Amazon.com Product Description

The Xircom Rex 5001 is a credit-card-size personal assistant that readily plugs into your PC's card slot or the serial port or REX docking station to share data and quickly synchronize information. The highly readable nine-line LCD screen and intuitive six-button interface let you add, view, and manage information on the road and in the office. The system allows easy review and access to contacts with names, numbers, and addresses, and allows you to organize your time and keep track of appointments and task lists anywhere you travel.

The Rex 5001 runs for up to six months without needing fresh batteries or a recharge (it requires two CR2025 lithium batteries). The clock provides the correct time, no matter where you are in the world, and has an alarm to keep you on schedule. Although the Xircom REX 5001 does not require a PC, you'll want to network to capitalize on every benefit this organizer has to offer. Share your notes from the road with your desktop or notebook. The calendar tracks daily, weekly, and monthly data at a glance. Personal memos, notes, and much more information are all a touch away.

Xircom offers a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• Credit card-sized personal organizer
• 9-line LCD screen
• Compatible with today's most popular business and communication software
• 512 KB memory
• Slides into your PC's PCMCIA Type II slot for data synchronization

Reviews (26)

Cool, useful and easy to use
I bought the REX because a Palm Pilot was to expensive for me and it didn't fit in my wallet. This one have all the functionality any occupied person could need, including alarm, contact list, to-do list and even the incredible amount of memory (512kb) allows me to copy my email, articles from the web, homework's, anything!... and then read them on-the-road! It does need 2 things: backlight and a better writing capabilities, but consider that is about the size of a credit card, and with just a week of practice you get used to it and the more you use it you'll save time and effort to remember all your activities, meetings, birthdays, etc. Once you have all the list of people (contacts) and all the list of activities you do: seminars, meeting, sport, etc with the touch of just few buttons you get scheduled your activity. It also can be sync with almost all the popular email (and PIM) software, I really recommend using it with Outlook 2000. This is a good mix of state of art technology and daily use need. No one may believe that all your life could fit in just a piece of plastic ;c)

Rex Pro - idiosyncratic, but compact, effective and charming
I've had my Rex Pro for about a year and its almost always with me. I initially got it for the schedule w/alarms, but now I use all the features every day. I suspect its saved about a tree's worth of paper. I use the "Starfish" software on my PC to input the data. Transfering the data to the Rex via a PCMCIA slot on my laptop it a lot quicker than via the serial docking station. The Rex has its quirks. Shortly after I got it I learned that if you put in your wallet, the screen is likely to break, so I got a pair of titanium slats from a vendor on the web that are designed to fit in a soft business card holder and protect the screen. The arrangement seems to work as I haven't broke it yet, but I did have to put plastic tape on the slat to insult it from the back of the Rex, as it appeared that it might be shorting the Rex out. The plastic cases that are available would probably work just as well. I've replaced the batteries about 3 times. The last time there wasn't a low battery indication, but info wasn't syncing correctly with the PC. When I replaced the batteries the sync problem went away. A useful accessory would be a little clip-on light, as on several occasions I would have liked to be able see the screen in the dark. All in all, I think the Rex's idiosyncrasies are a small price to pay for an efficient and compact design that is so easy to use.

Unique and unbeatable convenience
I remember buying a Psion palm computer, and then an Ipaq Pocket PC to use as an organizer.

But for ease and convenience, absolutely nothing beats the Rex.

I mainly use as a little phone book, which I find myself in need a lot. Rather than bungling through my bag and looking for the Pocket PC, I just whip out the Rex and have the desired phone number in 1 minute. The Palm V is comparable, but it is still huge compared the the PC Card sized Rex.

The TruSync software wasn't as intuitive as I'd hope, but I got it working and sync'ed up with my Outlook data without any problems.

I am so happy with the Rex, that I have 2 just in case I lose one.

Phone book, Calendar & To-Do list
This is the greatest solution to carrying around a Phonebook, Calendar and & To-Do list I have ever seen!
Notebooks are just to large, cumbersome and take too long to boot up.
And compared to the REX, PDA's have the same handicaps. I understand you can do much more with a PDA but if Phone, Calendar and To-Do are what you want to do, this is it.
I fold my money around my Rex and keep it in my front pocket.
Intel has decided to drop the product line. The form/factor is exceptional.
This is a very, very good product and it serves a very definite, although limited, purpose.
The new breed of cell phones will make this product obsolete but for now it just does the job.

correction
shangs75 wrote that the rex 5000 doesn't take addresses. It does. The box and website is missleading too bacause all you see is a name and a phone number, but actually there is a lot more that you can't see. This is my first day with it so disregard my rating. lh ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The 'original' REALPORT, type 2 pc card
My group at Xircom, [ while it existed - before Intel acquired xirc], tested and mfg these at our factory in Malaysia. It is a 'bullet-proof' worldwide modem , and if you get the 32bit Cardbus version, will run at 100 Mb on LAN. ... Read more

