Just sent my Axim with WinMobile2003 back to Dell for my 30 day full refund. After 3 weeks of wrestling with the machine and staying in touch with a number of forums, here are the factors in making my decision:

>Machine runs slow with PPC2003.
>Problem not confirmed by Dell until discussion boards heated up and machines started getting returned.
>Not confident that this problem will be quickly solved or future ones will be handled much better.
>Still no solution to problem "but we're working on it".
>Solution to every problem is a soft reset.
>Poor customer support. No technical knowledge. Language barrier due to overseas outsourcing.
>SD card issue. No confirmed solution. Problem exists on non-Dell PDAs.
>Machine will not wake up to sound meeting notice or alarm clock alarms. Problem is confirmed with PPC2002. Still exists with PPC2003. Problem also confirmed on HP machines.
>Returning the machine will get a refurbished replacement. Dell quote "Our replacement PDAs are fully tested prior to shipping to the customer." My response "This is the same test my machine passed prior to shipping to me!" Maybe you're testing the wrong things or the test isn't extensive enough.
>Third party software, supposedly tested on machine & OS, does not operate properly or consistently. Examples include AvantGo, PocketMusic, withMP3.

WinMobile 2003 is pretty and installing different themes was fun, but I need something that works and I can rely on. I switched from my Palm Vx because it was getting old and I wanted color & the latest features. After experiencing poor customer support from Dell, PPC industry bickering over the above issues, no support on third party software problems and inconsistent performance from Microsoft, I've decided to run back to Palm OS. I never had a significant problem with Palm or their hardware/OS. And working on MS Office documents in OS is not an issue. I've been able to update, create and edit those files for years on my Palm.

Looking forward to the upgraded Tungsten T that should be released shortly. Thanks for the responses and your help. For those of you who purchased your machines greater than 30 days ago, hang in there. All issues get resolved if you choose to wait long enough. I just can't afford to.

Switching back to that f*&6%$g s*)%t OS that synchs when it wants to (on a whim). I realize Active Sync is not without flaws but the Palm OS sych is ridiculous often requiring Chamura before even working at all. I'm sorry that you had to experience the Ax with 2003. I have had mine since Dec, and oh man what do you say. Avantgo, is usually no problem, I did have any issue but after running a quick config test (from their site) it was all fixed. Again sorry you had such poor experience; and that the Palm OS seems like the more desirable option than the Ax. Hopefully you'll change your mind in a few months OR you could always get a used model (check our classifieds) and experience the joy that is ownership of the X5 with PPC2002.

While I'm not returning my Axim yet, or moving to PalmOS, I too have been extremely disappointed after about one month of PocketPC 2002 /Axim use.

1) Axim-specific issues

- the SD Card issue : nuff said. My (expensive) 256MB card can be used for MP3 storage, but not much else : installing any program including games is a sure way to crash it, and after losing a few semi-important files already there's no way I'm putting any important data on it. Dell is trying to deflect part of the issue by putting the blame on Sandisk (my card isn't a Sandisk, btw), and by pulling some magical sentences like "Dell doesn't support installing programs on SD card", said sentence being impossible to find in Dell's description of its machine, which amounts, for me, to false advertising.
- control pad : I may have been spoiled by years using excellent console pads, but the Axim navigation button flat out sucks.
- PPC 2K3 : while I'm not running PPC2K3 myself, I can't say the issue really makes me confident in Dell's testing bench...
- battery management : that may be strange, but after years of using handheld devices, from calculators to walkmen to Gameboy to cellphones, I kind of expect various battery indicators to, you know, like "work". I must admit the Axim's battery load indicator makes a good random number generator, though.

