Sony has its work cut out for them (new Dell)

[madmaxmedia]

The new Dell X30 is very impressive, especially the mid-range model-

-$249 after rebate (but perhaps less with new Dell coupons)
-Wifi AND Bluetooth
-WPA capable (new improved form of wireless security)
-Voice recorder
-New 312 MHz PXA270 which seems to benchmark as good as old 400 MHz
-Widescreen and landscape (Windows Mobile 2003 SE)
-relatively small (.6 inches thick) and light
-64 MB RAM + 31 MB flash (makes up for PocketPC memory allocation)
-3 hour battery life at max screen brightness and Wifi-on

http://www.aximsite.com/x30review/

Since Dell has entered the market, PocketPC has become the value leader, this is quite a switch from 3 or 4 years ago when Palms were around $300 and PocketPC's were around $500. PocketPC platform is also much more stable now. Personally I like the Palm OS interface better, but there are so many 3rd-party and freeware add-ons for both platforms.

I still prefer to stay with Sony, but I hope they at least take this new model in consideration when pricing new models. If the TH55 were just coming out now, I think they would have had to price at $349 (or lower) instead of $399.

[ClieDad]

Thanks for the tip Madmaxmedia. One of my users asked me about purchasing an HP 4155 instead of a Sony or Palm PDA that we have standardized on and I'm definitely going to recommend this one. (I tried to talk him out of it but he is sold on having the same UI on his desktop and PDA!)

[Unregistered]

And since talking about Windows Mobile's hardware, HP is going to release another pretty impressive model called Hx4700, which has:

- 600 something MHz
- 128 MB RAM / 64 MB ROM
- 480 x 640 pixel screen (support portrait and landscape )
- WiFi & Bluetooth
- SD & CF card slot
- 1800 mAH user-replacable battery
- Size should be identical to their 2210 series
- Price should be some where between $500 to $600

From the hardware prespective, I really hope that HP also releases their models under PalmSource, too...

[TMNielson]

Sounds like you are a Pocket PC fan! I have checked out the Dell, as I used to own the Dell Axim X5. The X3i feels VERY flimsy (no offense to any Dell owners). It is made of plastic and feels like it.

Pocket PC has some very good things going for it, but I am amazed that with my 16 megs of memory on my NX80V, I can pack many more programs than I could with my 64 megs on my PPC. The programs aren't always as pretty, but they load and run MUCH faster.

Mostly, I got sick of feeling like I was using a computer instead of a PDA. I wanted it to be faster, and less complex. I don't miss having to reset my PDA all the time either.

If you want a Dell, may you should check out Aximsite.com instead of Cliesource...:cool:

[madmaxmedia]

No, I'm not a PocketPC fan (look at my post count here!) ;) The things you mention are still keeping me squarely with my TG50. I used to have a Jornada a few years back, and I agree completely with your description of "feeling like using a computer".

But I'd like to see Sony try to match Dell in value if not price. Otherwise they will suffer in the long run, just like Apple did (the PDA market is not large enough for a niche player like Apple.) I understand that the build quality of the Dell may not be as high, but that feature set is absolutely huge for $250. And while it's taken Pocket PC at least 4 or 5 iterations to reach a point where it attracts my attention, I give Microsoft credit for continuously churning out improvements (just like Sony keeps churning out new models!)

At this point I'm actually hoping Sony releases a keyboard model next at a moderately affordable price. That's what would attract me the most of all.

[yOyOYoo]

big ups to Dell for the price and feature set.

You have to wonder what Sony is going to come out with next

[Lisianne]

Competition in the handheld market is great for all consumers. I personally don't care if a PalmOS device or a PocketPC one breaks the price or features barrier - it's "all good."

[jmg_NX21]

I avoid ppc's & mobile window devices like a plague BUT with the options, price point... it's getting really tought NOT to notice the devices (if I GO to the darkside it may most likely be the phone and NOT PDA...

[madmaxmedia]

Originally posted by jmg_NX21
I avoid ppc's & mobile window devices like a plague BUT with the options, price point... it's getting really tought NOT to notice the devices

Yeah, that was pretty much my point of posting about it. I definitely prefer CLIE's, but that's a lot of hardware for really cheap price. There are even some advantages to PPC, such as multi-tasking, multi-tabbed browsers, emulators, better DIVX support, Pocket Skype, etc. So for me the gap is narrowing.

