Hi there. As I'm sure some of you have seen, Sprint is offering the Q for (only!) $30. As I'm due for a new phone, I thought this would be a great opportunity to jump into the realm of PDA. Like any good consumer in today's market, I wasted the day reading every review I could get my hands on. From soaring to stink, it seems everyone has an opinion on the Q. As this is the one website I've found that seems to have a consistently educated and helpful user base, I thought I'd ask my questions here.

First, the particulars of my situation. I'm currently using an entry level Sanyo purchased in 2004 (yep, still runnin') as a replacement for a newer phone that met with an untimely demise. While I don't have specific experience with PDAs, I am well versed in the general functioning of computers. I don't plan on adding data service right off the bat, but I most likely will when my finances permit, to take advantage of email, etc. My service would be through Sprint.

My concerns with the Q (based off what I've read in reviews):
1) Freezes. I've read more reviews than I care to count about lockups/freezes/etc, both at startup and during calls. What is the general consensus about this? I know there's been several BIOS (I suppose that's what it's called...ROM, OS, whatever) upgrades since release. Do one of these improve stability? I know that anything as tightly packed as a PDA might encounter issues from time to time, but I don't want my basic phone service constantly disturbed just in the name of extra features.

2) Battery Life. The market reviews I read pegged it between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, but many user reviews complained about battery problems (not holding a charge, inconsistent charging). I understand that as more and more is crammed into thinner spaces, battery life is going to suffer. I'm more interested in overall battery issues and inconsistencies, either due to design or software, and possible fixes.

3) No Data Connection. Since I won't be getting a data feed right off the bat, I'm wondering if there are any possible issues the Q might have not being online, or whether it functions fine, just without the connectivity.

4) PC Connectivity. It's my understanding that syncing up to a PC isn't very hard with the Q. What I'm wondering about is how much flexibility I'll have without being able to connect to the internet (initially). Is it possible to download programs to my PC and transfer them to the Q, or do I have to do it through the Q?

5) Recourse. By which I mean 'what to do if I get a lemon'. Since all the phones I've owned thus far have been simple, entry level phones, I haven't had much call to deal with Sprint as far as problems. I know they offer a 30 day return policy, but if problems arise after that, am I stuck shelling out more money for something else, or does either Sprint or Motorola offer some sort of replacement if my Q up and dies on me?

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I'm just hoping to get some of these questions answered before making a final decision. I'd love to step up to the extra functionality of the Q, especially at this price. I just don't want to be chasing my tail for months if it's a crapshoot as far as being a solid, reliable device. Thanks in advance for any input.