2) PPC issues

- instability : if you use it for more than the most basic stuff (ie contact management / notes, never running 2 apps at the same time), get ready to love that Soft Reset button. PPC2K2 is extremely unreliable as a whole.
- buggy apps : both from MS and from 3d party software vendors, including some pretty expensive software (FADE/$30 and Photogenics/$50 come to my mind, I've had problems with both).
- general slowness : I don't find acceptable that on a machine with 64MB RAM (most of it free) and a 400MHz processor, opening a 300K E-book takes more than 1 minute (Hitchhiker's Guide, released by MS this week)... Other operations like moving data from SD to main memory or CF are unbearably slow too.
- need for tons of sharewares/3d party apps to get a decent level of service : from the description of PPC2K2 (especially the so-called "Premium"), I didn't expect having to fork some more money to get a good file manager + Regedit (Resco), a decent image viewer (Resco again), a tool to check my expansion cards (Storage Tools...). I'm used to a certain level of service from a computer, this was another big disappointment. PocketWord absolutely sucks, but I suppose they wouldn't have sold it as well under the "PocketNotepad" title it deserves. PocketExcel is ok, though. Oh, and I know that there are excellent freewares out there, but while the money factor goes away with freewares, there are other problems left : stacking tons of 3d-party apps from various vendors/developers together, especially having important and low-level functions (formatting, file management, tweaking...) is a sure way to disaster.
- ActiveSync : some features are buggy (it doesn't remember my password when asked to), and the backup/restore function is incredibly bad, as you can't have several backups ! I also love how I have to remove the unit from the cradle then plug it back to get the synch if I turn it off while in the cradle, that's really convenient. Not. The sync is also slow as hell.

3) Conclusion

My conclusion is not good : I invested quite a nice amount of money in my Axim+accessories+software, hoping to get a nice productivity boost, by being able to use it in transportations to do a little bit of work on personal projects. I also wanted to take advantage of its multimedia features.

Well, as it turns out, I bought a very expensive and under-performing handheld console (I mean, the Axim is only 3 times the price of a GBA SP), coupled with a mediocre MP3 player (low autonomy, low storage), and a contact management tool. I already gave up about doing any serious stuff for now (image editing, text processing...). I'm awaiting for a working version of PPC2K3 and a fix to the insane SD card issue before I definitely give up.

Before people tell me I don't know how to use this wonderful piece of technology, I've currently a sysadmin position at a large company, and I know my stuff. Something like the Axim+PPC2K2 doesn't even come close the level of reliability I've come to expect from modern comps/OSes...

I'm not saying everyone should return thier machines back to Dell or that Dell is a bad company. I still plan on pricing out a new Dell PC for home and am writing this note on my new Dell laptop from work. (yea, I know. I'm taking a break. OK?)

All I'm saying is that I caught Dell at a bad time on this PDA issue. Basically the machine is Too New. And the summation of errors means I cannot use my new investment.

Most people seem to be happy with thier Axims running PPC2002. But needing a working PDA now (I brought my Palm Vx back from the dead), needing a replacement within the next few months, and not getting a warm feeling from PPC2003, it looks like running home to Palm OS is the way to go.

I'm going to hold out as long as I can before making a replacement purchase and wanted to get my cash back while I could. Who knows? Maybe all these problems will get fixed and the Axim will remain the top recommended PPC PDA by Consumers Reports! This is why I bought the machine in the first place. I just didn't know CR tested an Axim with PPC2202 and I had new WinMobile 2003 heading my way.

CorwinB,
You make an excelelnt point on a couple of items But I can't agree with most of it. The e-book thing is a pain in the butt. The old MS reader was much faster and I am now strating to follow the path advocated by several others on a thrid party reader. I have tried several and went back to the MS reader but it is a drag so I may be off to see a wizard and try the others again.
I have been succesful in running programs off my SD but to be honest that was and is not what I do much of. Mostly my SD is doing exactly what I want and that is for file storage and photos (of my family and grand son) (Some of you can get your mind out of the gutter and I won't mention any names star50fiveoh). I guess my outlook is my expectations on the machine and what it cost and my needs. MY AX does keep me happy. My wants are minimal. I am nto in a hurry to put 2003 on it and I do have it ordered and will wait until the first buch of technophiles try it and when it is fixed then I will jump on board.
Keep documenting what you like and don't at least you ahve it well reasoned and thought out instead of some post's that start out like "AXIM (fill in the blank) Sucks".

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.
Robert A. Heinlein

   

wmrawls, to keep things fair, there are also a couple of points I like about the Axim/PPC, like the Transcriber, the Windows Media support out of the box, PocketSCUMMS (Monkey Island on the go, yum !)...

But still, I guess I'm very frustrated at seeing that what I intended to do (productivity) is not completely impossible with the Axim (which would have meant my research was insufficient), but rather tedious, expensive, and unreliable... OTOH, give me a working PPC2K3 and a fix for the SD card, and the situation will be much improved...

