X3 vs smartphone use

[woodknot]

I am an oldtime X3 user and am looking to update.
With all the smartphones on the market would it make sense to use one of them instead of the limited number of PPCs available?
I do not need a cellphone but they have a lot of other features that would be handy like GPS etc.

[paulg1957]

I have thougt of getting a smartphone, but I have yet to find one that makes me want to give up my x3i.

The primary reason is that the x3i is more then simply a place I store contacts & appointments, it is the devise I use to take notes & make spreadsheets.
So I guess I'll keep it, or upgrade to an x30 but stay with the Dell.

[w3po]

Hello woodknot
I have gone that route and I am using a Nokia N95 which has replaced pretty much the X3i in all fronts. The X3i still works as well as the day I took it out of the box, and I am still using it from time to time. I just wish all my electronic has been as good and as reliable as the X3i though.

[Rishathra]

My X3i stopped responding awhile back, so this question became reality for me as I was already contemplating a new phone when this happened. I also used my Axim for spreadsheets, documents, etc... although not for e-mail.

I chose the T-Mobile Wing as that was my carrier. Overall, I'm happy with the choice, its nice to have the newer OS and assorted apps that go along with it. And only having to carry and sync one item is very convenient.

The major drawback is that I didn't find a single phone with a screen anywhere near the size of my Axim, which only gets more important as my eyes get older.

And here it is, about six months later, and I'm trying to get my Axim going again...

So the choice it obviously yours, just thought you might like to know.

[Frenchy]

I have an iPhone but the phone part is just a requirement for work. I use it mostly for everything else until I get or place a phone call.

[woodknot]

Thanks for the input. I'm glad to hear that some of you have similar problems. I also use my Axim for everything including schedules and maps. The large screen that I take for granted is very handy also as is the touch screen. I guess we didn't know how good we had it with those old Dells

[paulg1957]

I have to agree with you there. I know all the talk has been on 'convergence' which gave rise to the smartphone. Still none of them seem to have what I need when I need. The stylus various keyboards & Apple's 'touchscreen' monstrosity.

[EdrickV]

Really it depends on what you want to use it for. Even a regular phone may be able to do some of the same things a smartphone would do. I've got a Samsung SLM. It's not a smartphone by any stretch of the imagination, but with a data cable and software downloaded from Samsung's site I can sync it with Outlook so it's got all the schedule stuff from Calender and my Axim gets all my contact info from the phone. Opera Mini can be a better browser then Pocket IE on the Axim, and since it's cellular it works in places I don't have wifi. It's got a Notes app, but usually I write the notes on the Axim and read them on both. I can get maps/driving directions on the phone as well as do Yellow Pages lookups. Granted a lot of this stuff costs money if you don't have a data plan but I don't use the phone enough as a phone to use up the minutes I got so I don't use a data plan. (Though if I had one I could do more stuff like listen to XM radio, watch Youtube videos, and more.) I can do all that and more, and that's the kinda phone that would likely be free with a 2 year contract. I use the phone's calculator more then the Axim's, as long as I don't need to add percentages. (aka sales tax)

There are ways that a real PDA (and by that I mean touchscreen) is easier to use though. Mostly entering text is easier on a virtual keyboard and the number of apps for phones is much more limited then Pocket PCs.

[Rishathra]

I finally got tired of "trying" to show videos of my grandchildren on that little screen my Wing has. I found a nice, freshly refurbished X30 on Ebay. Whats an extra item to carry around (if I can remember it).

Yes, I really found the smaller screen that annoying for some applications, but not for all or even most. Really only for video and pictures, wanted to see the kids better as my eyes get older.

Something to consider.

[Rishathra]

BTW, I notice most replies are talking about "standard" smartphones, but there are also plenty of touchscreen choices available, including Blackberry, which I heard just released their 1st touch screen.

Again, pros and cons. Roll the dice and read the bones, then make your choice. Odds are you'll be second guessing yourself anyway :)