Advantages of WM5?

SSR · 03-05-06, 03:37 PM

Having seen the problems with WM5 on the X50V I'm wary of upgrading.

Does anyone know a definitive simple list of new features (advantages) over WM2003SE?

TIA

CaptKen · 03-06-06, 05:38 PM

biggest thing is the fact that with WM5 everything is in ROM instead of RAM so if your battery goes dead you don't lose everything. WM5 is the new OS, so like it or not it is what will be.

03-06-06, 05:40 PM

There is no way that I would switch to WM5 from 2003. I tried it once and I didn't like it. Too buggy. I'm waiting on that magical patch that seems like it will never come out. Then and only then will I begin to think about it.

xaris777 · 03-06-06, 10:47 PM

I upgraded and, after 3 days, in got increasigly unstable until it locked my axim up so tight that tech couldn't get to to power back on and had to replace the unit.
I would wait for some kind of patch. Remember that, to Microsoft, anyone who buys software with a realese number that ends is zero is called a beta testor.

0gopogo · 03-06-06, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by kulnet

There is no way that I would switch to WM5 from 2003. I tried it once and I didn't like it. Too buggy. I'm waiting on that magical patch that seems like it will never come out. Then and only then will I begin to think about it.

Same here.

WM5 has better versions of Word and Excel, but they still stink compared to TextMaker and PlanMaker.

People ooh and aah over WM5's persistant storage. I have Sprite Backup and multiple batteries, so I don't care.

The soft buttons for one handed navigation could be useful. I'd rather not have them as they waste screen real estate.

Bluetooth stack in WM5 is neutered. So is ActiveSync.

.NET Compact Framework 2.0 is part of the OS. Oops, that's good, actually ;).

There are other improvements, too. But none that would cause me to switch, especially when considering that WM5 on x50s is unstable and has not really been supported by Dell since they released it.

AdamaDBrown · 03-07-06, 01:33 AM

To offer a little bit of balance, I've had a great WM5 experience. Maybe it's the fact that I have an X51v instead of an upgraded X50v, but it's rock-solid stable and pleasant to work with. I miss the Belkin Bluetooth stack, but otherwise it's great. 25% increase in battery life, one-handed navigation, faster, and never have to worry about an accidental hard reset.

I think that the percentage of problems with the WM5 upgrade may be a little exaggerated here, because the people who haven't had a problem have no motivation to speak up, whereas the people who are dissatisfied let everyone know in a very loud voice.

0gopogo · 03-07-06, 01:43 AM

However, the number of "complainers" is unusually large.

MetalHead · 03-07-06, 02:20 AM

I'm using WM5 on a X50v and it works great. I've had the X50v for a little over a year so I had the learning curve of getting 2003SE working the way I wanted it to run. WM5 is no different with the notable exception that less ppl are running this configuration so it takes a little longer for the knowledge to trickle down. Meanwhile lots of ppl will badmouth it because it didn't work the same way 2003SE did. It's the nature of ppl to complain, especially in a forum environment. That's life, so what.

After working with applications made to work with WM5 I like the experience. IE works better I think. There are some added features that change the way things work and require less steps, like the appointment book.

My configuration is fairly basic but it serves my purpose: WM5, Spb Pocket Plus, WeatherPanel and the built in apps. That's it but it's stable.

Some things that MADE it work: setting the server up in the Outlook/Activesync configuration to keep it from "ghost syncing" , remove all but the brightness control from the Spb Pocket Plus "Main" tab (memory control induces problems), nailing the processor speed at "Maximum Performance" - 624 MHz

The one persistant little thing that really erks me still though is the disappearing CF slot. Other than that I haven't switched back since I put it on in November 05.

stratos · 03-08-06, 08:00 PM

I am running a Dell X5OV and WM 05. So far its been great. I am running lots of the same apps as netsyd. I had some issues early on, but those were mostly my fault.

03-08-06, 08:56 PM

yep x50v wm5:

+ wm5 is less prone to memory leaks ( for me anyway, I had to reset everytime I turned on wifi or run more than 20 minutes of applications required Soft reset), now I soft reset when the memory gets down to about 2Mb ( usually about once a week)

+ persistant storage is a bonus for me not having to worry about backup every day, nor sync everyday.

+ persistant storage is easier to workout where to install stuff, instead of 3 different locations (main mem for today progs & important, bis for other main apps, and sdcard for games & everything else) is now have just about all usefull programs installed in main memory & everything else on SD.

+ can turn wifi on/off willy nilly with no lockups.

+ Battery life is MUCH better.

- BT stack is less usefull than a bowl of custard with a toothpick...

all I can think of atm.

uMP2k · 03-08-06, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by stevodude

yep x50v wm5:

+ wm5 is less prone to memory leaks ( for me anyway, I had to reset everytime I turned on wifi or run more than 20 minutes of applications required Soft reset), now I soft reset when the memory gets down to about 2Mb ( usually about once a week)

+ persistant storage is easier to workout where to install stuff, instead of 3 different locations (main mem for today progs & important, bis for other main apps, and sdcard for games & everything else) is now have just about all usefull programs installed in main memory & everything else on SD.

...

These two points really say it all for me. I have found WM5 much more stable in terms of not needing to soft reset. It is the first device/OS combination I have had since I started using Pocket PC that I could easily go without reseting for days on end.

Having 3 different locations to install things to on previous versions of the OS was something that always drove me nuts - just damn untidy if nothing else! actually I really like the way WM5 handles installation.

WM5 is definately a keeper for me

stratos · 03-09-06, 10:14 AM

Oh and there are still problems that have to be ironed out. SO even though some of us are having a great time with WM5, its still buggy. There are glitches that most of us have learned to live with, but no longer pay attention too.

I just know that now that I spent the time to setup everything the way that I want, and have everything running smoothly, my PPC has gone from a paper weight to something ill be using every day for work and personal use.