Handme Down Axim X5 - Some Ramp-Up Questions

[Rorduruk]

Hello.

My Brother-in-law gave me his old Axim X5 when his company issued them all new smartphones.

Unfortunately, he didn't really use it, and I just have the unit, no cradle or even AC, etc. He cant find anything but the (now powered down) unit and a simple leather case.

I have some questions for the community based on reading the forums and checking the web the last day or two.

Why can't you just use the 2003 updater from the net?

I see the thread on updating to 2003 with the steps about copying over the rom image an everything, but the download I have has an installer. Does it not work or something?

What is the best value for a keyboard? What is the diff between the foldable and snap-on keyboards? Can you get a bluetooth card and then use a bluetooth keyboard?

I am very interested in using a keyboard with mine as my handwriting is awful and I envision using it to take meeting notes and etc.

How about cases? See some aluminum ones, do they mess with docking?

What is the best wi/fi card? If you get one, what do you browse with it? How is the surfing?

What do people use to encode video and audio and play them back? Are there any guides around for this?

Are any of the things still downloadable at Dell (like the CF drive update) super necessary still?

My unit has no battery power currently, so taking a leap of faith, where is a good place to get a cradle+power maybe even the AC adapter as well? Where is the best site for accessories? Do any brick and mortar stores still sell accessories compatible like staples, etc.

Thanks for any tips or resources.

[bunnyassassin]

I'll field a couple of these for you, others may disagree, but here's what i have to offer, just acquired a X5 myself with loads of goodies......

1. Is the installer you have not the "archive" containing 2 images to add to a CF card? The link on the thread worked fine for me and I have upraded to WM2003 from them.

2. Bluetooth card is a big yes, one of which I am in the market for.

3. I only have 2 leather cases, both of which Sync via a cable, but neither will Sync while wearing the leather in the cradle.

4. I have a Mercury CF card and it works a treat, have to increase the size of most pages to view though, unless they are specifically set for PDA.

5. I use Canopus Procoder 2 to encode / shrink video, pretty easy to use.

And finally, anything I have ever needed for any PDA or mobile, eBay is probably the cheapest for both genuine and third party gear....

[Mahstah]

In addition to bunnyassassin's answers:

If your 2003 installer runs a GUI from the desktop, you may have the official Dell release. The popular img file method is different, both should work fine.

The difference between the BT and foldable keyboards is that the foldable ones connect via the sync port. You can still charge the Axim while it has the KB connected. If you use a BT keyboard, you need a BT add-on card. If you also want wifi, you'll need another add-on card. You could use a CF BT card and SD wifi card, but it just looks funny.

The Dell updates are still highly suggested for the best operation.

Finally, the best place to get all good things for less- ebay!

[Rorduruk]

I notice that dell makes one called snap on and one that says foldable, and they are different models. What is the difference?

Anyone have a keyboard that they know works particularly well? I guess I should stick with the dells, due to them being not really expensive, and their being official dell stuff, but I am curious what the diff is between the two.

[Drifter]

The snap on one is exactly that.

You end up with a fully functioning qwerty keyboard that is just a little wider that the x5 itself. The buttons are about the same size as on a smart phone or blackberry ie small.

With the folding keyboard, folder is is about the size of the Dell axim again and should come with its own small carry bag. Unfolded and it is almost the same size as a keyboard on a laptop....

I have used both and although both good and having their benefits.

The snap on is good if you type on the move ie train etc, as it is fully hand held, the folding is good if you are at a desk as its full size allows for normal typing plus included a stand so that your x5 screen is propped up laptop style. It also included a charging port for the x5 and although it is designed to have the charger plugged into it, the folding ( and the snap on) will both happily work using the x5 battery.

Oh, one other thing, I do not think either will work if you have an extended battery for the x5 due to this being thicker.