Recommend me a phone

[DaBeeeenster]

Currently have a P900 but am now out of contract. I'm really happy with the phone, but was curious to know what else is out there. In order of preference, my needs are:

- Sync with Outlook/Exchange Server via dock. Basically my work and life are in Outlook, and I cant live without it.
- Good calendar/notes
- Good Pop/IMAP mail client
- Very high resolution screen

Thoughts? Although I use the stylus a fair amount with the 900 I dont think it speeds up text entry a great deal, so was thinking of going back to a standard phone pad.

Thoughts?

[Taz]

SE K750i would meet your requirements. Alternatively, Nokia 6680 if you wanted a bit more functionality and flexibility. The K750i is smaller than the Nokia 6680, the latter would be a similar size to your existing P900.

The only negative point about the K750i is the awful software that comes with it. I sync mine with Outlook 2003 all the time but quite often struggle to have the phone recognised when it is connected to the PC. I don't know how good the 6680 software is.

[DaBeeeenster]

SE K750i would meet your requirements. Alternatively, Nokia 6680 if you wanted a bit more functionality and flexibility. The K750i is smaller than the Nokia 6680, the latter would be a similar size to your existing P900.

The only negative point about the K750i is the awful software that comes with it. I sync mine with Outlook 2003 all the time but quite often struggle to have the phone recognised when it is connected to the PC. I don't know how good the 6680 software is.

Do you mean the software on the phone or the PC sync software? I have occasional trouble with my p900 dock but generally it's ok. The K750 looks nice - I was reading some reviews last night and am tempted.

What happened to the S700? Is it no longer sold?

Anyone have any thoughts on the T-Mobile SDA?

[nichomach]

I have to say out of all the heandsets we've tried here, the easiest phone to synch with Outlook is a PocketPC . I've tried Samsung's software, Nokia's, and Sony Ericsson's and they all work, after a fashion, but not reliably, and not without a lot of monkeying around. If I wanted something in a phone format as opposed to PDA format (like, say, the MDAIII or MDA Compact), and synching with Outlook was the most important consideration, I'd take a device like the SDA anytime. Especially given the integration of satellite nav into it on some packages.

[DaBeeeenster]

Am I right in saying that the only phones that people support with always-on email are the blackberry ones?

[herulach]

Am I right in saying that the only phones that people support with always-on email are the blackberry ones?

No, at least t-mobile will do you an email package for one of their windows phones, id reccomend the mda series, sdas are a bit awkward to use imho, you need the stylus.

[DaBeeeenster]

No, at least t-mobile will do you an email package for one of their windows phones, id reccomend the mda series, sdas are a bit awkward to use imho, you need the stylus.

I dont really want anything larger than the p900 if at all really.

Comparing the SDA with the K750 - what are people's thoughts?

[nichomach]

One of our guys uses a Qtek 9090 (basically XDA with built-in keyboard) and it's a good device, but it IS a palmtop format with a slidey-out thumb-board. Could be too bulky. The MDA Compact is a very nice device.

[Taz]

Do you mean the software on the phone or the PC sync software?...

I mean the PC Sync software. As soon as I got my phone I did a firmware upgrade via the Sony Ericsson site and have had absolutely no problems with the software on the phone. No lock-ups or anything untoward. But, the PC Sync software is poo (IMO).

[herulach]

I dont really want anything larger than the p900 if at all really.

Comparing the SDA with the K750 - what are people's thoughts?

Go look at an MDA compact, the p900 looks huge in comparison. As far as sda vs k750, k750 anytime, although i have used one more, i just didnt like the sda's menu systems.

[DaBeeeenster]

Has anyone used the MDA compact? Or has anyone got one?

[nichomach]

I don't have one, but a mate of mine who is a sysadmin type has one and loves it.

[DaBeeeenster]

There's a good review of the MDA Compact here...

http://www.pdagold.com/articles/detail.asp?a=240

It does look pretty good. Hmm, decisions decisions.

Can anyone confirm that TMobile support the always on push email with the MDA Compact?

[herulach]

Has anyone used the MDA compact? Or has anyone got one?

Yep, had mine 3 months, thats why im pimping it to everyone. Cos they get to go look at the cost and know i got mine for 60 quid. No idea how, but thats how much i payed.

Bascially its great, what do you want to know?

[DaBeeeenster]

Yep, had mine 3 months, thats why im pimping it to everyone. Cos they get to go look at the cost and know i got mine for 60 quid. No idea how, but thats how much i payed.

Bascially its great, what do you want to know?

Cool beans. I reckon I could get one for nothing from TMobile as they are easily persuaded of such things.

Right, I have a few questions!

- How "usable" is the phone with 1 hand, I.e. without the stylus?
- What's the battery life like?
- What's the handwriting recognition like?
- How good are the Outlook/Calendaring apps?
- What's the maximum memory you can stick in it?

[herulach]

Cool beans. I reckon I could get one for nothing from TMobile as they are easily persuaded of such things.

Right, I have a few questions!

- How "usable" is the phone with 1 hand, I.e. without the stylus?

Depends, for phone calls, very, ive never once had to use the stylus to make a call. For text messaging, its ok, but a little awkward, you wouldnt want to do it all the time.

- What's the battery life like?

Fair to good, If im using it heavily then ill maybe have it down to about 40% in a day, with light use it last around 3 days, obviously it depends what youre doing and how high you have the backlight. With the light right up its atrocious, will need charging every night, but, you dont need the light up to see it i have mine on the bottom setting all the time unless im using it as a torch.

- What's the handwriting recognition like?

Very good, id say ~99% accurate, and what it isnt accurate with it can usually grab from the alternates list (which is easy to get up, double tap the word, stroke down then up). It does need 'teaching' (telling what letter shapes you use) though, whihc takes maybe 15 mins, worth it IMO.

Also it has 2 methods of palm like only write in a certain region. One you need to write in the graffiti alphabet, which is pretty easy once youre used to it (this is what i use for texting on the bus). And one where you write normally but 1 letter at a time, which is completely pointless basically.

- How good are the Outlook/Calendaring apps?

I dont use them hugely, so i cant really say, but it stores everything well enough, theres plenty of options for meetings, including sending email reminders out to attendees and things, which would be better if they could make it send sms, but there you are.

- What's the maximum memory you can stick in it?

I have a GB in mine, which is all youd need i think, but i think it will take up to 2.

I would also add that you really need to invest in something like SPB pocket plus, because being windows mobile the close button infact is a hide button, which is the main thing it fixes, but you also get a pretty cool today screen plugin, and an instantly visible battery meter (across top of screen about 3 or 4 pixels wide)

Its also pretty robust, mines been dropped a couple of times with no scratches, i walked into the corner of a desk bashing the screen on it and its fine, and ive even spilt a pint of water over it with no ill effects.