Dell Axim X50v

Let me first say that I've owned many PocketPCs before this one. Most recently, a Dell Axim x30 (high-end 624mhz) -- the x50v's immediate predecessor -- and before that various Casio and Compaq models. That said, I believed for a long time that the x30 was the perfect PocketPC. However, I revised my opinion upon coming to own an x50v.

If you mean to ~really~ use a PocketPC -- I mean load it full of third-party/custom tools, apps, games, media players, emulators, etc -- the Axim x50v is unlikely to disappoint you. The 642mhz processor and VGA 480x640 resolution really shine through in "power user" applications compared to previous PocketPCs, or others without these characteristics.

Unfortunately, I must admit that the "basic" or "stock" device applications -- PocketWord, PocketIE, the "Today" screen, etc -- are less responsive, less snappy if you will, on the x50v compared to the x30, or any previous "power" PocketPC. I believe this is due to the DPI-scaling done to inflate text and graphics to a degree that match non-VGA PocketPC looks, if not the sheer overhead in memory and processing required to manage the higher-res VGA screen itself. But again, if you are the type to replace PocketWord with TextMaker, MediaPlayer with GSPlayer, Today with -- whatever -- you'll find that many third-party applications are natively designed to maximize the experience through the x50v's screen.

Is the average "business" or "casual" user bound to fully realize the difference between the x50v and an x30, or any other lesser PocketPC? Honestly, I don't believe so. But "power users" will readily appreciate what the x50v offers over it's "competition", albeit with some awareness of the "quirks" present in the "stock" apps brought on by the high-res screen. Overall, I call this PocketPC a "geek deluxe".

One final note: I am aware of the Dell Axim X51v, a device that is essentially an x50v with the new Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS. The x50v has Windows Mobile 2003 SE (second edition), which is FAR more stable and performant than the newer WM5.0! It should therefore go without saying -- DO NOT UPGRADE THE X50V TO WM5.0! You'd be needlessly hindering a perfectly good device.

I can't leave a positive review on the Dell Axim X50v, because I never received it. The seller says she sent it, but had no USPS delivery confirmation or insurance on it. She proceeded to blame me and I filed a Paypal claim. She couldn't even produce a receipt from the post office, that anything was even shipped. A real genius! The X51V so far is flawless and a joy to own. I can't
advise anyone to buy from this seller. You will be deling with a real loon!

This can be upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.1 which is what I did immediately after receiving it, so that is basically what i am going to review. It can use up to 8GB SD card and thus trash almost ANY mp3 player out there, but it will pay anything windows media player can play because that is the default player! 8GB is about 4000 mp3. The screen is FULL VGA 640 by 480 nearly FOUR times the resolution of all Windows Mobile devices including the iPHONE. There are literally thousands if not millions of free public domain software to run on this. The built in WiFi lets you surf the web with built in Internet Explorer and simply install SKYPE for windows mobile and you have voila!!!... a TRUE internet phone as long as you in a WiFi hotspot. You can use a headset or earphones or BLUEtooth of each. This is the best micro PC you are going to get for the bucks. I do wish it had a camera and perhaps a built in true mobile phone support like T-Mobile or ATT or Verizon. If this thing had a T-Mobile phone attached and a camera attached it would be a perfect machine and deserved to be worhip amongst the other gods.

The only negative reviews of this device are from people who either don't like the operating system or bought defective units. Shouldn't reviews of this and other devices be about the device itself?

I love my PDA. I've run memory intensive games from a memory card, even. All the power and beautifully large screen.

I researched this product before purchasing. I purchased used, it's necessary to reboot after every 2 to 3 days. Do not know if I was sold a defective PDA ot Dell's X50v is junk

I am very happy with the Dell Axim X50v I found on ebay. The Axim itself is a great pocket pc complete with outlook calendar, mobile word and mobile excel. However, the reason I wanted to win this pocket pc over the others listed on ebay was the GPS receiver. Since my job sometimes takes me to cities and states I've need traveled through a GPS system was looking like something I should invest in vs. the having a glove box full of road maps. The Dell Axim X50v with GPS was a great buy for me.

Besides all the great features and the sleek design, the Axim's size is perfect for carrying in a pocket and the battery has a pretty good lifespan. Highly Recommended!

My father-in-law had the x50v as his business PDA for two years and it is an excellent PDA. I liked it so much that I bought the x51v for my own personal use and have no complaints about it whatsover. Never any problems. Easy to learn, long battery life, excellent interface with MS Office documents, great WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Besides all the great features and the sleek design, the Axim's size is perfect for carrying in a pocket and the battery has a pretty good lifespan. Highly Recommended!

it far surpasses what i currently needed which leaves room for much more learning and uses, very good product, only wish it came with writen start up instruction but the disc walks you through everything very well.

Good unit, nice shape when I got it, nice vendor to buy it from. Good price...that about it. I wish it can run Palm OS or somebody make a Linux port for it. Win CE or Pocket PC or Mobile PC(However Microsoft want to rename it) is like Window, lack of logic or options and lack of instruction to use it properly. You have to dig down a few menus just to go portrait to landscape. It should have been on the menu or task bar. It lack a battery charge indicator that's available in all or most situation. I had to hunt down a freeware battery indicator.

One more thing, If you use the WIFI in more then one spot, it's a pain. I haven't got it working in more then one spot yet.

I guess it will be a nice Bluetooth GPS. Instead of the PDA and Skype Mobile phone I wanted it for.

his is the best all around device you could ever own. The screen is bright and clear, perfect for watching movies or looking at pictures. You can check your email and listen to MP3s at the same time. It does everything that you would ever need a mobile device to do. There are a million good software programs that you can purchase to make the Axim even better!

This is the best all around device you could ever own. The screen is bright and clear, perfect for watching movies or looking at pictures. You can check your email and listen to MP3s at the same time. It does everything that you would ever need a mobile device to do. There are a million good software programs that you can purchase to make the Axim even better!

I'm very happy with my Axim purchase. I recieved everything as listed on the auction,and the transaction also went smooth.

This is a great product!! I am a college student and bought this so that i could attend class without bringing my whole laptop! It gives me all of the capabilites of a laptop except the size! There is not one thing that i have found that i dislike about it.

This pda has plenty of aftermarket support. Tons of available upgrade items, cases, etc.... Microsoft's website has upgraded sync software available for free.

I used to have a Sony Clie but it didn't do everything I wanted. Then I got this Axim x50v and I LOVE IT!!! It has a really nice high resolution of 480x640 so it's a LOT more clear and sharp for everything you do (the normal PDAs have only 240x320).

I keep all my records and apointments on it, I use it for TONS of reminders with little NICE SOUNDING alarms (you can pick from various chimes). I don't know what I would do without it - it makes my whole life a lot simpler and easy to stay organized with my email, my notes, just everything!

You can use this Dell Pocket PC X50v for just about everything! You can keep your finances on it (such as your checkbook register, credit card records, etc), email, word processing, videos/movies, MP3s, and tons more.

It even has WiFi so you can access the internet and check websites and email when you're anywhere that has wireless internet service, such as a Cafe or the school/public library!

It's great. Very highly recommended

i bought this pda to use for organization, map(tom tom),games, video,& pictures. the specs listed would have been great. if the pda's extra equipment would have actually worked(broken), it would have been very acceptable. i bought a brand new x51v after so i could make use of the first one. on sale it was only $50 more and it worked - more sattisfied to buy new.

The Dell Axim X50v was purchased for our business. We spend a lot of time in the field and with this we can download the work to the PDA right in the car which saves a lot of time doing it manually. Our office is more efficient because of it.