I'm really sad to see this line discontinued.  The Axim x30 series has met my needs for the past few years. I use it for standard PDA functions, as well as playing mobile games, watching movies and tv shows I record and convert for ppc, wireless network troubleshooting, and so much more.

Very few PDA-like Windows Mobile devices have affordably employed 624Mhz XScale processors, along with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, not to mention decent battery performance. I would have liked to see the post-X51 series very much. 

Seeing as how sales were declining, and cellular mobile devices are obviously replacing the PDA, perhaps we can hope for a new line, based on the Axim fundamentals, which includes the newer technologies, without losing what makes the Axim line so useful. Any chance there Lionel?

Dell, thanks for having brought the Axim line to us in the first place. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

WhatsUpDell: Thanks for the kind words.

Currently, I can say there's no plans for any kind of follow-on product using new technologies. Of course, if that changes, I'll blog about it here.

Lots of us here within Dell really liked the Axim line and are also sad to see it go. Personally, I used an X30 for long time, also had a X50v for the VGA screen... would have been great to see an Axim with a hard drive.

Will an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 be provided when it's released?

 Also, is there any hope of Dell releasing tech specs so the development community can get to developing a working Linux distribution for it? :)

So what is Jack Bauer going to use to stay in synch with Chloe?  In case you haven't noticed it, the CTU on the tv show 24 has made extensive use of Axims for it's agents in the field.

I have had an X5 and and X51v and have loved their day to day practicality and performance.  Although I don't fight terrorists, everything I have done has been run through my Axim at some point.  From listening to interent radio, reading the paper in the local coffee shop, keeping up with my daughters and my favorite sports teams, and

Thanks for the great run and here's to finding out how long the thing will run without support.  Thanks also to the folks at www.aximsite.com for all the great insights and problem solving.

Thanks for confirming this news, although it's sad news. By the way, could you confirm anything about the possibility of a WM6 update for the x51v? It's been the focus of a lot of rumoring, and it would be great to have an official version. I think it would be a good final update for the x51v. Also, I read somewhere that Microsoft gives free updates for hardware distributors for WM6, I don't know if that would apply in this case.

Please, if possible, give us some kind of answer on this matter.

Thanks!!!

I would be interested in a WM6 upgrade for my Axim X51V... it is the mainstay of my diary management between personal and work pcs and while commuting (it's a lot easier to open up an Axim on a cramped long-haul commuter bus than a 15.4 inch screen laptop).

Well,Dell shall produce what ever might sell,but that's it!  If I'll  get power to force them to supply MS Mobile 6.0 I' shall even I'll destroy the mighty Dell.

P.S. We got it from them we must get the upgrade from Dell!!! Other wise to hell -Dell!! /of course for free!! /

Thanks for making the x51v.  It still is the best pda in the world. I guess that it is good to retire when the axim x51v while it is the undisputed handheld champion of the world.

The axim sets the standard for all the other brands...........

Sorry to see that the Axim is being discontinued. I have used various Pocket PC's and Palm devices over the years. Although I primarily used Ipaqs, I was quite impressed with the Axim.

Does Dell plan on introducing any UMPC models or smartphones to remain in the mobile market? I know HP has struggled with it's Ipaq 6000 series phone and is finding it difficult to compete with Moto, Palm or HTC but I think there are still many opportunities. Is Dell going to enter this market as it continues to grow?

Lionel, I want to thank you for making this post and recognizing some of the folks that have helped Dell make this product a success. I appreciate the thanks. Aximsite.com has helped millions wade through the Pocket PC learning curve with the Dell Axim. Aximsite has provided me with a great way to help others. By providing the site, I have also had my love and hobby open other doors for new technologies.

 Thanks for a great run and can't wait to see what is in store next.

Is Dell planning to launch  something like a Smart Phone, wich is now the tendency? Axims were a winner product everywhere I read articles about them.

Regards

Of course the PPC will survive!  Although I'm sure that they are becoming more rare, as the age of smartphones comes...  The PPC market is downsizing, yet there will always be one or two companies making them....

I'm really bugged about Dell's decision (although I saw it coming).  I've had an X5 for 1/2 year and I was really thinking about getting an X51v.  Sure,, my the 600MHz overclocked CPU was fast, but I've always been anoyed by the small screen res. was.  And, duh, WM5 has signifigant changes, like the way the memory (RAM) is handled, and longer batt life.

But now that Dell has stopped, I can't even think of going to another brand.

Maybe a used X51v.... or a UMPC.

 LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF THE AXIM!!!

