Help choosing PDA. Screen Res and CPU

[craigap]

I'm trying to decide which PDA is best for me. The differences between the two other than the money seems to be twice the resolution, twice the CPU speed, bluetooth, and an app or two more in the more expensive one. I'm wondering I plan on using this for viewing a lot of pics and videos if I should go with the higher res screen, or is the higher res screen just mean I'll be looking at much smaller icons and be able to fit more of a web page on the screen at one time? Also, does the difference in cpu speed make much of a diffference, expecially if I'm using GPS with it? One more thing. Is the batter life likely to be affected by the higher res and higher CPU speed?
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...52443,A1283608

Thanks,

Craig

[>:() - Tiki Man]

On a PDA, the higher resolutions really make the experience much better - esp is you are using it for things like web browsing or like you said, picture viewing. What the resolution describes is the number of pixels horizontally by the number of pixels vertically - that means that for the same size screen, the one with higher resolution will appear sharper and you will be able to see more icons and such. The battery life will probably be marginally affected, but my suggestion is to just buy a car charger and charge it whenever you are in your car. Im afraid I don't know much about the cpu speed diff tho, as I have my one and only PDA.

[glc]

Higher res also means less scroll bars to deal with.

[thefultonhow]

For those prices, you should get a smartphone -- something by HTC. The current models are QVGA 320x240, but the new Touch Diamond (iPhone-like soft keyboard) and Rafael (slide-out keyboard with actual hardware buttons) will be VGA from what I can see. They also feature all the same features, plus Windows Mobile 6.1 instead of 5.0, and obviously a cell phone and 3G data capability if you have the right plan. I think they will also be getting 4 GB of flash memory built-in for programs and media storage.

As for pricing, the current Touch (which is QVGA as mentioned and doens't have WiFi) is currently $249 with contract from Sprint, and they're selling the Mogul, which the Rafael will be replacing (and which is also QVGA but has WiFi), for $299 with contract. Amazingly, the phones are available with the exact same prices, but without any contract requirement, brand new from eBay, using Buy It Now, so you can go that route if you are locked into a contract. I haven't checked prices from any other carriers, but I think they will be cheaper than the Axims as well.

[craigap]

I was thinking about the Treo 800w. I have Sprint and can't upgrade for some time, so $600 for the phone seems a bit steep. Also I don't know if I want to pay more every month for the data package. I mostly just need the wifi, and GPS is a nice bonus, however the GPS with sprint only works if I'm in a network supporting it. With the ones from dell I wouldn't have to worry about that. Plus I don't really use my phone all that much. I don't really need the internet outside of work and school. I guess the my other question would be if it's necessary to have WM 6.1 vs. 5.0. I haven't used either.

[shadowpr]

I just recently got he blackberry curve from Sprint. I too was not eligible for an upgrade, but after several phone calls, and several threats of leaving them for a different company I was finally able to get it for the new contract price of $179.99 after mail in rebate. (Originally they expected me to pay over $450 for it.)

I get gps, phone, instantmessaging, and unlimited internet for $69.99 a month on the simply everything plan.

You might want to look into that.

[thefultonhow]

Call up Sprint customer service and tell them you want to cancel your service. They will transfer you to Retentions, and the people there have a lot of leeway to give you big discounts to make you happy. You have an especially large amount of leverage if you're out of contract, but I've heard of people who are only a few months into their contracts getting a really good deal on the 800w (I want to say around $200, but I could be remembering wrong).

As for data, you could turn it off and just use WiFi if you want, but you'd be missing out on Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A network, which is pretty good in many larger metropolitan areas. You could even install WMWifiRouter and use your phone as a cellular-data wireless router for your laptop when you're not in range of a hotspot. I have even heard of people using their unlimited data plan as their primary internet connection at home and dumping their DSL. (Sprint will theoretically notice if you use a whole lot of bandwidth, but if you're not downloading lots of 300MB programs, you should be fine. I used over 4GB of data my first month and they didn't bat an eye.) You may also be able to get a discount on data if you talk to Retentions about it.

[craigap]

I couldn't get them to do it. They would only give me $25 off of the phone.
I also found out I can get a free upgrade to wm6.1 so I guess I'll get the PDA and just do that.

[shadowpr]

Just keep calling. Like I said, I had to call at least 4 times and talk to different people. Eventually someone will work with you. Tell them you can get a better deal by leaving them and paying the fee and going with another company. That should make them work with you.

[thefultonhow]

If after multiple tries, you can't convince Sprint to give you any substantial discounts, you might want to at least try for a Best Offer on this eBay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-IN-BOX...QQcmdZViewItem

It shows 28 available, so you may be able to win with a ~$400 offer, which is not a bad premium to pay for a more functional PDA-type device.