Much improved design. ActiveSync a step backward

This is my third PDA following the Axim X3 and before that the Casiopeia.

I won't bother with technical stats, since you can get those on the Dell site. I will talk about my field experience.

Overall, this is their strongest PDA yet. The feel, the convenience and the reliability so far is the best yet. However, I have begun to wonder how long this line of products can survive before it gets squeezed out by multi-function cell phones and iPods which cost less and do more. I have a video iPod that includes a calendar, contacts, notes, etc. The only thing that this does that my iPod doesn't is run MS Office, MS Money and my NavTeq GPS. Nonetheless, here are some thoughts:

1. Kudos to Dell for moving the voice recording button. I do tend to record audio notes to myself in traffic so I can remember the "brilliant" ;) ideas I had on the way to work - like "get gas on the way home." The old X3 and X30 had that tiny button near the bottom edge which was worthless. The new button is at index-finger-level (if you're right-handed) which is helpful.

2. Size - OK, this is slilghtly bigger than the X3/x30 series, but I dispute claims that it's not "pocket" size. It fits well in a shirt pocket. In my case, I got the leather case and now use that as my wallet.

3. Video display is bright and easy to see. It's still not bright enough to hold up in bright outdoor sun, but I haven't seen anything better.

4. I wish they would allow me to use the navigational buttons in the center to control the MP3 capability. I ended up getting an iPod to supplement this because of the lack of media controls. I don't want to break out the stylus to control everything.

5. Unlike my X3, this one has trouble connecting to my laptop via Active Sync from time to time. Unless the cradle is connected WHEN the computer is booting up, I have trouble getting it to open ActiveSync. I've upgraded, and now I'm using a Beta. But the X3 was much easier in this department.

6. I do not like the placement of the wireless-activation button. The problem is that they put the one button I don't want to be hitting all the time (turn on/off wireless) is practically attached to the button I DO hit all the time (voice recording). I would advise Dell to move this back to it's previous and obscure location in the lower right hand corner. The added problem was that I had trouble accidentally activating the wireless everytime I took it out of the case.

7. Memory is going to be a problem real soon. iPod can get you 30GB, but to make my GPS run I had to fork out another $100 for a 2GB card. This brings the total cost to over $400 for just a couple gigs, as opposed to the 30GB I got for $249 with my iPod. I suspect iPod is closer to adding all the business functionality I need than Dell is to adding the memory I need. Considering I can put my calendar, clock and notes on my iPod, I find myself carrying the Axim less and less. In fact, if it weren't for Microsoft Money and the GPS add-on I bought, I might have returned this by now.

8. That being said - the Navteq GPS option is worth it - provided you get the 1GB or 2GB SD memory card too. Otherwise - it won't work. It doesn't have the storage for many of the maps.

9. Compared to the X3/30 - this model crashes less. In fact, it hasn't crashed at all. I haven't had to reset this thing yet.

All in all - if you're in the market for a business-based PDA - I believe this is your model. Ergonomically it's the best. Value-wise, it's the best. It's flexible and easy to use.