PDA phone or standalone PDA

okiepolkie

I posted a couple weeks ago about a PDA, without cell phone capabilities. It now seems that I might have a use for the phone part of it as well.

This is the main model I'm looking at: Treo 650

Alternatives cell/pda's would be:

Blackberry 7290

or

Blackberry 7100g

Or(the non cell phone alternatives):

HP RX1955

Dell Axiom x51


Internet would be a plus, but not a necessity. I've given up on downloading codes from it(since they can't be usb hosts).

The Treo 650 looks like my first choice because of the functionality and price.

I'm probably going to be making a decision within the next couple of days, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Zach

brettw22

My brother just got one because he wanted to consolidate.....

Personally though, I would hesitate only because if something like the screen breaks, you're out two devices. Consolidation is typically a good thing, but in this case I'd be leary at the potential of having every bit of information zapped if the thing breaks and you can't be sitting at a computer to access any of the information (granted it can be backed up on the desktop etc etc, but that doesn't help you if it's broken and you're waiting for your insurance to replace it).

That's another thing.....I would STRONGLY recommend that you buy the cell company insurance for those things, because of the expense of replacing them. Check with your carrier, but typically I think the deductible is higher on those than it is a basic phone. Even at the $100 (roughly), I'd rather just pay that than to have to pay the full retail (NOT the $299 that you'er probably getting it for) because you're still on contract, making it unavailable to just sign a 2 year and get the phone for the $299, which is what you've already done.

brettw22

Other things.......are you use to the Palm OS or are you accustomed to the Windows CE? My brother went with the Treo because he was familiar with Palm and didn't want to relearn everything that he already had down.....(I haven't talked with him about it because he's only had it I think for about a week or two).

okiepolkie

Brett,

I haven't used either one for any extended period of time, so it will be a new learning experience for me all the way around.

I like the price of the integrated phone, but the features, style of separates. That is why I asked here. I'm doing some research on both, but don't really know what to look for.

Shizelbs

The Axim 51 is the bomb. If you get one with a phone built into it fine, but remember, its one huge effing phone, and its going to slow down the PDA in general if it has to use the CPU to monitor for calls at all times.

My personal choice is to just use two individual devices.

BIZILL

thus causing you to have to lug around two devices.

Shizelbs

I guess I don't mind having the two devices. If I want both, I take both. If I only want my cell phone, I don't have to take the much larger PDA with me.

BIZILL

you'd be better served just lugging 'em both around with you rather than wishing you had not left one at home while you're out on the town. i've waited for seating at various restaurants and have utilized my cell and internet on my cell/pda. kept me occupied when i'd normally lose my mind.

okiepolkie

Okay, at this point in the thread, I would rather carry around just one device. However, do I have to pay another $$ a month to be able to use it for internet?

My cost for the 650 would be $140 for a refurbished model, which I'm fine with. Or, would anyone recommend the HP https://onlinestorez.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/cell-phones.jsp?v=1&q_deviceId=cdsku9870080&WT.svl=img27
This would cost another $400, but would it be worth it?

Thanks for the help so far guys.

BIZILL

sprint pcs has cell phone rates and a separate add-on data plan. my phone plan is $40/mo. and the data is $15/month for unlimited evdo (high speed) internet access.

cmy330go

One more vote for two devices.

I like having two seperate devices so that when I'm out at night or on the weekend I don't have to carry some bulky PDA Phone.

okiepolkie

If I need a dedicated phone for the weekend, I can just take my wife's.

disneyjoe7

My input is the Palm device, I can do the following and always learning to do more.

1.) Play Music
2.) display pictures
3.) display my Email and reponsed back when resync'd
4.) display web pages that I ask for / Stored
5.) display PDF files
6.) display Excel files
7.) display Doc files
8.) look at my Outlook address book and update if needed
9.) play games
10.) have a USB driver now so I carry personnal data files with me
11.) USB I can look at memory and display pictures and or music stored

In short couldn't live without it.

Shizelbs

PPCs (Windows handhelds) can do all that, and create and modify those files, not just display them. Maybe thats what you meant though. I can't live without mine either.

ledhed

So, you are on Cingular? If you are willing to switch carriers, the Windows version of the Treo (700w) is coming out to Verizon. You would probably like the Windows OS better

disneyjoe7

Well it could be my anti BILL (Gates) thing :rolleyes:

POLKOHOLIC

A new Treo is supposed to come with a Windows Mobile version soon. So if Palm OS doesn't float your boat...wait a few months for the Windows Mobile Version - which is what I'm doing. I have used the Treo and even with Palm OS it works awesomely.

http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/686-1.htm

POLKOHOLIC

oh...it has been mentioned already. nevermind. just click on the link. some photos of the new treo.

POLKOHOLIC

question for treo users...is it possible to flash the Treo firmware with 3rd party Windows Mobile F/W?

Dennis Gardner

Hey Zach,

It all depends on what your usage will be. There are hundreds of times that I need to be on the phone and check my PDA or use it to set up meetings, check calendar dates, look up other contact phone numbers etc. while I'm still talking on the phone. This is near impossible without putting the person on hold (move the phone away from your ear), using speakerphone (which I find totally annoying and rude in public) or generally seeming inept as your move the phone from aural to visual with long gaps in the conversation. 2 units make it easy.

My equipment: Ancient (by todays standards) Moto V60i (GSM sucks in the country until new towers are closer ) and Ipaq 3765 WCE.

I guess this is the receiver vs separates debates isn't it.

BIZILL

disneyjoe7 wrote:

Well it could be my anti BILL (Gates) thing :rolleyes:

i resent that massively. :eek: :rolleyes:

disneyjoe7

:d