Why I had to send her back...

[joshua362]

A sad day for me. I packed up my 3 week old X50v and UPS picked it up today.

Thanks to all contributors here for the wonderful content and suggestions on how to optimize the VGA unit. It's drop dead gorgeous with a great D pad and audio sound, but in the end, it just wasn't reliable enough for me. I'm no newbie, I got my existing X5 days after it was released in Nov 2002 and upgraded the OS, added Wi-Fi and BT via the CF slot.

At the end of the day, aside from the display, it just could not match the X5's functionality. I can (and do often) run an mp3 player, a BT GPS, high end aviation software (Anywheremap.com) or Mapopolis, connect to the internet via BT for weather updates and sometimes even run a game. All without special tweaking or attention, just a simple SD card to hold the large databases and maps.

I tinkered often and hard trying to get the X50v to behave using all the memory and install tips. I just think its under powered (and/or main memory challanged) and its very, very fickle as to what software will run on it. VGA and 2003SE must take an incredable toll on it, even a few concurrent programs would grind it to a halt without warning. I still don't think it likes Wisbar, no matter what version.

Lockups, hard resets, WIFI/BT turn on issues, brushing the battery hatch (as in taking it out of a case) would shut it down, no Dell cases for the extended battery (a must), no charge when on a sync cable, etc are some of the problems I experienced.

Please, I'm not complaining, I just ran out of time and energy to tinker with it to no end - I don't think it was ever going to do what I need it to do The X5, with an extended battery is an incredible WORKHORSE, even 2 1/2 years later - except for a crappy D pad/stylus and no VGA.

I fully expect to buy one in the future, maybe after the next ROM or OS release - but not at the full retail price I paid. The VGA does help out in the bright sunshine, a must when piloting or even driving around.

And Dell Customer service is just AWESOME (via the internet - not phone). I ordered it 3pm Tuesday and it was in my house at 10am Thursday - no special shipping. I emailed for an RMA yesterday and UPS was here this morning. No begging or questions, truly an effective "total customer satisfaction" policy.

Thanks for listening. I'll be lurking to see if any of these issues ever get resloved.

Well, as long as the x5 is still works for you, no need for a new ppc.

[joshua362]

You are right, "if it's not broken, don't fix it" is a hard lession to learn in life (especially technology), but that beautiful screen and faster processor just got the best of me...

[CalgaryCowboy]

I love my x50v but sometimes I wish I had my x5 still for MP3's and such. I crashed today using BT mouse BT keyboard Wi-fi streaming a 700meg movie from my hard drive. I think we ask so much from the x50v it just can't handle it. The x5 was simpler and rock solid. I had to get the VGA since spreadsheets ect were usless on the x5 screen.

[Shin-RA]

These PPCs last, I don't think I'll be replacing mine unless I loose it. I keep hearing about new Direct3D games that are upcomming so I'm sure it'll keep me entertained for a while longer.