Help with Blackberrys/PDAs/Treos

[DCypher]

Hey Anandtech, I come again searching for help.

While cleaning the fish tank, I accidentely dropped my cellphone into a bucket of water <Insert Sizzle>. Consequently, I need to buy a new phone. I feel that this may be the time to switch over to a PDA-type device, as I am nearing the end of college and soon to begin my professional business career. I am unfortunetly, however, still obligated to my Verizon family share plan. So I need some advice. Which one should I get? From where I've checked out, I've heard good things about the Verizon VX6700, however, I value Anandtech's opinion more than most others. I would like to have:

Microsoft Outlook update between my device and my computer
Phone and Email Capabilities
Bluetooth Capabilities

And if possible, but not nearly as necessary:
Mp3 Capabilities
Picture and Short video capture
Removable Memory.

Thank you for the help, yet again Anandtech.

 

[HyTekJosh]

Check out the Samsung i730/i830.

 

[altonb1]

If you work in the corporate world, your employer will probably provide you with a Blackberry/PDA/Smartphone device. You could get by with a cheap phone in the short term. In fact, how long do you have left in your contract? Verizon has New Every Two, so if you can get by for a bit on a cheap device, just get a brand new Smarphone when the contract expires?

 

[DukeN]

Blackberry gets my vote.

 

[DCypher]

In reply to the questions above, I have 1 more year on my two year program, and I have 1.5 years left of college. Don't think I want to wait that long..maybe

 

[iamwiz82]

I wouldn't see the reason in having a Blackberry if you don't have a BES running.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Unless you plan on buying the BlackBerry Pearl, you won't be getting any of your "possible" list with a BB - Bluetooth is also limited to headset + desktop sync for security reasons.

- M4H

 

[SLCentral]

Sounds like you need a Q. I believe it does push e-mail with the latest update, and works great with multimedia stuff. Also has a miniSD slot, video/camera, Outlook, Bluetooth, and everything else you could want. Problems? Can't edit Office documents, and no touch screen.

$420 without a contract.

 

[DCypher]

Thats why I was checking out the verizon vx6700, i believe it has most of those "possibles" Is it possible to use your personal computer and and sync your device to outlook?

Ok, checking out Motorola Q, Samsung i730, and blackberry pearl at the moment. Keep the advice coming, I love you guys (and girls)

Pearls Out, looks like its not supported by verizon.

 

[DCypher]

Is there a place on the Verizon website to see how much the data service will cost per month, I'm on the website looking at the Motorola Q, but can't find the monthly cost.

 

[DCypher]

Anyone have opinions of the BlackBerry 7130e. It seems to be much more reasonably priced for my tastes.

 

[mpitts]

I have the T-Mobile MDA, which is the same device as the VX6700. It's awesome. My favorite part is the wireless sync of email/contacts/calendar with Exchange. Of course, you'd have to be a total nerd and run an Exchange server in your house like me, but that's neither here nor there.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I wouldn't see the reason in having a Blackberry if you don't have a BES running.

Service book! Sending service book again! Now entering new zone. :laugh:

 

[UNCjigga]

I've fallen in love with my Blackberry 8703e. Blackberry OS 4.x + BES + EVDO for the winnar.

 

[axelfox]

If you get mobile email, expect to answer all times of the day.

For email, got with BB. I've got at Treo myself for multimedia apps

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I wouldn't see the reason in having a Blackberry if you don't have a BES running.

I would hope that with the release of Pearl, some sort of middleware for syncing your Blackberry with popular webmail services would appear for all devices. Is there no such thing as a subscription-based BES service for consumers yet?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I wouldn't see the reason in having a Blackberry if you don't have a BES running.

I would hope that with the release of Pearl, some sort of middleware for syncing your Blackberry with popular webmail services would appear for all devices. Is there no such thing as a subscription-based BES service for consumers yet?

It was around BEFORE the Pearl came along. (Click me)

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: DCypher
Thats why I was checking out the verizon vx6700, i believe it has most of those "possibles" Is it possible to use your personal computer and and sync your device to outlook?

Ok, checking out Motorola Q, Samsung i730, and blackberry pearl at the moment. Keep the advice coming, I love you guys (and girls)

Pearls Out, looks like its not supported by verizon.

Pearl will be out, if you can wait a month.

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

marked

 

[Ns1]

I've been researching this for weeks so I'll save you some time.

First off, the phones:

Motorola Q for all business intents and purposes is worthless. Real players to look at:

Assumption: New every 2 or new user/online discount
Samsung i730(??), cost 200
Verizon VX6700, cost 300
Palm700p/w, cost 400 (missed the 100 rebate)

Data package is 45 for unlimited use. IF you have 700p you can pay 15 to add DUN and hook up pda to laptop.

i'm personally leaning towards the vx6700. I really like how it switches to landscape mode when you slide it, which i find more practical for internet browsing. the 700p/650 win for ease of use. However, I would like more full featured syncing between my laptop/pda, so I would like a windows based platform. battery life is pretty good. Wifi needs to be hacked, because out of the box wifi use disables phone radio. based on your needs, you can't really go wrong with any of them. just depends on your budget and what you find most comfortable to use.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: DCypherAnd if possible, but not nearly as necessary:
Mp3 Capabilities
Picture and Short video capture
Removable Memory.

That eliminates all but the newest BBerry which exclusive to one service provider (can't remember which one...)

 

[OpenThirdEye]

Originally posted by: altonb1
If you work in the corporate world, your employer will probably provide you with a Blackberry/PDA/Smartphone device. You could get by with a cheap phone in the short term. In fact, how long do you have left in your contract? Verizon has New Every Two, so if you can get by for a bit on a cheap device, just get a brand new Smarphone when the contract expires?

I just wanted to add that I called VZW about a tech question last week and asked about the New Every 2 deal. It turns out if you have a plan $59.99 or higher, you can do this every year! So if you're really itchin' to get a new phone (and you fall into this criterion) you can have a new phone every year for the New Every 2 pricing!

God I hope that made sense. It's still too early in the morning for me.

 

[imported_griffis]

Originally posted by: OpenThirdEye

Originally posted by: altonb1
If you work in the corporate world, your employer will probably provide you with a Blackberry/PDA/Smartphone device. You could get by with a cheap phone in the short term. In fact, how long do you have left in your contract? Verizon has New Every Two, so if you can get by for a bit on a cheap device, just get a brand new Smarphone when the contract expires?

I just wanted to add that I called VZW about a tech question last week and asked about the New Every 2 deal. It turns out if you have a plan $59.99 or higher, you can do this every year! So if you're really itchin' to get a new phone (and you fall into this criterion) you can have a new phone every year for the New Every 2 pricing!

God I hope that made sense. It's still too early in the morning for me.

Did he fail to mention that you have to resign another two year contract?

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Blackberry....i just made the whole circle of trying the different devices and the BB works the best by far

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: OpenThirdEye

Originally posted by: altonb1
If you work in the corporate world, your employer will probably provide you with a Blackberry/PDA/Smartphone device. You could get by with a cheap phone in the short term. In fact, how long do you have left in your contract? Verizon has New Every Two, so if you can get by for a bit on a cheap device, just get a brand new Smarphone when the contract expires?

I just wanted to add that I called VZW about a tech question last week and asked about the New Every 2 deal. It turns out if you have a plan $59.99 or higher, you can do this every year! So if you're really itchin' to get a new phone (and you fall into this criterion) you can have a new phone every year for the New Every 2 pricing!

God I hope that made sense. It's still too early in the morning for me.

it's also NOT a free phone

it's a 100$ credit towards a new phone