Dell Axim X3i - fuel-injected version of the "SUV&quot

Not so long ago, Dell has decided to expand its presence in the PDA market by introducing a new line of Axim X3. In this model range three cars, apparently looking very similar, but different clock speed of the processor, memory and a number of other parameters. However, one of the new products released very noticeable. This Axim X3i - the first Pocket PC with Wi-Fi module Cost about $ 400. About him, and will be discussed below. When designing this model, the developers have made major bets on practicality, to some extent, sacrificing style, as reflected in the appearance of your computer. Housing the CCP - rectangular, with a minimum of curved surfaces. Dimensions Axim X3i, 76 mm in width, 117 mm in height (not including antenna height of 5 mm) at a thickness of 15 mm. Taking into account the weight of 136 grams, we can say that this device is medium size and well suited to the pocket, although slightly delayed it. Cradle for Axim X3i "metallic" colors (chrome) with the glowing logo looks impressive, though somewhat too big in size. But from a practical standpoint, it is very easy: in addition to charging the main battery and connect to a desktop computer, he has an extra slot for charging a spare battery. Standby battery capacity of 1800 mAh can be purchased separately.

Exterior

3.5-inch display for playback of 16-bit color, has a standard for the Pocket PC platform a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. To date this resolution is close to the minimum in the PDA market, as some computers running Palm OS have twice the resolution, and recently announced Toshiba e800 is greater than its four-fold. Of course, Dell X3i transflective display. , Respec-tively, it is excellent indoors and quite readable in sunny conditions. Proposed six levels of brightness adjustment for this is quite enough. According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which has developed a special technique for measuring the quality of the original displays, handheld computers, the maximum screen brightness Dell Axim X3i is 150Kd/m2 and the minimum - 18.5 cd/m2 (ie 12,5% of the maximum level). Only seven levels of brightness - respectively, the price of division 12.5%. Read with backlight OFF is difficult, but at a minimum level of brightness in the transport and office - quite comfortable. On the street, you can talk about an acceptable perception, starting from the second division. By the way, the matrix on all Dell'ah X3 are the same. Below the display are a number of four keys for quick access to applications: Calendar, Contacts, Inbox, and Today. These appointments are not permanent, each of the buttons can be reprogrammed to open any application installed. For example, an active Internet users would be convenient to hang onto one of them launch Pocket Internet Explorer. As for navigation, there is Dell offered a very logical option, which allows to use a computer with only one hand (of course, you can use the stylus). The combination of the manipulator D-Pad and scroll wheel on the left, can quite comfortably navigate, launch applications, view large documents (the wheel - the perfect tool for scrolling), etc. Five-way D-Pad Oval gamers are unlikely to like it, but there is no alternative. On the left side face Axim X3i is a key launch a digital voice recorder (the microphone is located above the display). On the opposite side - the button "on / off switch" integrated Wi-Fi module.This is very convenient, because in the absence of need in the module, it can quickly turn off so as not to be wasted precious battery power, which, as we know, Wi-Fi consumes very active. On the upper side of the device is a memory card slot SD / MMC. Not so long ago overcame the flash of the standard line of 1 GB. In addition, the slot can be used not only for memory expansion. Support for SDIO means that you can fully utilize various peripherals for that slot. There was a place upstairs for the "veteran wireless communications - IrDA. Hardly the right to place the stylus holder. Of course, here everyone has their preference, but note that the stylus from Axim X3i quite comfortable. On the one hand, it has sufficient weight and length, and at the same time, his form is very convenient for work.

