The Accessories:
The Geeks.com version of the Dell Axim X5 PDA comes with a pretty sweet compliment of accessories. The first of which we will look at is the carrying case shown below. The case is well made from synthetic leather, and features a zipper around three edges for easy access. Perhaps this case was some sort of overstock promotional item, because as you can see it has the Aventis Pharmaceuticals name and logo embossed on the cover. The product description claims it is a Belkin product, but Aventis is the only name I can find on it.
 
The X5 fits snugly in the pocket, and will take a bit of work to have it seat properly. As you can see, I haven't quite gotten mine centered for full use of the screen and buttons, yet. But, with a little work, the X5 is held in place and will allow for the use of all ports, buttons, and charging/sync connections without removing the device from the pocket. In addition, the case will double as a wallet of sorts, allowing for several credit cards, business cards, a spare stylus, and perhaps some paper money to be stored in the various compartments.
The next accessory to look at is the Belkin USB Sync Charger shown below. This device allows for the X5 to be charged or synced simply by attaching this cable to the PDA and a PC's USB port, or it can allow for the PDA to be charged by connecting the cable to the included automotive cigarette adaptor. This is a nice addition to the bundle, as it allows for charging on the go, as well as a second means of syncing the device... perfect for those who need access at home and at the office.
 
The third item included in the Axim X5 bundle is perhaps the coolest... A foldable keyboard. The keyboard folds up to be about the size and thickness of the PDA, as shown in the below left image. Pressing the button on the front edge of the case pops it open, and then the keys can be butterflied out to the full width. The X5 then seats onto a plug, and is supported from behind by a brace found under the cover. Plugging the X5 into the keyboard is a bit tricky, as there is no guide to help with alignment, and I wind up having to flip the PDA over and plug it into the keyboard upside down, just so I can see what I am doing.
 
Basically your typical QWERTY keyboard, this one features all the usual keys, as well as several specific function keys to make use even more convenient. The keyboard also includes a power connection on the side, so the standard wall charger can be used to power the X5 while being used with the keyboard. A nice touch, especially if one expects extended use with the keyboard.
Conclusion:
The Dell Axim X5 PDA bundle that Geeks.com is currently offering is quite a deal. The PDA is not the latest or greatest on the market, but the processor speed, software functionality, expansion capabilities, and styling may make that hard for some people to believe. The inclusion of extra items such as the Belkin executive zippered case, Dell foldable keyboard, and Belkin USB rapid sync charger for a price of $179 makes it worth consideration by anyone but those obsessed with only owning cutting edge technology.
You will not find many places still offering a new Dell Axim X5 at all, but of those with it still in stock, the Geeks.com price is definitely a winner. A search of PriceGrabber shows that other places can't touch their price, even when offering just the PDA without the extras! As has already been mentioned, the X5 is about two model years old, but that does not mean it is obsolete. What it does mean is that you can get a solid PDA for about $250 less than what the current top of the line Dell PDA will run you.
The main downside of the PDA is that there is no wireless connectivity (well, except for infrared). Newer models include WiFi and/or Bluetooth, and the convenience of these would be nice to have onboard. That said, the X5 does include both CF and SD/MMC expansion slots. One slot could be used for flash memory to expand the storage capacity, while the other slot could be dedicated to a WiFi adaptor. Adding such a card may set you back $40 or more extra (802.11B Compact Flash card), but it may be worth it for those interested in wireless connectivity.
For the value, features, and ease of which a user can be up and running on a solid personal digital assistant, I award the Geeks.com Axim X5 PDA bundle 4.5 out of 5 stars... "Readily Recommended".
Final Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars):  
Pros:
• Great battery life
• 400 MHz processor is still fast for a PDA
• Compact Flash and SD/MMC expansion slots
• Responsive touch screen with good OCR capabilities
• Great gadget for work and for play
• Excellent value with included accessories
• Stylish and well built
Cons:
• No WiFi or Bluetooth
• Aligning PDA to keyboard would be easier with some sort of guide
• Pocket PC Companion CD not included (files available for download only)
• Not the largest or highest resolution screen available
• Not for those obsessed with cutting edge technology
Special thanks to Geeks.com for providing the Dell Axim X5 PDA Bundle to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to discuss this review.
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