AT&T PDA: Which One?

Chromaflage · 10-06-2008, 04:53 PM

Decisions, decisions....I'm researching PDAs and smart phones and have no clue what to get. I've got AT&T for a mobile carrier and not inclined to switch - I'm very happy with it. So, Palm Vs. Window Mobile OS? Blackberry Vs. Blackjack Vs. Tilt Vs. iPhone Vs. ????? I want to be able to check email, IM, surf the web, listen to MP3 - NOT iTunes, etc., etc.

I used to have an HP Pocket PC that I really liked although it was a little bulky. Any insight into the stuff that available now?

Rangerbuddy · 10-06-2008, 05:02 PM

The wife and I both have the Palm 750...really been happy since the release of Windows Mobile 6.

No Fences · 10-06-2008, 05:09 PM

AT&T with the Iphone.

Camas Fishing · 10-06-2008, 05:23 PM

What are you wanting it to do? Do you get your email through an internet service (yahoo, gmail, comcast) or do you need it to tie in with an on-site mail server at your work? How often do you need/want to sync your contacts and schedule between your pda and your computer (such as Outlook)? I just went through this whole process. Came down to a toss up between Blackberry and iPhone. I'm not sure I made the right choice, but now have so much invested in the phone/service that I can't back out now. I'd be happy to share some of my experiences/findings/frustrations with you if you're interested. If so, shoot me a PM.

Ildor · 10-06-2008, 06:11 PM

Like Camas I did my homework and it came down to 2 choices: Blackberry or IPhone. I went with the Blackberry. It came down to up front cost and the Blackberry was much less expensive. A friend of mine has the IPhone. The main difference I've notice is the IPhone is much faster when surfing the net. That said, however, I can open most e-mail attachments with my Blackberry whereas there are some attachments (mostly pictures) that my friend has to go to a particular website to open. The speed at which my Blackberry opens even large attachments is impressive. One of the challenges I found with the Iphone was typing. I had trouble lining my fingers up with the letters on the screen, I don't have that problem with the buttons on the Blackberry. I'm sure with practice, however, I would have gotten more proficient with the touch screen on the Iphone. Good luck.

Chromaflage · 10-06-2008, 07:04 PM

What model Blackberry did you end up with? I'm resisting the iPhone trend. My experience with the iPods and my MP3 collection has been dismal. Besides, when the iPhone is 3x the cost of a Blackberry, it doesn't make sense to me.

veilside180sx · 10-06-2008, 07:39 PM

I have a brand new Blackberry Curve and am pretty fond of it (Verizon, but same difference)

brshooter · 10-07-2008, 12:23 AM

I have the blackberry curve. I like the phone. Not thrilled with the interface with outlook for contacts. everything came over with "work" addresses. Now, I just don't have the autosync turned on for contacts if I connect to my pc.

That is the only downside I have noticed. Battery life is good. speaker phone option works well. The volume is loud enough for me.

bandwcow · 10-07-2008, 04:05 AM

If you are not in a rush, wait til first of the year. A new Blackberry is coming out. Only reason I know, it will include the electronic real estate key function.
Also, I have a Palm 750. Works well, no problems.
One thing to remember: purchase a device with your primary purpose of use in mind. All other functions are secondary in design.

StickFish · 10-07-2008, 05:46 AM

My first reaction is whatever Verizon has to offer - sorry I have very bad luck with AT&T products and that experience is mirrored in our Enterprise.

Back to AT&T only one word

iPhone

Don't even bother looking at the other stuff

Ildor · 10-07-2008, 05:54 AM

I've got the Blackberry 8310.

Danno · 10-07-2008, 07:50 AM

I love my iPhone however it is not my primary email responding method. If I had to type a lot of emails, I would go another route. But, for scanning emails for the important ones, texting, contacts, custom programs and last but not least, music, I don't see anything that compares.

It syncs my two personal emails and my work email. If I add a contact to my work Outlook files, it updates my iPhone in about 3 minutes without having to connect it to the cradle. Battery life is great. The calender functions are super and if I'm away from my desk, I get instant updates of appointment changes so I don't have to go back to my pc for updates.

jimh · 10-07-2008, 08:09 AM

Blackjack II for me. I like how then it is and at a refurb price of 69.95 it was impossible to beat for price.

sinker · 10-07-2008, 09:06 AM

My wife has a Windows Mobile phone. I can't stand it and whenever I try to do anything with it I'm tempted to send it flying into the creek out back. She claims to like it but I think thats the stubborn streak in her. LOL. The user interface isn't very intuitive.

I have one of the older Blackberry 8700G's and love it. Probably going to upgrade to a Curve here in a few months. Easy operating system, I haven't hardly looked at the manual at all and there's a ton of nifty addons you can download onto it.

I've looked at the Iphones and really like them but I've heard they're a real pain to type on. So if you send any email or txt msgs keep that in mind.

smithie · 10-07-2008, 09:10 AM

OG Blackberry.

HiTekRdNek · 10-07-2008, 10:04 AM

I have a Blackjack II. Only had it a month so far. I'm getting used to it still. This is my first smart phone so not anything to compare it to.
I like that it is water resistant.
If you wnat to take it for a test drive let me know. We can get together some place for a barley pop.