Dell axes its pocket PC

Dell has stopped selling its Axim line of pocket PCs and is not planning a new product in the category.

A Dell spokeswoman said: "The Axim X51 family is no longer being offered, and we have no plans for a follow-on product at this time." She noted the company does sell handhelds from other makers on its website, including GPS devices and smart phones.

Dell introduced its first Axim Pocket PC in 2002, helping to bring lower prices to a market in which customers had grown used to spending several hundred dollars. Over time, Dell expanded its line-up, adding features such as Bluetooth and wi-fi wireless technologies. The company debuted its most recent model, the X51, in the autumn of 2005.

However, the market for personal organisers has stagnated as many users have opted for smart phones that combine such features as calendar and contact functions with telephony.

The demise of the Axim was noted earlier by handheld enthusiast website MobilitySite.

Ina Fried writes for CNET News.com