Larry Garfield looks at Dell's first VGA handheld, the X50v, and finds a solid, attractive and heavily-connected multimedia package.
Review summary of the Dell Axim X50v:
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 The Dell Axim X50v offers a solid high-end Windows Mobile handheld. Its video capabilities are first rate given its VGA screen and dedicated 3D graphics processor, yet battery life is still respectable and the connectivity options are first-rate. On the other hand, the new Media Player is a step backward in terms of usability and is its chief features are only useful if the user ties himself to Windows Media format and applications, something not all uses are willing or able to do. The inclusion of DRM-restrictions is also unfortunate. Still, the X50v offers an attractive high-end Windows Mobile handheld. Price: $500.
Pros: Screen and graphics, solid feel
Cons: WMP 10 a step backward
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Full Dell Axim X50v Review:
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In usual Dell style, the company has launched a series of similar devices sporting nearly identical names. These new Windows Mobile handhelds, the X50 series, are targeted at high-end users and businesses. This review covers the new Dell flagship, the Axim X50v.
Design
The Axim X50v is a bit slender at 119 x 73 x 16 mm, although at 175 grams it is somewhat hefty. The case is nonetheless attractively designed with black plastic with silver plastic trimming. The bottom is slightly rounded, giving the whole device a good feel in the hand.
The screen is a 16-bit color VGA 640 x 480 pixel display measuring 3.7 inches and is, in a word, gorgeous. Colors are bright and curved lines are smooth. Below the screen are the usual application buttons and the small but usable 5-way directional pad. The power button is top center front and glows green or orange, depending on charging status. However, there is also a blue Bluetooth indicator light that flashes annoyingly whenever the Bluetooth radio is active. After getting indicator lights so right on the X30, it's disappointing that Dell would make that mistake.
The left side of the device offers a lanyard loop, voice recorder button, wireless activate/deactivate button, and a hold switch. The hold switch simply disables input, allowing the screen to shut off on its own, while all of the buttons are placed such that they are annoyingly easy to hit by accident.
The top of the device includes a high-powered IR port, headphone jack, and silo for the too-thin metal barrel stylus. It also includes both Compact Flash and SDIO-capable Secure Digital card slots, which to save space are so close together that there is no barrier between them nor a hinge cover. Still, the Axim can support both simultaneously.
Connectivity
The X50v shines in connectivity. It starts with the aforementioned CF and SD card slots, then adds both Bluetooth 1.2 and Wi-Fi with WPA support making it about as connected as a handheld can get without crossing over into a communicator. It also includes yet another serial connector at the base for a charging cradle or cable.
Specifications
The X50v is no slouch on the inside, either. It starts with the same 624 MHz Intel XScale processor as the X30 Advanced 624 MHz with auto-throttling and adds a dedicated Intel 2700G graphics processor for the screen, supporting 3D graphics. Combined with the VGA screen, games and videos are both smooth and attractive. It then adds 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of ROM, of which 90 MB is user-accessible.
For power the X50v sports a removable 1100 mAh Lithium Ion battery, with a 2200 mAh battery available separately. The standard battery was able to pump out music for about 6 hours before shutting off, about average for a Windows Mobile handheld of late.
Software
Like the Axim X30, the Axim X50v runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC but the X50v is also the first handheld to ship with Microsoft's new Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.
The new media player, however, is something of a disappointment. The interface is built around a Library and playlist model that makes it harder to open just an individual file. The program now supports Microsoft's Janus so-called "Digital Rights Management" system so it can play DRM-restricted Windows Media files. By default it supports only MP3 audio and Windows Media video and audio files, but Dell has added support for MPEG-1 and MPEG-4 video as well. For those files it did support, however, playback was smooth and clean, and on the VGA screen video was gorgeous.
As with the X30, the X50v supports screen rotation but the toggle for it is deep in the settings dialogs and keeps the handwriting area on the "bottom" of the screen, making it essentially useless when rotated.
Other software was standard for Windows Mobile 2003 SE, and also includes Dell's extra utilities such as the Palm OS launcher-clone Home application and the very-welcome Switcher tool to shut down running applications. Also included is a Mirror function for use with a VGA cable (sold separately) to output the screen to a TV or projector. Resco Photo Viewer is also included on CD for image viewing.
Availability
The Dell Axim X50v will be available in November for $499 USD.
Price and availability
The Dell Axim X50v will start selling for $500 () in November 1999.
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