jg013c
11-21-2003, 11:18 AM
Its finally time for my review of the Treo 600.
I have had the treo for 3 days now and here is my review...
Here are the negatives:
The screen is a little off center and the screen is not high-res, but compared to my treo 90, the screen is still pretty good. Web pages still load slow, which surprises me given that the Vision network is fast and the treo’s processor is fast. Loading a real website can take up to several minutes. Another browser complaint is that there is a bug relating to the way cookies are stored. The cookie file can easily become corrupted and remediation requires uninstalling the WEB COOKIES application or potentially a hard restart. Also some web pages reset the whole phone, most notably this very site!
The treo leaves much to be desired in the software. The device should come standard with an email program, an MP3 player and a useable instant messaging program pre-installed, but it has none of the above. I have yet to download the new email app and the ptunes, so this might solve part of my problem.
The overall hardware configuration is a little funny. Why is the microphone on the back of the phone? Why does the SD card pop out when you try to shove the device into the case? Also, I do not believe that the keyboard is as good as some have suggested, I would have much preferred a graffiti pad in its place or perhaps a keyboard with larger buttons, even if it meant a slightly larger phone or a third “option” key so that lesser used letters can share a key with more commonly used letters by pressing the extra option key first. To use the keyboard you must hold the device in 2 hands, and peck at the keys with your thumb tips causing your thumbs to curl inwards. Typing quickly tires my thumbs and I feel that it can probably lead to arthritis.
The headphone jack is on the bottom making it hard to use headphones while the treo is in some cases. The jack is non-standard so your old hands-free set will not work nor will your stereo headphones unless you buy the stupid adapter or a custom made set of headphones.
That all being said, here are the good points:
The device feels solid, the weight is well distributed and it has a look that will certainly turn heads. It is comfortable to talk on and the reception is stronger than most PCS phones. The connectivity is absolutely brilliant! Your palm phonebook can be used to dial. On screen menus make it easy to do things I could never figure out how to do on my old phones, such as placing someone on hold or having a 3-way call. This device can easily replace your cell phone, your palm pilot and even your laptop! Using the treo is like having complete and total access to all of your information where ever you go. I have used a palm for a while but I never seem to have it on me just when I need it. This device solves that problem. It organizes my life, keeps me connected and entertains me on down time.
This device has loads of problems to work out however when we look back in a few years, the Treo 600 will probably still be a useable device, unlike the i500 that was obsolete before even hitting the shelves.
I have had the treo for 3 days now and here is my review...
Here are the negatives:
The screen is a little off center and the screen is not high-res, but compared to my treo 90, the screen is still pretty good. Web pages still load slow, which surprises me given that the Vision network is fast and the treo’s processor is fast. Loading a real website can take up to several minutes. Another browser complaint is that there is a bug relating to the way cookies are stored. The cookie file can easily become corrupted and remediation requires uninstalling the WEB COOKIES application or potentially a hard restart. Also some web pages reset the whole phone, most notably this very site!
The treo leaves much to be desired in the software. The device should come standard with an email program, an MP3 player and a useable instant messaging program pre-installed, but it has none of the above. I have yet to download the new email app and the ptunes, so this might solve part of my problem.
The overall hardware configuration is a little funny. Why is the microphone on the back of the phone? Why does the SD card pop out when you try to shove the device into the case? Also, I do not believe that the keyboard is as good as some have suggested, I would have much preferred a graffiti pad in its place or perhaps a keyboard with larger buttons, even if it meant a slightly larger phone or a third “option” key so that lesser used letters can share a key with more commonly used letters by pressing the extra option key first. To use the keyboard you must hold the device in 2 hands, and peck at the keys with your thumb tips causing your thumbs to curl inwards. Typing quickly tires my thumbs and I feel that it can probably lead to arthritis.
The headphone jack is on the bottom making it hard to use headphones while the treo is in some cases. The jack is non-standard so your old hands-free set will not work nor will your stereo headphones unless you buy the stupid adapter or a custom made set of headphones.
That all being said, here are the good points:
The device feels solid, the weight is well distributed and it has a look that will certainly turn heads. It is comfortable to talk on and the reception is stronger than most PCS phones. The connectivity is absolutely brilliant! Your palm phonebook can be used to dial. On screen menus make it easy to do things I could never figure out how to do on my old phones, such as placing someone on hold or having a 3-way call. This device can easily replace your cell phone, your palm pilot and even your laptop! Using the treo is like having complete and total access to all of your information where ever you go. I have used a palm for a while but I never seem to have it on me just when I need it. This device solves that problem. It organizes my life, keeps me connected and entertains me on down time.
This device has loads of problems to work out however when we look back in a few years, the Treo 600 will probably still be a useable device, unlike the i500 that was obsolete before even hitting the shelves.