12 replies to this topic

[jklondon]

Has anyone tried the new MDA Vario? The keyboard looks very useful, thinking of upgrading or buying a new one – good price on the 18th month contract here:

http://www.zeewee.co..._MDA_Vario.html

[Pondrew]

Buy directly from T-Mobile and you'll get 12months half price off (slightly over half price actually) which is double the six months that site is offering.

[FragMeister]

If i were in the market to get a Magician or Wizard, I would definitely get a Wizard. Although it is marginally heavier, and thicker, the other dimensions are similar.

The large keyboard is easily useable to type, plus it has WM5.

I have raved about the Wizard so much at work, there are already 2 of my friends with one (from t-mobile on web'n'walk - they are paying less than me a month - with 40mb of data)

the final magician beater is WIFI!

The Wizard is everything we had wished for in the 2nd generation Magician!

[Br1an_g]

yeh, i think the vario is a good device..

thinking of myself as a change primarily to see if the keyboard would get as much use as i think it would.  texting is a bit of a chore on my s110.

[FragMeister]

If you are still deciding, I would suggest holding on a few months longer, as the only downside of the Vario (Wizard) is the feeble processor.

HTC have a new version (which also has 3G and 2 cameras) which has the same Intel 416mhz processor as the Magician

- thats what i'm holding out for!

[tik]

How does the Vario hold up to Skype?

[Webreaper]

Vario is basically the XDA Mini S.

handy review here:

  http://www.the-gadge...pocket_pc_phone

I'll be getting mine in about 10 days.... I wanted the M600, but if it's going to be August I can't wait that long...

Edited by awarner [MVP], 02 March 2006 - 02:41 PM.

[blueflash]

Webreaper, on Mar 2 2006, 12:28, said:

I'll be getting mine in about 10 days.... I wanted the M600, but if it's going to be August I can't wait that long...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

where have you heard august, I though the M600 was due soon, but aren't they pretty much the same anyone except m600 has no keyboard?

[Webreaper]

Most of the boards where I've read anything seem to think that whilst Orange say 'Spring 2006' and imply April, a more realistic target for handsets to get through to customers is mid-summer.

And yes, the M600 is like the XDA Mini S without the keyboard. But it's got a faster processor and SDIO instead of Mini-SD. Not much else in it though, and having played with the XDA Mini S last week, it's really grown on me - and the keyboard would be useful....

[andysalmon]

Hope my view counts for something...I've just gone from an MDA Compact to an MDA Vario. Things I've noticed:

1. The processor is slower, but not by much
2. If you use the Vario in a case like me, it is MUCH qucker to use the on board screen.
3. I don't know if it's processor related but WM5 is quite flaky. There are LOTS of bug fixes and work arounds on the net that M$ haven't released themselves. I for one am fed up with WM5.
4. The mini SD although not a problem is bit of a pain. Using my card reader, I have to put it in the adapter then use it. Small gripe I know.
5. It's about a 1/3 thicker than the Compact/Jamin

Mine's on T Mob. I enquired if I could swap it for a new Compact but they don't have it any more (I didn't want the II). If I were in the same position now I would wait for the Jamin on whatever network.

[Webreaper]

Hmm. Your post doesn't quite stack up there.

Quote

2. If you use the Vario in a case like me, it is MUCH qucker to use the on board screen.

So what you're saying is that it's quicker to use the screen rather than the keyboard. So the keyboard is a bonus - but having it isn't actually a problem.

Quote

I don't know if it's processor related but WM5 is quite flaky. There are LOTS of bug fixes and work arounds on the net that M$ haven't released themselves. I for one am fed up with WM5. snip..... if I were in the same position now I would wait for the Jamin on whatever network.

So your main gripe about the Vario appears to be the unreliability of WM5, yet if you were in the same position now you'd wait and get a device which runs WM5?!?   :?:

[andysalmon]

No the post wasn't a general dislike of the Vario, but for me the Compact did it better. The magpie in me wanted the Vario.

Having the keyboard is a bonus for some. I have gotten used the the on screen one after 18 months and can type much faster on that and don't have to take it out of it's case.

The idea behind waiting is simple. There are 2 reasons:

1. WM5 should be more stable by then.
2. If a 200 MHz processor was fast enough for WM5 (416MHz for the compact) why then do all the new devices have more powerful processors- like the Jamin.

I think you'll be better placed to evidence your opinions when you've actually owened and used the devices for a period of time, not just trying one out.

[Webreaper]

Hey, relax, I wasn't criticising, was just confused. I'm trying to evaluate what device I'm going to get, and you're saying the problem with the Vario (or XDA Mini S) is WM5, but then going on to say you'd prefer the Prophet-based device - which runs WM5. You didn't justify the comment with reference to the processor etc., so it didn't make sense.

And I'm not evidencing my opinions, I'm just trying to make sense of yours.