How many rumors hodilo around the new handhelds from Dell, long before their publication. Someone said that, they say, miracles do not happen, and something new always unpleasantly surprised by their owners, while others frantically sold their good-old Palma in anticipation of moving to cheap Pocket PC. But in a converged all - new PDA from Dell waited very awaited and those and others.
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Another six months before the models on the shelves of the company wherever they could, trumpeted on the future of the revolution. Honestly, when I could not believe that it is possible to collect a normal Pocket PC for the money. But as time went on ... Now, in principle, and $ 200 is not such a small price, as the same ViewSonic v35 comes on the heels, and the HP iPAQ H1910 with the budget very close. But Dell in this situation is not blundered. The company introduced a system of discounts, which confused as easy. However, thanks to her, it is now possible to buy Pocket PC with two expansion slots and a color transflective screen (like doroguschy iPAQ 39xx) for just $ 149! Think of fairy tales? Not at all, although there have their own little tricks. First ... Unfortunately, this offer is only valid in the U.S. market, but what is the precedent!
Little about the conditions of purchase
Alas, $ 149 - the price is achievable only in theory, and even then, only for low-end model lineup, consisting of two copies so far. In practice, this is only possible after the return of $ 50 for pre-sent items Dell coupon c order and purchase the device in chain stores of the company in the States.
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Another option is the so-called procedure for mail-in rebate ("writing off"). The process of obtaining such discounts are also very durable and difficult to implement for the Russians: you need to send a request code and rebate form to the specified site at Dell. After that will have to wait from 1 to 10 weeks (actually 2-3 months or longer). Only after this should come check, but if he comes to our country - it is a question with a capital letter. Total, if we forget about the above benefits, the youngest handheld should cost about $ 250 + interest of the person who takes delivery of the device itself. Total will have to pay almost $ 300 for a less expensive model and $ 400 for a more advanced PDA. However, all these abstract calculations that may have nothing to do with the specific situation in your case, but will the concept of the approximate cost delovskih Pocket PC from us.
Design
Axim handhelds series at all desire can not be called graceful - 12,8 x 8,1 x 1,8 cm thickness is particularly depressing new products (about 2 cm) and weight (196 g). It is important to determine whether you need an expansion slot standard Compact Flash. If a specific need for it is not, then wear a typewriter with him does not make sense - better look at the novelties from ViewSonic, HP or Toshiba.
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| Cverhu HP iPAQ H1910, bottom - Dell Axim X5 |
Otherwise dellovskoe product is acceptable. Should at least remember the size and weight of any iPAQ with a jacket for CF or Rover P6. However, do not forget about the Toshiba e570, and its budget analogue Audiovox Maestro, which, though not by much, but still slimmer rival. Score diazyna device - something, usually very subjective and a lot of different factors can affect it little by little. I personally new PDA from Dell pretty much, than, for example, ViewSonic v35. (It is likely that its role here has played the recent scandal surrounding this budget Pocket PC).On the past in the U.S. recently Comdex'e Axim could quite freely, not only touched, but if you want, even buy. So many that held it in his hand, pointed out a cheap look. However, those who dare to buy protect their pets in the forums, calling them "solid PDA. One of the regular conference attendees on Brighthand.com both shared their impressions: "You know, when you pay for the product is less than usual, do not expect the best quality. However, Dell Axim X5 - more of an exception to the rule, rather than its confirmation."
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In any case, the "truth", we learn only after the cars come to us and I suspect that everyone will own it ...:)
From the inside
Hardware innovations are nothing new. But it is bad whether it is in their price? The fact of the matter is that innovations are different. For example, "innovation" BE-300, if they can be called as such, I'm not quite to his liking, but in the case of a PDA from Dell as usual. As mentioned above, in a series of 5 two Axim handheld. First, more shallow, and hence the cheaper processor is XScale Intel PXA-250 c 300 MHz. The frequency of the "stones" set in the older model, is 400 MHz. New items are different and the amount of RAM - 32MB and 64MB respectively. There is one difference - the top model comes with cradle, while for the youngest, if needed, it will have to buy extra (+ $ 50). However, if you get an older model, it is provided and the option of delivery without the "crib." In this case, you pay $ 50 less. If we consider that the new PDA has a quality tranflektivny screen, then on the hardware of both machines can recognize udavshimisya and fully appropriate its value.
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| It is clear that the picture on the screen hard to judge, but still ...:) |
Now a few words on the screen. According to witnesses, the display is really good looking. "Transflective origin" makes itself felt. On quality can be compared to screen expensive Palm Tungsten T, which, in turn, is slightly inferior to the "latest hi-end-Piscu - PDA HP iPAQ H5450. Total budget for this machine screen - it's the ultimate dream. Without exaggeration ... To complete the story about the content of the new items should be noted that its SD / MMC slot does not support SDIO, which does not allow its use with peripherals on the cards. However, the negative more than compensated by the presence of CF Type II, which will suit not only the memory expansion cards, but the GPS, Ethernt, Bluetoth and photo-ins and so on. And, at affordable prices.
Speed
As you know, now issued PDAs Pocket PC 2002 platform are completely different speed characteristics, and it's not only the distinctive features of different models of processors, but also in other small nuances, the result of which may be completely unacceptable performance that will undoubtedly upset customers. Therefore it is better to know beforehand all about the speed of future mate. Fortunately, the results of tests of new machines from Dell has already appeared on the network and compare them with competitors is not difficult. For testing we used the most popular benchmark PPC-PDA VOBenchmark. In general, new items have shown themselves very worthy. Each of them is kept at a level even when compared with the much more expensive competitors. It is worth noting the low level of productivity of the same ViewSonic v35, compared with the younger Dell. Elder brother was less fortunate - e740 and iPAQ 3970 proved to be very strong competitors, but here behind new items quite small, so for the performance of these machines can not particularly worry about.
Total
New PDAs from Dell - a dream malosostoyatelnyh users dreaming about Pocket PC or a novice, just thinking about buying their first cars. I think that experienced users will also appreciate the cost advantage of older news. Naposledoe want to say that the current situation in the PDA market is strongly reminiscent of the situation on the market of large computers a few years ago. The leaders then also means HP and the company. However, Dell then managed to make all. Does it follow that the same success the company is waiting on a handheld-computer direction? .. The answer to this question, I think we will get soon. In the meantime, look forward to a series of machines Dell Axim 5 in Moscow. The authors, translation:
Dmitry Ryabinin