Dell Axim X51v VGA Pocket PC
Dell is considered as one of the top manufacturers of computers in the world, but of late, it has started concentrating on a new segment of electronic goods, the PDAs or, to be more specific, the Pocket PCs. Stiff competition from its counterparts has made Dell design top notch Pocket PCs. The Axim series, which was recently launched by Dell, is one of the best PDAs you will find in the market today. One of the latest PDAs out of this series is the Axim X51v VGA. This is a wondrous Pocket PC and it seems to possess all that you need, from professionalism to entertainment. Read the review so as to find out whether or not this PDA is best suited for you.
Design:
A Groovy Thing:
Dell has always manufactured its PDAs with very attractive design. When you look at the Axim X51v, you will find that this one too is really cute and slim. Although it is a tad bigger than its precursor, the Axim X50v, it still looks slim due to the special outer finishing that is done by Dell. A combination of Black and silver colours and curvy edges make the device all the more attractive. Measuring about (H x W x D) 4.7 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches and weighing about 6.2 ounces, this is one of the most attractive Pocket PCs you will find anywhere. Exploring a little more regarding its design, Dell has gone on with its traditional 4 buttons and a directional pad system, below a large display, which makes it very comfortable for holding in the hands. Another most attractive feature here is that the back side is completely covered by rubber so that there is extra grip when you are holding the device and it reduces the risk of slippage.
Display:
Another attraction of the Axim X51v PDA is its 3.7 inch TFT LCD display, that is LED backlit. It sets itself as an example of how a Pocket PC must look like. Since most of the needs on the device are met using the touch mechanism, it meant that there can be a bigger screen for comfortable viewing. The 640 x 480 pixel configuration and the 16 bit colour system make a great combination and set up a robust display mechanism. There is a reason behind making the screen this big. As we will see later in detail, Dell has tried to make the Axim X51v, a great player for video games, so that it can be used as a PSP as well as a pocket PC. The processor and the graphics card also allow gaming on the device. Although not as great as the Sony PSP, the X51v’s display can still handle high end games pretty comfortably. There is also support for landscape and portrait modes, which allow you to view images, watch videos and play games in any orientation.
Buttons and Ports:
On the top side, you will find an infrared port, an SD card slot, a CF slot, a headphone jack. Looking at the bottom side, there is a syncing/charging port, and a locking switch for battery cover. While the right side is pretty plain, covered with rubber, when you look at the left side of the device, you will see a lanyard loophole, device locking switch, Radio, Bluetooth and Voice record buttons.
Features:
If you look back at the products of Dell and especially their Pocket PCs, you will find that most of them have come with lots of features and options. Of course, the features section is important in deciding the usability of any device. So, Dell has always been on top when it comes to providing utile features. And to add to the glory of the already existing features, Dell has introduced some more interesting features this time around, on the Axim X51v Pocket PC.
Processor:
The processor is like the heart of a Pocket PC. Hence, it has to be a good one so that your device works efficiently. Dell has always used the processors from Intel, which are by far the best in the market. You will also see that the better PDAs and pocket PCs in the market today are powered by Intel’s mini processors. The Dell Axim X51v features the wonderful combination of a 624 MHz Intel XScale PXA270 processor and the Intel 2700G graphics engine; so you can expect nothing less than the best performance from your device. With this combination, you will see that your device is pretty quick in responding unless there is too much of load on the internal memory. The Intel 2700G graphics card means that, you can play games without problems and also watch good quality videos.
Memory:
Without memory, your device is pretty useless. Minimal memory is required to run any device without problems; especially problems related to the speed of the device and its response. The two aforementioned features also depend on how much of memory is available to the device. Many PDAs do not give minimum memory that is needed. But the Axim X51v PDA GPS Pocket PC has at least some memory for the running of basic operations. Its memory details go like this: 64 MB SDRAM, out of which 16 MB is dedicated to video memory, and 256 MB flash ROM, out of which 192 MB is user usable. We know that this memory is never sufficient, but the device does not come with a good internal memory. Hence, you need to buy an external memory card separately from the stores. Since there is a slot for the memory card, you might as well use this, if you feel you need space to view videos or to install games for playing.
Windows Mobile 5 OS: Great Options
The Dell Axim X51v boasts about its latest Operating System, the Windows Mobile version 5 OS. This very new OS from Microsoft has more features when compared to its previous versions and one of its highlight features is its Support for persistent storage. This means that the OS automatically saves your unsaved data when battery is low and your device is about to shut down, so that you can resume to the same work when you switch it on again. This is a very useful feature particularly when you are on the move because you never want your data to be lost in the middle of your work. The OS also features a new version of the Office Mobile, which comprises Pocket Word, that supports charts, images and also various tables; Pocket Excel and Pocket PowerPoint which has many new features including skipping unwanted slides, choosing specific slides, and zooming in/out. You can also sync email, calendar, contacts, and tasks with your computer using this new OS. Applications such as Skype and AOL messenger are also included in this OS. Hence, there are scores of opportunities for all with this new OS from Microsoft.
