PDA phone users...need input/advice

[ZubenElGenubi]

I'd like to upgrade to a PDA phone and am looking for any experience/advice. I'm using Cingular now and can get a pretty good discount on phones and plans through my employer, so I'll stick with them.The main phones being offered by Cingular (within my budget): HP iPaq hw6515 Blackberry 7130c Blackberry 7290 Blackberry 8700c Cingular 8125 Palm Treo 650They also have refurbished models at considerable discounts, but don't know how reliable they might be.Thanks in advance for any help!

[VforVIBE]

By just looking at them(I'm too lazy to read up on them) I 'd have to say the Cingular 8125, I like the pull out keyboard, it has a nice big screen, and it's touch screen.

[prtlnd03gt]

t-mobile MDA

[ColonelPanic]

All the supervisors at work now have dingleberries (that's our name for them. lol!) They're going through Cingular. Pretty nifty things, not sure what models they have. But unfortunately, (at least the ones they have) they have the worst sound quality out of any phone I've heard in modern times. I often have to call China, and I think the connection to them sounds better than what it does to one of those Blackberry things that the bosses around here use. I can't understand anything they say when they're talking on them. I guess that's a good thing. lol!

[Atomb]

funny you bring this up as i was shopping for one over the last 2 days!BIG question: what do you want it to do for you??Simple calendar/contacts that syncs OR full on emailing and web connectivity?

[ZubenElGenubi]

I want a PDA so that I can organize my schedule without having to carry around a Franklin Planner. I use my current, old cellphone's calendar and voice memo features a lot, but they're standalone. I'd really like to integrate with MS Outlook.I'm beginning to need mobile email capability at work and so, there's that.I have limited web access with current phone and don't think I'll be using a PDA phone all tha much. More likely to use my laptop w/ WiFi instead.Of course, the convenience of having both a phone and PDA in one device is very appealing.

[illusion]

I used to have a Blackberry 8700c (still do, actually, just no service on it). I thought it was great - email, calendar, web - everything I was looking for in a smartphone.Of course, that gets expensive with 2 BBs and data service on both lines on top of the shared voice plan - had one for the GF too.So I switched back to Sprint a few months ago, and got a pair of PPC-6700s to replace the BBs. The 6700 is the CDMA/EVDO equivalent of the Cingular 8125. I don't think I'll ever regret that move. And for 2 lines, it actually costs me a bunch less :-)And once you get used to the full keyboard, there's no going back to another device.Final words: Cingular 8125 - best choice in the list.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Quote, originally posted by prtlnd03gt »t-mobile MDADoesn't help me...I'm sticking with Cingular. Otherwise, I'd look at the Motorola Q @ Verizon.

[ZubenElGenubi]

I'm going to Cingular again today and will try out an 8125. I like the configuration (sliding keyboard) and not having to pay BB fees on top of regular service.

[Atomb]

based on what you said, i'd say the 8125 would be your best bet also. there are other phones out there in the wild that i would consider better, but you're getting a deal and i know you want to select from that list.the BB's are nice and if email is a major part of your use, then i'd say they are definitely the way to go (you may find the Pocket Outlook in the windows mobile OS a little annoying....like the desktop version can be sometimes! ) but you say you primarly want a PIM so go with the 8125 as the pocket contacts and calendar have actually become quite nice to use. I recommend looking at pocket informant for an upgrade to the built in apps...it's what i now use and prefer.http://www.pocketinformant.com/?p_id=pilet us know what you end up with and how you like it...i'm still in the search and while i think i know what i want, i'd like to hear your opinion on what you get.

[ZubenElGenubi]

Got the Cingular 8125. With rebates...$100. New. Couldn't beat that price, even if I got a separate phone and PDA.Mildly intuitive and once I got my SIM unlocked, I'm getting into it. One feature that I hadn't looked for but that may be a big plus is the built-in Wi-Fi capability. That'll help a lot with email, for sure.Thanks for the link on Pocket Informant. My brief exposure to Pocket Outlook has been only a little frustrating, but I think that's more due to wi-fi issues. I'll give the MS suite a try for a while and then will look at P.I. if I get stuck.

[binary]

LOL, that's awesome. I just saw your thread and was quicking scrolling to see if anyone suggested the 8125. The Wifi would have sold me on it since I use it mostly for an email / paging phone anyway. I need data connectivity - the voice part is secondary. Cingular was an option for me, but Verizon has better coverage in my area so I got a Treo 700w.I hope you like your 8125, a few people in my office swear by them. And for Crackberries... stay away. having to rely on a third party to relay your email is just nutz now that Exchange 2003 SP2 can push directly to your phone. However the one redeaming value of the Treo 700w - exchange admins can remotely nuke them from the exchange admin pages. Lost, stolen, or just passed by on a raise... one click and the treo is out of service.As for application suggestions? FlexWallet 2006 is awesome for maintaining passwords, account numbers and such. It syncs it's triple encrypted database with your desktop so you can have access to them in both places. Opera offers a great pIE replacement.And I'll 2nd the P.I. suggestion - I haven't installed it yet... but it's great software.

[binary]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »All the supervisors at work now have dingleberries (that's our name for them. lol!) They're going through Cingular. Pretty nifty things, not sure what models they have. But unfortunately, (at least the ones they have) they have the worst sound quality out of any phone I've heard in modern times. I often have to call China, and I think the connection to them sounds better than what it does to one of those Blackberry things that the bosses around here use. I can't understand anything they say when they're talking on them. I guess that's a good thing. lol!Crackberries have the worst call quality... not just mic/speaker quality - but electronics and build suck equally. You're not the only one who's noticed.They're great in their primary role - email and data comunication. as for a phone well, you're better off to just email them.