It's here! Unboxing the Toshiba Portege G900

[Nurhisham Hussein]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/02/unboxing-the-toshiba-portege-g900/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/...a-portege-g900/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"What would you give for a WM6 QWERTY with a 3-inch screen touting an 800 x 480 pixel resolution? Well, reader Kim Nyberg forked over a €635/$860 premium to Expansys for the Toshiba Portege G900 and has the unboxing pics to prove it. And you thought $599 was expensive. Oh, did we mention it's tri-band HSDPA with WiFi?"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/hisham-20070703-portege_g900.jpg" /><br /><br />Right on time! In case you've <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=55769">missed the news</a>, this device marks Toshiba's return to the Windows Mobile arena, and what a comeback it is - WM6 Pro, 3" WVGA screen (take that Apple!), USB OTG, BT 2.0 EDR, 128MB RAM, 2MP camera, and biometric scanner. The only fly in the ointment is tri-band GSM and single band HSDPA (yes, Engadget got it wrong) - you're going to find it hard to use if you're in the US. Otherwise this is a humdinger of a device, and <i>pace</i> Engadget again, $860 unlocked puts this well within the ballpark for a device with these specs.

[alese]

For me the 630 EUR for Toshiba is expensive, but still better value than $600 for iPhone. Considering that iPhone will probably be 600+ EUR in Europe it's actually a steal - much better specs and pretty much all the features you can think of as opposed to iPhone.

Oh an it has BT 2.0 EDR with A2DP - as per Expansys specs + the CPU is actually 520MHz and not 400 as previously reported.

Yes it's heavy, but with all the goodies, I guess this is my next device, now I only have to find 630 EUR...

[LPC]

I've got mine right here had it since the post man woke me up 7am on the dot ringing the door bell :). Impressions so far are tha it's well made; has a very very solid feel to it. Lovely screen though SPB Mobile Shell doesn't work on it. Good slide movement on the keyboard though I doubt I'll use that bit much.

One iffy thing is in the last 2 hours I've had to remove the battery 3 times as I couldn't get it to power on. Here's hoping I've just installed some duff software or something.

** edit ** OMG say it isn't true ... a bug with the WiFi handling !! If you have WPA on your WiFi and leave the WiFi connected when you power off. You can't power it back up. Surely I'm being a dooffus ? Testing futher.

[isajoo]

........................

[Noel]

If this is as good as my venerable e800 (which I still use as a standby) then it'll be a likely contender to replace my JasJar.

[BUMP THAT]

Triband GSM means it will still work on GSM in the US but no 3G, right? I am just curious. I wanted this to be my replacement but 3G and VGA will be my selling point. Although the kaiser is looking good even if it doesnt have a VGA screen or WVGA :D .

Hows the battery life? I thought I read it only had 64MB RAM, or was I told wrong by Engadget.

[Gerard]

Seems to me that everyone's been saying RAM is only 64MB... which would be a BIG step backwards for Toshiba, considering it's been close to 4 years since the 128MB RAM e800 was introduced. In computer development time that's approximately forever, so halving the RAM on a flagship PDA/phone seems more than a small insult. It's more like robbery, considering that the SRP is so high. I'd expect a minimum of 128MB, might be so bold as to assert that less than 256MB of RAM is somewhat insulting. If they really have to keep RAM so small to conserve battery life, then it's time to hit the drawing board on battery design, or maybe include a spare battery in the basic kit.

Other than that, the 3" screen seems rather confining to me. Still hoping they'll come out with a larger-screened, no sliding keyboard model, at least 3.8" and preferably 4". With that high resolution such a screen would be absolutely beautiful for graphics work and video/still picture viewing, where the 3" model may be pretty, but it's just too dang small.

Again, not holding my breath on this... as my existing e830 keeps me pretty happy and my old Motorola v200 is a fine little phone. No rush Toshiba, just give us big-screen-loving guys an option.

[LPC]

Well I've spent quite some time fiddling with it this evening trying to work out the lock up. After at least 30 unable to power ups and 3 factory resets I think it's something to do with the Exchange Active Sync settings. Werid as it's the same settings and server as my WM5 device used.

When Exchange ActiveSync is in use it locks up after a power off but delete those settings and it carrys on working fine.

Would love to hear from someone else if they're having anything similar ?

[ADBrown]

Triband GSM means it will still work on GSM in the US but no 3G, right?

It'll work on T-Mobile's native network (no 3G) but not on most of their roaming coverage, or large areas of Cingular.

[ScottC]

Well I've spent quite some time fiddling with it this evening trying to work out the lock up. After at least 30 unable to power ups and 3 factory resets I think it's something to do with the Exchange Active Sync settings. Werid as it's the same settings and server as my WM5 device used.

When Exchange ActiveSync is in use it locks up after a power off but delete those settings and it carrys on working fine.

