Dell Axim X3i

Dell has improved on its first PDA, the Axim X5, with another low-cost device. We tested the top-of-the-range X3i, which comes with built-in Wifi and a chrome silver docking station that looked like the unfortunate love child of a heat exchanger and a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica.

The first thing to impress is the screen; the glass sheathing is quite thin, so there's no vague 'almost' hitting an icon with a stylus through chunky glass. But viewing angles were tight and tilting the palmtop slightly put the screen out of sight.

The built-in Wifi, and particularly the single button to switch it on or off, is a pleasure to use. Dell helpfully includes a more functional utility than Microsoft's own connection software. Be warned, though, that connecting to secure access points can take a bit of fiddling. Once set up, however, swapping between APs is a doddle. In use, the antenna flashes blue.

Speaking of which, despite an engraved logo on that selfsame bobble, Bluetooth is not built in to any of the X3s. That's a shame, as the Axim and a decent Bluetooth mobile would make good bedfellows. Instead, mobile users will have to make do with infra-red.

The docking station comes with a slot for charging spare batteries, and the power supply also features a separate adaptor for road warriors.

Unfortunately, the station does seem to have fallen out of the ugly tree and hit several branches on the way down. The electric blue light highlighting the Dell logo is cheesier than a fondue factory and does the X3i no favours - a shame, as the PDA itself is exceptionally neat.

All the buttons and knobs fell to hand, although the jog dial on the left-hand side would be better a quarter of an inch higher.

Contact: Dell 0870 152 4699
www.dell.co.uk

• Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003
• 400MHz Intel Xscale processor
• 64MB SD-Ram
• 64MB Rom
• 3.5in 240 x 320 (16bit colour)
• SD card slot
• Infra-red port
• USB charging cradle (separate power adaptor)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 140.4g
• 77.2 x 14.9 x 122.4mm (w x d x h)