Sure, other websites have their own eulogies for the Dell Axim, which enjoyed a five-year run but is now discontinued. But it's still worth checking out Dell's corporate blog, because nothing beats getting info from the source itself:

Why did we make the decision? Because of a steadily declining market for pen-based PDAs and noted over the past several quarters by analyst firms like IDC and Gartner.

So true that it borders on patently obvious. But I think Dell had other reasons for discontinuing the Axim. With all the troubles the company is suffering from lately, such as conceding first place to HP, it has to concentrate on its core business--computers--to recover. In short, it was a matter of survival.

Interestingly, while the Windows Mobile Powered PDAs are no longer available from Dell's main online store, Dell UK still carries them. So if you really wanted to own an Axim here's your last call. Personally I've never been able to use one but I always hear that the Axim's low price meant it was a low-cost entry into the PDA world.

The good news for Axim users out there is that Direct 2 Dell promises continued support. And the availability of peripherals while supplies last.