Hi all, I am not new to the Axim because I've had my x50 since June 2005. But I am not very savvy so this is sort of a newbie question. The wireless on my x50 has never worked. I have had more problems than I can count with Tech Support and Customer Service and finally, after a letter to the Legal Department, I got authorization to return it for replacement or refund.
When I first bought the x50, I decided against spending $ for the x51 because I know I am not that good at technology and I wouldn't use all of its terrific features (like video, gaming, etc.). But now that they are not making the x50, my choices are either take a refurbished x50, or get a refund and buy a new x51 (or, I guess, some other product entirely -- although I really loved my x50 for the things that were working on it). The guy I am working with at Dell swore up and down that if I have any trouble with the refurbished unit, I can return it even though my warranty will expire in June.
I use the x50 mostly for PIM, and I would have been using the wireless if it had ever worked. Reliability is important to me, and so is data entry (for example, if the handwriting recognition is better in the x51, that would matter a lot to me). Is the x51 better in any ways that relate to the basic uses? What would you do?
As far as I have read, the handwriting recognition is identical between WM2003se and WM05. If you are using the PDA primarily as a PIM, there is no really compelling reason to upgrade to an X51 or to WM05. By the way, do you have WM2003se or WM05 on your X50? I have assumed WM2003se (Windows Mobile 2003, second edition).
For the record, I have used my X50, 520MHz Axim (WM2003se) extensively with WiFi, with few if any problems. Over a third of my nearly 2000 posts here on Aximsite have been done with my Axim. One good way of testing out your WiFi is to go to a known open node hotspot (like a Panera bread that has WiFi... ask the manager) and power up your WiFi.
Don't hesitate to ask for help here in the forums! For the best results, list your model, including the processor speed, and your operating system (OS, i.e. either WM05 or WM2003se).
I can see a lot of confusion in your post -- your impressions of the Axims aren't quite accurate. The x50 and x51 are very similar when comparing them functionally (PIM, audio/video, gaming, text input, etc.) The only real difference between them is that they run different operating systems, and the x51 has more ROM memory.
So, from that 'functional' standpoint there really isn't any compelling reason for you to go to the x51. I would focus more on figuring out why you had so much trouble with the x50 -- because your experience is not at all the norm. Why did the wireless never work? Was there something physically wrong with your Axim? Were you trying to connect to a non-standard wireless network? The x50 has a 802.11b radio that should work with most access points (the x51 has the exact same radio, so it wouldn't make sense to upgrade for that).
I think some of the confusion you have is around the "v" models. There is the x50 and the x50v, and the x51 and the x51v. The "v" models have a VGA screen, which simply means that there are 4 times as many pixels on the screen as the non "v" models. I think this is what you were talking about when you mentioned not needing the extra features.
For what you are looking for, the x50 is probably the best device. Even though the x51 is newer and runs MS' latest operating system, there are a lot of people here who are much happier with the x50. It is a more mature, stable platform and is a great performer.
__________________ Dell Support Rep on 1/12/06: Only a small number of users are having issues (WM5 on x50v)... Dell will be releasing (update for x50v) but it will not be soon.
As to why the WiFi never worked . . . no one knows. Tech Support was never able to figure it out. My office has a WiFi network but for all the hours I spent on the phone with Tech Support, my x50 never could pick it up. I know it's not the norm. I guess in the end I got a lemon, that's really all I know. I love the product and just want one that works.
Thanks for the input on the software differences too!
Sometimes an 802.11g network is not backwards-compatible with 802.11b. This might be your problem at work. Have you tried wireless out at any other location?
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