Are you in the market for a new Pocket PC? Have we got a deal for you—actually, two of them!

Both Dell and HP have recently introduced new Pocket PCs based on the "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC" software, which we reviewed in the November 2003 issue of Pocket PC magazine (www.PocketPCmag.com/nov03/windowsmobile2003.asp). Dell introduced three versions of its long-awaited Axim X3 series Pocket PC. HP introduced the iPAQ h1935, the latest in its h1900 series and its least expensive Pocket PC ever. If you're in the market for an inexpensive Pocket PC, read on!

Dell's Axim X3

Dell Axim X3 Advanced version with built-in Wi-Fi.

As it did with the original Axim X5 series, Dell will release basic and advanced models of the X3. But unlike the originals, one of the advanced models will include built-in Wi-Fi capability.

A smaller, simpler, and lighter Axim

The Axim X3 is a a small, light device with a simple design, quite different from the original Axim X5. It has a single SDIO card slot on the top of the unit which accepts Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, digital camera cards, etc., as well as SD or MMC file storage cards. On the top right edge of the wirelessly-enabled advanced X3 is a small bulb containing the Wi-Fi antenna (see image above).

The Axim X3 has a scroll dial on the upper left side of the device, for navigation through documents and menus. Above the scroll dial is a standard 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack. Below the display is a small, oval navigation pad with a "select" button in the center. This takes a firmer touch than the X5's navigation pad and you are less likely to activate it accidentally. Flanking the pad are six application launch buttons, all of which can be configured by the user. Two of these buttons are flush with the lower left and right edges. By default, the left button activates voice recording. On the Wi-Fi model, the right button turns the radio on and off.

Plenty of power

The heart of the Axim X3 is its Intel PXA 263 processor. The basic model runs at 300 MHz and the advanced at 400 MHz. There will be two advanced models, one with and one without built-in Wi-Fi. Both advanced models will have 64 MB of SDRAM and 64 MB of flash ROM. A little over 33 MB of the flash ROM will be accessible by the user for file storage. The rest is used to store the Microsoft OS and applications, and a few Dell utilities. The basic Axim X3 will have 32 MB of SDRAM and 32 MB of flash ROM. A little over 3.5 MB of the basic X3's flash ROM is available to the user.

The Axim X3 is powered by a 950 mAh rechargeable and removable lithium-ion battery. You can purchase a spare battery from Dell. Both advanced models come with a sync/charger cradle that has a slot to charge a spare battery. The basic model comes with just a sync cable, but you can purchase the cradle as an option. Dell had not released a finalized list of accessories for the X3 as we went to press in late September. But they will certainly include the spare battery and sync/charger cradle, as well as carrying cases, wireless and storage cards, an external keyboard, and replacement styluses.

Full suite of Windows Mobile 2003 software

The Axim X3 series has the full suite of Windows Mobile 2003 software for the Pocket PC built in and ready to use. This suite includes the following applications: Windows CE 4.2 OS, Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Inbox), Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Notes, File Explorer, Windows Media Player 9.0, MS Reader, Pictures, text and character entry software (soft keyboard, Transcriber, single-character handwriting recognition software), Solitaire, Jawbreaker,Calculator, Voice Recorder, Asset Viewer, MSN Messenger, various setup and configuration utilities, VPN Client, Server Sync client, Terminal Services Client, Infrared Beaming, and built-in support for external keyboard functions. In addition to the Microsoft programs, Dell builds the following applications into the Axim X3:

• Dell Data Backup—backs up all data or selected PIM data to internal flash ROM or a storage card.
• SwitcherBar—a drop-down task management bar that lets you switch to open applications, completely exit them, and quickly open the power and brightness settings screens.
• System Information—lists the hardware and other specifications.
• Dell WLAN Utility—lets you configure and monitor Wi-Fi cards and capability.
• Bluetooth Utility— lets you configure and monitor Bluetooth cards and capability.
• Software drivers for SDIO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards.

