The Axim 3Xi runs on Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC and a 400MHz Intel Xscale processor. As for memory, the unit boasts 64 MB of RAM, all user available. There is also a 35MB file store, which acts like an internal memory card where you can store files. Overall, this is an excellent amount of memory for a Pocket PC.

Seven buttons help you navigate the features of the Axim X3i. The power button rest top and center just above the handheld's display. It also serves as a power indicator, turning green when the device is fully charged and orange when it is in the middle of charging. There are four application buttons underneath the display. These are used for launching applications, such as the Calendar, Inbox, Today, and Contacts. Of course you can program any application you like into thethese buttons. Next to these buttons, on the left, is the voice recorder button. When pressed, it launches the voice recorder application for taking take voice memos. A similar button at the bottom left of the Pocket PC allows you to turn on and off the built-in Wi-Fi.

Between the four application buttons sits a five-way D-Pad for navigation. Another navigation tool is a jog wheel, which is on the left side of the unit just bellow a headphone jack. Including both a D-Pad and a jog wheel is a nice touch.

At 5 ounces, the Axim X3i is 28% lighter than its predecessor, and is also 17% thinner. The Axim X3i features the standard 3.5-inch, 240x320 pixel resolution and 65K color Pocket PC display. The display worked very well inside and was pretty good outdoors too. While most Pocket PC models still use this resolution display, many Palm OS devices now integrate high resolution 320x320 pixel screens and go has high as 320x480 in PalmOne's Tungsten T3 and certain Sony models. The only Pocket PC that supports a higher resolution is the Toshiba e805, which uses proprietary technology to run at VGA (640x480) with a small number of applications. We expect the next version of Windows Mobile to support displays greater than 240x320.

Another nice feature of the Axim X3i is the use of removable batteries. In fact, the device's cradle, which is one of the coolest ones we've seen, has a slot to charge an extra battery. Having more than one battery handy is great when your using a Wi-Fi enabled PDA like the Axim X3i, as Wi-Fi is a notorious battery hog.

While the Pocket PC comes standard with a 950 mAh Lithium Ion battery, an optional high-capacity 1800 mAh battery is available for $99. We highly recommend getting the extra 1800 mAH battery, as the device only worked for about 3.5 hours on a single charge with average Wi-Fi use. With the higher capacity battery you would double that time.

In terms of Wi-Fi, the Axim's setup utility made getting up on our Wi-Fi network really easy. In just a few seconds after turning on the wireless function, I was up on the Internet. With Wi-Fi, you can access the Internet from a hot spot, as many stores and cafes, such as Borders, Starbucks and even some McDonalds, as well as schools and many other places are implementing them. You can even get on your work or home network if there are access points installed. The use of an external nub-like antenna allowed the Axim 3Xi to work at a good range away from our access point. Often with PDAs that have internal antennas, the range is less than desirable.