GPS navigation system:
There are not may PDAs or Pocket PCs in the market today without the GPS navigation system facility. Since these devices are used mostly by people who need to move constantly, the GPS system is a real boom. It comes in handy whenever you are in a new place or a new country. For this, you need to connect the device to the internet and then open the GPS application in the main menu of the device. After you enter the application, it automatically detects the place in which you are in and then shows you the graphical map of the place and also notifies you the information regarding some noted places in your vicinity and also details you about the transport facilities to the nearest bus or railway station. Hence, you will never be lost in a new place and you always feel at home. Overall, GPS is a very important and essential feature that you would like to have in your Pocket PC.
Pocket MSN:
Even though you are the one who is always on the go, you sometimes, or even may be always need to be in contact with your dear ones and team mates. Hence is the feature of Pocket MSN, which is a specially designed instant messenger that you will find only on the devices which have the Windows Mobile 5 as their operating system. This is simpler to use than the conventional messenger and it also connects quicker than normal. Although there is the AOL messenger along with this one, the latter is often preferred due to its speed and simplicity.
Wi-Fi:
If a pocket PC cannot connect to the internet, then more often than not, it is considered as useless. Since its main function is to be a portable computer, it needs to be able to connect to the internet whenever possible. The Axim X51v has Wi-Fi connectivity option and it can be used wherever possible. Hence, you can now be online from your office, or when you are at the airports and cafes. All you need to do is just toggle the Wi-Fi button to ON and the device will automatically detect the hub and there you are; connecting you to the internet.
Gaming: Keep Playing
As we have already discussed, Dell has been trying to make the Axim X51v, a very good gaming device. In fact, it has designed its device in such a manner that is similar in fashion to the PSP. Although not as great as the PSP, it can still play very dynamic games and also at a good pace. If you look at the games that are featured in the device, by default there are two games installed, namely Toy Golf and Geo Rally. Toy Golf is an interesting golf game that is played at different locations and Geo Rally is all about racing. Both the games are 3-D and they show you how good the graphics accelerator of the Axim X51v is. Though there are only two games, you are always welcome to buy and download your favourite games from the internet. But, before buying them, make sure that they are compatible.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth has been one of the most famous applications that the world has seen in the recent past; so famous, that it is featured in almost all devices from mediocre mobile phones and mp3 players to the televisions. Hence, it would be foolish to think of the Axim X51v without Bluetooth. But, the speciality of this device is that it features Bluetooth 2.0, which is faster than its previous version. Hence, you can now sync your mobile to almost any device and then transfer files between them. It is also easy to use Bluetooth on this device since the device searches for compatible devices automatically and notifies you when the Bluetooth is switched on. To switch the Bluetooth option ON, you need to toggle the Bluetooth button that you will find on the left side of the device.
ActiveSync 4:
To sync your device to your computer, you will need to possess some software beforehand, so that the device is recognised. ActiveSync4 is the software that will help you in this area. You need to install this software on your computer, using the software CD that is provided in the package. But, here is a small but an important warning. You must be careful and see to that the software is installed first, even before connecting your device to the computer. Although this might seem obvious to most of you, this is pretty important because, otherwise if the device is connected without installing the software drives first, there is a risk that the computer might read a wrong drive and hence you will see that the device is not detected. The consequence is that you cannot sync it the next time; this does not always happen but it happened in the past. Hence, steps must be taken in order to avoid that.
Conclusively, you can say that the Axim X51v Handheld PDA is blessed with scores of features that help it become one of the better Pocket PCs going around.
Performance:
With so many features and options in your basket, you will also hope that the device performs well enough for you to put the Axim X51v in your cart. We shall now jaunt into the performance details of the device.
Video Performance:
The videos performance in general, is very good and you may say that it is a commendable effort put in by Dell, in making the display work in both the modes: Portrait and Landscape. So, now you can use the device as a phone or as a PDA in the conventional portrait style. But at the same time, you can watch pictures and videos on the device in the landscape fashion so that it looks more stylish and movies look great when played in this mode. Another advantage is that, the gaming experience is completely different when it is in the landscape mode of display. Hence, we have no complaints regarding the video performance of the Axim X51v.
Audio Performance:
Normally, the devices from Dell have healthy audio systems and the Axim X51v is no exception to that. Dell’s laptops are famous for their high quality speakers and that trend slowly passed on to the Pocket PCs now. The audio on the Axim X51v is good and it really helps when you are watching movies or playing high end games on it. The speakers are also very well placed so that there is no noise. But most of the times, you prefer using headphones instead of playing the sounds aloud, especially while watching a movie or while playing. There are also settings that can be altered in order to experience very good acoustics, particularly the surround sound or the three dimensional effect. Hence, as always with Dell, the audio on the Axim X51v is really good.
