eWEEK Labs Review: Motorola MPx220

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1755186,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605' target='_blank'>http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1755186,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Motorola's MPx220, which runs Microsoft's Windows Mobile Smartphone 2003 Second Edition, has the basic functionality of a Pocket PC in a typical cell phone form factor. We appreciated this unit's small size but found it a bit trying to enter and view data. Still, tight integration with Microsoft's popular software stack, particularly with Exchange 2003, makes this product a worthwhile contender for providing data access to mobile workers. Companies looking for the same integration in a more usable, albeit much larger, form factor should look to Microsoft's Pocket PC Phone Edition-based devices."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/MPx220.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />This is actually a comparison review of the MPx220, the Treo 650 and the Blackberry 7100t. The one thing that caught my attention was that the 7100t has the least functional Bluetooth of the three devices. I haven't been too kind to Motorola about the MPx220 but I still enjoy using it. Now that I have my THIRD phone with the new ROM I find it performs pretty well. What I am waiting for is a Smartphone in a Treo form factor. :)

[Mike Temporale]

This is actually a comparison review of the MPx220, the Treo 650 and the Blackberry 7100t.

Sounds like a fair comparison. 2 devices with keyboards versus a phone. :? I'll have to give this article a read.

[vincenzosi]

The Blackberry 7100 doesn't really have a keyboard... It's kind of a mish mosh of a phone keypad and a qwerty keyboard, and frankly after using one, I can give it a review:

It sucks... :P

[Jerry Raia]

I have to say I have a built in prejudice to Blackberrys just because I think they are ugly looking. I know it isn't logical I admit it.

[TimeHunter]

What I really want is an article that compares these two phones. I'm trying to decide between one of these or holding on to my MPx200 and waiting to see what else comes down the pipe.

There are things that I like and dislike about both of them:

MPx220 like - Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900)
SMT5600 dislike - Tri-band (850, 1800, 1900)

MPx220 like - External memory card slot
SMT5600 dislike - Memory card slot under battery

MPx220 dislike - Not standard USB connector
SMT5600 like - Standard USB mini plug

MPx220 dislike - Media player 9
SMT5600 like - Media Player 10

Like for both - Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition
Dislike for both - Neither is EDGE capable

The list goes on, and there's enough on my list that though I like each phone, I'm not enamored of either one.

[Jerry Raia]

You might want to just sit tight for a bit. 'Rumors' of the new Mobile OS version coming out in a few months abound :)

[vincenzosi]

That's why I'm holding off on a new PPC and a new phone (although my MPX 220 is new, well, you get the idea).

Everything I have is gonna have to hold me over until the new stuff arrives...