I am so torn

KnipKnup · 02-16-04, 11:13 AM

I am so torn. I picked up the X3i a week ago and have been checking it out.

What I see:
- faster: browsing, running apps, syncing, etc.
- screen: the screen feels better, a softer touch - not sure why.
- wifi: I love it! Easy to use, connects every time and I don't have to pull out my cf card.

The bad:
- form factor: isn't great, but I am left handed so the funny concave/convex right/left sides do fit my hold better.
- size: not much smaller than the X5.

The ugly:
- Battery: consumption is horrible, horrible, horrible! 5 minutes of wifi will drop a fresh charge to 70%. I'm having flashbacks of WCF12 in my X5 with WM2003!

The problem:
- Digitizer: the screen has alignment issues. The bottom, where the 'new' and keyboard commands are, is off alignment. I have to tap just above some keys, and to the side of others. When I tap the period key, it typically deactivates the soft keyboard; the 'a' key activates the accent characters or the tab intermittently. YES I have aligned the screen, which runs through the process at least 5 times and fixes nothing. I believe this is a hardware issue, and I am just not ready to jump into the old 'multiple refurbished unit replacement' loop when I payed for a new 'working' device.

I am tempted to just return the X3 and stick with my X5.

I was trying to gain the smaller form factor, with a little extra memory and the built-in wifi, but I don't want to end up with a buggy device.

Anyone want to restore my faith before I RMA the thing?

MrKlaatu · 02-16-04, 11:23 AM

If by "picked one up" you mean you have already bought one, from Dell, and you are still in your 30 "Window", they should replace it with a New Device.

Just remember, if the first person doesn't (or won't) offer a NEW Replacement, hang up and talk to another CSR, or work your way up the Management Ladder until you make enough of a pest of yourself that they relent just to get rid of you!

deftech · 02-16-04, 11:23 AM

I love my X3i, and have had no problems out of it at all.....well, other than not being able to connect to the Cisco APs at my University. But all other APs have worked just fine.

I do agree that the battery is the weak point of the X3, and especially the X3i. The 1800mAh battery is nice, but ugly. Hopefully the Mugen Power batteries that are currently in development will solve this issue though.

As for the digitizer, that does indeed sound like a hardware issue. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive that Dell sends out new replacement units within the first 30 days (or is it 14?). It's after the initial period, under the regular warranty coverage, that I believe they send out refurbished replacement units.

joelw135 · 02-16-04, 11:30 AM

The screen has to be a hardware issue, I am on my second without a problem.

sentinel · 02-16-04, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by deftech
I love my X3i, and have had no problems out of it at all.....well, other than not being able to connect to the Cisco APs at my University. But all other APs have worked just fine.

I do agree that the battery is the weak point of the X3, and especially the X3i. The 1800mAh battery is nice, but ugly. Hopefully the Mugen Power batteries that are currently in development will solve this issue though.

As for the digitizer, that does indeed sound like a hardware issue. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive that Dell sends out new replacement units within the first 30 days (or is it 14?). It's after the initial period, under the regular warranty coverage, that I believe they send out refurbished replacement units.

Mugen Power batteries

What????

deftech · 02-16-04, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sentinel
Mugen Power batteries

What????

The same company that makes the 2000mAh and 3800mAh batteries for the X5 and a couple of iPAQ models.

They have great performance. And the company is really starting to expand their product line, with batteries for a few different PPCs currently in development.....including the X3.

I have a review of the X5 batteries posted in the Staff Reviews section (Resources > Reviews, on the top menu).

KnipKnup · 02-16-04, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the responses. I did buy from Dell and have only had it one week.
I'm gonna jump on the phone with Dell and see where it goes.

KnipKnup · 02-17-04, 07:07 PM

Well, I am returning the X3i. It only took one time of surfing on my X5 w/ socket cf. The battery only drained to 87% in an hour, while the X3i wifi would drain below 60% in an hour.
I will stick with old faithful.

MrKlaatu · 02-17-04, 08:43 PM

turalyon · 02-18-04, 03:53 PM

That's very wierd. I'm not sure of the EXACT WiFi connect time vs power consumption I have, but mine definitely doesn't drop that quick. I would definitely call Dell and report the problem. You may have a bad unit which they could take care of for ya.

Nightwing · 02-19-04, 11:57 PM

Did you try adjust the power level under Dell WLAN Utility? Just wondering.

Since I am close to Wirless router have notched it back to almost half way. And still get a solid connection.

ittesi259 · 02-20-04, 12:20 AM

I find it amazing that people are still complaining about battery life comparted to an X5.....lets see....

X3 standard....950Mamp
X5 standard....1440Mamp

OF COURSE THE X5 IS GONNA WIN!

Now I don't have near the power issues I hear of here....my screen is turned way down (they really made the thing too bright) my wifi power is turned almost all the way down since I just use it in the house.

Oh yeah, X3 extended is 1800Mamp, thats not a whole lot bigger than the X5 standard so its logical.

HighTymes · 02-20-04, 12:35 AM

Battery: consumption is horrible, horrible, horrible! 5 minutes of wifi will drop a fresh charge to 70%. I'm having flashbacks of WCF12 in my X5 with WM2003!

Thats crazy, I am still at 100% after 5 minutes go by. Just because the battery shows green saying it is charged doesn't mean it is all the way.

Well, I am returning the X3i. It only took one time of surfing on my X5 w/ socket cf. The battery only drained to 87% in an hour, while the X3i wifi would drain below 60% in an hour.
I will stick with old faithful.

Sad to here because the X3i is wonderful. Sounds to me like you don't have the wifi battery saver mode on. With wifi battery saver mode off i only get 1hr 38minutes until i hit 14% on my battery. With wifi battery saver mode on i get almost 5hrs out of the 950mha battery compared to the X5 1400mhz one. You can get the 1800mha battery on ebay for $35 brand new from dell.

Battery saver mode is key if you want wifi to last. BTW, i keep the slider bar for the battery saver mode under the "A" of the word battery.

MrKlaatu · 02-20-04, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
until i hit 14% on my battery.

Keep doing that on a regular basis and your LiIon Battery is taking some considerable Life Expectancy Hits.

They don't like to be deep discharged, they are much happier as full as can be, as often as can be.

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