Vario II owners - buying advice requested!

[Guest sandwiches]

In the next few days I'm either going to get myself a T-Mobile MDA Vario II or a Nokia E61. Until yesterday, when I had a play with an E61, I was sure I wanted the Vario II however there's now some niggling doubts.

The E61:

- More stable OS which is less complicated to use

- Better battery life

- Cheaper

- Native Apple iSync support (no need to shell out extra on Missing Sync)

Whereas the Vario II

- Has a camera

- More 3rd party software (including Google Maps!)

- Looks nicer / fits better in a pocket

Could someone please answer me some questions to help my decision-making:

1. I read a blog somewhere in which the writer complained about the touchscreen on his Vario II staying active during a call, meaning he was always selecting options/cutting people off with his cheek as he held the phone to his ear. Is this normal?

2. One feature I like about Nokias is the ability to switch the phone off at night and for it to 'wake up' for an alarm in the morning. Obviously, WM devices don't switch off so I assume the way around this is to turn all the connections off in the connections manager and that the alarm would still go off in the morning?

3. I have read of people having problems syncing the Vario II to a Mac even with Missing Sync. Is this a common problem?

4. If you could tell me one more reason why the Vario II is a better buy than the E61, what would it be?

Thank you! You might make a WM convert of me yet! ;)

[Guest jimbouk]

1) You simply turn the screen off with the power button during calls - or set the screen to go off after 30 secs anyway

2) You can put the phone in flight mode overnight.

3) Dont know anything about syncing with macs

4) I actually dont like Symbian - but I havent tried an e61. The V2 will take WM6...

[Guest sandwiches]

1) You simply turn the screen off with the power button during calls - or set the screen to go off after 30 secs anyway

2) You can put the phone in flight mode overnight.

3) Dont know anything about syncing with macs

4) I actually dont like Symbian - but I havent tried an e61. The V2 will take WM6...

Thanks! Anyone else have any thoughts?

[Guest tpedge]

The only downside to using a WM device with a Mac (apart from the stigma :D) is to do with installing software. Syncing works fine through The Missing Sync or PocketMac but having used both I wouldn't recommend the latter.

When you install software if there isn't a .CAB file available you're basically out of luck. There are the occasional .EXE files that run from the handheld but generally they are to be installed through activesync from a Windows PC and I've yet to find a way of doing it from my PowerBook. Having said that most developers seem to realise this and release both versions.

I had an M3100 breifly before moving to T-Mobile for their data deals and I've been very impressed with the Vario II as I prefer it's button layout. However mine seems to have a faulty battery. ;)

Edited April 10, 2007 by tpedge

[Guest sandwiches]

Just to let you know, I went for the Vario II in the end - I got a great upgrade deal (cheaper than a new customer price!). Loving it so far. The touchscreen being active during a call is no problem as I have found it doesn't even touch my face during calls!

Syncing with Missing Sync was simple too.

I've joined the WM club! ;)

[Guest sandwiches]

When you install software if there isn't a .CAB file available you're basically out of luck. There are the occasional .EXE files that run from the handheld but generally they are to be installed through activesync from a Windows PC and I've yet to find a way of doing it from my PowerBook. Having said that most developers seem to realise this and release both versions.

Luckily I also have a PC so everything's good on that front!