X3i on the way for me! (My reasons, for those who are considering!)

Deam · 10-22-03, 11:46 PM

I just order it through Dell Canada, and I will explain my reasoning for those who may find it usefull.

I will say, I got that 15% off AND Free shipping, without which, I don't think I would've bought it. The shipping isn't a big deal, but the 15% was.

Here is my first point. The X3i has wifi built in. I was considering the 2210, but in Canada, it is 550 bucks, the best I coudl get it was 500 with a 50 dollar off coupon at Staples.ca, and then I would have to spend 90-100 bucks on a CF wifi card that sticks out and makes the unit longer. The X3i has 64mb of rom, which was an important thing for me. The Jog dial thing was a must have. I had a clie for a week, before I broke it in a failed attempt to fix it, and the jog dial on the side proved to be invaluable. It has consumer Irda. Not a big deal for most, but I like that type of gadgetry, and the Ipaq 4150 does not that feature.

As per the battery, I am not to concerend. I have a feeling the brighter screen, and apprently upgraded graphics chip is partially responsible for the poor battery performance. However, I woudl think that if the X3i screen is that much brighter, and maybe brighter than other companies screen, then when you compare tests at say 50% brightness, the X3i may be brighter, and draining more power. I could be completely wrong, but who knows. And if the graphics system benchmark is correct, then some more juice must be necessary to get that power.

All in all, the battery wasn't a big deal to me, as I won't be surfing online for 4 hours straight. I have a laptop for that. If you don't, maybe you sould reconsider. I do agree with the someon's comment here that most PDA's with similar battery size and features will have similar battery performance. The 4150 is 50mah more, so that likely explains any differences between them. Thos complainig about the lack of CF slot seem to miss the entire point of this device, as to add that slot would make the unit thicker than what it is. That size is a selling point, at least to me.

I will admit the blue light on the wifi antenna might bother me, but all in all, the X3i, despite complaints by some people who were expecting a 150 dollar PPC from Dell, is an amazing deal compared to all other PPC's out there. I find most people complaining about the price are those who wanted a segment buster. Since I didn't even know about Axims till two weeks ago, I didn't have that bias, and so I compare the price of the X3 to others out there, and it is a great deal! It is cheaper than it's nearest competitor, the 4150, by between 50-100 dollars. If bluetooth is worth it to you, then maybe you should consider that. I have no bluetooth devices, do not intend to get a bluetooth phone to access the internet, or any bluetooth peripherals. It was a non-issue to me.

I can't wait to get it. I only hope the 2-3 week waiting period quoted turns out to be an overestimate.

Toaster · 10-22-03, 11:54 PM

Congrats on your decision! X3is seem to be shipping immediately, at least in the US. I ordered mine on 10/20. My email confirmation showed a shipping estimate of 11/11 for both the Rhinoskin hard case and the X3i. Both of them shipped out the morning of 10/21 and are enroute.

Murse · 10-23-03, 01:15 AM

I ordered mine a couple of days ago and can't wait. The X5 I have is great, but I really need something smaller.

I considered the HP's, but I liked the X5 so much that I had to go Dell again. I'm no fanboy, but Dell has done a good job on their handhelds.

sheepy · 10-23-03, 02:21 AM

I've just this second clicked "Send order" to order the X3i myself... I would have waited a little longer but I was scared that the price on the UK Dell site would change - the X3i is the same price as the X3 Advanced, at UK£189 + tax and delivery, which seems awful cheap - too cheap for me to pass up...

My reasons for going for this... well, the price/feature ratio really for me... WiFi, fast processor, decent amount of memory, for a bargain price really. The other one I looked at, the H4150, isn't fully available in the UK yet, and the only place I've found selling it was selling it for over UK£450 - over double the price of the X3i, there's no way integrated bluetooth (the only difference for my needs) is worth that much.

Mark

N5WU · 10-23-03, 01:50 PM

I just ordered mine today. I have a X5, but it is just too big. I travel with the X5 a lot and use it for field audits and taking notes on the fly. Hope the X3i will be more compact and easier to carry in a shirt pocket.

Sam

pittbull · 10-23-03, 02:06 PM

Deam is right about the prices. For a Pocket PC, I checked Future Shop and stapes in Canada. I would have spent $299 on the HP 1935 (only 16MB or ROM) or $399 on the HP1940 when I don't need bluetooth. So, I got an X3 Basic for $297 after the 15% off and I get 32MB or RAM and ROM and a slim device which will do all I need it to do.

Additionally, at Staples, a 256 MB SD Card was $120 and I got one from Dell for $82 after 15% rebate. I also got a case included when the IPAQ 1935 comes with no case.

All in all, best bang for the buck but I was hoping the X3 basic would be the same price as X5 basic. Smaller battery, no CF, seems they should be selling it for less.