In true Dell style, the PC maker's new Axim X5 Pocket PC comes with a choice of processor speed and storage capacity and is packed to the gills with impressive features.

Editor's note: At this point, Dell Australia has made no commitment to selling the Axim in the Australian market. Dell Australia representatives had no comment on any launch plans.

Dell's entry into the handheld market has been rumored for a while, and now it's official: On November 18, at Comdex, the company will release its new Axim X5 line of low-priced, color Pocket PCs. The models will start at US$249 with a US$50 mail-in rebate. True to Dell's form, the XScale-powered Axims will come in two configurations--300MHz model and this 400MHz unit-- but don't expect an Apple- or Sony-like eye-catching design. We got a hands-on demo of the Axims, as well as an earful from Dell on its plans to upset the card table of the handhelds game this holiday season.

Dell does its homework
In our meeting with Dell, its reps told us that the company wanted to make the biggest splash possible with the Axims, so the units are designed to have everything that anyone could want in a handheld (within reason--no wet bar is included). Jamming all those components into the Axims makes them a bit big and bulky, at 1.27 by 8.13 by 1.78cm and 196gm. But Dell said that its polls showed that users are willing to lug around a slightly larger device if it is packed with features.

And the Axims are indeed packed. The two PDAs differ in processor speed and storage capacity but are virtually identical in all other respects. As noted, they come in 400MHz and 300MHz varieties; the US$349 high-end model has 48MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, while the step-down US$249 unit sports 32MB of both RAM and ROM. Again, Dell is offering a US$50 rebate on both models at launch.

Features aplenty
Aside from the processor and the memory, the devices both have the same impressive specs and run the Pocket PC 2002 OS. The 65,000-color, transflective display measures 3.5 inches diagonally and offers a QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution. You can navigate via the five-way button below the screen or with a scroll dial on the PDA's side. Power users will appreciate the fact that the Axims have both CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia Memory card slots onboard. Such users will also be glad to find that the lithium-ion battery is not only rechargeable but also removable. Conveniently, the cradle has another slot for a backup battery, though the 300MHz flavor will come with only a USB syncing cable.

If all of that isn't enough for you, Dell is also planning a slew of peripherals for the Axims. More mundane add-ons include fancier protective cases; two different kinds of keyboards; screen protectors; and extra styli, cables, cords, and cradles. For expansion options, expect CompactFlash and SD memory add-ons, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi cards, and a higher-capacity battery.

Priced to move
Undoubtedly, the real story here is the price, and the 300MHz variety's sub-US$199 price tag (with the US$50 rebate) will undoubtedly shake up the handheld world. Dell told us that the rebate will remain in effect as long as the company can meet demand. If demand for these units becomes too great, Dell might rescind the offer, but eventually, the Axims' list prices will drop to US$299 and US$199, respectively. We can't wait to get these Dell handhelds in the office for a complete battery of tests, so check back after Comdex later this month, when we'll have a full review.