Dell Data Backup

Switcher Bar

Pocket Internet Explorer connected to the Dell Web site using the built-in Wi-Fi capabilities of the advanced Axim X3

Companion CD packed with software

In addition to the built-in software, the Axim X3 ships with a companion CD that contains a variety of user-installable software, along with links to more from Dell, Microsoft, and third parties. Microsoft includes (or includes links to) the following programs on the companion CD:

• ActiveSync 3.7—a desktop PC program that lets you synchronize data between your Pocket PC and Outlook on a desktop PC. You can also use ActiveSync to back up your Pocket PC and to synchronize other data.
• Outlook 2002—the desktop PC version of Microsoft's personal information manager.
• Windows Media Player 9.0—the desktop PC version of Microsoft's video and audio player.

Dell includes the following user-installable programs:

FULL VERSIONS—complete user-installable versions of these programs are on the CD:

• Axim X3 Self-Diagnostic—utility for troubleshooting the hardware.
• IA Presenter from IA Style (www.iastyle.com)—displays PowerPoint presentations on and from the Axim.
• AdobeAcrobatReaderforPocketPC(www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforppc.html)—readAdobe.pdffiles.
• Resco Picture Viewer (www.resco-net.com)—view images from a digital photo and video album. Supports MPEG I and II video; JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP, and other image file types.

TRIAL VERSIONS—demo versions of these programs are on the CD. If you wish to continue to use them after the trial period, you must purchase them.

• AgendaFusion from Developer One (www.developerone.com )—alternative personal information manager.
• ListPro from Ilium (www.ilimusoft.com )—full-featured list manager.
• TotalRemotefromGriffin(www.griffintechnology.com )—remotecontrolforTV,VCR,etc.
• Monopoly and Scrabble from Handmark (www.handmark.com )—official Pocket PC versions of the popular board games.
• Full Hand Casino from Hexacto (www.hexacto.com )—play blackjack, roulette, video poker, and slot machine.
• TennisAddictfromHexacto(www.hexacto.com )—playvirtualtennis.
• ZIOGolf 2 from ZIO Interactive (www.ziointeractive.com )—play virtual golf.
• RescoFileExplorer(www.resco-net.com )—alternative,full-featuredfileexplorer
• Wordlogic Predictive Keyboard (www.wordlogic.net —alternate soft keyboard with a QWERTY layout)
• HandyZIP from CNetX (www.cnetx.com )—compression and decompression utility.
• TripTracker from Two Peaks Software (www.twopeaks.com )—organize business and leisure travel information on your Pocket PC, laptop, or desktop computer.
• CityTime from Code City (www.codecity.net )—track time simultaneously in any four world cities.
• eWallet from Ilium (www.iliumsoft.com )—"electronic wallet" utility to organize and store personal information securely.
• McAfee VirusScan PDA (http://us.mcafee.com )—virus software.
• Stock Manager from TinyStocks (www.tinystocks.com)—portfolio manager with automatic Internet updates.

Smaller, simpler design, but packed with power

Dell's newest Axim Pocket PC is smaller and lighter than the original, and less stylish—a little of a plain, boxy look to it—with only a single SDIO slot (which limits its expandability, but that will change as more and more SDIO cards are introduced). If you want to use Wi-Fi with your Axim, I strongly suggest springing for the advanced Axim X3 with built-in wireless LAN, instead of trying to add it with an SDIO Wi-Fi card. That way, you'll leave the SDIO slot free for other things. I tested the X3 with built-in Wi-Fi here at the Pocket PC magazine office and it worked like a charm. I just turned it on and it immediately sniffed out our Wi-Fi access point. I was browsing the Web wirelessly in less than 30 seconds.

The basic Axim X3, with 32 MB RAM and ROM and a USB sync cable, sells for $229. The advanced Axim X3, with 64 MB RAM and ROM, USB sync cradle, and a carrying case (but NO built-in Wi-Fi), is priced at $329. The advanced Axim X3 with Wi-Fi goes for $379. All of these devices are available directly from Dell (www.dell.com ).

HP's iPAQ h1935

HP iPAQ h1935, a stylish,low-priced Pocket PC.

Hewlett-Packard's latest entry into the low-price Pocket PC competition is a slim, stylish, and lightweight device that's powered by the latest Windows Mobile 2003 software.

Outwardly, the HP iPAQ h1935 Pocket PC looks identical to the previously released h1940 Pocket PC (which was briefly reviewed in the November, 2003 issue:www.PocketPCmag.com/nov03/otheripaqs.asp ). However, to keep the price of the h1935 low, HP included a more basic set of hardware features on this Pocket PC.

