Best Smartphone/PPC for the world traveller

[Guest Alex_le_brit]

Hi all

I'm planning a rond the world trip for later this year and thought I'd take along my trusty E200 with me, but then I realised for sure there are better things out there these days.

So whilst I'm travelling I'm going to be regularly photoblogging, videoblogging, e-mailing, keeping a journal, all those kinds of things, and thought how good it would be to have something I could do all this on without needing to find an internet café all the time. So what's out there at the moment?

*Would a PPC be better than a smartphone? My guess is for image handling it would, plus they seem to take SD cards which is the same as my digital camera (useful) and which I've already got 10 of.

*What text input options do people think the best?

*Is there anything at all out there capable of plugging into a Satellite phone for data transfer when int he middle of the Russian Steppes?

*Is it truly possible to replace a basic laptop with a PPC or Smartphone yet?

Like I said it's early days yet, so the best option is probably just round the corner.

[Guest ChrisJM]

Would a PPC be better than a smartphone?

Yep, easier input of text also. The screen size is also a plus

What text input options do people think the best?

Defo keyboard, much easier. would reccomend the MDA Vario, KJam and other varients.

Is there anything at all out there capable of plugging into a Satellite phone for data transfer when int he middle of the Russian Steppes?

No idea!

*Is it truly possible to replace a basic laptop with a PPC or Smartphone yet?

Depends what you are looking to do, but for your needs then yea, i would say so.

Hope this helps! btw i would recommend the MDA Vario.

[Guest Pondrew]

Yep, like ChrisJM says the Vario would fill your needs as a Quad band Pocket PC Phone with small form factor. Or if you don't need the wifi and keyboard you could go for the new MDA Compact II as it's also Quad band.

[Guest Alex_le_brit]

Thanks guys I think the wifi would be good I'm not so certain about the dinky keyboards on some of these though. More tempted by a bluetooth keyboard and a stand I think. Unless they'll take my old eleksen flexible keyboard? I quite like using that still.