Need Axim X51v repair advice

[rbeachy]

I have sent my Axim X51v in for repair to PDASmart.com. The diagnosis is that the maindboard is bad and needs to be replaced. After a month, they are still waiting on the part (I assume from Dell) with no eta. I've learned that Dell no longer makes this model, so that raises the following questions:
1. What is the likelyhood that the part will eventually be available?
2. Is it worth the $210 cost to repair?
3. What current model of any brand would be recommended as a replacement?

Thanks,
Bob

[flexo]

Yikes. I just picked up a used X51V (almost mint) off of Amazon for $205, so no I wouldn't pay $210 just to repair one.

[Konrad Pierce]

Dell discontinued this model over a year ago. The only way to purchase this model or any parts for it are all third-party vendors: there's still a handful of NEW X51v's floating about, still in their Dell OEM packaging to be sure, but the reason they haven't been sold yet is all about their high price. There's a good number of used X51v's around, and from time to time they seem to be all over the place or disappear entirely - availability varies but lately they've begun reappearing because a good number of X51v "power users" are moving to the new iPAQ 210. Many of these Axims are sold as "refurbs" - which essentially means that somebody has repaired, restored, and detailed them in "good as new" (or at least "working") condition for resale. Not too many parts are available - complete working mainboards especially are difficult to find - because lots of people who refurb the units try to salvage parts from dead units.

Having said all that:

1. The part you need is always available, somewhere ... if you're willing to pay the price. I'd guess that PDASmart.com has located one, but either it'll cost them almost $200 or they're confident they can sell it to somebody else (maybe you, maybe not) for the same.
   (Not wanting to accuse PDASmart of bad business practice, but I wouldn't be very surprised if they offer to purchase your dead Axim "for parts" after you decide to not pay the repair cost. Hopefully for cash, not some sort of in-store credit or somesuch.)
2. I don't think $210 is a reasonable price for this repair.
   In part because it's possible that your unit may be repairable without a complete mainboard replacement; then again, it's equally possible that this is the most cost-effective repair option.
   Also in part because - if you're patient - you can purchase a used/refurb X51v online (at eBay or wherever) for $200 or less. I've seen them sell for as little as $75 and for as much as $400 in the last year. I've even seen a few people here at BH sell theirs for less than $210.
3. I would recommend an HP iPAQ 210, current "street price" being around USD$450, though I've seen vendors selling for anything between $325 and $600. It's a very comparable unit (perhaps better, perhaps not quite as good, too early to tell). It's also new, so it will of course support all the latest little hardware and software specifications (of primary interest is WM6 and SDHC card support), and should enjoy greater availability of dedicated software, accessories, and parts than the discontinued X51v.
   It really boils down to what you want or need to use your PDA for. A few other similar devices (all discontinued, unfortunately) are the HP hx4700 and the Fujitsu-Seimens Pocket LOOX N560.

I'm not personally familiar with PDASmart, though I've heard of them a few times before. I have used PPCTechs; they are excellent but can be quite expensive ... it doesn't hurt to at least get a price-quote from them, and it doesn't hurt to look around for more PDA-repair companies (hopefully close to you geographically, to reduce shipping costs and delays).

Hope this helps.

[rbeachy]

Thanks Konrad for the very detailed and helpful reply. I think I'll look into the iPAQ 210.
Bob

[Adama D. Brown]

2. Is it worth the $210 cost to repair?

I believe the only appropriate answer is "Oh sweet merciful HELL no."

I'd second Konrad's recommendation of the iPaq 210.

[rbeachy]

I believe the only appropriate answer is "Oh sweet merciful HELL no."

I'd second Konrad's recommendation of the iPaq 210.

What about the iPAQ 211 I've discovered is available?

[RickAgresta]

What about the iPAQ 211 I've discovered is available?

if you look through the forum dedicated to the iPAQ 210, you'll find that:

Before I begin the review in earnest though, a few notes. The first is practically boilerplate by now: The device reviewed here is the iPAQ 210. The exact same device is sold through other retail channels as the iPAQ 211, and internationally as the iPAQ 212 in Asia/Pacific, and as the iPAQ 214 in Europe. All these models are physically the same, though international versions may vary in languages and other regional settings.

Link to review...

[Konrad Pierce]

I'd second Adama's statement of "Oh sweet merciful HELL no."

I just thought that a more comprehensive response would carry a bit more weight than reflexively shouting out "THEY'RE TRYING TO RIP YOU OFF BIG TIME!". Again - it might simply be the best price these guys can offer you - they've gotta get the part themselves first, at whatever price ... and make a profit, too.

It'll likely be cheaper to just buy yourself a new X51v and sell off your dead one (or hang onto it for parts; especially the high failure rates ones like battery, screen, digitizer). Did I mention that PPCTechs carries a famous (and famously expensive) 64MB to 128MB Internal RAM Upgrade? Sometimes (rarely), you can even purchase a used X51v with it this (or another) upgrade already installed ...

[waterloo]

Uh no. ~$200+ to fix isn't worth while...