Snappy performance; bright, readable display

The h1935 uses a 203 MHz ARM processor from Samsung, instead of the popular 300 and 400 MHz PXA 250 processors from Intel. HP probably chose this processor to help keep the price of the h1935 down. However, in spite of the slower processor speed, the h1935 has snappy performance, opening and closing applications as fast as some 400 MHz devices. It comes with 64 MB of SDRAM, 56 MB of which is available to the user for running programs and storing data and files. It has 16 MB of flash ROM to store the OS and built-in applications. None of the flash ROM is available to the user for file storage.

The h1935 has a bright and readable 3.5 inch-diagonal 65K-color touchscreen with adjustable backlighting. Even at lower backlight settings, the screen is reasonably viewable. The device has a recessed voice record button on its upper left edge—functional but a little too recessed for my taste. Like other devices in the h1900 series, the h1935 lacks a scroll button. Below the screen are the four application launch buttons and a 4-direction navigation pad with a "select" button in the center. The navigation pad is small but very useable.

The standard IrDA port is not really suitable for use as a remote control. The h1935 has a non-standard 2.5 mm stereo earphone jack, but ships with a 2.5-to-3.5 mm adapter. It is powered by a 900 mAh rechargeable and removable lithium-ion battery. HP estimates that a fully charged battery will give you 8 hours of continuous use. Manufacturer estimates tend to be based on best-case scenarios. But you should get at least a full day of normal, intermittent uses between charges. And since the battery is user-replaceable, you can keep a charged spare battery with you for long trips or busy days.

The SDIO-compatible card slot accepts both the smaller SD file storage cards and the newer SDIO cards that can add Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and other capabilities. The h1935 ships with a USB sync cable, an AC power adapter, the aforementioned earphone jack adapter, a companion CD with add-on software, and a quick-start guide. A variety of accessories are available, including a sync/ charging cradle with a slot for charging an optional spare battery.

Not quite as much built-in software...

The iPAQ h1935 comes with Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC software built in and ready to use. This software package includes the latest version of Microsoft's operating system for mobile devices, Windows CE 4.2. It also includes a suite of productivity and entertainment applications, along with utilities to set up and configure the Pocket PC. These applications are listed in the Axim X3 review above and on the first page of our At A Glance section (page 81). In addition, HP builds the following utilities into the h1935: Self-Test, Audio Setup, Power Levels, and Setup.

Because of the limited flash ROM on this device, the following Microsoft applications are not built into the h1935: Pictures, MS Reader, and Terminal Services Client. H1935 users can download user-installable versions of MS Reader and Terminal Services Client from Microsoft's Mobile Devices Web site (www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/ ). A user-installable version of Pictures is not available.

Like all Pocket PCs, the h1935 ships with a companion CD that contains a variety of user-installable software, or links to it. Microsoft includes (or includes links to) the following programs on the companion CD: ActiveSync 3.7, Outlook 2002 (desktop PC version), and Windows Media Player 9.0 (desktop PC version). In addition, HP includes a wide variety of third-party programs on the CD.

...but plenty of user-installable applications

The following HP and third-party software programs (or links to them) are included on the companion CD:

FULL VERSIONS—complete user-installable versions of these programs are on the CD:

• iPAQ Image Viewer—view thumbnails or full-screen images of digital photo albums.
• HP Mobile Printing (www.hp.com/go/pocketpcprint )—print e-mail, Calendar appointments, Contacts, Pocket Word documents, and images.
• AdobeAcrobatReaderforPocketPC(www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforppc.html )—readAdobe.pdffiles.
• ClearVue Office Suite (www.westtek.com )—view native PowerPoint, Excel, and Word files from Microsoft Office 97, 2000, and XP.
• Real Player for Pocket PC (www.real.com )—play Real audio and video content.
• Resco File Explorer (www.resco-net.com )—alternative full-featured file explorer with file encryption, ZIP compression, a built-in viewer, registry editor, and more.
• Resco Picture Viewer (www.resco-net.com )— view images from a digital photo and video album. Supports MPEG I and II video; JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP, and other image file types.
• iPAQ User's Guide—complete user's guide to the h1900 series iPAQ in .pdf format.
• SingleTap Catalog (www.singletap.com/iPAQ/download/ )—free Pocket PC software catalog.