[jmg_NX21]

*sigh*

I am a PalmOS advocate... but I was finding it tough to recommend Clie's before the TH55 came out (vs a TT3) but with THESE PPC's how could I honestly recommend a CLIE? or Even a TT3?

Except DON'T even let me get started on battery life... =(

[ClieKun]

Very Nice indeed! :) maybe I get one well I am in the usa some time early 2005!

[madmaxmedia]

Well, if someone is a tech noob and is looking to organize their life, I would still probably recommend a Palm (in fact I'd recommend a TH55). Things like Decuma and CLIE Organizer are nice software features (even if CLIE Organizer suffers from 1.0-itis.)

If someone is more tech-knowledgable and wants to get heavily into all kinds of stuff, I'd be more likely to recommend something like this new Axim.

[ClieKun]

Owning one of each PPC and PALM still is fine. I plan to to it.

[Spiral]

Fyi:
the HX4700 shouldn't be the same size as the 2215, the VGA screen is quite a bit bigger than the 2215's screen (which has a small border already).

Never heard anything about the X3 being flimsy, but the design is definately uninspiring.

I've found ppc programs load just as fast (or much faster if on card), for running you might be able to make an arguement.

I wouldn't recommend a TH55 to a noob though, other better devices.

[Adrenochrome]

If it had a VGA screen, I'd probably buy it. Replaceable battery, BT, Wifi, 624mhz - that's a whole lot of cool for $349. I don't like Pocket PC, but comparing this to a TH55, hardwarewise, and the only advantage of the TH is the screen resolution and the camera. Neither of which are earth-shattering. If Sony could make a VGA TH with a 400mhz processor running Cobalt, that'll be my next PDA.

But whatever the case, it's great that Dell is shaking up the market with this. Let's hope a lot of companies respond in kind.

[CWolf]

Originally posted by jmg_NX21
*sigh*

I am a PalmOS advocate... but I was finding it tough to recommend Clie's before the TH55 came out (vs a TT3) but with THESE PPC's how could I honestly recommend a CLIE? or Even a TT3?


PPCs crash more and Activesync does not back up as much data as Hotsync?

As for usability, as you know - PalmOS is a much friendlier and customisable environment. Zlauncher on the PPC anyone? Nope!

[madmaxmedia]

From what I have heard, PPC doesn't crash nearly as much as it used to. In any case I crash my TG50 typically once a day or so.

I think it depends on what you're doing. If you're running a lot of hacks and doing multimedia, etc., both platforms are going to soft reset on you from time to time.

When I had a Jornada 568 stability was actually okay, it was mainly usability I didn't like. ActiveSync was really bad though. The idea is great (automatic synchronization when you put the PDA in the cradle), but it would always stop working after a couple of times, requiring me to reboot the computer. I have no idea how it is now.

[fengwei007]

Originally posted by CWolf_UK


PPCs crash more and Activesync does not back up as much data as Hotsync?

As for usability, as you know - PalmOS is a much friendlier and customisable environment. Zlauncher on the PPC anyone? Nope!

Come on, please stop this kind of comments. It'll make the current PPC users (especially WM2003 users) laugh about you :)

I've been using PPC since last July (when iPaq 2210 was born), and loved it more than my Sony Clie. It doesn't crash as often as my Clie does (I still have my SJ30 BTW, not use so often though), actually it seldom crashes if proper software installed. And Backup on PPC is very fast if you use proper apps. Nobody (or at least very little) uses ActiveSync to do backup now, it only takes 1min for my 4150 to do a full backup to SD card, and that's a 30MB backup file! If you have software like Sprite Backup installed on your desktop, you can backup everything to your PC in just a couple of min too.

Palm OS has its advantages, but not backup or sync. Backup on a PPC is just as convenient as on a Palm, and different users have different feeling about sync too. I myself prefer MS's ActiveSync, 'cause I have more control of it. And I feel it's very fast and stable too.

As to user friendly interface and customisable environment, same as above. Different users have different opinions on these too. You don't need a ZLauncher on a PPC, and not everybody uses ZLauncher on their Palms either.

I'm kinda sick of seeing this kind of comments again and again.

It all in all comes down to PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

Cheers!