Features

• Credit-card size (0.45 x 2.13 x 0.25 inches)
• Weighs just 1.4 oz.
• 512 KB of RAM, rated to store up to 6,000 entries
• TrueSync desktop and synchronization software
• Leather carrying case and batteries

Reviews (5)

Great Product
I love my Rex Companion. I got it to synch my Act 4.0 database (over 700 contacts) and my list of personal contacts from Outlook 2000 as well. I had no problems with the software once I got the hang of it. I'd recommend the clear lexan case some sites are offering for around 12 bucks because it looks fragile. With it in the case you can still read it but you can put it in your back pocket and not worry about breaking it. It is so small I can take it with me all the time (not like the large Palm and Visor devices). You can search contacts by various groups, company names, first or last names. I added the categories I needed for my business right from Act. I also enjoy reading text files from stories I have scanned and pasted into it in the notepad format. It's great to be able to pull it out at a moments notice and start reading Sherlock Holmes and the like!

Too many bugs
As a long time user of PDA's I loved everything about this unit. I even got use to quirky interface to enter data on the run. If you plan to sync with Outlook 98 or ACT 4.0 just forget it. It just does not work. I spent hours on the phone with tech support and could never get it to consistently being over my data in the correct format. The problem seemed to be all true sync related. Stick to Intellisync or Hot sync manager if you sync data on regular basis. Palm Pilot is still the best on the market but just wait for version 2 of HandSpring

Rex organizer
This is a nice product that has the advantage of being very compact as compared to other products in this category. However, I have experienced a great amount of problems in synchronizing with Outlook 98 contacts. Be wary of this problem if you are using these products. Also, the product does not include a calculator, which I find inconvenient

Use it for reference only
I've tried them all...Windows CE, Palm and now Rex. There is no doubt that the size is terrific, and it makes it possible to have it with you at all times. However, save your money and don't buy the Pro unless you need the memory. Input of info is downright painful and I've long since given up trying to enter events while disconnected from my computer. The synchronization software is also not perfect as it will only recognize 4 categories if you use it to organize your Contacts folder in Outlook. Otherwise it dumps all other contacts!

In short, a great device if you need a reference-only PDA, but virtually worthless if you're looking to enter appointments, tasks or contacts while on the road. Also, no calculator!

Great, Great, Great!
Size does matter...especially when the REX can fit in your wallet! I'm a PR Manager for a Fortune 50 company and once my wife got me my REX, my Palm just sits in a drawer.

It's small, convenient and stores those important names/numbers (media, business contacts, etc...) that I always seem to need when on the road. A steal of a deal... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Xircom Rex 6000 is an ultracompact and lightweight PDA, about thesize of a credit card. It is a full-function organizer that is small enough tofit comfortably in your pocket, and the 2 MB memory is powerful enough to keepup with your busy schedule by organizing all your essential information. Thequick touch-screen navigation makes the Rex 6000 simple and easy to use. Itfeatures a calendar, contacts, task lists, and memos. You also can downloadInternet content from Rex's Web site.

The docking station connects directly to your desktop computer or laptop andenables you to synchronize information between the Rex 6000 and your PC. You canalso directly synchronize data with your laptop computer by inserting the Rex6000 (which is a Type II-compatible PC Card) into the PC Card slot. ... Read more

Features

• Ultracompact and lightweight PDA--the size of a credit card
• 2 MB memory
• Stay organized with a calendar, contacts, task lists, and memos
• Includes docking station for synchronizing information with your desktop computer
• Download Internet content

Reviews (11)

Computer Engineer
I need a PDA, but I can't use a Palm. why? 'cause I usually do not carry anything with me but my wallet. (not even a wrist watch...). that's why the Rex family got my attention. The first versions where nice, but to enter data not via the computer was somewhere between impossible to agonizing. Then came the Rex 6000.. now that's more like it... This is one smooth cool piece of device... This is not a competitor for a Palm - same way a Palm is no competitor for a laptop. It's a different product category. since it rests unnoticeably in my wallet, whenever I need it its there... Now for some specs: It has 240x120 pixel screen. small but very readable. Drawback: no backlit. its built in 2Megs flash is quite enough for any info needed. It has slow response when saving data, but typing the data is surprisingly responsive through an on screen keyboard. Its included stylus is accurate to the pixel. Aside from its standard applications like memo, tasks, contact list etc. it can be uploaded with extra mini-programs. These are not yet available from the manufacturer, however It looks extremely like a Japanese device called DataSlim, and surprisingly can run its mini program... Watch carefully for the PC software installation instructions, and this along with the USB cradle works just fine. I didn't try synchronizing with outlook, however the supplied PIM software is adequate for me. It can synchronize with web content to your like, but I don't see any practical use for it, If you gonna plug it for downloading web content, why cant you watch it on the big screen? duh... Its built in beeper can remind you of appointments, but for this you had better carry it in your shirt pocket and not in the wallet....

