Looking to upgrade to Axim X50v/X51v

[MatthewH12]

I currently have an Axim X5 basic, and i'm looking to upgrade to a more powerful PDA. I like the Axim line, so i am looking at either the x50v or x51v.

I have 2 questions, first, should I go for the X50v or X51v? Is the v model with Intel graphics worth it? To the best of my knowledge, the only difference between the x50 and x51 is the OS it originally came with and the 51v has 256MB ram instead of 128.

Secondly, which OS is the best? If I get the x50v, should I go with 2003se, wm5, or the hacked wm6? If I get the x51v, is WM5 or the hacked WM6 better?

I have heard of issues with WM5, so I am kind of leaning towards a X50V w/ WM2003SE, but I am unsure.

Any tips, comments, suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!
--Matt

[Pedah]

Matthew I'd go with the x51v if you can get it. WM5 A12 rom is very stable and fast. The main advantage of the x51 is persistent memory, if your battery goes flat you do not lose the data on your axim. If you want to try the WM6 many people report problems even though there is a third revision of it. It is getting better, though you might also be aware that if you get an axim still in warranty you will void the warranty if you install the hacked WM6 rom.

[Mahstah]

I'd agree. The X51v is stable and fast with WM5, the problems were with the X50 on WM5. The X50's hardware architecture was made for WM2003 and the Dell OS update to WM5 was a mistake Dell admitted to.

[MatthewH12]

Okay, second question, X51v or T-Mobile Wing? (I'm a T-Mobile subscriber).

--Matt

[Pedah]

Originally Posted by MatthewH12

Okay, second question, X51v or T-Mobile Wing? (I'm a T-Mobile subscriber).

--Matt

The specs on the wing are unimpressive, if you are really after a full featured PDA.

The second biggest advantage is the new software. As for its specifications, it's got Bluetooth 2.0, 201Mhz TI 850 OMAP CPU, 128Mb ROM, 64Mb RAM, Windows Mobile 6 Professional, 2.8" 240x320px 64K color screen, Quadband GSM/EDGE, 802.11b/g, and a 2MP camera.

It may have the advantage of WM6, but that's not a big advantage in my opinion. If you want a coverged device, I'd look at something based on the HTC 6300, at least that has a 500 Mhz processor. The wing gives up processing power, screen size and storage ability with only a mini SD expansion slot, to the axim.
But the ax is not a phone, although you can get Skype for pocket PC.

[MatthewH12]

Originally Posted by Pedah

The specs on the wing are unimpressive, if you are really after a full featured PDA.
It may have the advantage of WM6, but that's not a big advantage in my opinion. If you want a coverged device, I'd look at something based on the HTC 6300, at least that has a 500 Mhz processor. The wing gives up processing power, screen size and storage ability with only a mini SD expansion slot, to the axim.
But the ax is not a phone, although you can get Skype for pocket PC.

Are converged devices even all that great?

--Matt

[Pedah]

Originally Posted by MatthewH12

Are converged devices even all that great?

--Matt

It really depends what you want the device for? If you are planning to run a lot of software, or if it's just for personal information management. You really need to think about what you want the device to do for you. I have my Ax paired with a Nokia 6288, with third party applications, and the OS's native features I can send text messages and browse the web, check email etc. All the things that a converged device can do but I carry a phone thats a phone and my Ax. I've seen converged devices get better in leaps and bounds recently, like the HTC Tytn and they are tempting but not affordable enough as yet.

[MatthewH12]

Maybe if I list what I want it to do, you guys can give me a lot more detail at what is best for me, you guys have been great so far, and I really thank you!

I mainly use the X5 for games, though I think having a phone built in would be cool, plus a WM powered phone can do a lot more than a standard phone (I currently have a Razr V3t). I am looking for a PDA/PDAPhone that is Windows Mobile powered because I have so many PPC apps & games and I like the way WM works. I asked about the Wing specifically because it is a PDAPhone and I am a T-Mobile subscriber and I like their service (it's cheap!), plus i'm in a contract so I can't really switch to another provider.

I'm a bit tight on money, and that wing its self at almost $300, is a bit higher than I wanted to spend, especially if it's very slow. I do like how it is a touch-screen pda and a phone, as I have wanted one of those for awhile, but sadly they are A, expensive, and B, have much slower CPU's than stand-alone PDA's. Plus, I worry about keeping the screen in good shape, since I just toss my phone in my pocket most of the time, except when i'm using it. So while I have wanted a touch-screen PDAPhone for a long time, I don't know if it is really worth it.

So I ask, what would be the best thing for me to get? Is the x50v a good idea, because it's so much faster and has the Intel 2700G graphics, or should I go with a PDAPhone like the wing because I have wanted one for so long? The wing seems nice, its just the CPU speed/size worries me (I currently have a razr v3t as my cell phone).

BTW, my x5 is the low-end, i think its 300Mhz.

--Matt

[Pedah]

Matt T-mobile are releasing new devices as we speak! You mentioned mainly gaming, if so the wing will probably do you, but look at this news and see if you want to wait a bit.

[MatthewH12]

Thanks everybody for your input, I won an Axim X50v off of eBay earlier this weekend, thanks to your suggestions!