In response to a previous call for reviews, I wanted to take a few moments and explain why I chose to replace my trusty Treo 650 with a new Treo 755p, rather than a particular new product from Steve Jobs.
For starters, let me preface this by saying I will be as positive as possible about the entire experience. I realize that my experience with two companies played a role in decisions made, and that each consumer has a different experience with the various cell companies. But I digress...
I did a lot of research before making an upgrade. I was already a user on the network that would be carrying the iPhone, so I did some serious research into the pros and cons of the device. I had become dissatisfied with the coverage in my area, however, both in data and talk coverage. Considering that days would go by without notice of a received voice mail and the customer service response was something to the effect of "sorry, your coverage area will not be upgraded on the old network, but you could get a 3G device, that might help a little," I decided that I should make a carrier change. I have always loved my Treo, so even considering the option of switching to something else did not sit well with me.
So I went to the store, switched providers and got a new Treo 755p. I can't be happier! It still has the actual QWERTY keypad, which despite my fat fingers is a perfect fit for me (virtual keyboards have proven unsuccessful for me more than once). It has plenty of memory for all of my applications as well as the expandable miniSD slot for all of your music, photos and whatever else (this is a HUGE upgrade over the exposed SD slot on the 650 and 700, which caused me to lose an SD card in the Detroit snow once or twice). As PJ Arts outlined, the data speeds are great compared even with the 700p on the same network. I love the feel of the 755p in my hand, as the new case is a soft yet spectacular upgrade. It comes with support for all of your MS Office docs out of the box with DataViz DocstoGo, as well as having the brilliantly capable Google Maps (complete with turn by turn directions) installed on the ROM.
I weighed the pros and cons of the Treo over Apple's new device, and I went with the Treo because of the following:
- real keyboard
- Opera Mini, a free download, handles web pages on a full scale like a native computer browser
- neither has GPS and both have Google Maps, which is a wash
- Palm OS, while dated, has thousands of applications that improve and enhance the user experience and functionality
- full support for Office docs as well as syncing with Outlook
- PalmBackup software that allows users to backup Palm information such as contacts, memos, etc.
- PocketTunes and mOcean allow users to sync their devices with their computer-based media players, similar to the iPod/iPhone feature with iTunes.
Overall, I can't think of a device that would make me replace my Treo 755p. The things that make me love it are not available in devices such as the iPhone and the costs of something like the Nokia N95 are not easy for me to justify. On top of that, the GSM network in my area is so poor that having a high-end device that has little to no coverage is insanity. I agree with those who hope that the iPhone will force Palm to be more innovative and step forward as leaders in the smartphone/handleld computer/multimedia device, but I have come to realize that Palm's current products are more than sufficient to meet my needs and wants today and looking into the future.