Should I swap Compact II for Wizard?

[Guest xspyda]

I know I am likely to come up against biased responses to this query having posted in this forum but I have a dilemma and would appreciate your views:

I currently have the MDA Compact II from T-Mob but am within the 7 day refund period and am seriously considering returning it for a Vario. However, I have previously had a Qtek 9100 and was not all that impressed with it. In fact I have tried many different phones but have always been drawn back to my trusty C500!

Now that the chance has arisen to get a free / cheap phone with the new tariff I have dumped Orange for, I can either take the freeby MDA Compact or add 49.99 for the Vario. Neither of which I am sure I will actually use as my main phone.

The Vario does seem to have a higher resale value than the Compact (I guess due to the in built WiFi) but is it an altogether better machine and worth putting up with the extra bulk for?

As I say, I have had the Qtek in the past but found the keyboard to be very fiddly and not much use. Is there anything that sets the Vario apart from the Qtek or is it exactly the same machine, just re-badged?

Come on folks - convince me ... 3 days and counting!

[Guest Pondrew]

Hmmm. Well for one thing the MDA Vario IS identical hardware to the Qtek version of the HTC Wizard. If you didn't get on with a Wizard before what makes you think you will now?

If you were talking about getting the Vario for free (same as the Compact II) I'd say go with the Vario BUT given you're talking about having to part with almost £50 I'd be inclined to say it's not worth it UNLESS you're desperate for the wifi...

[Guest xspyda]

If you didn't get on with a Wizard before what makes you think you will now?

Exactly as I was thinking, hence my request for clarification on the likeness of the two models. ;-)

given you're talking about having to part with almost £50 I'd be inclined to say it's not worth it UNLESS you're desperate for the wifi...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well the £50 wouldn't actually be wasted as it would buy more air time - the main point is whether I will prefer the phone and actually make use of the WiFi. As I will likely only use Internet connectivity for checking mail and simple wap pages, an inclusive GPRS allowance may well suffice, meaning I can stick with a compact machine.

What would be nice is if T-Mobile would release a ROM update that will allow the use of SDIO cards for WiFi ... but that's another topic entirely!

[Guest Pondrew]

What would be nice is if T-Mobile would release a ROM update that will allow the use of SDIO cards for WiFi ... but that's another topic entirely!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is indeed. And one that seems unfortunately to have gone quiet. Did member Aaronsoup ever shed light on how he was able to view available networks? Because to me that sounds like the Pretec SDIO wifi card was working fine in his MDA Compact II. The connectivity problems sounded like the regular setup issues all wifi HTC Pocket PC Phones have...

For those who have no idea what we're referring to and want to know more, click here

[Guest xspyda]

Did member Aaronsoup ever shed light on how he was able to view available networks?

Unfortunately not. I too thought it may just have been authentication issues etc from there but we have you to see a response to my questions posed.

that sounds like the Pretec SDIO wifi card was working fine in his MDA Compact II. The connectivity problems sounded like the regular setup issues all wifi HTC Pocket PC Phones have...

Indeed, and if this is the case I and I am sure a few others would love to know more. There is a member of various forums who goes by the name of 'kuul' (I think) who claims to have had it working also but his lack of willingness to share his info casts doubt on his claims IMO.

If Aaronsoup happens to pass by this thread - do give us an update. :-)