New Phone for Heading Off to College

S

sanndnsurf

New member
I will be leaving shortly for college, and have been desperately looking for a new phone to pick up before shoving off. Currently, I use a chunky Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone, and it has served its purpose well. However, Ive realized I use the phone much more then what makes sense for the plan, and have discovered so many missing features I wish I could use.

So, my options are open, always budget minded but prepared to fork over around 200 if it really meets what I am looking for.

My most important features include:
1. Fully sync contacts and calendar between phone and new macbook pro. (Preferably via bluetooth. Id like to use my calendar for jotting down assignments and do away with a planner. This puts the need for a full keyboard in the air. I could have a much easier time typing that way, but it could interfere with...)
2. A Manageable form factor. Id like this to get in and out of the pocket without much hassle.
3. Email and web browsing would be nice, but are not completely necessary. It would really depend on the data plan costs and wifi.
4. Id like to be able to customize my phone. I've always liked to tweak the things I own until they work just right for me. I have no problem with 3rd party programs, and unlocking/debranding.
5. Some texting.
6. Carrier doesnt matter

My instinct has been the Blackjack, which seems to achieve my first and most important criteria very well. My campus has 3g everywhere, which makes me happy, and far more willing to fork over the 25$ data plan without missing wifi. What exactly do I get out of that Data Connect 10MB plan vs. a more expensive one anyway?

However, ive also heard of some really nice phones coming to at&t soon, including I beleive the w580. I originally was looking at the w810, saw how customizable it could be, bluetooth syncing etc. However they are hard to find, and if new SE phones were to come out soon, I could see waiting for those releases before subscribing to a new plan. I think now its mainly a question of exactly what form factor I should take advantage of at the cost of ease of typing/texting. Any other phones I should be looking at?

One final question, since at&t really seems to be pulling at me, for phone options and fine service in my area, if I were to sign up for a new 2 year plan, am I allowed to change phones, and just switch out the sim card under the same plan?

Thanks for any help, Im really having a tough time whittling my choices down!
 
First of all, you need to determine which carrier works best. For example, where my daughter goes to school, there is a T-Mobile tower near the campus, but their service is really spotty. Cingular said they had good coverage, but they did not. Verizon and Sprint provide the best for her.

So you need to check it out and see what is the best. Don't trust the coverage maps either. Talk to people and find out.
 
Ive called two friends who live in the area, both of whom said they have cingular/att and have not experienced any problems or spottiness in the two years they have been at the university. Apparently verizon is also getting solid service, sprint not so much, dont know about tmobile.

One note, I was mistaken, there is no 3g according to current coverage maps, and have not been in touch with anyone who has the ability to verify that, is it possible to get spots of 3g despite its appearance or lack there of on the maps?
 
oo nice. Did you check a Cingular/ATT store? Mine has the W810i in stock. What about the LG Chocolate? You could also get an unlocked Chocolate.
 
Yea I actually called all the ones in my area, and found none. However the Blackjack seems more and more appealing for my needs, but am still unsure. I need to play with the keypad some more. Any other ideas?
 
This would depend on t-mobile's coverage in your area but they offer $5 unlimited data plans(although much slower att it will get the job done and you dont need to be at a wifi hotspot)

t-mobile's plans in general seems to be cheaper than at&t
verizon has the most expensive plans of the 3

on tmobile's lowest plan you can get away with $35 a month and unlimited internet
 
Before I let this thread die, Any other ideas, especially on specific phones? I think ive got a good idea on service providers, id still like to stick to att. I know I wouldnt want to go for the sidekick, so I think that really leaves only unlocked phones with tmobile, anyone?
 
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