Windows Mobile rules the roost as we pick the five best-performing handhelds there are - but entrants from Dell, HP and Fujitsu Siemens are also joined by a lone Palm OS defender.
Dell Axim X51v
 As the first Windows Mobile 5.0 handheld out of the gate, Dell's Axim X51v is every bit as much of a powerhouse as its predecessor, the X50v. A 624 MHz processor combines with a luscious, 3.7-inch VGA display, copious amounts of memory and all-encompassing connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CompactFlash and SDIO. We're miffed by its lack of hard keys mapping to Windows Mobile 5.0's new soft buttons, but for €390 EUR, its price-to-features ratio can't be beat. More...
Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX 720
 It may not be as high-performing as the Axim X51v, but at 520 MHz and with a generous amount of memory, Fujitsu-Siemens' Pocket LOOX 7200 does quite well for itself. A 3.6-inch screen with VGA resolution easily rivals that of the X51v, as does its connectivity options which are identical. Still, it runs Windows Mobile 2003 SE which is about to get very dated indeed - although we do have a sweet spot for its jog dial. At €575 EUR, though, you can see why we picked the Axim X51v for our number one spot. More...
Dell Axim X50v
 We're tempted to just leave it at 'see Dell Axim X51v', but there are a couple of major differences between these two Axims despite their identical physical appearances and properties. Not only does the X50v run the more dated Windows Mobile 2003 SE, but it also has a different memory configuration which impacts battery life negatively. Still, it can do everything its newer sibling can, and although Dell no longer officially sells the X50v it can be had online for quite a few Euro less than the X51v. More...
HP iPAQ hx4700
 If screen estate is of primary importance to you, the iPAQ hx4700 is certainly worth considering. Its 4-inch VGA display is the most generous of the five handhelds listed here, while its performance, connectivity and expansion options perform on par with those of Dell's Axim X51v. Unfortunately, it can be a pain to navigate, and it's also a tad larger than its competitors - but for those who don't mind these niggles, this €550 EUR kit will serve its purpose with aplomb. More...
palmOne LifeDrive
 As the sole defender of the Palm OS platform, the LifeDrive offers a wholly unique selling point: its 4 GB hard drive. Unfortunately, lackluster performance as compared to its Windows Mobile counterparts prevents the full exploitation of this massive amount of storage, but connectivity and expansion options are highly competitive. Its 3.5-inch screen is not only the smallest but also the lowest-resolution specimen of the five handhelds listed here, yet still remains more than adequate. At €500 EUR, it's a breath of fresh air. More...
| Scoreboard |
Battery life |
Connectivity |
Display |
Navigation |
| Dell Axim X51v |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Very good |
Good |
| FS Pocket LOOX 720 |
Very good |
Excellent |
Very good |
Very good |
| Dell Axim X50v |
Very good |
Excellent |
Very good |
Good |
| HP iPAQ hx4700 |
Very good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
| palmOne LifeDrive |
Very good |
Very good |
Good |
Excellent |
| Scoreboard |
Memory |
Performance |
Standout feature |
|
| Dell Axim X51v |
Very good |
Excellent |
Windows Mobile 5.0 |
|
| FS Pocket LOOX 720 |
Very good |
Very good |
Jog dial |
|
| Dell Axim X50v |
Good |
Excellent |
VGA display |
|
| HP iPAQ hx4700 |
Good |
Excellent |
4-inch display |
|
| palmOne LifeDrive |
Excellent |
Good |
4 GB storage |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
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