DELL AXIM X50v: QUICK REVIEW 23/12/2004

The Axim X50 series is a striking addition to the Dell PDA family. These models are aimed at professional power users, with a sleeker design and more features than their value-for-money Axim X30 siblings. They come equipped with the latest Intel XScale processor and Windows Media Player 10 for downloading songs and movies directly from Microsoft’s online stores.

Three models are available with processor speeds of up to 624MHz, and What Laptop had a chance to take the flagship Axim X50v (£340 inc. VAT) for a test run. We were immediately struck by the elegant silver and shiny black chassis, which rested comfortably in our hand. It features a zippy 624MHz processor, 128MB Flash ROM, a spacious 3.7-inch VGA screen, and an Intel 2700G graphics solution with 16MB VRAM for boosting video playback and 3D gaming. The display is sharp and bright, with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels.

Next down the ladder is the 520MHz Axim X50 (£293 inc. VAT), featuring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 128MB Flash ROM and a standard 3.5-inch QVGA screen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. For those who can live without Wi-Fi, the 416MHz Axim X50 (£269 inc. VAT) has Bluetooth, 64MB Flash ROM and a 3.5-inch QVGA screen. All models run the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition operating system, which enables switching between landscape and portrait modes. The entire series is equipped with 64MB RAM, as well as SD and CompactFlash expansion slots.

Dell continues to shake up the PDA world by releasing Pocket PCs incorporating the latest technology at competitive prices, keeping major players such as the HP iPAQ on their toes. What Laptop will feature a full review of the Axim X50v in Issue 69.

Contact: 0870 152 4699 www.dell.com