Just bought axim x5

jbit · 02-07-03, 07:04 PM

I just bought an Axim X5... for 300 quid (with some extras) and i'm starting to worry that i havn't seen anything drasticly bad about it on the internet...
Does this mean it is actually is a good palm top.. or does it mean dell assasinate you if you complain :)
That would explain why it took so long to get from us to the uk... the assasin buisnesss isnt as big over here.. i guess dell had to spend alot of time looking for assasins...
Somebody please tell me it'll be okay... please! :P

Anyway... formalitys over (heh) Just wondering what I should be expecting when i get it... any major problems that arn't really problems, etc

And anybody know if i can stick any other OS on it (linux or something) i'm not too keen on microsoft products....
But hey... for the price i can put up with it :)

Just glad i can get such a good palmtop for such a good price :)

--jbit

(btw: this is my impression of a "just saying hi" post)

Mike C · 02-07-03, 07:33 PM

Some users have had problems, but the warranty exchange policy is fair. I've not had any issues with mine.
The OS is functional ... it runs programs and stores files, but there are plenty of aftermarket add-ons to change the look and feel. File explorers, media players, desktop apps, skiners etc.

The recorder is a bit weak, likewise the "speaker", but audio quality w/ headphones is great with plenty of volume. There will probably be some unevenness to the light source way down at the bottom of the screen, which I believe is unavoidable and not a return issue.
Some have said that the D-pad is unsuitable for gaming, but plenty seem hooked on games. All I need is minesweeper and my e-books.
It's a good, solid PDA with an excellent display, dual slots and a nice feel in the hand.

11-13-03, 04:42 PM

I'm really sorry I bought the Dell Axim X5. I had no idea Dell was so so shiftless in their sales practices. Their ethics are terrible.

The Axim X5 itself is okay - it works fine, but I'm finding out that there are hidden costs to it.

Also dealing with Dell is infuriating. I firmly believe that they are deliberately deceptive in the way they market and sell products. For example:

They have a 15 day return policy on refurbished Axims - it took them 10 days to get it to me and now they won't let me return it.

I bought a USB cradle for my Axim, so I could have a charger at work, and leave the original charger at home. Despite the half-dozen references to CHARGING in the cradles product description, it's incapable of charging my Axim without the addition of a power supply. Dell makes no mention of the need for this additional item.

When I asked Dell about the USB cradle power issue, I was contacted by a senior customer service representative who acted as if he had never heard of this issue before. He told me I was the only one to ever complain about it. This is blatantly untrue, as a search of the topic threads at this site will show.

Aside from that, their TrueMobile Wireless CF card is a very poor performer, with an equally poor client application.

I'm extremely disappointed (and beginning to be disgusted) with my entire Dell experience.

Dr.Gibbs · 11-13-03, 11:34 PM

Wow... I've never seen anyone pull up a nine-month-old topic just to whine, but you've given me my entertainment for the night :)

11-13-03, 11:37 PM

yup

Magicmonger · 11-13-03, 11:51 PM

Wow - jbit probably has sold it by now and gotten an X3i :)

11-14-03, 10:24 AM

Well, Dr. Gibbs, I "just bought my Axim" so I figure it's the appropriate thread. No sense starting a new one and adding to the clutter.

And if relating my experience is whining, I guess that covers all the threads.

I suggest you see a therapist about the inferiority complex that makes you put down other people to bolster your low self-esteem.

Jwilker · 11-30-03, 07:06 PM

I don't recall ever seeing the USB cradle advertised as able to charge the Ax. WHen I bought mine it came with a AC adapter that plugged into the cradle, seems straightforward.

You want to return it bacause you can't charge it without an AC adapter?

Just because it's talked about here doesn't mean some one called Dell about it. They probably were told it wasn't a USB charger/cradle without AC and moved on rather than hassle Dell about it.

Yeah the True Mobile card is pretty weak in the range department. Depending on your need though it should be fine. It has virtually no impact on battery life and is great within a short range area.

Otherwise sell it and buy something new.

I've never been tricked by Dell's advertising so maybe you just misread. Pretty sure most Axim users weren't duped into buying one :)

Soo.... Aside of not being able to charge it the way you assumed you could and not having the wifi range you'd like, what's your problem?

11-30-03, 09:53 PM

I just Bought An Axim X5 Basic for the Wife, She doesn't do alot with Electronics or would have gotten her an Advance. I got it New for $179 off Dell Home site w/ USB Travel Cable, Then added their Holiday Blanket, (wife is always complaining of being cold) for $13 more, still for under $200. Not to Shabby! Plus the Standard Free Shipping!!!

ajabbari · 12-01-03, 03:44 AM

Jbit,

I've had an X5 Advanced now for essentially a year. I ordered it around this time last year when they first came out. I've never personally experienced any major problems or failures. However, over the course of the past year I have seen many threads dealing with countless issues that people had with these. The last 'fiasco' I can think of would be the WM 2003 situation.

Many of these issues could be attributed to 'growing pains' on Dell's behalf as they entered the PDA market. I think that the relative lack of any major complaints that you are seeing now are just a result of all of the major issues having been addressed. The X5 is now a mature product, benefitting from a year's worth of knowledge and experience coming from a fairly large user base.

Dell has exhibited many service and support quirks in the past, however, I think you'd have a tough time proving that in the end the average users experience would have been better if they were to go with another company. In fact from what I've read, the only company that could even hope to compete with Dell as far as CS is concerned is HP (I've read many posts from dissatisfied Toshiba users).

Overall, I think that you should be very pleased with you X5. It is amongst the very best out there, especially when you factor in the reasonable price. I just upgraded to WM 2003 last week (after a great deal of hesitation, based on some poor user feedback) and can say that even that process went very smoothly and I have personally had no specific problems with my X5 and WM 2003 so far.

u4ea · 12-01-03, 06:27 AM

I just bought mine like 2 weeks ago... I love it and wouldnt trade it for the world. I got the x5 because it feels good in my hands, and it has two media slots.

runnr548 · 12-01-03, 11:20 PM

I bought my Axim X5 Advanced 11 months ago. I picked one up at a kiosk in Daytona Beach Florida at a mall, and didn't want to let go. The sales staff told me they could order one for me, but could not sell any merchandise, as none was kept on hand. My only complaint thus far... I wanted to buy one that day and carry it back to my motel! I wws so upset that I waited until I got home from travel to order it myself. I have several friends who have ditched their palms and gone AX after trying mine. I guess that my complaint really isn't one. I'm AXIM happy!