Dell X51v

The Axim X51v Has Tons Of Features!

The Dell Axim X51v has a lot going for it. If your looking for a PDA that runs the latest Windows Mobile OS, has loads of memory and expansion options and features like built in WiFi, Bluetooth and an MP3 player, this PDA is for you!

Windows Mobile 5 ROCKS!

Windows Mobile 5.0, offers many improvements. One of the best for PDA users is persistent memory. All data and applications are stored in the generous 256M of X51v Flash Memory. This memory will survive a complete battery rundown. No need to leave it on the charger when you go away for a 2 week vacation. Just charge it up upon return and your data will still be there!

Speed And Expansion Are Great

The X51v is at the top of current Pocket PCs with its 624MHz Intel XScale PXA270 processor. It is up to the task of even the most demanding applications including action games and video playback. A built in CF card slot compatible with type I and type II cards and an SD slot supporting SDIO and SDIO give the Axim X51v the abillity to use a wide variety of CF cellular, GPS, presentation, modem, memory, micro hard drive and networking cards.

MP3s AND Movies To Go!

Video playback is excellent! The high-res VGA of the X51v can even be connected to an external monitor or projector for presentations on the road. MP3 playback is awesome and you can store an unlimited amount of music on removable media. You are sure to draw a crowd when you watch/listen to your favorite music videos! If you're a game you can take all the action with you and enjoy fast crystal clear play.

Conclusions

I've owned countless PDAs and this is one of my favorites. If you want a PDA that will provide you years of trouble free performance and great features, you should seriously consider the Dell Axim X51v.

I purchased the Dell X51v at a very attractive price... a good deal... however it needed a little tlc... the backup battery was not performing correctly and the screen was a little abraded in one corner.

So, since the price was so attractive and the pocket pc was fundamentally sound I did the following for a very modest price:

I Purchased:
on eBay.com at very attractive prices:
- A replacement lcd + digitizer
- A set of screen protectors
- A new stylus
- A compact flash II/sdhc adapter
- 2 16GB sdhc memory cards
(the largest capacity for sdhc is 32GB... too expensive for my needs)

on iOffer.com for a very attractive price:
- Windows Mobile Classic Version 6.1

on alliedelec.com for a very attractive price:
- a replacement backup capacitor (part EDLEN204RL3R3S)
(turns out the X51v doesn't use a backup battery...
it uses a backup capacitor)

I took the pocket pc completely apart.
- I cleaned the ribbon cables ends and sockets for the lcd + digitizer with isopropyl alcohol.
- I disconnected the circuit card with the backup capacitor on it and, using a temperature controlled tip soldering station, replaced the backup capacitor. This was fussy but doable. Instructions are available on the internet with pictures.
- I cleaned the two different circuit board connectors and their sockets with isopropyl alcohol, then plugged / unplugged them about 5 times or so to remove oxidation.
- I put everything back together again and installed the new OS... Windows Mobile Classic 6.1... this allows you to use sdhc memory chips. Windows Mobile Classic 6.1 was apparently fully tested but never released for the Dell X51v.
- I installed one 16GB chip into the compact flash II/sd adapter, then plugged that into the pocket pc... and placed the other 16GB sdhc chip into the pocket pc's sd slot.

Sounds like a lot of work but really was not. The only really fussy part was replacing the backup capacitor.

Final result:
A reliable Dell X51v... vga screen... 64GB of external storage... everything working properly.

Why spend more? This meets my needs and has the office applications.

Extra fun stuff:
The dealer threw in a "think outside - stowaway" bluetooth keyboard... so I spent a few extra dollars and got the "think outside - stowaway" bluetooth mouse and the vga adapter. The mouse was inexpensive because, as it turned out, it had two corroded batteries in it. More isopropyl alcohol took care of that... now it works great.

With both devices attached via bluetooth and the vga adapter hooked up to my monitor... with the X51v in landscape mode... I could actually use this setup to give powerpoint presentations.

