Need help finding a PDA phone

D

David Obrein

New member
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a PDA phone and need some suggestions. I'm looking for a phone first, then the PDA function second. The phone must have 850 mhz. with great RF and a qwerty keyboard. In terms of the PDA, I'll mostly be using it for the calendar feature which is very important to me and texting. I have seen the calendar on the Blackberries and like how it shows a black mark when you put an appointment or meeting on a certain day. I want something where I can view a week ahead, 3 weeks ahead to see if I have an appointment booked on that day. The reason I don't want a Blackberry is because I do not like the trackwheel. I have small hands and have tried a BB and my thumb was hurting within 15 mins. of using it. I don't want to end up getting carpal thumb syndrome. Ease of use is also important. I don't want to be using a stylus to make a phone call. That's why I put phone first, then PDA. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Not sure about price range at this point.

Thank you.
 
I would suggest you look at the Nokia E61. It is very much like a blackberry, however instead of a trackwheel you have a joystick. It runs on the symbian operating system which is icon driven and has a very nice calendar that should more then meet your needs. You can read a review of the phone at phonescoop.com and gsmarena.com You can also purchase the phone at bongowireless.com who are located in toronto as well. There is an exstensive thread on the E61 in the Nokia section and I'd be more then happy to answer any questions you may have about the phone.

TG
 
Thanks for your feedback telus_guy. A few people have suggested the e61 to me. I have read alot of the feedbacks on gsmarena and have read a review on Hofo and I'm getting mixed feelings from half of the people who own it or have owned it.

How is the reception on the e61? Are there any issues with the software? I've also read that the qwerty keyboard is hard to press on. Is that true?
I had a Treo 650 and found the keyboard hard to press on and got rid of it.

Thanks for your help.
 
I have had no reception issues at all. The software is rock solid, it works for me and does what it is supposed to. I guess you would really have to try the phone out for yourself and see if you like it or not. I really like the keyboard, I have owned a treo 600 and a blackberry 7290, and by far the keyboard on this phone is superior. I do not have large hands, but small and I have no trouble typing on the keyboard. If you'd like to meet up in a mall and have a look at the phone I'd be more then happy to let you play with it.

TG
 
Thanks again for your response. You've been really helpful. Sure, I'd love to play around with your e61. I guess we can PM each other of a time and location?

And anyone else who have other suggestions in case I don't like the e61, please share, don't be shy.
 
Yeah I think the E61 is your best choice. I was going to recommend the SE M600 but I guess you want the 850 as well. (Even without the 850 Ive heard that people use it on Cingular with no problems, not sure about Rogers though)
 
I'll definitely check out the e61. I did see the SE M600 and really like the style and size but without the 850mhz with Rogers, the reception will be bad.
It's too bad SE won't come out with a 850 version.
 
Well, as you can see, I haven't bought a pda phone yet. I did check out the e61 and it's nice, but I'm not sure if it's for me.

What are your thoughts on the Qtek 9100 or the SE P910a? I know they both use a stylus. But I'm reading and hearing great things about the 2 phones.


Then there's the upcoming Qtek 9600 and SE P990a, but lord knows when they'll come out and what the prices will be.

Thanks.
 
see, i have an 8125 which is the 9100, and i got an e61. i was verrry dissappointed at first, but after using it for a bit, i like it alot. it grows on you. if you have the money, buy both lol... you can get em for cheap. i got my e61 for 285, so im happy, and if i dont like it ill sell for 300 lol... so im a happy camper either way
 
I found the E61 keyboard inferior to the Treo 650 keyboard and the iPAQ hw6900 keyboard. (Considerably better than the iPAQ hw6500 keyboard, however.) E61 has a beautiful screen and many nice features. I also found the reception performance disappointing, worse than a typical Nokia phone for sure. I also found the lack of touch screen on the E61 annoying. I like being able to everything through the keyboard, but I also like to be able to pull out the stylus when it is more expedient. Web browsing on the E61 was particularly tedious for me compared to touchscreen devices.

I would have suggested Treo 650 based on your initial description of what you wanted, but you already nixed that.

Some other possible devices that have the QWERTY on the face and touchscreen are Benq P50/P51 (unfortunately no EDGE), HP hw6500/hw6900, and Pocket Loox T-series.
 
It's a tough decision because I want to like the pda phone I choose to buy.

So far I'm leaning towards the SE P910a or the SE P990i or a. Don't know when the North American version will come out. I know the P910a is old, so that's why I'm considering the P990i. But I'll wait for the price to drop first or wait for the "a" version to come out.
 
How about the Treo 700? The keyboard, at least on the ones I've played with, is vastly improved, compared to the one on the 600 and 650.
 
Hey everyone,

I didn't want to start a new thread since it's the same topic, just different question.

HELP! I can get a brand new P910i cheaper than a used P910a. I don't know how long the person had the P910a for. It's from a store and I need to decide by tomorrow. Although it would be nice to have a brand new one, my concern is I really need the 850mhz. in my area. I know alot of people buy phones without 850 and they're fine. However I live in a very conguested area where 850 is important. I have had phones without the 850, and I got decent reception, but later became abit of an issue.
The P910a, I think comes with a 3 month warranty from the store. The P910i don't. Just wanted some imput on this phone and whether if it's a good idea to buy a used one. I really prefer the P990, but SE won't be releasing the 850 version anytime soon.

Thank you.
 
Just get the Cingular 8125. It provides the biggest bang for the buck (E61 is good, but there are not many apps that support it right now; so you won't be able to enjoy it to the fullest right at this time; Plus, it's UGLY).

The P910i/a devices are battery hogs and very slow. Do yourself a favour and get an 8125: Summiter's custom ROMs will make your 8125 quite faster than it already is; not to mention the tons of apps available for it.

The Treo 650 is also quite cheap now (used or new). The most excellent keyboard out of the lot. Fast and responsive and a truly one-handed PDA device.
 
Oh, the dreaded Treo 650. I really didn't like the feel of the keyboard. But that's just a personal thing. I really like the form factor of the P series. I don't know how long I can wait for the P990a to come out. So, that's why I'm considering getting the P910a for now.
The Cingular 8125 I have not seen "live". I sort saw the Qtek 9100, which I think you said were pretty much of the same phone. I don't know. Now you're confusing me more. Thanks alot!!! j/k.
You have been a great help. Thank you.
 
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