Smart phone which can replace laptop

icyajju

I want to have a latest smart phone with PDA/ Palmtop which can replace the laptop ? HOw to get it cheapest ?

Thenotsowyzewun

Hi,

I know quite alot about Smartphones.
Do you want one running Palm, Windows or Symbian?
If you want it to be smartphone which is primarily a computer, I'd recommend something like a XDA Exec.
If you'd prefer something like a phone that can handle documents and is small like a phone try the Nokia N70 or better Nokia N80 (which comes with Wi-Fi, as does the XDA Exec).
If you want something just for email, viewing attachments and making calls I'd probably recommend the Blackberry, but I don't know much about these.
Palm Treo's always get raving reviews from CNET too, but I haven't used one of these either.
BTW, don't be swept away by all the hype for Windows Mobile, it's laggy, it's versions of office aren't full versions (they're only as complete as on Symbian and Palm OS's in fact) and if you get an N70 or N80 you'll end up with a much more pocketable device with a nicer camera (admittedly the XDA Exec does have a full keyboard and much better looks though).

Oh and do use the hyperlinks, they link to whatever I'm talking about .

EDIT: Oh yeah, getting it cheap. Well you can try getting it on contract via a price comparison site like !!!!!!!!!!!!! (see the mobiles area) combined with cashback from topcashback or quidco (see the referrals area), or you can pay the good people over @ haggle4me to do a darn good job finding you an excellent deal on whatever you end up deciding to buy.

And also, be aware that none of these devices can replace a laptop entirely!! Give it a few years .

Neato

I dont know of any phone that can fully replace a good enough laptop. But if I were you Id be looking at the 02 XDA range or the sony ericsson p990i which is due for release soon

SammySue

Hi. I hope that it is alright to add a similar question to this one.

I think that I need a blackberry or similar for checking my rental enquries for my holiday properties when I am away from home.

I know very little about mobile phones and have always had a PAYG Orange mobile phone.

Should I be looking into getting one on contract or is an unlocked mobile from somewhere like ebay a good idea? You can see that I am very confused to say the least!

I would appreciate any recommendations and suggestions.

Little_John

You won't find a pda or anything that will replace a laptop. the xda exec will look like one and is similar in size but it isnt somthing that can be used without a desktop/laptop of some kind.

I do like the windows mobile platform, it works for me and has done for the last 5 years I have tried a blackberry and played with the early palm systems. I like the simplicity of being able to use somthing that is very similar to my desktop and that is the main thing other people I know prefered aswell.

If you want to use them for web access then dont buy anything without 3G data access.
I have never paid for any of my PDA's I have always received them as free upgrades just by talking to Orange and asking for the phone/PDA I want free, I even got the brand new HTC touch out of them for nothing. It did go back as it was crap but never mind. If you intend buying a new one then you can pay quite a lot for them I would definatly consider going for a contract or try and buy one of the older models.

SammySue

Still a bit confused Little John but then it doesn't take much nowadays!

Do you think I should go along to my nearest Orange shop and see what they can offer me. Trouble is, not really knowing anything about contracts or mobile phones, I don't want to pay for things I don't really need. I just need to be able to access my emails and reply to them.

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I appreciate it.

ollyk

I just got an Orange E650 and apart from the speed (a bit laggy sometimes) I am real happy with it. Oh, and there is a mod to allow you to save excel / word documents but I haven't tried it yet.
It is able to fit in shirt pocket yet has a full sliding querty keyboard but well hidden has wifi and will play just about any video / movie file you can throw at it although customisation required.. I don't use it for email / browsing at the moment but I will when I get my wifi setup!
I wouldn't say any smartphone is a replacement for a laptop though!

Little_John

If all you want is sending and receiving email I would proberbly go for a blackberry, A PDA does so much more includeing Sat Nav with software and a GPS unit. it all depends what you want.

Look on the orange website see what is on offer on there then see what the other phone companies are offering. then go to their store and see what they will give you for signiing up for a new contract. not all stores will stock the less popular phones like PDA's and blackberrys.

SammySue

Thank you ollyk and LittleJohn, your advice is very helpful. I think that I need to go along to my local Orange shop and see what they can offer me.
Is it worth considering an unlocked Blackberry from ebay? I don't know if I still have to get a contract for it or if I can use my existing sim card I have in my PAYG phone.
You can see that I am very confused!

Little_John

The main thing for haveing a contract is that you need a data plan, orange have one I can't remember its name and there is web and walk on t mobile. O2 and Virgin also have the phones not just orange so see what packages they will offer.

I don't know the costs of data on a PAYG sim.

SammySue

Many thanks LittleJohn!