X50v VGA screen...does it matter?

jefflins · 06-03-05, 09:24 PM

Well, I finally decided to get a PDA...and after doing my research decided on an axim 50v...just found out that I probably wont need it as i will not be travelling for at least a few months (cost cutting time at my company...no travel) but I'm still looking forward to getting it.

My question: is the VGA screen worth the extra money? I was really looking forward to this, but when I look around I don't see many programs that will take specific advantage of it..and if they did, the text would likely be tiny and illegible.

What programs utilize the full resolution, and does it make a difference? Will I be able to watch movies with the full resolution? If so, will they end up being much larger (in terms of file size) to be full vga vs quarter vga?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

BTW, this is a heck of a forum just for a PDA!

FlyACL · 06-03-05, 09:34 PM

Well worth it, IMO. The text is not small, movies look great, and vga screens are all that will be comming out now so you will see more and more programs made for it. Do a search and you will see how impressed most people are with the vga screen. Good Luck and Welcome to AximSite!

Hiatus · 06-03-05, 09:34 PM

do you know about OzVGA or SE_VGA? They are two hacks to make everything small in VGA devices. As for program support, I found all of them support VGA screen, but only most of them work in the "true VGA mode" (by OzVGA or SE_VGA). The good thing about VGA screen is that all the pixels are smaller no matter you use the hack or not. All the fonts and movies etc will look better on VGA devices. I think it worths the extra. I used to think my fd's IPAQ 4150 looked amazing comparing to my Palm, but after I had my X50v, I found his screen looked so bad....

rdff41 · 06-03-05, 09:36 PM

Definately worth it!

Badgerdog · 06-03-05, 09:36 PM

When I compared my 50v against my buddies iPaq, yes it is most definitely worth it. Besides, what do you mean extra money? The 50v routinely goes down to $399 which is comparable if not cheaper than other PDAs.

CRXGSR · 06-03-05, 09:38 PM

Have you heard of something called the internet?? Well, pocket internet explorer takes advantage of the VGA capabilities in displaying the internet quite well.

06-03-05, 09:39 PM

here is a comparison of qvga and vga.

http://nighthawkii.free.fr/vga_qvga_2.JPG

im_dragon · 06-03-05, 09:41 PM

VGA is a must for me.

I use OzVGA to put the device in trueVGA mode, and use it to browse the Internet. I have no problem reading the text even at "smallest" setting, but I still keep the text at "Medium". But that's just me.

I use a tool called Force High Resolution v1.51 to run some applications (Pocket Streets, Adobe reader, ...) at high-resolution when the Axim is in regular non-VGA mode. Check out this discussion: http://discussion.brighthand.com/sho...hreadid=117968

Yes, you will be able to watch movie in true VGA. All of my videos are at 640x480 resolution. Beta Player and WMP10 play them at true VGA resolution even when my Axim is in regular non-VGA mode. The VGA video files will be a little bigger than the half-VGA, but not twice as big.

06-03-05, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by jefflins

My question: is the VGA screen worth the extra money?

My advice is find any VGA device (even a 4700 series) at your local store and see for yourself. You'll never go back...

My experience has been that most of those who doubt whether they want it haven't seen them.

06-03-05, 11:05 PM

It's worth it. I couldn't believe the first time I saw it.
I was so used to my old x3i screen.
I didn't even think the picture was real in the begining.

jefflins · 06-04-05, 01:09 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys...I guess I'm having a touch of buyers remorse even though I don't yet have the darned thing yet (its coming monday). My research led me to believe the axim x50v has the best bang for the buck, though by the time I loaded the thing up I was at $600 and thats before tax! Though I got extra stylii, screen protectors, an expanded case, expanded memory, travel kit, cradle, 2200 extra battery, 3 year warranty with complete care and a 1 gig sd card...and the 2 accellerated games. But the morning after I ordered, I found out that travel was off indefinitely as my company cuts costs and they are laying folks off...and since i only got this for travel...oy. I'm sure once I get it in my hands I'll fall in love, and if not I suppose I can take Dell up on their return policy. $600 is enough for a laptop...but then Dell already got me for one of those :)

BTW, I couldn't see one in person since Dell doesn't have a kiosk around here...and Circ City didn't have a 4700...and Compusa did have a 4700, but it was broken (how in the world do they stay in business)...

06-04-05, 01:17 AM

dells are only available online. and ipaqs suck! they have really poor quality and everyone I know had to return theres.

mrsleeepy · 06-04-05, 03:25 AM

I got the Axim X50v only two day ago, and I can tell you that the VGA screen is amazing! I use the device mostly for music and movies on the move, and I was blown away by the quality of movies I played in BetaPlayer. I don't even have to convert divx files like I used to for the palm. Well worth the extra money! :approve:

06-04-05, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by windowsrookie

dells are only available online. and ipaqs suck! they have really poor quality and everyone I know had to return theres.

I agree, but the 4700 can at least give you an idea of what VGA is all about.

Seph · 06-05-05, 09:12 AM

Ok I'll be different hehe.

Quite a few people have posted the difference between the X50 and the X50v. I have seen a couple of replies which noted out a good point... is that the majority of problems come from people with the X50v and on the odd occasion the X50.

Also, the benchmarks for the X50v dont exactly compare to what it actually is. But I saw someone say that the benchmarks have changed since the first X50v.

Dunno who'd agree?