Windows Mobile rules the roost as we pick the five best-performing handhelds there are - but entrants from Dell and Hewlett-Packard 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 $425 USD, its price-to-features ratio can't be beat. More...
Dell Axim X50v
We're tempted to just leave it at 'see above', 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 Dollars 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 $500 USD 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 USD, it's a breath of fresh air. More...
HP iPAQ hx2750
The workhorse alibi of this merry band of handhelds, HP's iPAQ hx2750 brings the glamour down a few notches with its QVGA display. Still, despite its low-resolution window to the world, it boasts a processor rivalling the best of the rest as well as excellent connectivity, good battery life, spacious memory and all the expansion options you'll ever need. In addition, it also boasts a fingerprint reader, which is a boon for security-conscious enterprise users (and the generally paranoid among us). Sensibly equipped, it's also sensibly priced at $550 USD. More...
| Scoreboard |
Battery life |
Connectivity |
Display |
Navigation |
| Dell Axim X51v |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Very good |
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 |
| HP iPAQ hx2750 |
Very good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
| Scoreboard |
Memory |
Performance |
Standout feature |
|
| Dell Axim X51v |
Very good |
Excellent |
Windows Mobile 5.0 |
|
| Dell Axim X50v |
Good |
Excellent |
VGA display |
|
| HP iPAQ hx4700 |
Good |
Excellent |
4-inch display |
|
| palmOne LifeDrive |
Excellent |
Good |
4 GB storage |
|
| HP iPAQ hx2750 |
Very good |
Excellent |
Fingerprint reader |
|
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