Dell has broken away in a new direction with the Axim X50v (£340 inc. VAT), moving from the value-for-money styling of the Axim X30 into the realm of professional power users with multimedia needs. A stunning display, dual expansion slots and ample memory are bundled in an elegant design for a price tag you wouldn’t find attached to a similarly specified HP iPAQ. The first thing we noticed about the Axim X50v was its striking appearance. Dell eschewed the boxy look of old in favour of a sleek silver and shiny black chassis with rounded bottom edges. The unit rested comfortably in our palm, and had a smooth black plastic backing. Wireless on/off and voice recorder buttons are located on the side of the device, along with a handy locking switch. The headphone/headset jack and stylus holder are placed sensibly on the top. The tiny application launch buttons are usable, but the diminutive D-pad toggle might present difficulties for gamers with chubby fingers.

BIG SCREEN

The Axim X50v sets itself apart from its two X50 siblings with a 3.7-inch VGA display. The screen is crisp and clear with 480 x 640 pixels, twice the resolution of standard PDA screens. With the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition operating system, users can switch between landscape and portrait modes to view video clips and spreadsheets. Windows Media Player 10 is installed, the latest version with access to online stores and audio/video subscription services.

A dedicated Intel 2700G graphics chip with 16MB video memory adds further multimedia muscle. It gives video clips, 3D games and presentations a boost. To help you make the most of the Axim X50v’s graphical capabilities, Dell has thrown in two 3D games, Enigmo and Stuntcar Extreme. We took Stuntcar Extreme for a test drive, and were impressed with the responsive controls and vivid visuals.

Intel’s latest and speediest processor, the 624MHz XScale PXA270, powers the handheld so you can make the most of media and office applications. We were busy cutting and pasting in Word while playing a video clip, and experienced no lag in performance. While 64MB RAM and 128MB non-volatile Flash ROM (92MB user accessible) is a generous allotment, SDIO and CompactFlash expansion slots allow users to store byte hungry media fi les on memory cards. Dual expansion means you can add a GPS system or a camera and still have a slot left over for memory.

Wireless connectivity takes the form of 802.11b Wi-Fi for accessing the Internet and Bluetooth for pairing with peripherals and mobiles. The Axim X50v has modest proportions, with a weight of 175g and dimensions of 119 x 73 x 17mm. Dell includes some useful software such as Data Backup, WLAN Utility, and Task Switcher. A desktop synchronisation cradle with an extra battery slot also comes in the box.

The high-resolution screen and powerful processor come at a price in terms of battery life. We gave the battery a tough test by looping video on full rightness with wireless switched off, and it lasted a mere two hours and seven minutes. If you’re mainly running office applications with screen brightness kept to a minimum, you can expect the charge to last longer. Dell supplies a 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion replaceable battery, but frequent travellers can opt for a bulkier 2200 mAh battery (£63 inc. VAT). Users who don’t need advanced graphics should consider the next model down the ladder, the 520MHz Axim X50 (£292 inc. VAT), featuring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 128MB Flash ROM and a standard 3.5-inch QVGA screen. For those who can live without Wi-Fi, the 416MHz Axim X50 (£234 inc. VAT) has Bluetooth and 64MB Flash ROM.

The Axim X50v faces stiff multimedia competition from the Asus MyPal A730
(£352 inc. VAT) with a VGA screen and a 1.3- megapixel camera, as well as the HP iPAQ rx3715 (£369 inc. VAT) with a standard screen and a 1.2-megapixel camera. Although the Axim X50v lacks a camera and has a lackluster battery life, its build quality and feature set make it a valuable tool for professionals who play as hard as they work. With the Axim X50 series, Dell is continuing its legacy of releasing Pocket PCs incorporating the latest technology at competitive prices.

RATING 8
PRICE £289/£340 (EX/INC. VAT)
PROCESSOR 624MHz Intel XScale PXA270
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition
CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
MEMORY 64MB RAM, 128MB Flash ROM
EXPANSION SDIO, CompactFlash
SCREEN 3.7-inch VGA, 480 x 640 pixels
SIZE 119 x 73 x 17mm
WEIGHT 175g
CONTACT
0870 152 4699
www.dell.com