[gorkon280]

The REAL issue is even Microsoft themselves treat Pocket PC's and Smartphone as appliances and nothing more. They EXPECT you to go get a new one every 12-18 months and I have simply said NO. I am TIRED of that run around. Who knows....maybe when work buys me a Blackberry (7520 with Nextel) maybe I will put my PPC in the drawer. I am TIRED of this BILL G knows best attitude I have seen from Microsoft as of late. Bill saying iPods aren't going to last? No, they won't last.....they will evolve. One could say the same thing about PC's. Every 5-10 years I hear let's replace the PC with Winterms and we still never do it. The PC keeps evolving. Many MANY years ago I remember everyone saying the Desktop PC is dead and everyone should get a laptop, yet how many have at least one of each??

I am TIRED of trying to stay on the leading edge of PPC's. I would LOVE to do it, but other things take precedent. I may get a new PPCPE next year or so, but my 4355 is doing just fine. I do lust for VGA display, but the brain dead way it's been implemented just sucks.

The DAY I am happier about the PPC as a platform is the day that Microsoft and the OEM's start to treat it like it should be treated....as a extremely portable computer that can be upgraded software wise. If they made the ROM update from Microsoft come in pieces AND direct from Microsoft with absolute bare minimum specs on the package, I bet it would sell to even people with decrepit PPC's like the 4355. DON'T tell me that that would be impossible because it can be done....if Microsoft and the OEM's so choose. Also make teh ROM updatable in place so you neevr have to have your data deleted. Maybe this persistent memory thing is what Microsoft is going to do about this. By storing your data in the ROM, there's a chance that the data won't go away during a update. Treat PPC's for what they are....pico computers(MY term.....smaller then a Microcomputer which is what a PC is.).