Looking to get a new device, would like some advice

[Farmer Ted]

I currently have an Asus MyPal A716. I've had it for 4 years, and it's starting to show its age. I like it a lot, and want to get a new windows-based device. I'm not a big cell-phone guy (I've only had one for 2 years!). Anyway, the cell-phone I currently use is a pay-as-you-go T-mobile phone. I've used ~1250 minutes in the past 2 years. I don't really anticipate increasing that by much; I'd probably rather just use wi-fi to connect to the internet. So what I'd like to do is get a new device that I can just plug my current SIM card into, and then keep up my t-mobile account.

1. Is this a reasonable idea, or is it really stupid?

2. Will I be missing out big-time not having a real phone contract that allows me to use the broad-band for connecting to the internet? Speaking of which, can I connect to the internet using the pay-as-you-go card?

Anyway, I've got a big birthday coming up in less than a month (According to OSU coach Mike Gundy, I will finally be a MAN!). I'm also going on a business trip to the UK in mid-december, so I'd like to get something before then. I'm leaning towards the Samsung Omnia (16 gb). I like the fact that it has internal storage (and lots of it) as well as an expansion slot. It's also got a fast processor and bells-and-whistles galore. It's pretty swanky, imo. But from what I understand, the version available in the US now (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-I900-16GB-Unlocked/dp/B001EZ2I82/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1226334690&sr=8-1) doesn't have the right GSM or 3G or something-or-other setup, so it's data-transfer methods (EDGE?) are slower than what I'd get if I had a dedicated US version. I'm honestly not sure that will ever matter to me, but on the other hand, it sucks to spend a lot of dough on something that is slightly handicapped right from the start.

So, to sum things up, I'd like to get something in the next month. Omnia: stupid, or not stupid? Should I look at something else? The Zinc II looks cool, but it seems low on RAM to me (64 mb). The glofish looks alright, too, but it has a 2.5 mm audio which is a bummer (can be worked around, though). There are also all of the HTC devices, but I'm pretty confused about them. Any other thoughts? I know I asked a lot, but I'd appreciate any advice you have.

[possmann]

The Samsung Omnia seems like a solid device however I personally would look for something with VGA resolution. It looks like you keep your devices for a while and I think that QVGA devices are really on their way out. In a couple of years we'll all be looking at VGA devices - peter's opinion). Now if you want to splurge then look at the HTC HD device - that is technology we'll see in the future - wow.

I don't think you are going to find a WM device with more memory on it than the Samsung Omnia - seems like they went right after the iphone market with that spec (rightly so).

The question I would ask yourself is how much are you going to affected by the display in the Samsung Omnia over a higher resolution display in a device that has less on-board memory? I am sure you know you can always add memory cards...

Hope that helps

[Farmer Ted]

Thanks, I've thought about the HD, but I don't think they're going to be available in the US in the next month or so. I'm not too worried about the display; it's got to be better than what I'm used to, and to be honest, I'm reasonably happy with the current one. The HD is pretty trick, though.

The HTC Touch Diamond looks really nice, but the bugger doesn't have any expansion slots and it only has 4 gb of internal memory, which just isn't enough. I've got maybe 8-10 gb of music I'd like to load onto whatever I get right from the start, and I'd like to have plenty of room left over to add videos, etc.

Edit: Hmm, it says here that the Sony Experia X1 will be available (http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=6219) dec. 7th. A little after my b-day, but it could definitely be worth the wait.