Sales are declining for PDA's? Probably true, but it's all in the hype. PDAs are the best mobile computer available, good size screen, reasonable text entry, sadly in general not the best for presentations, but over all the best mobile money could buy because they fit in a pocket and they don't ring!

Phone based PDAs have and will always be a "nice try" the screens are too small due to the inherent design characteristics of a phone.  Plus there's the service drilling of the wallet to pay for the data transfers. Crackberry has its uses but is it really worth the price?

For me the best PDA would be a PDA with an integrated headset for calls.  Extract the head set, stick it in your ear,  answer the call. It could be tethered or not, the key is that the screen would be visible and usable during the call. You could take notes, set appointments, read notes on the contact, etc. The device isn't a phone it's a conduit for communication, the headset is the phone. Add cheap GPS,  an FM radio (with timed record), and wireless 'g' and you've got perfection.

Man, I so wanted to buy an Axim 51v with a Rhinoskin case. Least you guys could have done was announce the discontinuance!  Now I got nothing.  Asus makes a good motherboard, but I'm not trusting my life to their PDA, sorry.  Guess I'll look at HP again.   Meanwhile build what I described. (BTW. Sell replacement headsets, I'm sure they'll get lost.)

Really sorry to hear that! I was just about to purchase another Dell Axim x50v for my buddies just when Dell announcing discontinue the PDA line.

I'm really into it and still using the entry-level Pocket PC of Dell Axim x50.

Well, I am the user of PDA phone (Dopxx). Honestly, I will buy Axim if it include dialing function, because my existing PDA is not stable.......

Why Dell do not consider to add this function in the next ver. on PDA market? This is really truce with the PDA market dropping because the function on Phone is covered but I think it cannot fulfil my requirement.... at least I can use the Phone to reply email.

(What are stupid on Nokxx- N95 though it have GPS, multi-media function, but no touch panel!!!)

Too bad, soo sad.  I will use my Axim 5 as long as I can.  I love it, wouldn't be caught waiting in a doctor's office without it.  I pass the time with the many games I have stored on it.  I keep it with me all the time.  I am glad to hear tha Dell will continue to support it.

But, will it still work to sync with a Windows Vista computer?

Hmmm...and yet HTC finds ways to continue to manufacture and sell these types of devices, as does Fujitsu.

I have expanded my Axim RAM to 128 and use an 8 GB CF and a 4GB SD card in the Axim for memory. I have found software that effectively lets me create and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and to have extensive mail and contact functions.  When traveling for short periods this becomes my pc.

HTC recognizes this niche and has developed the Advantage - which has many of the attributes of the Axim I have pushed just a little further ahead.

To answer the above question, yes, the Dell Axim x51v does Sync with Vista just fine, as does the original X5.

 Dell may choose to try and break in to the Smartphone market, but at this point it is simply not doable.  Most customers at the Cingular store could choose between a $200 HP or Motorola with a 2 yr contract or buying a Axim smartphone online for $500 and Cingular may or may not even allow them to connect the phone.  Dell would have to have contractural agreements between them and the major carriers to make that possible.  That being said, I very much hope that they do it.

 A full-sized Dell Axim phone touch-screen with a wireless bluetooth headset would be the perfect mix.  No holding a big blocky PDA against your head which just makes you feel silly, but no small, non-touch screen that is really only good for texting and emails.

That being said, I have read that Dell is working on plans of releasing a smartphone made by another company but Dell branded.  This could be the start of Dell releasing smartphones.  Once the agreements are in place, maybe Dell will start manufacturing their own smart phones.

Forget WM6, how about supporting the mobile-linux projects? All we need is the drivers. Then I could finally install GPE on my beloved Axim x51...

It sure would be a great next step in your Linux support. 

If you want to see how a X51v acts as a phone, install Skype (http://www.skype.com) and start making calls on your Axim.

The reason for me purchasing my X51v was to run Skype on it.

It works great except my H700 bluetooth headset from Motorola does not work with my Axim.

Axim bluetooth is a complete waste of time. Dell could of done better with the bluetooth.

Try it out, it works very well.

Given the demise of the Axim line and X51v, does anyone recommend anything else that your offer similar features as per the X51v (notably Wifi and touch screen). 

Thanks.

I have the Axim 51v, been usin g it for the last year and didn't have any problem until I install vista. Now the screen is frozen. I tried to reset it to factory seting by pressing the power button and push reset on the back it didn't work. What else can I try frends? Help?

