, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayfinder
Yeah, I went to the MS website to try to download it, but all it did was install a copy of the dictionary on my PC... and hanged if I can figure out WHERE it installed it!

OK, go to My Documents (on your PC) and you should see a folder called My Library. It should be right in there. When you buy books or get them from MS that's where they go. Just copy it over to your Ax and you should be set.

Quinn

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DennisFranz
I send files to my Axe from my Inspiron 8K, it xfers fine. I just don't use it much.

Another use that hit me after I logged off, which is much more likely, is that an Axim user might want to play an IR game with a friend. Considering the Ax 6" limitation, that would be unlikely.

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quinn
OK, go to My Documents (on your PC) and you should see a folder called My Library. It should be right in there. When you buy books or get them from MS that's where they go. Just copy it over to your Ax and you should be set.

Thanks, that did it. That's where it was all right. I wonder why it didn't just install to the Ax like it should'a. I can't imagine someone just figuring that out on his lonesome!

DennisFranz · 03-08-03, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayfinder
Another use that hit me after I logged off, which is much more likely, is that an Axim user might want to play an IR game with a friend. Considering the Ax 6" limitation, that would be unlikely.

I would love a game like that..
But like you said.. being that close, I would tend to cheat looking at the other Axim. hahahahaha

Quinn · 03-08-03, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayfinder
I wonder why it didn't just install to the Ax like it should'a.

ebooks are just documents, so they don't install. You always need to copy them over. Any time you don't actually choose where you're going to save one when downloading it it will go to My Library. It's a bit confusing because My Library doesn't actually exist until you install e-reader, so you might not even know that directory is there.

Quinn

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quinn
ebooks are just documents, so they don't install. You always need to copy them over. Any time you don't actually choose where you're going to save one when downloading it it will go to My Library. It's a bit confusing because My Library doesn't actually exist until you install e-reader, so you might not even know that directory is there.

Yah, and especially if you don't happen to know the name of document that was just downloaded. This was doubly-true when every other ebook document I've ever loaded either presented a list of documents with full instructions, or performed the transfer automatically.

Quinn · 03-09-03, 05:49 AM

I wish they had more inutitive file names. I have it display full details and arrange it by most recent. Then I know the one with the current date must be it.

Quinn