Questions on Palm\Treo from a PPC user

[rotlex]

Good day,

I've been reading these forums for quite some time, and doing a bit of research into a a new phone. I'll try to keep it short and to the point, but if I ramble, please be gentle.

I've been a PPC user for quite a few years, and am in need of a replacement for my PDA. My wife needs a new phone and hers is eligible for the rebates from Sprint. Thinking of getting myself a new one, and having the number switched on mine to her number. (I currently have a Sanyo 5500).

Anyway, I was seriously thinking about the 6600\6601 until I went to the local sprint store and checked out a Treo 600. I can't believe just how much like a phone this thing feels in my hand, and it has a very nice combination of form and what appears to be function. I'm of course thinking about the 650 when it's released, but am looking for some input from former PPC users who have switched to a Palm OS based PDA.

Did you find the transition easy and are you satisified with the functionality of the Palm? I'm most concerned at this point with synchronization between outlook and the device, calendar, contacts etc. etc., but am of course interested in web browsing and e-mail capabilities as well. Other than the size and comfort of a 600\650 which I think I'll love, I guess I'm just a little leary about switching from what I'm used too. On the other hand, I don't know if I want a phone, PPC variety, that is as unstable as my Ipaq is at times.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and for giving any honest opinions you may have.

[morningstar1844]

I have been a Palm user for many years, started with palm professional, palm V, M505, M515, and then Tungsten, (one pocket pc from Compaq before the 2002 version. I switched to the 1910 and then 2215 which I liked for the most part. I liked the graphical but the Palm OS is more stable. Both of them crash even my Treo 600 (but I put a lot of garabage on my handhelds) I wanted to get to one device so I bought the Treo 600 last January, then returned it. Two weeks later bought it again at Best Buy and I have fallen in love with it. Don't tell my wife. The 650 should fix all our problems with the exeception of more memory and wifi. Those will corrected in later updates Treo 700 or whoever knows. With the Palm OS, I think it takes less clicks to get to your information. It was that way with me on drug information program PDR. Good luck on your choice, but hey try the Treo 650 at Best Buy where you can return it and then look at the Samsung I730 PPC phone. They say the size is similar to the Treo. I just wish it did not have the slider keyboard. Good luck and God Bless You! As far as handhelds go, I think convergence is the road of the future.

[imtravis]

I've used both Palm and PPC (have both). I prefer the Palm for my phone, and quit using my Ipaq 5555. I've even got my order in for the 650 from PalmOne's site. I find the Palm OS a *LOT* more stable for what I want to do. The best thing to do, is try both phones see which one feels better, and then decide on the apps. My Treo600 syncs with Outlook XP and Outlook 2003. I use it for my appts, contacts and notes, etc. Works great!!

Good luck on your decision..

[rossarmstrong]

I've been using Palm phones for the last 3 years - going back to the Kyocera 6035 and now with the Treo 600. They have all performed their job well. I use both Pocket Mirror and Agendus Pro to sych all my Outlook info with great success.

My only reservation is the lack of multitasking. Since the Palm OS can only run one app at a time. it makes it difficult to jump into another app to get some info I need and then return to the one I was using. Gets to be a bit frustrating at times.

I've been waiting for a PPC phone with the features I need and the Audiovox 6600 finally meets my needs.

Maybe you can talk about your multitasking experiences with the PPC so I can see if I really want to switch over.

The Treo is a great converged device. If the Palm OS can support your needs, you will be more than happy with it!

[rotlex]

Thanks for all the replies on this to everyone. I'm still kind of undecided, but I guess I'll wait and see until I can actually touch both of these devices in a store to compare.

In answer to your multitasking question. I guess it depends. I normally only run one app at a time anyway, and generally find myself closing tasks running in the background as it slows the Ipaq down. I don't THINK the non-multitasking will be an issue for me, but then again, I haven't used a Palm OS device for what seems like a very long time. The whole thing is actually driving me nuts, as I know once I pick one of these, I'll be keeping it for a number of years at least, and I want to make sure I make the right decision when spending this kind of money.

Thanks again!

I've been using Palm phones for the last 3 years - going back to the Kyocera 6035 and now with the Treo 600. They have all performed their job well. I use both Pocket Mirror and Agendus Pro to sych all my Outlook info with great success.

My only reservation is the lack of multitasking. Since the Palm OS can only run one app at a time. it makes it difficult to jump into another app to get some info I need and then return to the one I was using. Gets to be a bit frustrating at times.

I've been waiting for a PPC phone with the features I need and the Audiovox 6600 finally meets my needs.

Maybe you can talk about your multitasking experiences with the PPC so I can see if I really want to switch over.

The Treo is a great converged device. If the Palm OS can support your needs, you will be more than happy with it!

[g.711]

Maybe this will help.
Treo600
Keyboard always available so they call it one handed
Great phone with a minor in PDA
Palm OS old but reliable
For most users who just want a calendar, alarms and quick and easy contact list (fewer buttons to get where you want)
Better battery life
Slightly Smaller unit

PPC6600
Slide out keyboard mostly one handed
More PDA than phone-ish
Larger screen
Easy integration with Windows
Integrates with WIFI, GPS other accessories no problem.
less battery life