c8125 v. tMDA, your thoughts please

[johnnycs]

Hey everyone, first time poster just wanted to get your expert advice on an upcoming Pocket PC/Phone purchase.

I've been looking between the Cingular 8125 and the T-Mobile MDA because they are both wi-fi enabled phones with very similar features.

What I'm looking to do is have a pocket pc/phone that is wi-fi enabled (for professional and recreational use), as well as to use it as a usb modem when I'm away from hot spots.

I've heard things about under-powered processors in both of the devices, I am interested in using memory cards to play mobile video, is it possible with the under 200 mhz processors they sport?

Also, my contract is over in July and even though I'm a 5+ years customer of ATT/Cingular wireless, they aren't offering me a good deal on an upgrade. The best they could do was $249 on the 8125.

Through letstalk I found they sell the 8125 w/ 2 yr service for $199, a little better, but not extraordinary.

Letstalk offers the MDA for $99 w/ only a 1 year minimum for $99 right now, and my service per month would be less expensive for unlimited PDA usage. Can the MDA act as a usb modem?

Anyway, my thanks in advance for any light that you can shed on my decision. Also, if you know of any pocket pc's that may be a better fit for me, please suggest them. A related question, are the 8125 and MDA the only commercially produced pocket pc/phones with wi-fi that providers offer with service contracts??

Again, thanks in advance.

[ADBrown]

You should bear in mind that except for the available amount of memory, and the casing, their hardware is identical. Yes, it's possible to use video, though depending on what you want to do with it you may want to overclock the processor.

[johnnycs]

Thank you for replying.

I noticed that new ROM versions include an overclocking utility.

Would overclocking the processor be necessary to play, say a full length movie on a 2 gb smart memory card, if it were compressed to the screen size and framerate?

I'm not looking for the ULTIMATE video experience, I just want something that if I'm stuck on a train or something, I can enjoy the entertainment of overly compressed video on a 2" screen. Also, if the file size causes significant issues, I have no problem truncating the video into 2 or 3 files.

If my perceptions about mobile video are wrong, let me know, I'm not familiar with trying to pull so much juice out of such a small processor.

[ADBrown]

Would overclocking the processor be necessary to play, say a full length movie on a 2 gb smart memory card, if it were compressed to the screen size and framerate?

Probably not. You'll have to experiment a little to obtain the best quality/performance tradeoff, but you should certainly be able to produce something watchable without too much difficulty.

[Kadegboye]

I am in the process of buying a new PPCP and when I saw this posting, I am inclined to ask a few questions. Is Letstalk reliable. Will they really deliver on the their promises like getting T-Mobile MDA for $99 with mail in rebate?
Kay.

[poisonz]

The main difference on those two killer phone are the keypads.
I would say MDA is for lady and 8125 is for man. Why?
I own a MDA and its so hard to type the keys. I would over press the keys and show more then one charators. I would say both are good unless one is cheaper then others. I got my at letstalk.com for FAR. If 8125 is offered close to MDA's deal I would get 8125 only because of the key pad.
p.s. if you dont do MSN or email, then you will be fine.

[Sven Johannsen]

I think it is important to note the major difference between these devices...T-Mobile and Cingular. While I am not passionate for or against either, there is no shortage of people that are. Possible coverage in your particular area, or places you go, might be important to you, or the cost of plans and what they provide. Maybe customer service might be a point of consideration. Of course it may be that it being a phone and serviced by one provider or another just isn't important to you.