TRIAL VERSIONS—demo versions of these programs are on the CD. If you wish to continue to use them after the trial period, you must purchase them.

• Lotus Cadenza (www.commontime.com/hp.htm )—synchronize calendar, contacts, tasks, and journal notes between a Pocket PC and desktop PC that's using Lotus Notes.
• Sprite Pocket Backup (www.spritesoftware.com )—selectively back up files, databases, registry, and more from your Pocket PC to a storage card, desktop PC, or network. The program also includes PocketMON, a Today screen resource monitor, and Space Detective, a file storage analysis tool.
• Ilium Software eWallet (www.iliumsoft.com )—view and securely store credit card information, passwords, PIN numbers, and other important information.
• Ilium Software List Pro (www.iliumsoft.com )—store and organize lists.
• Audible Player (www.audible.com )—"reads" news, magazines, and books to you. The player application and the first month of service is free. After that you must subscribe to the service.
• Vindigo (www.vindigo.com )—navigation software that displays maps of, and detailed information about, 50 major metropolitan areas. Application and first month of service is free. After that you must subscribe.

Pocket Internet Explorer and many other Microsoft applications are built into the iPAQ h1935 and all Pocket PCs.

The h1935 ships with a user-installable version of iPAQ Image Viewer, a digital photo album application.

Attractive device performs well!

HP made some compromises to keep the price of the iPAQ h1935 down. Unlike other recently released iPAQs, this one doesn't have built-in Bluetooth capabilities. You can add it via the SDIO slot, but why bother? If you want Bluetooth, go with one of the other iPAQ models that has it built in.

To my mind, the greatest compromise was limiting the flash ROM to 16 MB. That meant HP didn't have room for all of the Microsoft Pocket PC applications, which didn't bother me that much. However, it also meant that there was no flash ROM available to the end user, to store data or files. It's great to have flash ROM available for backing up data.

I suppose you could consider the 203 MHz Samsung a compromise, but performance is snappy. Opening and closing applications, as well as loading large document, video, and music files, is quick and painless. All in all, the HP iPAQ h1935 is an attractive little device that performs well and is light enough to truly go anywhere. The introductory price of the h1935 is $199 ($249 minus a $50 mail-in rebate), and the h1935 is available from HP dealers or online directly from HP (www.shopping.hp.com ).

Axim or iPAQ: Which is best?

I love the size and styling of the new iPAQ. It easily fits into a coat pocket, or even the pocket of a shirt. It's easy to hold, even if your hand is small, and it looks nice in your hand. It opens and closes applications quickly, and with an SDIO slot, it's a reasonably expandable device. But if you're planning on adding Wi-Fi capability and storage memory, you'd be better off with a dual card-slot device such as the iPAQ h2200. Finally, I'm impressed with the variety of add-on programs HP included on the companion CD. With an introductory price of $199 (offer good through January 31, 2004), this one's a bargain.

The Dell Axim X3 is not as stylish as the h1935, but even the basic model is more powerful. I like the fact that both the basic and advanced Axim X3s have user-accessible flash ROM (missing on the h1935). It's very handy for data backup and security. The consumer-grade IrDA port is a plus, since it allows the Axim to double as a TV/VCR remote control (with the appropriate software). The Axim X3 has a nice variety of add-on programs on the companion CD, but quite a few of them are trial versions.

I'm very impressed with the Wi-Fi capability of the advanced model—it was very easy to use—and the $379 price tag makes it one of the more affordable solutions. The built-in Wi-Fi leaves the SDIO slot free for adding file storage and other features.

A final point: All Pocket PCs with flash ROM are theoretically upgradeable to the next version of the Pocket PC software. However, in the past HP has not offered upgrades for Pocket PCs with less than 32 MB of flash ROM. Potential upgrades are far in the future, and I can offer no guarantees or inside information about them. But I think it is more likely that Dell will offer upgrades for the Axim X3s than HP for the h1900 series Pocket PCs.

In terms of bargain Pocket PCs, I think the HP h1935 has the edge on price, style, and add-on software. The basic version of the Dell Axim X3 has the edge on processor power, memory, and hardware features.

Which one is best for you? You will have to make that decision.