Dell launches Axim X50 PDAs

Round Rock (TX) - Dell added three new Axim models to its PDA line up. The devices come standard with a mobile version of Windows Media Player 10 and Xscale processors up to 624 MHz and Intel’s 2700G graphics chip.

Just in time for Microsoft multimedia fanfare, Dell announced new Axim handhelds being capable of playing music and videos as well as purchased media tracks supported by the Windows Media platform.

The new devices come in three flavors, priced from $300 to 500. The entry level X50 integrates a 416 MHz XScale PXA270 processor, Bluetooth, 64 MByte SDRAM, 64 MByte ROM, as well as an expansion slot for Compact Flash and SDIO cards. For $100 more, users get 802.11b functionality, a 520 MByte processor and 128 MByte ROM. The high end x50v receives an upgraded 3.7" VGA display and a 624 MHz processor. All PDAs are based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition operating system.

The Axim x30 will continue to be offered for $200 and will get a software update in time for Christmas, Dell said.

The x50v integrates Intel’s 2700G graphics chip, which was announced in April of this year. The GPU is based on PowerVR MBX processor, licensed by Imagination Technologies. The same architecture was also used for Sega’s Dreamcast game console.

The Axim X50 line will be available in the US on November 19. Dell Europe expects to have the PDAs ready for order in December.