Cool. It will arrive. I guess what we ahve to keep in mind is that the AX is still a young product. Dell, for all the gripping we do, is still a quality company and yes they have steped on certain parts of their anatomy but I guess we are all pretty sure they will recover.
Keep the faith.

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.
Robert A. Heinlein

   

never used palm os alot but i heard that it doesnt have multi tasking like ppc, is that true? if so then it must suck lol

good luck, wait for the new sony clies in september if u can afford $700 lol

this "sd card issue" thing you speak of, i run all games from my SD card, some apps, all my mp3's. what exactly is your problem?? i dont notice anything

Well, Multitasking on the PPC does not work that well either (slow, and unreliable as soon as I/O duties are performed)... I don't think it's Axim-related, and PPC2K3 may or may not change that.

Some cards work well, which makes the bug more difficult to track. Check this site for more information.

OK, could the ignorant people stop talking about Palm OS ?


Palm OS does NOT "synch when it wants to (on a whim)." Nor "Palm OS sych is ridiculous often requiring Chamura before even working at all". Do you even know what you are talking about here ?

And NO, Palm OS does NOT have multitasking abilities, because IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO !

I do own an Axim, and I do love the little bugger, but I also had Palms for about 3 years now, and I KNOW that they are also great. So, take it from me, none of the above "comments" are correct.

So either get your facts straight, or shut up!!!!

Edit:
Please make your point with out the harshness.

Axim Advanced 400MHz PPC2003
Krusell Leather Case
256MB SD, 256MB CF, NSC BlueTooth CF, AmbiCom GPS CF

sell whatever card you have and buy a simpletech or some other card made in japan. these cards are not 100% perfect, but they are close to 99% perfect. there is no reason to be hobbled by the SD problem.

2x SimpleTech Bonzai USB2 mini-drive/SD card reader
2x Lexar 1GB (Non-Hi Speed!) SD (USA): write speed = 5.5MB/sec (37.5X) Space avail. (formatted) = 975MB
1x SimpleTech 512MB SD (Taiwan?): write speed = 5.3MB/sec (36.4X)...... Space avail. (formatted) = 489MB
RMA'd: SimpleTech 512MB SD (Japan): write speed = 3.9MB/sec (26.6X)... Space avail. (formatted) = 491MB
Sold: Viking 256MB SD (Taiwan): write speed = 1.5MB/sec (10.2X)........... Space avail. (formatted) = 241MB
Sold: Viking 128MB SD (Japan): write speed = 1.5MB/sec (10.2X)............. Space avail. (formatted) = 120MB

Yes, sadly I have to support them on our LAN and they do not like Outlook. Talk till your blue in the face it won't change my mind, it happens too often, for it to be coincidence. Oh and another thing that sucks about Palms (that I just discovered today) unless your willing to buy an add on you can't charge certain models without the cradle, it has no port for the charger

It's nothing personal..but it is (against the Palm not you)

I owned an m100, loathed its ineffectiveness swore off all handhelds (it was that aggrevating) found and fell in love with the ax, the end

you're the one that doesnt know what you're talking about!!!

I asked a quetsion about multitasking I never stated it as a fact that I know it doesnt! read my reply. And yes multiasking is very usefull, playing music and surfing the net or working on a file while an mp3 is playing

No need to be abusive. Play nice. Usually we have nice calm discussions with out calling names or calling people stupid. We all have opiones and thoughts, some better than others and as a former Palm user (3 different versions) I loved my Palm but I have graduated to a higher plain of consciousness (if not being able to spell qualifies me)

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.
Robert A. Heinlein

   

More fees to get my Axim working ? I'm sorry, but :
- the only listed limitation on the official specs regarding SD cards is "no SDIO" (I can live with that)
- the problem lies within Dell, as many other hardware sellers issued a firmware fix when they encountered a similar problem
- Dell doesn't provide a list of "certified to work" brands of SD cards (heck, they even sell non-working SD cards to their own customers, from what I've seen in various forums)
- The brand of card I bought works well in other devices

If Dell provides me with an unreliable device not performing according to their own specs, then, as a customer, I've every right to be furious, and it's not my part of the deal to cover their mistakes.