Would love to hear from someone else if they're having anything similar ?

Please keep posting your experiences with it, I'm >this&lt; close to buying one.

They are on Ebay for $699, which isn't bad at all.

[Tye]

Other than that, the 3" screen seems rather confining to me. Still hoping they'll come out with a larger-screened, no sliding keyboard model, at least 3.8" and preferably 4". With that high resolution such a screen would be absolutely beautiful for graphics work and video/still picture viewing, where the 3" model may be pretty, but it's just too dang small.

+1. You just described a big part of my personal Dream Machine.
CDMA on Sprint Network would be good for me too. :) They're getting closer...

[LPC]

Maybe my lock ups where just teathing issues or something as it's suddenly working like a dream. Gave it a full charge on the normal power cable not the PC USB one and this morning it's lovely.

Now I can get to use the beast properly. Got to say loving the layout on the front buttons. Make navigation slick and simple, no need for the touch screen for most of what I use it for :).

[Anath]

I got mine over the weekend and have to say the screen is stunning. It makes VGA look outdated.

However I've noticed a problem. Most games and some applications seem incompatible with the unit. There is no response when using the external buttons. I have tried some games. Pocketmusic player and emulaters such as pocketsnes and morphgear. Using any buttons gives no response.
Is anyone else having similar issues?

[SteveHoward999]

Triband GSM means it will still work on GSM in the US but no 3G, right?

It'll work on T-Mobile's native network (no 3G) but not on most of their roaming coverage, or large areas of Cingular.

It means that if I had one, most of the places I travel to would be without service on that phone, and I'd get no service at home.

If you have good T-Mobile service in your area and you never travel, you could be in luck :-)

[LPC]

Just happened again ... I'll be stuffed if I can track this down and I don't get how I'm the only one having these issues !

Oooo look (http://www.expansys.cn/ft.aspx?i=146074&amp;thread=28) I'm not !!!

[WorksForTurkeys]

Did you mention that it's made by Toshiba? Will it also be discontinued before the manufacturer's support warrantee expires, like their earlier PDAs?

[lexden]

Just happened again ... I'll be stuffed if I can track this down and I don't get how I'm the only one having these issues !

Oooo look (http://www.expansys.cn/ft.aspx?i=146074&amp;thread=28) I'm not !!!

You are NOT the only one having issues. The Expansys UK forum is full of people with lockup problems (including me).

[WorksForTurkeys]

Just happened again ... I'll be stuffed if I can track this down and I don't get how I'm the only one having these issues !

Oooo look (http://www.expansys.cn/ft.aspx?i=146074&amp;thread=28) I'm not !!!

You are NOT the only one having issues. The Expansys UK forum is full of people with lockup problems (including me).

well you do know that Toshiba considers the PDAs to be disposable, like floppy discs? Toshiba doesn't warrantee the disposable media they sell...

;)

** never forget: always remember forever when somebody screws over thousands of loyal customers.

[LPC]

well you do know that Toshiba considers the PDAs to be disposable, like floppy discs? Toshiba doesn't warrantee the disposable media they sell...

;)

** never forget: always remember forever when somebody screws over thousands of loyal customers.

I hear ya, had the same issue when HP decided not to issue upgrades from WM2003 all the way back then. I've got over it now and realise that all the mobile manufactures including Nokia, HTC etc all want us to buy new devices every year. Having them upgradable is bad news for them.

There's jack we can do about it so move on :).

[WorksForTurkeys]

well you do know that Toshiba considers the PDAs to be disposable, like floppy discs? Toshiba doesn't warrantee the disposable media they sell...

;)

** never forget: always remember forever when somebody screws over thousands of loyal customers.

I hear ya, had the same issue when HP decided not to issue upgrades from WM2003 all the way back then. I've got over it now and realise that all the mobile manufactures including Nokia, HTC etc all want us to buy new devices every year. Having them upgradable is bad news for them.

There's jack we can do about it so move on :).

apparently you don't hear because I said nothing about upgradeable devices. planned obsolecense is the basis for all consumer goods now. I was referring to Toshiba's decision to leave the PDA market rather than support the thousands of initially defective devices they sold. I also referred to their decision that their bluetooth SD cards were disposable and therefore not warranteed even when initially defective on delivery.

you can buy products from manufacturers that honor the device warrantee during the normal warrantee period. Toshiba didn't - they discontinued their devices and support before the 1 yr warrantee expired.

it sounds like Toshiba has once again sold substandard merchandise to an unsuspecting public.

there's jack we can do about past crimes, does that mean we forget they happened and move on, or do we remember and not allow them to happen again.

[LPC]

not allow them to happen again.
:)

[LPC]

Don't know if I'm alowed to do this but I'm sure it'll get deleted if I'm not ... but ...

New forum for G900 users.

myg900.com