PPC-6700 or Treo700wx -- how is PDA?

[CMeys]

I'm getting tired of carrying both a PDA (x50) and a cell phone and really would like to switch to a PocketPC Phone. I'm stuck with Sprint as my cellular provider, so that gives me a choice of the PPC-6700 or the Treo700wx. I'm much more concerned with how satisfied I will be with it as a PDA than am I worried about the phone part (though if there is anything unusually good or bad about the phone end I'm certainly also interested). I'd appreciate any thoughts or links to this information elsewhere. Thanks.

[jpjehu]

Do you need a one-handed device or are you a two-handed user? I think that's the bottom line - I used the 700w for four months and it was great - the only thing that got to me was the square screen and loss of some of my games - the 6700 is NOT a one handed device and it NEVER will be. For me that's a total deal breaker because it's one of my highest priorities at this point in life - good luck!

[CMeys]

I hadn't thought of it in terms of 1 handed vs. 2 handed -- obviously I've been using the Dell Axim x50 which is a 2 handed device. Looking at the Treo700wx, the screen shape and size bothers me, but I don't know if it would in use.

Would that be the only issue?

Thanks.

[JesterMania]

Would that be the only issue?

It's hard to answer your post because you didn't state specifically your requirements for the PPC phone. You should probably determine whether both units meet your core requirements first.

The way I see it, there's really only several minor differences:

- square vs. qvga screen
- no WiFi vs. WiFi
- thumb board vs. slide-out keyboard
- 1-hand vs. 2-hand (as stated in the previous post)

That's all I can see to this. If you want to compare all the specs, look here:

http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=409
http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=585

I also find it useful to go into the store and try both devices firsthand. Some devices look good (technically and esthetically) on paper, but feel a lot different in real life. Ultimately, since this is a PDA and phone, I'd choose the one that felt most comfortable and natural in my hand.

[CMeys]

My phone requirements are extremely basic -- either unit should be fine for that purpose.

I do use WiFi now with my Axim, and realize the Treo doesn't have it. But, with the EvDo I don't know if I'd really need it (just use it to check email or web if I'm away from my desk).

Do both units run all the PPC programs that my Dell Axim x50 runs? No games, just programs, utilities and plug-ins. Any issue with any programs (say Mapopolis) with the non-standard screen size?

Right now I use a CF GPS with my Axim. I guess I'd have to switch to a BT one with one of these new PPC phones.

If it weren't for the screen size and shape, I'm sure I'd go with the Treo. That is what is holding me up.

I'll check those links for more information. Thank you.

[newst]

There are two blogs here by the tech writer James Kendrick that might provide some insight.

The man was happy with his Treo, but now uses the PPC-6700. He explains why and provides practical in use examples.

http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/mobile_tech/index.html

[CMeys]

Thanks for the link -- very helpful information there.

[dsteinschneider]

I moved from a Treo to the 6700. I needed some features the 6700 offered for my small business tech consulting work. It took quite a bit of online information gathering to reconfigure the handheld to be a better phone.

I'm now as happy with it for one handed phone use as the Treo. It involved installing a free dialer skin called ETEN - I used the Vista black skin. It has very large buttons - they are easy to see and dial with my thumb. It also has readily available buttons for quick access to call history and my speed dials. That was the biggest hurdle I overcame.

The second move I made was to install a Today plugin called phoneAlarm. This shows me at a glance missed calls, voice mails waiting, emails waiting and SMS waiting. Each of these is a large onscreen button that I can again activate with my thumb. It also lets me easily switch between profiles and silence the phone. Finally it has a button for bluetooth. Get the standard version. It also repeat alarms so you don't miss alarms.

I then programmed the included voice dial for my important and frequently used numbers - works very well even in noisy places.

I also purchased software from Dinarsoft called HandySwitcher and HandyLaunch that together allow me to actually close running apps and free up memory instead of just closing the windows (WM5 default). They also make it easier to launch applications.

I purchased Pocket Informant (equal to if not better than DataViz Beyond Contacts for Treo) and set the fonts to a large "readily readable" font so I can glance at it and see my schedule/contacts/tasks.

Optional addition I purchased was AEButton manager which lets me assign more apps to the hardware buttons because it can respond to double and triple taps.

[CMeys]

Thank you very much. I've saved your message in the event I go with the 6700 (my present leaning).

[CMeys]

dsteinschneider --

I've ordered a 6700 and am now looking at software. You mention using an ETEN skin -- isn't the ETEN a different PPC phone? Do skins made for it work on the 6700 (I guess they do if you're using one!). Any special instructions needed? And can you give me a link as to where to download it and the other items mentioned (other than the obvious commercial ones)? Thank you very much.

[dsteinschneider]

http://www.paulya.com/etenskins.htm

I use the VISTA Black - good visiblility in sunlight with my boxwave antiglare screen protector as long as you angle it just right.

[CMeys]

Thank you so much. I was having a hard time finding it. Are you using one of the skins shown there?

[dsteinschneider]

I'm using Vista Black