X50 mid or entry level

nanllyn · 12-20-04, 10:52 AM

I'm trying to decide which one to buy for my husband as a gift. He only uses it mainly for contacts and appointments and plays some games. The games are like Bejeweled, Majohng, and Cubis so nothing really graphic intensive. Which one would be good. I see part of the difference is that one has 128 of flash rom and the entry has 64. How important is flash rom to programs? Is this enough for the average program? Thanks for your help in this matter.
Happy Holidays everyone.

wmcjhi · 12-20-04, 10:55 AM

The ROM is the main, non-volatile storage medium for the PPC. Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and other files are stored there. Because the ROM is slower than RAM, programs are installed to the RAM by default. Also, keep in mind that you won't actually have the full 64mb or 128mb of ROM available to you, as some is used for OS and other critical system files.

Hope this helps
-wmcjhi

nanllyn · 12-20-04, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by wmcjhi

The ROM is the main, non-volatile storage medium for the PPC. Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and other files are stored there. Because the ROM is slower than RAM, programs are installed to the RAM by default. Also, keep in mind that you won't actually have the full 64mb or 128mb of ROM available to you, as some is used for OS and other critical system files.

Hope this helps
-wmcjhi

So let me get this correct. Rom is about the same as a SD memory card. So that isn't an issue if you use a memory card and Ram is more of an issue and it is the same on all X50's. Is this correct?

wmcjhi · 12-20-04, 11:06 AM

You are correct.

12-20-04, 11:11 AM

Welcome to the site nanllyn :)

Another difference between the entry level and x50 mid is that the entry level has bluetooth only, while x50 mid has intergrated wifi as well (802.11b)

both features 240x320 QVGA screens, while x50v (top model) has a VGA screen (480x640)

nanllyn · 12-20-04, 11:24 AM

Thanks everyone. I didn't realize about the wifi. I don't think my husband would ever use wifi but I guess you never know. I will look into the mid. I have the X50v and love it. He has an old Palm M505. He is real impressed with mine but doesn't need anything that elaborate for what he does.
Anyone else that would like to give an opinion sure would help. Thanks again.

grapeape · 12-20-04, 11:32 AM

Unless he really needs to compact flash slot you might want to look into the x30 high. Its actually less expensive than the x50 mid and has the same processor as the x50v. It doesnt look quite as nice IMHO but its definately the speed king and for the money is a very good buy. BTW it also has integrated wifi and bluetooth.

nanllyn · 12-20-04, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by grapeape

Unless he really needs to compact flash slot you might want to look into the x30 high. Its actually less expensive than the x50 mid and has the same processor as the x50v. It doesnt look quite as nice IMHO but its definately the speed king and for the money is a very good buy. BTW it also has integrated wifi and bluetooth.

I considered buying the X30/624 but does it take the same cradle and I believe it is a different battery. I thought since I already had the X50v that it would be nice to be able to use the same accessories.
Let me ask one more thing. My understanding about Bluetooth is it is for connecting accessories and wifi is for connecting to the internet and networks. Is this true or can bluetooth also connect to networks and internet?
Sorry for so many questions just trying to make sure I buy him what he needs and nothing more.

12-20-04, 12:31 PM

No the cables and batteries are different for the units so u wont be able to share the cradle, The bluetooth and wifi references are pretty much correct. i have my x30h and my x50v hooked up via bluetooth its a lil slower than wifi and you can only do certain functions like file transfer, business card exhange (well thats all I have been able to figure out so far)

nanllyn · 12-20-04, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by teezee1000

No the cables and batteries are different for the units so u wont be able to share the cradle, The bluetooth and wifi references are pretty much correct. i have my x30h and my x50v hooked up via bluetooth its a lil slower than wifi and you can only do certain functions like file transfer, business card exhange (well thats all I have been able to figure out so far)

Well thanks again everyone. I guess I will bite the bullet and just get him the X50/520. It's only $90 more than the X50/420.
Thanks again.

wmcjhi · 12-20-04, 01:06 PM

I think the x50v is only like $20-30 more than the mid right now too...

12-20-04, 01:14 PM

If you can get one of those 25% off Dellf coupon then the price would come as:
X50Low: $225
X50Mid: $300
X50v: $375

So, its basically $75 difference between each model.

12-20-04, 01:14 PM

also, there are ways to make bluetooth work with the internet; by means of having a pc using a bluetooth dongle/bluetooth enabled cellphone/laptop to craete a bond, and share the internet connection

nanllyn · 12-21-04, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by kazuni

also, there are ways to make bluetooth work with the internet; by means of having a pc using a bluetooth dongle/bluetooth enabled cellphone/laptop to craete a bond, and share the internet connection

Since I bugged you guys with all these questions, I thought you would be glad to hear I decided to go with the X50 mid. I thought it was the best fit for my husband so I ordered today. With overnight shipping, I'm hoping it might come by Christmas but that is just wishful thinking. It gives 12/29 as the estimated ship date. Well I guess I will just have to wrap my dell box up with a photo of the X50!
Thanks again for all your help guys.

magnolia · 12-21-04, 01:02 AM

Good gift! Hope you get it in time. :)