Anyway if you where looking for an "Always have it on me PDA", Take it!!

terrific LITTLE pda
For the size of this PDA it is jam packed! I have read all of these reviews and decided some of the reviewers did not spent enough time and patience with it. I could tell you what each of their problems were. You must also realize that REX is small. If you cant read small print, you wont like it. I have had my 6000 since its introduction almost a year ago. I was one of the first to get mine. I love it dearly and use it daily. I was a previous REX user and find the 6000 the best! If you have trouble with the software there is a solution, because all the other dedicated REXers have made it work. Also note there ARE "addins" available, just not through the manufacturer. There is a whole world of REXers out there. There are many wonderful REX-writing people who have made everything from scientific calculator to tetris game (solitaire and others of course) to expense manager and even a program to write little REX emails on it! These writer gurus are amazing and most addins are available for free download. For the size of the REX, you get a lot. I can not think of anything more I would want it to do! I certainly did not want to tote the large Palm around. REX is the size of a credit card and does almost as much... I am in the process of finding a second just in case anything ever happens to mine!

Great PDA, inadequate bundled PIM
Time magazine's "PDAs on a diet" compared the Vista and Rex PDAs. I read the review and quickly changed from the Vista to the Rex 6000. The Rex was like a breath of fresh air, especially when I had to reschedule alarms. The bundled PIM, unfortunately, is more primitive than the Vista's PIM, since the latter allowed drag-and-drop rescheduling and sorting of memo entries by any displayed categories. Guess I'll have to invest in MS Outlook for a flexible PIM. Thanx.

Erick

Awesome
It downloads news and other information from the internet.

It has an awesome touchscreen.

Synchronization is fullproof and easy! You can even set it to tell you whenever it's about to overwrite or change something! This eliminates all synch errors. I synch with Outlook 2000, and it did everything to perfection.

This thing can do EVERYTHING my palm can do, but is less cumbersome than the palm.

This is by far, the greatest personal information manager ever.

Incompatibility Problems. Not recommended.
Just got my new Rex 6000 and I'm outraged. As a loyal Rex Pro owner who wanted to upgrade to the touchscreen model, I feel I have been left out high & dry, as will the majority who attempt this transition. The PIM included with the Rex 6000 is not compatible with the Starfish TrueSync software of the older models, which makes very difficult to use existing card files, memos and other data. In essence, you have to start over again and rewrite all your files, unless you want to try a complicated import/export operation through MS Outlook in order to transfer existing data from the TrueSync desktop to the new Rex 6000 desktop and device. But that's not the worse. As it turns out, the PIM included with the Rex 6000 is far more primitive, user unfriendly, unintuitive and complicated than the Starfish. I would never buy it on a stand-alone basis. It's lousy.

This incompatibility took me completely by surprise, as the Rex 6000 literature and advertisements certainly don't go out of the way to warn owners of the older models of the problem. Now that it is too late, and after re-reading the Rex 6000 specs, I can see that mention is made of a PIM included with the Rex 6000 that is different from the TrueSync of the older models. But it is unreasonable to expect people to assume that the software will be totally incompatible. It would be as if a Palm or Visor owner found out after buying the latest model that his existing software, operating system and files do not work with the new model, or could not be easily updated. You expect some continuity in a product line, unless you are clearly warned to the contrary. Not recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

OK if you like poor modem connect speeds
Xircom modems seem to be reliable but have poor modem performance. It's not unusual for the modem side of a Xircom Combo to refuse to connect above 28.8kbs, even after all updated drivers and Firmware have been installed. I would avoid Xircoms if you are buying it for dial-up use, especially if you want to use it for dial-up use while traveling. There are better products available for less money. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

No NDIS2 protocol available
Ok unit but is not a "real" Xircom; no support for DOS or ghost drivers. Good choice for the basics but not a business class unit. I'm returning it and buying a Realport Unit. ... Read more

Features

• Now you can conveniently add your notebook PC to an ethernet network by placing this network interface card into an available PCMCIA slot
• Compatible with both standard 10BaseT ethernet and 100BaseTX fast ethernet LAN systems
• Includes RJ45 connector
• Price now reflects $25 J&R Instant Rebate, now through 12/29/99!

Amazon.com Product Description

Now you can connect your Xircom Rex 6000 to your PC with the Rex USBdocking station. This USB connection allows you to quickly and easily exchangeinformation between your Rex organizer and your desktop computer, keeping bothup to date by saving changes you made while away from your desk. Note that USBconnectivity requires Windows 98 or 2000. ... Read more

Features

• Allows you to synchronize information between your Rex 6000 and desktop computer
• USB connectivity
• Easy to use