Connectivity:
As we have already seen under the design section, there are quite a few options for you to connect your device or in order to expand its capabilities. The infrared port helps you connect to other devices featuring infrared technology and you can directly transfer files between them just like in Bluetooth, but a little faster. The SD card slot allows you to expand the memory of the device and you can also transfer files from other devices using this method. You can also connect your Axim X51v to other devices using the USB cable that is provided. This seems to be the simplest method while connecting to a computer. It can also be used to charge your device when there is no cradle. Thus, you have plenty of options to connect your device to, and this enhances the range of usability of the Axim X51v.
Therefore, after considering the points that are discussed above, one can conclude by inferring that the Axim X51v is one of the better performers you will find in the market, especially with similar price tag. Yes, there are better PDAs in the market at higher prices, but this is very good at this particular budget.
Accessories:
Along with the device, some accessories that are highly useful are also provided inside the case. They include a soft protective case, which acts as a protection on the outside and it absorbs impulses so that the damage is avoided or minimised; A desktop sync cradle, which is a special type of cradle, using which you can connect the device to your computer for charging and also for syncing; A companion software CD is also provided which is to be installed on your computer for easy access to the device during syncing; A power adapter; The one particular feature that is more commendable than the others is the slot for charging an extra battery, which is really sweet on the part of Dell, because you can charge two batteries at a time using a single cradle. Hence, you save space and also time.
Axim X51v Battery:
Until now, we have seen that all the aspects of the device are on the positive side and in fact, are very good indeed. But, the only real negative aspect that we are going to see in the Axim X51v is its battery performance and battery life. The device uses an 1100 mAh Li-ion battery. The battery life is surprisingly low and when you try and compare the battery life of the device, it is not even half of the average ratings for the battery life of a Pocket PC. Added to that, it reduces at an exponential rate, which means that, the more you use it, the faster it drains. It seems so shocking that after seeing so many features and options, you will understand that it makes the situation worse, as you would be naturally tempted to use them.
Warranty:
The Axim X51v comes with a limited parts and labour warranty for a period of about three years from the original date of purchase.
Verdict:
If you have not decided as to which PDA you need to have, then the Dell Axim X51v is one of the best options that you can have. With all the style in the world when it comes to its design, the Axim X51v is very chic and attractive and it deserves to be a professional cum entertaining Pocket PC, and with the surplus of features and options that it provides to the users, it is really a commendable product. You will see that most of the options that are in a PC are featured in this device and moreover they are made even simpler to use.
Overall performance is also very good, excepting that of the battery. It is also pretty reasonable when it comes to the price and in fact, it is very well priced by Dell, if you consider the quality of the device. Similar Pocket PCs, having more or less the same features, are priced a little higher than this one. Having said that, there are also better PDAs and Pocket PCs in the market, especially from HP. You can also consider their details too before deciding on this one.
Check HP Pocket PCs, Compaq Pocket PC Reviews in this website.
Dell Axim X51v VGA Pocket PC – Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Dell |
| Model Name | Dell Axim X51v |
| Product Type | Pocket PC |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches |
| Colour | Black and Silver |
| Weight | 6.2 ounces |
| Screen and display | 3.7 inch transflective |
| Colour resolution | 65k colours with 640 x 480 pixels |
| Built-in Devices | Display Touchpad Speakers Microphones |
| Input device type | Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button |
| Bluetooth | Version 2.0 |
| Messaging options | SMS, MSN, MMS Email |
| Camera | No |
| CPU Processor | Intel X Scale PXA270 |
| Memory | 256 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM |
| RAM Technology | SDRAM |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x SD Memory Card , 1 x CompactFlash Card – Type II |
| Supported memory cards | MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , CompactFlash (type II) |
| Compatibility | SDIO |
| Video | Playback and Recording, Audio / Video Streaming, Video call |
| Audio Input/output | Microphone Speakers |
| Supported Digital Audio Formats | MP3 , WMA digital audio playback |
| Voice Recording Capability | Yes |
| Operating System | Windows Mobile 5 |
| Software | Windows Media Player 10 Mobile |
| Radio | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | IrDA, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b |
| Ports and connectivity | 1Headset, 1USB, 1Docking / port replicator |
| Interfaces | 1 x Headset – Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x USB, 1 x Docking / port replicator – 36 pin docking |
| Connector Provided | Mini-phone 3.5 mm and 36 pin docking |
| Power Device | Lithium ion. 1100 mAh |
| Battery | Yes |
| Utilities | Word, Excel, Power Point, Windows Live, Clock & Alarms, File Explorer, Notes, Voice commander, World Clock, Calculator and MSN |
| Connector | Provided |
| Warranty | 3 years Limited warranty Replacement , Lifetime Technical support |
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