Review summary of the Dell Axim X30 Advanced 624 MHz:
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 Price: $350.
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Full Dell Axim X30 Advanced 624 MHz Review:
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The configuration screens, however, are not as self-explanatory as they should be and have problems like labeling the ESSID field simply "name", and not letting the user change it without deleting and recreating the connection. Connecting to an open access point was trivially easy, but anything else was more complicated than it needed to be.
Specifications
The X30 runs on an Intel XScale PXA270 processor rated at 624 MHz, complete with automatic speed throttling and 64 MB of RAM. The CPU can scale from 208 MHz to 614 MHz, depending on the needs of the program, or can be locked at either level by the user. In practice we found the handheld to be quick and responsive even under load.
The standard 950 mAh Lithium-Ion battery was able to churn out sound through the surprisingly weak built-in speaker for 3.5 hours with the wireless radios active but not in use before shutting down the wireless to conserve power. It then continued playing until 6.5 hours had passed at a processor setting of Auto throughout the test.
Software
The Axim X30 is the first new handheld to run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Although still running a QVGA screen, it does support screen rotation. Sadly changing the rotation requires going through the Settings applet to the Screen panel, as there is no quick way to toggle back and forth. Also while in landscape mode the input area occupies the entire the bottom of the screen, meaning that when expanded the display area is a barely usable strip at the top of the screen.
All of the usual Windows Mobile software is present, along with two extra Dell utilities. The Home application, mapped to the Home hard button, offers a 1998-era Palm OS launcher type interface and functionality, while a Switcher Bar applet sits in the title bar of the system and gives the user quick access to any running programs - and, thankfully, exit applications rather than minimize them.
As mentioned, the Wi-Fi configuration screens could use work. The included Dell WLAN Utility includes a good assortment of diagnostic and troubleshooting readouts, but grabbing and connecting to a non-public network was more difficult than it needed to be. The Bluetooth configuration, however, was simple and straight-forward.
Availability
The Dell Axim X30 Advanced 624 MHz is available now in North America and most European markets, selling for $349 USD.
Price and availability
The Dell Axim X30 Advanced 624 MHz will start selling for $350 () in November 1999.
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