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Ericsson P900, or another PDA?
I'm trying to make a decision about buying a PDA or a PDA phone such as the Sony Ericsson P900 - http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/mobilephones/0,39023925,39117367,00.htm
I need a good PDA with the following features:
1. good e-mail client
2. MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, etc.
3. web browsing, including normal HTTP sites (not just wap) with support for HTML frames, tables, pictures, SSL, etc.
4. text entry should be fast enough using the pen
5. there should be a foldable keyboard available for it
I don't know if the P900 satisfies these requirements.
Is the stylus text entry on the P900 slower than the stylus text entry on Pocket PC's, or does it have the same speed?
If I work intensely on the P900, how much will the battery last?
How is the P900 organizer software compared to Pocket PC organizer software?
Most of the reviews of the P900 are written for people interested in such things such as camera, interface skins, multimedia, etc.
I don't care at all about these - I just want to work on it. I'm a heavy user: I need to e-mail a lot, IM a lot, browse the web, write down ideas, use the included PIM, etc.
However, the P900 is attractive because with it, I can have the PDA and the phone with me everywhere, all the time, without having to carry both a phone and a PDA.
However, I want to know if the P900 is significantly worse as a PDA compared to a top of the line Jornada Pocket PC, for example.
Do you recommend me to buy a Sony Ericsson P900, or should I buy a Pocket PC (Windows Mobile 2003 OS)?
Thank you!
MX
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
I think it mainly depends on what carrier you are going to use for your wireless service. You may not have a whole lot of choices as far as the devices are considered. But if you haven't decided on the carrier yet, I would highly recommend getting a Treo 600 from Sprint PCS, if you are in US.
Anon
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
If, as appears, you are PDA centered, look at the Everex. I didn't buy it because it makes you use the stylus for texting but everything else about it was fine. It takes a standard GSM SIM card, and is Tri-band, and appears to cost about $550.
Stephen Jones
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
FYI: I don't know anything about them, but gizmodo was just reporting that there is a hot new redesign of the P900 coming soon.
JWA
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
I have a Sony Ericsson P800 and I own an IPAQ so I might be able to give you some feedback.
"Is the stylus text entry on the P900 slower than the stylus text entry on Pocket PC's, or does it have the same speed?"
The text entry on the P900 is called JOT and I believe there are versions of it for the PocketPC. I actually find JOT to be faster than stylus entry on the PocketPC. Most characters (including special ones like @ ! & $) are drawn exactly as you would write.
"If I work intensely on the P900, how much will the battery last?"
The battery life is good. Comparable to other devices. I've never had it die on me.
"How is the P900 organizer software compared to Pocket PC organizer software?"
The organizer software is more limited than the PocketPC organizer software. The difference is not, however, that vast. I'd recommend biting the bullet and go into a store and try it out.
"However, the P900 is attractive because with it, I can have the PDA and the phone with me everywhere, all the time, without having to carry both a phone and a PDA."
I never really carried around my PDA too much -- it's a hassle to carry around a big IPAQ. On the other hand, I always carry my phone and it's very handy to have it always on you.
Your other points:
"1. good e-mail client"
The email client on the P800 is not that great. It handles everything (attachments, html email, pop, imap, etc) but it can be annoying. Currently there isn't any 3rd party replacement.
"2. MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, etc."
Clients are available for all of the above.
"3. web browsing, including normal HTTP sites (not just wap) with support for HTML frames, tables, pictures, SSL, etc."
Opera is excellent. Supports normal HTTP sites and does an excellent job reformatting sites to the screen (and you can turn that off and display in full screen). Supports Javascript, SSL, frames, tables, etc. I've posted to these forums from my P800. ;) Opera is a free download for P800/P900.
"4. text entry should be fast enough using the pen"
As good as you can get.
"5. there should be a foldable keyboard available for it"
The P900 is able to use IR foldable keyboards. There are a few free drivers for a number of keyboard types. I recommend the Pocketop folding keyboard (yes, I have a few)
Things I don't like about the P800: The proprietary sony memory stick is annoying. There isn't as much 3rd party software. The desktop sync software feels very clunky.
If you have further questions, send me an email.
Almost Anonymous
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
is this availabe in the US? Doed it have bluetooth?
christopher Hester
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Yes and Yes.
Almost Anonymous
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
do you know which carriers have this device? i am on ATT and they do not, but i am not opposed to paying more from an alternate carrier. i am a little confused looking at the pictures; does it have a number pad, and if so where does it go when not being used? i like the look of it without the numberpad....
christopher Hester
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
do you know which carriers have this device?
It's a GSM device. I have an unlocked version so I can use it with any GSM carrier.
"i am a little confused looking at the pictures; does it have a number pad, and if so where does it go when not being used? i like the look of it without the numberpad.... "
The numberpad is called the Flip. When closed, the device acts like more like a phone. The numberpad can be flipped open (down) to access the full screen and use it like a PDA. The flip can also be completely removed.
A lot of people use the phone with the flip removed. I keep mine on as it's easier to type phone numbers and it protects the screen. Although it looks much better without the flip!
Almost Anonymous
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
I found a more detailed review of the P900:
http://www.howardchui.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=152
What I'd like to ask is: how about the scratches?
I protect my current phone using a transparent plastic cover.
The P900 has a lid which opens. So.. if I put a cover on it, I can't open the lid.
So - if I use the P900 without the cover, will it scratch, accumulate dirt, etc?
It is a very expensive phone, and this is why I worry.
MX
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
"I protect my current phone using a transparent plastic cover. The P900 has a lid which opens. So.. if I put a cover on it, I can't open the lid."
You can always do what I have with my IPAQ and put a thin transparent film screen protector on it. That will protect the screen from scratches, etc, etc and won't interfere.
"So - if I use the P900 without the cover, will it scratch, accumulate dirt, etc?"
My P800 doesn't have a cover or any protection. The screen is currently unscratched and I've had it for over a year.
Almost Anonymous
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Thank your for the very interesting discussion!
I decided to buy a P900. :-)
MX
Thursday, May 13, 2004
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