Dell Computer Corp. has finally thrown its inexpensive hat into the Pocket PC ring with the release of two versions of its new Axim X5. The quality and power of the new Dell Pocket PCs, coupled with extremely low introductory pricing, is guaranteed to please handheld consumers and worry other Pocket PC manufacturers.

The "high performance" version of the Axim X5 sports 64 MB RAM, 48 MB flash ROM, and a 400 MHz XScale processor. The less-expensive "value" version has 32 MB RAM, 32 MB flash ROM, and a still-respectable 300 MHz XScale processor. Other than those differences, and the fact that the less-expensive version comes with a data cable instead of a cradle, the two new Dell Pocket PCs are identical devices.

The Axim X5 weighs 6.9 ounces and has a substantial feel and a stylish appearance. Black rubber side grips not only add to the smart look, they make it less likely to slip out of your hand. The 3.5" diagonal color touch screen is bright and easy to see indoors and out.

The X5s come with a jog wheel on the left edge of the device, which lets you move up and down through lists and menus by flicking the wheel or select an item by pressing in. Also located on the left side is a soft reset button and a recessed record button. On the model I tested, the record button was a little too recessed for my tastes.

The infrared port and headphone jack are on the top of the device. A power port and a separate USB data sync connector are located on the bottom of the unit.

Some well-thought-out decisions

The designers of the Axim X5s made some pretty good decisions. As I've already mentioned, it's a stylish device. Next, it has two expansion slots: a CompactFlash Type II slot on the top of the device and a SD slot on the left side. This makes it easy to add file storage memory via the SD slot and I/O functionality via the CF slot. Dell plans to offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi cards in the CF format as optional accessories.

The Dell Pocket PCs also have user-replaceable batteries. The standard battery is a powerful 1,440 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Dell is working on a high-capacity 3,400 mAh battery option. As with the ViewSonic and Razor Pocket PCs I reviewed in this issue, the Axim X5s have a utility that lets the user adjust the CPU speed to conserve battery power. On the Dell Pocket PC it is accessed from the Processor tab located in the Start > Settings > Power utility. You can adjust the speed to Normal (400 MHz), Power Save (200MHz) or Auto (CPU speed changes according to the needs of the system). It’s probably best to leave it on Auto.

Dell will offer a variety of hardware accessories for the Axim X5

Dell plans to make a variety of accessories available to Axim X5 users. One of the more useful accessories is the USB sync cradle that comes with the high-performance version of the Axim X5 and is available as an option for the less-expensive value version. The cradle has a battery recharging slot built into it, allowing you to keep your spare battery charged and ready to go.

The USB sync cradle that comes with the high-performance version of the Axim X5 has a slot for recharging spare batteries.

In addition to the optional high-capacity battery, Dell will offer spares/replacements for the standard 1,440 mAH battery. Both batteries can be recharged in the USB sync cradle. They will offer a replacement for the AC power adapter and the USB cradle, a serial cradle for users with older desktop PCs, and USB and serial data cables for travel. Also available will be foldable and snap-on keyboards, a replacement stylus 3-pack, and a package of 12 thin plastic screen protectors.

In addition, Dell will offer CompactFlash cards, including 64MB and 128MB storage cards, a VGA-out adapter, a Bluetooth adapter, and a Wi-Fi adapter, as well as SD file storage cards in 64 MB and 128 MB capacities.

Microsoft software built-in

The Axim X5s come with the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 operating system and applications built in. Included are Pocket Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, MS Reader, Media Player, and more. They also come with a CD that has a number of Microsoft applications, including ActiveSync, a desktop PC synchronization program that lets you transfer data between your PC and Pocket PC. A complete description of the Microsoft software that comes on every Pocket PC is available in the At A Glance section, page xx, or on Pocket PC magazine's Web site (www.PocketPCmag.com/BG2003/MS_Software.asp).

Add-on software

Dell includes a wide variety of add-on software for the Axim X5s, including two custom applications built into the device.

Dell Backup lets you back up everything stored in RAM (Outlook data, programs you've installed, etc.). You can also back up individual PIM databases only (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes, and Inbox). The same application lets you restore data.

Dell Switcher is a task switcher that lets you close down the current application, all applications, or switch between open applications (see Screen 1).

Screen 1: The Dell Switcher utility lets you close down or switch between applications.

In addition to these two utilities, Dell tweaked the screen graphics of the brightness and power utilities to give them a more 3D look (Screen 2).

Screen 2: Dell gave the brightness and power settings screens a 3D look. (Power settings shown here.)

Variety of user-installable software on CD

Dell also includes a wide variety of third-party applications on the CD that ships with both Axim X5 units. However, many of these are free demo versions with links to the full versions (which you have to buy). Other Pocket PCs ship with more complete versions of add-on programs, but you end up paying for those in the price of the Pocket PC.

Included on the CD that ships with the Axim X5s are the following programs, all of which are for the Pocket PC unless otherwise indicated:

Complete versions of:

• Axim X5 User's Guide in PDF format
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 1.0
• Acrobat Reader 5.0.1 for the desktop PC
• IA Presenter: display PowerPoint presen-tations
• Resco Picture Viewer: manage and view images.

Trial versions of:

• Agenda Fusion 4.55: alternate Personal Information Manager
• CityTime: track time simultaneously in any four world cities
• EWallet: secure wallet utility to organize and store personal information
• Full Hand Casino: play blackjack, roulette, video poker, and slot machine
• HandyZIP: zip compression and decompression utility
• ListPro: full-featured list manager
• Resco File Explorer: full-featured file explorer
• Stock Manager 4.1: keep track of stocks
• Tennis Addict: virtual tennis game
• Two Peaks Traveler: travel manager
• WordLogic Keyboard: alternate soft keyboard with a QWERTY layout
• ZioGolf2: virtual golf

Most of these software add-ons are available for other Pocket PCs, and most have been reviewed previously in Pocket PC magazine. Check out our Reviews page (www.PocketPCmag.com/reviews.asp) or do a search on the product name from the main page of our site (www.PocketPCmag.com).

Price, power, and pizzazz

I was quite impressed with the high-performance version of the Axim X5 that I reviewed. It's not the smallest or lightest of the Pocket PCs reviewed in this issue. But it's nice to look at, fits comfortably in your hand, and has a powerful Intel processor, two expansion slots, and replaceable batteries. It can hold its own against any of the top Pocket PCs available, and at $300, it costs about half the price of its competitors. I didn't get a chance to look at the value version of the Axim X5. But the specs seem to indicate that it's just about as good as the top-of-the-line model.

I asked Dell about their future plans. Of course, they want to see how the Axim X5 sells, but I got the feeling they are excited about the possibilities. The two current models have PC connectivity but no other built-in communications. I think they have plans for devices with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but they were close-mouthed about dates.

As I've mentioned in other reviews, I don't have to buy the Pocket PCs I write about. However, if I did, I'd be smiling right now. To date, the Dell Axim X5 delivers the best combination of price, power, and pizzazz I've ever seen. Other Pocket PC manufacturers will be scrambling to match this, and that will be good for consumers and enterprise users alike.