More savings... running on the X51v:
Running via a emulator, I also have on my pocket pc:
An HP-48 GX graphing calculator (for me... love rpn)

And using a different emulator... running on the X51v:
A TI-83 plus graphing calculator (for my kids... saves me $95 or so)

All in a nifty little package... ah yes... my bluetooth headset works with X51v giving me beautiful sound and no wires... and did I mention vga movies?... great for car trips... and wireless networking while at home or in the office?

What's not to like?
Geek heaven... but lots of stuff for the non-geeks as well.

I upgraded from my Dell Axim x31 Pocket Pc, the only differences are the memory and the processor speed. My Axim X31 had bluetooth and wireless and all the good stuff that this does.
I tell you though, this one is very fast.
With an available peak processor speed of 624 mhz, this pda is a rocket. The screen is amazing, and the video player is great.
The only complaint i have about this pocket pc is that you must convert video to the wmv format before playing it on the pda, i guess thats a windows mobile problem though.
If your looking for a pda that is great for business and great for fun, this is the one to get.
The Axim x51v has a CF expansion slot, for up to 4gb of added memory, it also has an sd slot, for up to 2gb of added memory, in total 6gb of added memory, will keep you with endless things to do.
This Pocket Pc, has pocket word, pocket excel, and pocket powerpoint viewer, and the transcriber works flawlessly.
This is truly an amazing device and worth every penny.

First thing you'll notice about this excellent PDA is the brilliant screen. The resolution is 640x480 and it looks spectacular. Movies and games look absolutely great and text is very easy to read. The system itself is very fast, (other than boot up after a soft reset, which takes 10-20 seconds) and the Windows Mobile 5.0 is a welcome addition. No longer do you have to worry about losing your data because the battery died.
It has both a Compact Flash and SD slot for expanded memory. Dell includes a host of software on the system as well as more on the included discs. Everything you need from word processing to powerpoint, even 3D games is included, (not all software is free, some is trial). And speaking of 3D capabilities, the X51v is no slouch. The 624 MHz version plays anything you throw at it. Quake Mobile runs perfectly on this machine and looks fantastic doing it. The overall 3D capabilities are just outstanding.
The design and feel are great and the buttons on the side are well placed. There is a voice record button as well as as a wireless access button. The directional pad on the unit could be a tad more intuitive, but the only need for that is games. The unit is solidly built and feels that way.
Overall I think the X51v is a very capable machine and quite possibly the best PDA on the market.

This is my third Dell Axim (X5, X50v, X51v), after many ipaq, compaq, hp, casio, sharp, etc...
FIRST: I will NEVER go back to other brands: Dell is the best!
You don't have the frustration of other PDA when you try to switch it on and... discover that all data are gone! NO WAY: Dell Axim x51v doesn't have a battery backup because... it doesn't need it.
SECOND: Its screen is unbelievable. Brilliant, high res. 640x480 and FAST!(624 MHz )
THIRD: Beautiful gadget, to show around, but also to enjoy movies, text, applications AND screen for my GARMIN GPS10.
Windows Mobile 5.0 is not as good as I expected, but it doesn't give you headaches.
FOURTH: Battery life.... LOOOONG (even if you play with bluetooth or Wi-Fi), if compared to other PDAs, but you better buy a spare one and a car cable if you use it as GPS Navigator.
FIFTH & MORE: It has both a Compact Flash and SD slot for expanded memory. You can play with all Office products, and really enjoy it. I bought the Wi-Fi Dell keyboard (expensive, but very good) to use Word, excell, powerpoint and typing at high speed. You can use it as voice recorder, or play games everywhere.
I use SKYPE all over the World with it: just connect to a Wi-Fi signal; check your email and then call home!

Overall? A+ certainly.
The day it will be obsolete, I will buy another Dell Axim!

PS.: Why did I changed the great x50v with x51v? Because somebody took it from my car, but I had no doubt:... DELL! The best PDA, gadget and adults toy on the market.

Something also bad?
...YES: my wife is jealous of how much time I spend with my friend Axim!