I have been using Palms since the original US Robotic device. I have also been using various versions of the Microsoft operating devices for most of the time they have been available. As an important note, we use Outlook and Exchange where I work.

Both systems have evolved, but from my perspective the evolution of the Windows OS has been much more extensive. I had been using a Treo 90 until a month or so ago. It died on me and I replaced it with a Palm T5. I was overall pleased but still have some issues with it. For instance, I cant get the thing to work using my Nokia 6600 as a modem with a Bluetooth link. I have tried repeatedly and spent a fair amount of time on it.

I was also using a Compaq Ipaq 3800 series and have been for a few years. Two weekends ago I saw ScottCs recommendation of the Dell Axim X50v and went to dell.com to check it out. Low and behold it was 30% off so I ordered one. It came a day or two later and I was completely blown away. It is a stunning device in terms of speed and display. It is also MUCH easier to use in my opinion. It has built in WiFi and Bluetooth. I got the connection to GPRS on my phone working within minutes and spent a lot of time online with it this weekend with great performance. It is far, far superior for online applications such as browsing compared to the Palm T5 (even though I cant get the T5 online with the phone, I have browsed using the optional WiFi card). The Axim has openings for both CF and SD card add ins and the ability to add a fresh battery for long trips. It is a bit larger than the T5 but not much. Sync and software are as easy or perhaps easier than with the T5.

In comparing, the Axim just blows away the T5 in my opinion. With the sale that was in place I think the Axim cost less than the T5 plus wireless card. Now, if I could only get the Axim to run a couple of the programs I love on the Palm I would ditch the palm. But for mail, browsing and basic calendar functions, at least for those of us in the Outlook/Exchange world, I dont think it is even close anymore.