pda or a sidekick for surfing.

Yup, it is the plastic model thing bothering me.

[automotivetouchup]

A phone pda vs a tmobile side kick any thoughts?
I'm totaly new to this tech and would not accept the sales person's advice. He did not have any knowelde of ssl, java, modem speed is not actual download, ect.

The pda phone appeared not to have buttons to press. is a number dialed with a stylus pen? And what about a mouse? well can the stylus actually click on a image or link? and is it difficult to surf?

And a sidekick seemed to have a slightly larger screen. But what about clicking on a link? it only had buttons.

[ogletree]

I have used both.

The side kick is not a very good device. You can only install programs that t-mobile allows. Actually you don't even install programs they come from the server. T-mobile has complete control over the device. You can install a program and if they decide they don't want to pay license fees to whoever made it then they just take it off of your device. They have control of the device they update it without your stuff without your permission. They say that is a good thing because you can take the sim card out and put it into any side kick and all your stuff is there because they keep it on the server.

PDA
1. You get to use a stylus
2. You dial with stylus
3. You can install your own programs
4. You get all the pocket pc apps
5. You can use MSN and AOL messenger
6. You have to use a headset to make calls

Side Kick
1. No stylus only a scroll wheel
2. You can use it as a phone without headset but is awkward
3. You can only use AOL messenger
4. You can only use the very very limited number of programs that are approved by t-mobile at that second.
5. Has keyboard
6. You can dial using keyboard.

Outside of that they are pretty much the same. I may have missed some minor points but that should give you an idea.

Also you might look into the Nokia 9260. T-mobile makes and will only sell it to you with t-mobile service. You can only order it directly from them. You can get them on Ebay unlocked and use them with ATT or Xingler. (Any company that uses a sim). It is a little larger than both mentioned above. It's like a slim sunglasses case. That thing is nice. You can put a MMC card in it and it works a lot like a laptop. It is a proprietary OS.

If you have any more questions let me know.

[automotivetouchup]

Thanks ogletree!
One more question, does the pda phone have a large enough screen to read text? and can the sytlus actually click buttons?

[ogletree]

The screens are about the same size on most Pocket PC devices. I am talking general here. Most Pocket PC's will have a stylus that lets you click on the screen. If you want the pocket PC I would suggest one of the Spring ones. Some of them are not phones they are data only. Make sure you get one that is a phone.

[GaryK]

My experience with these PDA/cellphone hybrids is that often the LCD screen is placed such that it touches your cheekbone when you hold it to your ear. If you have oily skin like I do that means the screen gets gunked-up really fast. For that reason I went back to using a separate cellphone and PDA.

[ogletree]

I just found out that t-mobile has problems with the side kick. Mine went out they said "oh well they do that you need to get a new one." They say we will send you one next day mail for $15. I say ok. 2 days go by no side kick. I call them they say we are out of them you will just have to wait. After a long time on the phone and argueing they tell me I have to go to a specific mall on the other side of town to get a loaner. I go to the other side of town they say we don't loan sidekicks ever. More time on the phone they pretty much tell me I just got to wait. I go to the counter and say what is your return policy and say I would like to buy one and return it before the return policy runs out because I need one now. They oh well we have a black and white one we can loan you.

[Oaf357]

I have a Sidekick. For what I use it for it's perfect. Compact with a QWERTY keyboard. Sure, it doesn't have hardly any programs that come with it but if you want to work on excel spreadsheets on a screen this small then you go right ahead.

I've had great customer support from T-Mobile. I did have a defective Sidekick and they exchanged it no questions asked.

For surfing, e-mail, AIM, address book, calendar, notepad, and a to do list I've found nothing better.

[mivox]

The handspring Treo series has models with both a keyboard and touch screen... That would pretty much solve the phone-vs-pda dilemma, from what I've seen.

[ogletree]

Well I final got a new side kick. Actualy it was not new. Even though it is there fault that it broke and I have only had it a month they send me a reconditioned one with a scratch on the screen. I still have to wait a lot longer because they are out of them again. They refuse to give me a enw.

[automotivetouchup]

I had a nice chat with t-mobile tier-2 support with a problem for my old phone(tired of typing in my email and adress; i feel like those days of a rotary phone pressing #6 3 times to get the letter O)

Well anyway he said if you are kind of technical and like control than the pda phone is far superior to the sidekick in many ways including durability.

You do not need the pen to dial a number, just hit the phone button and large numbers pop up to dial with which was a concern of mine.

Kind of a joke, but is the google or alexa toolbar availible for it?

[stuntdubl]

I just bought a Sony PEG-UW-50 which seems very cool (still not sure if I am keeping it though due to the price).

With wireless access, and bluetooth, you can use another bluetooth phone for internet access. Might be a route to look into.

[automotivetouchup]

I played with a t-mobilre sidekick today at the store. It is actually pretty cool providing I only sufed(not talked) It did some weird stuff to tabular data. It made it all vertical. I looged into my order management program, but did not feel comfortable navigating. However, I was deeply impressed. When I was 15 the cool thing was having a beeper. I didn't have enought time to check it out thouroughly. They offered me a fair deal on a pda phone, but I could'nt play with one. Lookong forward to it.

[ogletree]

My second sidekick has gone down. Those things are junk. It is hard to get them to replace it.

[automotivetouchup]

I am sorry to hear that ogletree. To bad they look like a lot of fun too. The mini keyboard looked convenient too over the pda.

[automotivetouchup]

I would use this device as a phone too, I geuss the side kick may be out of the running. You have been out of one for some time ogletree. Did they give you a used or a brand new one?

[ogletree]

they will only give you a used one. I like it. It is the only device like it. I would not use it as a phone unless you like to use a headset. It words like a normal cell but it is real weird to hold that thing to your head. I may take another look at the nokia 9290. It is a little bigger.

[automotivetouchup]

Did you go with the nokia? or stay with the sidekick?

[automotivetouchup]

I was curious as to whats happening to your choice of phones. My old phone is lame, I need to upgrade soon. I was hoping for advise, I'm on the t-mobile network and the html browser on a camera phone is worthless. I need a phoone I can talk on and check my email easily(t-zones was sufficient, I run a website obviously) I was considering the sidekick becasuse it looked cool, had a keyboard, and the screen apeared slightly larger. The pda phone looked cool because it was more like a real phone, you can install your own programs, more durable, and you could more than likely transfer files.

All I'm looking for is to talk on it, keep a to do list and take simple homework assignments(still in school), check for important emails, and maybe surf the web, but more importantly check orders when away from the pc for long periods. Any Advise?

[Oaf357]

Go with the Pocket PC phone.

[ogletree]

I only use it for email so I stayed with the sidekick. The 9290 is just a little too big for my needs.