Interior

This model uses the fastest processor today - 400-MHz Intel XScale PXA263. Despite the fact that in last year's Axim X5-based Pocket PC 2002 CPU with the same clock frequency, performance of the new Axim X3i slightly higher. So, when you run Spb Benchmark test on these computers, the figures are respectively 1240 and 752. Interestingly, the Axim X3i surpasses even the HP iPAQ H2210 with the index 1146. Incidentally, there are traditional for this processor is an applet that allows you to select the desired performance of the CPC (by changing the frequency of the processor). There are 4 options: high, normal, energy saving and automatic selection. Number installed on the Axim X3i memory is 64 MB, and this is the rare case when all 100% RAM available to the user. In addition, the 64 MB ROM available to the user "file storage" in size 35 MB, in essence, a built-in memory card on which you can store files or applications. Total, 99 MB. Excellent indicator of the best have only a few devices on Pocket PC, with respect to Palm OS, then it here and have nothing to offer. By the way, used StrataFlash memory (on Intel), which is worth slightly more than the NAND Flash memory, but it is, respectively, and faster. OS Axim X3i is a Windows Mobile 2003 Premium Edition, which is known to have improved opportunities to work with wireless connections that are not as relevant. Bundled software includes a full suite of applications for Mobile 2003. All information from the address book and calendar can be easily synchronized with your desktop computer. Incidentally, the Axim X3i running the latest version of Outlook. The same applies to e-mail. Of course, there are pocket versions of Word and Excel. It should be borne in mind that they are, of course, directly (without conversion) work with the "desktop" files, but still have a few more narrow functional. All the multimedia functions Axim X3i "runs the" Windows Media Player ninth version, with which you can rotate the video and listen to music (supports MP3). True, the device uses a monaural speaker, so the best choice would be the earphones (not included), which provides connections for a standard stereo jack on the left side of the device.There is also its own work Dell, in our view, correcting some discomfort from Microsoft. For example, closing the application in the usual way (ie by clicking the "X"), you can not unload it from memory, and only translate into the background. A proposed by Dell Switcher Bar when running minimized in the small icon at the top of the display. When you click on it to display a list of running applications. Now to switch between programs or close them - a pleasure. Perhaps one of the most powerful reasons for buying this machine for many may be the presence of a Wi-Fi module. Despite the fact that he wireless standard before it is too common in Russia, we can not mention his promise and carried out work in Microsoft latest operating system to simplify the process of connecting to access points. It really is convenient and simple. Interestingly, when the work of Wi-Fi module (802.11b) translucent dark blue illuminated antenna, which on other PDAs usually indicates the module Bluetooth. But the Bluetooth module in this PDA is not, despite the fact that in the first specification he attended (he was even in the application of the FCC and later "golubozubaya model" will be released the same). Representatives of the company explain this fact is that during the preliminary testing, they found that most testers cost the module and Wi-Fi (of course, if the testing took place in America and Europe:). Moreover, it is somewhat reduced value of the computer. Of course, such a decision is still controversial. The company is well aware of and plans in mid-2004 to release a similar model with two wireless modules.

Test Results: time and productivity

Runtime pleasantly surprised (osoboenno, given the size and weight of the CCP). Without illumination mode the minimum load computer lasted 16 hours 13 minutes. With a maximum brightness of the light in standard mode, the load (work with tables, games and so on), this figure was already 3 hours 29 minutes, and with maximum backlight and included Wi-Fi-module - for 3 hours 1 minute. By not very complex mathematical calculations can be concluded that the inclusion of wireless communication module reduces the battery life on a PDA for about 13%. As for performance, the machine does not hvaet stars from the sky, but it works shustrenko. Below are the results of testing a computer program SPB Benchmark: We see that the other 400 MHz models are faster. None of the parameters of the X3i is not ahead of its competitors (except HP iPaq h2210 sometimes stayed behind). The sides on the other, for a budget machine that is enough.

Conclusions

Well, the story started Axim X5, continues. Assessing the combination of a fast CPU, decent memory and built-in Wi-Fi module in $ 380, Dell made the right decision. Of course, the price Axim X3i in Russia will be around $ 410-420, but in any case, this is a very profitable acquisition for those wishing to join the world of wireless communications with the PDA. In addition, the PDA, the domestic market will also be supplied model Dell Axim X3 (Basic) c 300-MHz processor. In fact, other than clock speed (300 MHz), the amount of memory (32 MB ROM instead of 64 MB) and Wi-fi module, this budget machine is no different from its sociable cousin. Its value in the Russian stores will be about $ 290. The first deliveries of new products will begin in the near future. The authors, translation:

Klinaichev Andrew