The Dell range of Axim PDAs has been on the market for less than 18 months. In that time it has quickly established itself as a serious contender to HP’s iPAQ. While the original X5 was based on a larger, more cumbersome chassis size, the slimmer and sleeker X30 is based on Dell’s current X3 series.

The introduction of the Axim X30 Wireless (£331 inc. VAT) could potentially make the company the leading supplier of high-performance devices, as it’s the first line of Pocket PC devices to use Intel’s latest PDA and smartphone processor, the PXA270 XScale. This offers improved battery life and performance, but in a smaller package design. The Wireless model is fitted with the 624MHz processor, the fastest currently available. For those on a tighter budget, there are two lower specified models available – the Standard version (£151 inc. VAT) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the Performance (£220 inc. VAT).

The PXA270 processor also offers improved graphics performance, which means for the user running video clips and even presentations, images are a lot smoother and offer improved clarity. The 3.5-inch screen has a QVGA resolution (320 x 240 pixels) that provides good all-round image quality. So if you’re looking for a handheld that offers the best in graphics performance, then opting for a PXA270-based system is an obvious choice. A feature that the X30 doesn’t have support for is that of revolving the screen – so that images and documents can be viewed in landscape mode. Hopefully, Dell will add this into the next generation of Axim devices.

CONNECTIVITY

The styling of the Axim X30 doesn’t break any new ground. Rather, it conforms to the standard format of four function buttons and an omni-directional navigation key. An antenna protrudes from the top of the unit, which is used in conjunction with the 802.11b Wi-Fi adapter built into the X30. With Bluetooth supplied as standard, users will find that they can connect to local Wi-Fi networks as well as hotspots when they are on the move. The use of Bluetooth allows for the wireless synchronising of files, either with a laptop or for use with a mobile phone for sending and collecting emails. The Wireless model has a number of extras that add to the usability of the X30. With Wi-Fi connections on-board, a docking station may not be necessary for synchronising with your laptop, but it makes for a convenient way to recharge the device. Supplied with an external keyboard, users will be able to write emails and documents on the move, thus negating the need to take a laptop with you.

With 64MB of strataflash memory, 30MB of which is available to the end user, the X30 doesn’t offer the greatest amount of built-in memory. However, with expansion in the form of a SD(IO) slot located on the top of the unit, users can get extra memory easily and cheaply. With 64MB of ROM memory, users will be able to upgrade the operating system as and when updates are made available.

When it comes to the supplied software, Dell does not offer anything other than the standard Pocket applications that come as part of the operating system. This reflects the company’s no-frills approach to PDAs, which keeps their cost down to a minimum.

If you are in the market for a PDA that’s network and Bluetooth ready, the Dell Axim X30 is an affordable and highly usable PDA. The additions that Dell has made – in the form of keyboard and cradle – may be minor touches, but they do offer enhanced usability at a price that’s hard to beat.

When it comes to the usability of the Axim X30, we found it was responsive enough for everyday tasks. The addition of the new processor may not make much of a difference for basic tasks, but it does help speed up multimedia functions.

PRICE £280/£331 (EX/INC. VAT)
RATING 8
PROCESSOR Intel PXA270 - 624MHz
OPERATING SYSTEM Pocket PC 2003
MEMORY 64MB
EXPANSION Secure Digital (IO)
SCREEN 16-bit colour
BATTERY Lithium-Ion
LINK USB
SIZE 122 x 77 x 15mm
WEIGHT 139g
CONTACT
0870 152 4676
www.dell.co.uk