Dell Axim X30: this PDA won't replace your laptop--but it comes pretty close!

Outstanding performance: That's the basic summary when it comes to the new Dell Axim X30 handheld, an all-round speed monster that puts most previous-generation Pocket PCs to shame. Games run faster, contact lists zip across the screen, and even programs such as databases and dictionaries all run more smoothly. Although it doesn't provide a high-resolution screen like some of the rumored PDAs coming from ASUS and Toshiba, the Dell X30 is the leading handheld, even among Palm OS devices, when it comes to speed, extra features, connectivity, and battery life. Unless you want to pay more for a Palm-based smartphone (such as the Treo 600), the Dell is a perfect match for the mobile professional.

Speed first

Dell packed the X30 with a speedy Intel 624MHz X-Scale processor, making it the fastest business handheld on the market (for now). There's also 64MB of internal storage. The device supports SecureDigital storage, and companies such as SanDisk have released 1GB flash cards that should provide all the room you'd ever need for 1,000-record plus contact lists. The Dell X30 zipped through a variety of business-minded tests, such as scrolling through contacts, quickly paging through a large Pocket Word document, and browsing truncated Internet sites.

Not that any of us have time for games while we're on the job, but the Dell X30 is great for leisure time and long flights. I tested Microsoft Age of Empires, a near-perfect port of the big-brother, real-time, strategy PC game, and found that the Dell X30 pushed the pixels around the 240x320 screen about twice as fast as most other Pocket PC handhelds.

Making connections

Processor speed wasn't the only remarkable feature. On the Dell X30, you can connect to a home or office Wi-Fi network using the built-in 802.11b connectivity. It's easy to configure Wi-Fi on the unit itself, and after you make the connection, you can just click a button to power-on the handheld and start surfing immediately. This makes the X30 an ideal e-mail gadget, as long as you're within range of a wireless network. (If your sole purpose for buying a PDA is to check e-mail, though, you're better off with a Blackberry, which uses pager networks for much more ubiquitous coverage.) The Dell X30 also provides Bluetooth connectivity, so you can move contact lists to and from laptops, mobile phones, and other office gadgets. There are no phone functions on the Dell X30, however. Like most handhelds, the Dell X30 supports Infrared so you can use one of those portable keyboards that let you type up short memos, for example the Think Outside Stowaway portable keyboard.

Extra extras

It's worth mentioning that the Dell X30 uses the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition operating system. One of the perks is that you can flip the screen in a horizontal (landscape) orientation and scroll through Internet pages a bit easier. Still, in a side-by-side comparison, the screen isn't quite as bright and clear as other handhelds I've seen.

There's a headphone and microphone jack, which means you can load several hundred songs onto a 512MB SD card and listen to Windows Media files or MP3s, record voice annotations, or even load movies. I tested Makayama's DVD-to-Pocket PC program, which converts movies to about 256MB MPEG files. The X30 not only plays an entire two-hour movie smoothly, but the audio plays perfectly using the 16-bit audio codec. (Keep in mind that copying Hollywood movies is a copyright violation.)

Dell includes a few other handy extras. The device comes with a nice, durable carrying case, as well as a USB cradle that actually stays firmly planted on the desk when you place the unit in the holder (even if you have a mess of cables on your desk).

Road-ready

In testing the Dell X30 on the road, the long-life 1800 mAh Li-Ion battery lasted pretty much all day about eight hours) even after periods of constant use. Even the 950 mAh battery lasted about 4 hours, and it's "hot swappable" which means you can carry a spare with you and easily switch batteries. When it came time to really get some work done, I used the X30 for typing up a document using a portable keyboard. The buttons on the front of the unit are easy to use, and the extra speed means I can type quickly without waiting for the handheld to keep up. I do miss the USB port you get on some other devices (it's on the cradle, not the PDA). At a coffeeshop, I surfed the Web, kept an eye on my email, and typed away without any problems.

UpShot

Overall, the Dell Axim X30 performed better than just about any other PDA I've tested. The only slight drawback is the small transflexive display, which won't compare favorably when the new 640x480 PDAs start shipping. Still, those PDAs probably won't match the X30 when it comes to speed and connectivity, and they certainly won't come close to the low price: Dell is selling the 312MHz X30 (comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) for about US$250, after a $30 rebate, which is a mobile computing steal.

ADVISOR[R] EVAL[TM]

BUSINESS BENEFITS

This device offers the right mix of features at a great price.

+ Speed

+ Price

+ Connection options

- Screen clarity

- No USB port

Dell Axim X30

US$279

http://www.dell.com

DIMENSIONS: 4.6" tall, 3" wide, .59" deep; 4.7 oz

PROCESSOR: 312MHZ or 624MHz Intel XScale processor

OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition

CONNECTIVITY: Optional integrated 802.11b and Bluetooth; infrared

MEMORY: Up to 64MB SDRAM 

DISPLAY: 240X320 color touchscreen

BATTERY: 950 mAh Lithium-Ion removable, rechargeable battery; optional 950 mAh Lithium-ion or 1800 mAh Lithium-Ion second battery

John Brandon is a freelance writer from Buffalo, Minnesota. Before starting his writing career, he worked as an IT manager with a large consumer electronics retailer. His areas of expertise include handheld computers, notebooks, smartphones, wireless technology, displays, and any other computer-oriented device.