HANDHELD REVIEW

Dell Axim X30 (64MB, 624MHz processor) review

8.3

Editors' Rating

Design		7.0
Features		9.0
Performance		9.0

Bonnie Cha CNET

Published: 25 May 2004

In April, Intel unveiled its next-generation XScale processors for mobile products; now, the first Windows Mobile 2003-based handhelds to employ them have finally surfaced, in the shape of the Dell Axim X30 series. Replacing the Axim X3i, the high-end X30 adds Intel's fast new 624MHz processor, Bluetooth and the latest Windows Mobile operating system (2003 Second Edition), setting a new standard for Pocket PCs. The X30 is an office workhorse, but its competitive price point (£269.08 inc. VAT) may attract consumers who want a fully featured handheld. If you don't need the speed, check out the mid-range X30 (£222.08 inc. VAT), which has the same features as this version except for a 312MHz processor. Those on a budget should check out the base model, which forfeits wireless connectivity and extra memory for a low price tag (£151.58 inc. VAT).

Design

The Axim X30 didn't get much of a face-lift: it retains the same silver casing and rather plain look of its predecessor. But whether or not you're concerned with looks, you'll definitely appreciate its compact size and light weight. At 133g and 7.6cm by 11.7cm by 1.52cm, the X30 is only a hair bigger than the X3i and HP's iPaq H4150, a remarkable trait when you consider all the features packed into this handheld. Additionally, it sits well in the palm of your hand and feels sturdy enough to endure numerous trips from your bag to your car to your desk.

The screen is a standard 3.5in. TFT display with 65,536 colours and a 240-by-320-pixel resolution. Just below it are the five-way navigational keypad and the four traditional shortcut keys to your calendar, contacts, in-box and home page -- all of which are user programmable. As a bonus, you'll find two labelled buttons on the outside of the shortcut keys; one controls the voice-record function, while the other enables and disables Wi-Fi. The latter is particularly handy, as it lets you access the Web with one click rather than having to navigate multiple menus. Turn the device over, and you'll find a speaker and the user-replaceable 950mAh battery. To disengage the cell from the handheld, you have to hold the unlock key while taking out the battery -- but at least it's removable.

Lining the X30's left-hand side are a standard headphone jack and a jog wheel that allows you to scroll through menu items and to easily navigate with one hand. These features cause that side to protrude slightly -- not a major inconvenience, but a bit of an eyesore. The right-hand side houses the flat stylus, which never felt comfortable in our hands; we prefer the traditional round form.

Sitting on top of the device are an IR port, an SDIO/MMC expansion slot, and an antenna nub for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The antenna glows green when Wi-Fi is on and blue for Bluetooth, but it adds a bit of bulk to the device. By comparison, many models with the wireless combo, such as HP's iPaq H4150 and the Toshiba e800, have the wireless radio seamlessly built in. Fortunately, Dell throws in a nice, soft protective case (with belt clip) that covers the antenna and allows for easy transport. Other extras in the box include a slick USB synchronisation cradle with an extra slot for a second battery, an AC adapter and a power cord.

Features

The most noteworthy improvement to the Axim X30 is arguably the next-generation Intel processor. As the flagship of the new Axim line, this model boasts the top-of-the-line 624MHz XScale PXA270 processor. Not only does this mean a faster engine speed, but the new chip also features a combination of SpeedStep technology (originally found in Intel's notebook processors), which dynamically adjusts power according to the application, and Wireless MMX technology (for multimedia performance), both of which extend battery life (see the Performance section). Even with the energy-saving processor, Dell includes an internal backup battery so that you don't suffer any data loss if it runs out of juice. A high-capacity 1,800mAh battery is also available as an option.

Also onboard is a healthy 64MB of RAM -- but with the Axim's ability to play videos and audio files, you'll want to invest in a storage card to hold these memory-intensive files.

Improving upon its predecessor, the X30 now includes Bluetooth capabilities so that you can connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or a printer. The Axim also lets you use both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi simultaneously; thus, for example, you can use Wi-Fi to access your email account, then print a message to a Bluetooth printer. Dell will also offer Bluetooth accessories (a GPS navigation system and a keyboard) in mid-to-late June, although pricing has not been determined yet.

As noted, connecting to the Web is simple with the X30's single-touch access, and once online, you'll find more useful tools through Dell's WLAN Utility application. It displays signal strength and encryption (if any), and lets you perform more-sophisticated functions, such as using a site monitor to search and track access points in range and engage in certificate enrolment for advanced Wi-Fi authentication.

Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition (SE) enhances the experience with its Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) feature and landscape-view support, which offers a bigger viewing screen. You'll also find the staple Pocket versions of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player 9.0 and more. Unfortunately, there isn't much else besides a backup utility, a program launcher, games (Solitaire and Jawbreaker) and trial software, such as McAfee VirusScan PDA and Cash Organizer 2003.

Performance

We had a lot of expectations for the Axim X30, and we weren't disappointed by its performance. Sporting a 624MHz Intel PXA270 processor and Windows Mobile 2003 SE, the X30 is the fastest Pocket PC we've seen to date. Its test scores are, on average, about 35 percent quicker than those of the Toshiba e805, our current performance leader. With the X30, all applications respond instantly, even when multiple applications are running and the handheld is in PowerSave mode (where the processor runs at only 208MHz).

The X30 also delivers striking video performance. Even though the screen doesn't have the highest resolution, it's bright, and video clips and games look great. Images are crisp, and action shots only slightly pixelated. The TFT display is also easy to read in sunlight.

The Axim X30's battery life is also impressive. In our rundown test -- where the device repeatedly plays a video clip with the wireless radio turned off and the backlight set at High -- the battery lasted up to 4 hours and 30 minutes. In our anecdotal test, which replicates normal, real-world use, the battery lasted for about 14 hours.

The X30's built-in wireless connections, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, also perform well, offering a great range and a strong signal. Web pages load quickly, and it takes mere seconds for the device to find to a wireless network. The included Wi-Fi utility has loads of connectivity options. Again, unlike other Pocket PCs, the X30 allows you to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on at the same time, and we had no access problems when both functions were operating.