Guest JulianL Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I was all set to go for an E-Ten X500 until I discovered that it doesn't work on T-Mobile. It is really important for me to be able to get on a network with an attractive unlimited-use internet package and right now, in the UK, that's either 3 with the £5 package or T-Mobile with the £7.50 "Web 'n Walk" package. The other things that are really important to me are the size and battery life of the device (and to some extent the weight too) which is what really attracted me to the X500. It seems to me that I have 2 ways to go, I could either settle on another GPRS/EDGE device that does work on T-Mobile and has comparable battery life and size/weight to the X500 or else I could wait for a suitable 3G device (the X800 looks like a candidate as long as it does work on 3's network and assuming that, with the extra features, they haven't killed the battery life). So, I have a couple of questions. What other devices might I look at as an X500 alternative that works on T-Mobile's network? I have been a PDA user for 9 years now and I actively don't want a device with a slide-out keyboard, I'd far prefer a device that is thinner and lighter because I'm perfectly comfortable writing on the screen. I am aware of T-Mobile's own (HPC-derived) MDA Compact III but that one annoys me because they disabled the Wi-Fi in it. Any other ideas? Waiting for a 3G device seems a pretty attractive option, it shouldn't be too long a wait, but I am really concerned about battery life. I suppose the effect of the VGA-resolution screen on the X800 is a question more appropriate for the E-Ten forum but, as a generic question, does anyone have any idea how connecting to the internet via a 3G data connection compares to connecting with a GPRS/EDGE connection as far as power consumption is concerned? Is 3G more, less or about the same drain on a device's battery? My guess would be that it's going to be more power efficient because, even if it uses twice the power, then the increased data transfer speed is going to more than cancel that out. Then again, how much background traffic happens even when not actively connected that might affect things? Does anyone have any thoughts or real life experience on this? - Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul (MVP) Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Your options as I see it are... - Wait for the X500 GPRS update (due soon, i'm testing it) and then use an X500 on T-Mobile - Buy an X500+ (X500 with VGA), assuming it works on T-Mo (mine should be here this week) - Get the best phone you can free on T-Mo, sell it on eBay and buy something more suitable (e.g. a HTC P3600) There's no doubt using a 3G connection munches through battery much faster than a 2G connection. For this reason alone, I have my SPV M700 set to 2G only most of the time. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest magic_peanuts Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 (edited) It is really important for me to be able to get on a network with an attractive unlimited-use internet package and right now, in the UK, that's either 3 with the £5 package or T-Mobile with the £7.50 "Web 'n Walk" package. The other things that are really important to me are the size and battery life of the device (and to some extent the weight too) which is what really attracted me to the X500. Firstly forget 3. I was one the first subscribers to whole big 3G idea and it was terrible (and very expensive £60 a month or something) Then one drunken Saturday afternoon about 2 years later I stumbled into Carphone Warehouse and like an idiot signed up again as I liked the look of a phone (can't even remember what it was now) but the service was just as bad. If you're going to be using a lot of data, forget 2.5G/GPRS (and I think only Vodafone support EDGE in the UK), you need 3G, it is noticeably faster. So T-Mobile is your only realistic option. By far and away the best way of getting access to the best range of devices is to get a high value consumer phone like the N95 and flog it on eBay. Listing your criteria (3G / small dimensions / no keyboard) on pdadb.net gives the following devices: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&a...666&id9=533 most of which in one way or another are variations of the HTC Trinity (P3600). I personally love HTC devices, well made and very well supported. Battery life - well there is no doubt that 3G devices use up the battery quicker. I bash the hell out of my Ameo every day for data (Slingbox / remote desktop / Skype / MSN / browsing 3-4 hours a day) but it will get through a full 24 hours without charging which for me anyway is all I ask. I don't know about the P3600 battery life on 3G but there's no reason why it shouldn't get through at least 24 hours; my M3100 which has the faster 3G, HSDPA, used to last 36 hours or more with similar usage as above. Anyway, hope that helps a bit. Edit: Amended shocking grammar! Edited May 17, 2007 by magic_peanuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul (MVP) Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Moved to Pocket PC General Discussion. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr_Kev Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 There's no doubt using a 3G connection munches through battery much faster than a 2G connection. For this reason alone, I have my SPV M700 set to 2G only most of the time How do ya manage that Paul....Ive got a Trinity with latest HTC ROM and a few "hacks" from xda-developers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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