06-16-2005, 02:28 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 125
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My Evaluation: MPx220, SMT5600, Treo 650
As I mentioned in a post a week ago, we are evaluating 3 Smartphones (ok, 2 Smartphones and a Treo 650) for a client as well as our personal use. We are making progress and I thought our experiences might be helpful.
First and foremost, please understand that this evaluation is for business purposes. The two primary criteria are good phone quality and the ability to sync with Exchange Activesync using AUTD notifications. We are not cell phone enthusiast so MP3�s, games and watching movies on a plane are not part of the evaluation.
So, here is where we are. The Treo has basically fallen out of favor. It doesn�t support AUTD, there are frequent dropped calls, the keyboard is difficult to use in the car and often there is intermittent volume issues. The size has mixed reviews. I thought it was ok (I used to carry a Blackberry) but my partner and others find it too big. Also we thought that the EDGE technology would be great, but have not needed it. GPRS is probably fine for data transmission. The last issue is that it is Palm OS. Not that that is bad but there is a steeper learning curve.
The bottom line on the Treo is that because it is on a 30 trial, we will take it in today and try to exchange for a SX66. We realize it will have the same �size� issues, but it is a MS OS and has a keyboard, something the client thinks they would like to have.
I have carried a SMT5600 for a week now including a business trip. It is a very nice phone that works well. The memory card I ordered for it was delayed so there are no apps on it now but it worked fine. The screen is slightly larger than a MPx220 and that is a plus. I haven�t carried a candy bar format phone in a long time and that took a coupe of days to get used to but worked out fine. So far, I haven�t seen any of the dust issues frequently discussed.
As soon as the Motorola site had the new 1.43 ROM up for my MPx220 I flashed and restored (Sprite backup) the phone. It continues to work well for me. I haven�t had the volume problems often associated with the phone and the camera is not on my personal or client�s criteria list. All in all, I have had the phone since last October and it has been great.
Based on all the comments on this and other boards, I was very surprised that I have found the need to daily power cycle the SMT5600 just as I have done with the MPx220. When I do this, there is never a problem. If I don�t, GPRS locks / freezes and there is no data flow.
Right now if I had to choose (personally) I would probably go for the MPx220 because of the clamshell design and the slightly larger keys. The SMT5600 is just as good and I do like the screen a bit better. Again, I find that both need to be power cycled daily for optimal performance.
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