MUL New Axim Purchase Questions ...

Greetings all. After 2 months of reviewing ipaq/axim/palm I've decided to go with the Axim. I have the following questions / requests and I'll make my purchase! Please help!

From Dell:
Axim 400, 256 SD, Cradle, 1 Yr. Warr, Extra 3400 Battery, 12-pak screen protectors.
(minus 10% home user: -58.60), Free shipping
Total: 572.23

The two coupon codes I found on another thread were expired.

Plead/Beg/Request 1: Can anyone post some additional coupon codes so I can reduce the initial cost?

Question 1: I'm going to get a CF wireless card, my router at home is the SMC7004VWBR and I'm thinking about picking up the SMC2642W wireless CF card, anyone have any experience with this card and the axim / additional wireless suggestions?

Question 2: I'm going to pick up a hard metal/alluminum/etc. case, looking for one that will hold the wireless CF card mentioned above, extra CF card (either cf ram will be in axim or the wireless cf and the other will be in case), etc. Not sure if this will take the place of my wallet, but I guess expandability will work just in case (ie: extra cc slots). will need something hard so i can toss it in my gym bag/book bag/targus notbook backpack.

Question 3: I have a 32 CF that I am going to use until I can pick up a 512, but the wireless card will sit in the CF slot mostly anyway. (hence getting the big SD card from the start.) anyone have any thoughts about this plan?

Question 4: I'm a graduate student in computer science, anyone a software developer or have experience with the ppc SDK from MS?

Question 5: Should I drop extra flow on the extended warrantee? I have an inspiron 8k that I got the 3 year warr with, and have had to use it 4x in 2 years (lcd keeps hosing up) ... so that was a good purchase.... but i'm thinking hard resets fix most axim issues, or should I invest in the ext. warr because of potential hardware issues?

Question 6: i'm going with the wireless external keyboard from staples/pocketsolutions. any additional thoughts on this (besides the hardware post?)

If anyone can help on these final purchase questions, provide some dell coupon codes (PLEASE!!!) or offer suggestions on how to break the purchase news to the wife, please reply or email me. 8)

zwrs2@imail.etsu.eduNOSPAMPLEASE (remove the NOSPAMPLEASE trailer)

did I post this in the wrong forum?

[Deputy]

10% off with free shipping is not a bad deal. A lot of us got the $50 off, but are waiting a long time for the check. Your 10% off is at the time of purchase. I would stay away from SanDisk products ... a lot of people having problems with reliability. Without knowing your specific needs, I would recommend going with an extra 1440 battery ... it is thinner and you'll get close to 20 hours of use between the two of them.

(1) I know nothing about your router. Any 802.11b CF card should work fine ... I bought the Dell one, but if I could do it over again I would get the D-Link or the Linksys for $40 cheaper.

(2) Don't know of any aluminum cases yet.

(3) Use the SD for extra "permanent" memory so the CF slot is free for expansion. I have a 256MB CF card that I swap in when I want to listen to MP3s.

(4) No

(5) I don't think it is as important for the $350 Axim as it is for a $2000+ notebook. You can always extend during your warranty period.

(6) I like my Dell Thumbpad, and will probably buy the Dell Foldable eventually.

[Mike C]

The extra battery may not be necessary, depending on how you use the thing. It would be nice if you could order the axim with the big battery instead of getting both. Maybe get the 3400 later to reduce the sticker shock now.
Forget the protectors and get some better ones aftermarket, in my opinion.

Thanks guys. I've made up my mind, if you see subsequent posts from me you know the wife ok'd it! Heh.