Idea for a new Axim product

MNealBarrett · 02-26-06, 12:46 PM

I have an idea for a new Axim product. I'm putting it here because I think it relates to the X30 more than the other Axims. It is kinda wild, so first a bit of explanation.

Apple was among the first to put a really big hard drive in an MP3 player. It seems like an obvious idea now, but back then I'm sure a lot of people thought "what does an MP3 player need with a hard drive?" It has certainly worked out for them, though.

My idea is basically for an Axim X30 with a big hard drive (40G or better). Again, I'm sure people are already thinking "What does a PDA need with a hard drive?" But read the above again.

I think this is basically where Apple is going with the iPod; they are eventually going to release something would be very similar to an Axim X30 with a hard drive: it will likely have a large 320x240 display (higher resolutions wouldn't be necessary for what they want it to do), bluetooth and/or 802.11 WiFi, a stylus-input display, and a large hard drive (40G on the low-end, going up). It would be for downloading and playing videos, in the same way that the original iPod is for downloading and playing songs.

So, if Apple is likely going to do it, Dell could beat them to the punch by simply adding an HD to an X30 and releasing it. They could call it the X30HD or something like that. I would buy it in a second, I'd love an X30 that I could transfer a whole bunch of DVDs and TV programs to and watch them whereever I am.

Gigi · 02-26-06, 12:50 PM

Definitely a very popular idea given the number of threads asking whether hard drives can be connected to Axims. However, why does this relate more to X30s than other Axims???

Amy · 02-26-06, 01:03 PM

I agree that this is a good idea. I don't know that it applies more to x30s, but I will say that I'd like to see Axim develop something like this for more than the top-of the-line most expensive model. They do already have a music player, so maybe they can be combinded and have an easy-to-use file structure to use for a storage device with easy ability to move files between the Axim and either a Mac or PC.

mikeh · 02-26-06, 01:06 PM

Yes but then the hard drive would have to have its own battery back to it- somethings more to add weight and bulk and to charge). If it drwaed it's power out of the axim it would significiantly lower the battery life since it has to spin thoes disks inside. For a pda I think a reasonable rpm would be like 45.

mikeh · 02-26-06, 02:05 PM

test test test

**Rishad** · 02-26-06, 05:07 PM

Thats not a bad idea. If ipods can do it, so can the axims. A bigger battery might be a good idea even tho it'd add to the bulk.

stevenator65 · 02-26-06, 05:32 PM

It is a great idea as long as the hard drive is really big, not tiny like 12 gig or less. I agree it should be 40gig or more. But it should be the x5 not the x30. Just kidding! It should be a high end pda w/a vga or better screen. Imagine the next generation of screens being better than 640x480. That would be impressive. Of course you might need a faster processor too.

MNealBarrett · 02-26-06, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Gigi

Definitely a very popular idea given the number of threads asking whether hard drives can be connected to Axims. However, why does this relate more to X30s than other Axims???

If Apple were to release the iPod product I'm envisioning, I see it being more like the X30 than any of the other Axims, at least initially. To keep the costs down, and to keep the size of the unit as physically small as possible (Apple seems to like small iPods), I see it having a 320x240 display.

stevenator65 · 02-26-06, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by MNealBarrett

If Apple were to release the iPod product I'm envisioning, I see it being more like the X30 than any of the other Axims, at least initially. To keep the costs down, and to keep the size of the unit as physically small as possible (Apple seems to like small iPods), I see it having a 320x240 display.

Keep costs down? The ipod is THE premium player, the most expensive of its type and they're proud of that. VGA.:approve:

sblive · 02-28-06, 10:23 PM

I'm not sure Dell could ever make a good pda + music player. Their DJ mp3 players were so buggy, they had to release downgrade roms. Same with the Axims. The x30, x50, and x51 regularly crash. Add to the fact that the Intel processors are huge compared to the cheepo processors in ipods and other mp3 players. A true pda with hard drive and the same size screen as a normal pda is going to be too large, too expensive, and have too many buttons.

Might be a cool idea, but I doubt Dell has the seriousness to try to make a stable pda or music player alone.

02-28-06, 11:52 PM

personally i still say just put a compact flash slot under the battery and you can add a hard drive if you want, or a cf card, and still have your external memory slot open.

kelleychambers · 03-01-06, 08:33 PM

Great idea though I doubt it will ever see Dell's day of light. They're getting out of the PDA scene so I read.

disbethelife · 03-01-06, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Great idea though I doubt it will ever see Dell's day of light. They're getting out of the PDA scene so I read.

that is just a rumor and if you go back a little on the news on the front page you will see that an employee of dells said they arn't going anywhere or something of that affect.

benots4 · 03-01-06, 08:43 PM

Hard drives bah! Give me 20gig + of ram.

kelleychambers · 03-01-06, 10:21 PM

Quote:

that is just a rumor and if you go back a little on the news on the front page you will see that an employee of dells said they arn't going anywhere or something of that affect.

Not saying i don't believe you, but I'll believe it when I see it. There have been numerous blogs saying that Dell's sales have plumetted in the last year which has led them to rethink their offering new products in the PDA catagory. I sincerely think they'll drop out altogether.