I've seen lots of talk of Dell building a smartphone using the Axim technology (one site says the current codename is the D150) That it will, for all practical purposes, be an axim with EV-DO technology, or GSM technolgoy built-in, but, according to all sources, it will still ahve teh Xscale 624mhz processor and VGA screen. If anyone from dell is able to comment on this, there are  lots of us who want to know! Even if the info is just "yes, dell is considering the option of a smartphone in the future"

Thanks,
Ashton, Axim X51v user
(complete with spare X51v unit)

Having owned the X51v quite a while it still holds up well against smartphones. Most smartphones today just use a 200mhz processor. Compared to the 624MHz on the X51v smartphones are still far inferior. After updating mine to the "unofficial" A17 ROM it got new life and became even more responsive and I will probably use it for quite some time to come.

 It is really sad to see Dell leave the PDA market as the superior Axim range of products really separated Dell from other notebook manufacturers. This fact alone was the basis for choosing Dell as our company standard a few years back.

Market analysts say that PDAs and phones are merging, so that's a reason to get out of creating the devices altogether? 

To me that doesn't make sense at all!

I have been a devoted user of the Axim X3 for many years and have found it excellent.   I was waiting for Dell to produce a hybrid device. 

Recently I updated to a HP PDA phone, which is not quite as nice to use, but having the phone/messaging/internet built in is simply brilliant. 

The PDA features and communication features finally deliver on the promise of Apple's Newton Messagepad.  A true Personal Digital Assistant. 

Pity,

I have 27 Axim x30's sitting in a row, each in their cradles for the past 6 months, gathering dust. We were developing mobile applications for IT datacentres, intended for Mobile 5 and Mobile 6 OS's.... 

We have switched to Motorola Symbian PDA's for the applications, but my Axims remind me of a PDA graveyard, all the headstones in a neat row ;o{

It's sad to see the Axim die, but hopefully in the future, Dell will replace it with as slammin' Pocket PC Phone Device!  Like "Axim Unwired" or something.

I'm a Dell Axim X51v user since last few months, it's so useful to me especially organizing my daily tasks etc. I've never use a PDA before until I managed to buy the my X51v online, it's definitely the best PDA ever and I don't think I will switch to other brand anymore. Anyway, pretty sad to see that Dell decided to discontinue its PDA product line. Hope that Dell will come back to its PDA product line on more advanced PDA-phone.

Well, all product has its life time in this so competitive market. Dell is not a manufacture so the profit the they could make will not satisfy the company's goals.

I have a Axim X50 which I bought on 2002 November, and broken the digitizer on May 2003, since them I couldn't use it and was not in position to repair it.

But all changed this last December when I bought a digitizer from eBay, DIY change it and now I'm a happy guy again!!

Bought GPS receiver and lot of application from internet (freeware), where has converted my axim into a very COMPETITIVE gadget again.

Hope all Axim owners could still have so much fun as I do. 

Over the years I've bought some cutting edge devices only to see them abandoned by the manufacturer. My only recourse was to not buy from the company anymore. This is now the case with Dell. I needed a laptop and went elsewhere. I'm now looking to buy my third laptop and it also won't be from Dell. I won't put my money into a company that abandons its products. A case in point is WM6 which should have been released for the Axim by now. The Axim is still in it's usuable lifespan and should be supported with upgrades.

 I depend upon the Axim x51v a lot.  I wish that Dell had continued the line and would provide the option to upgrade to WM 6.0.  I work in the medical field and with the Axim, I am able to carry a lot of reference material with me, with minimal comparable weight. I guess I best upgrade my battery before 2009, maybe another power supply before the supply is halted.

any luck with sync to ''Vista''? i bought a new Toshiba Lap top..the HD satalite and cant sync at all? also how well does skype work with dell pda's? as it is blue tooth and can you have a e phone with it . thanks for any help!!!

1st) I'm disappointed, my previous post do not showed here }:-(

2nd) To carolyn: I downloaded the new Windows Mobile Device Center (it is the Active Sync for Vista only, see Microsoft's Mobile site). They sync on my X50v with 2003SE, but the Dell's official updates don work on Vista, only on XP (I tested).

3rd) I put here again my last 'vanished' post:

Dell new designer on Axim x50/51/5 are beautifull, for my opnion, all Handhelds and PocketCels now follow this design.

I successfull use IP phones apps on my Axim, I'm a student and a research, now I want to develope to my Axim x50v and its graphics adaptor. It'll be wandrous if Dell opens some SKU to help the developement communit (no need to be full opensource, but companies like Sun for example already opened Solaris and Sparc to the communit)