Hi:
I'm an attorney and need a PDA type smart phone, the regular phone just won't cut it any more.
Two important issues for me are the ability to listen to music (preferably with a standard headset jack) and the ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook features.
Of course, I'd like a phone that has decent sound quality during calls and is easy to use with lots of features. The iPhone looks great, but I'm not sure if it has an extensive address book, and the plan is too expensive (plus Verizon doesn't offer it).

I've seen this topic addressed here b4, but was wondering if there are any new thoughts.

1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do you use today?
NONE

2. Are you locked into a mobile carrier (i.e. Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, etc.), or do you prefer a particular carrier? Do you know if one carrier has better coverage in places that you need to be? (PLEASE SEE THE CARRIER NOTE BELOW)
Want to stay with Verizon


3. Where are you based? Do you stay in one place or travel a lot? Do you travel internationally... how much and where? Do you intend to use your PDAPhone there?

Metro NYC area, not much travel

4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, Smartphone OS, Blackberry, etc.?

Any OS that uses Windows programs, i.e., word, excel

5. Are you likely to run it the way it came out of the box, or do you intend to load a whole lot of extra applications and stuff on it? Do you know of anything now that you will need to run?
Not sure

6. How important is wireless data access, and for what would you use it? (i.e. Web browsing, VPN, Remote termnial Access, Instant messaging, etc)?
not too important

7. Will you need to view Microsoft Office documents on the PDAPhone? Will you need to edit them?
Yes

8. Will you need access to an email system?
a)Is it corporate (Exchange, Groupwise,Lotus, Other?) What Version? Do you want email wirelessly or do you want to do it in the office with a sync cable/cradle? Can you get your Corporate email configured for mobile access or do you need to run a desktop redirector?
b)Is it Pop3/Imap? Who is the service provider?
don't need access to email, but may on occassion

9. Do you do SMS messaging a lot (telephone to telephone messaging)?
sometimes, not too much

10. Do you want to use a GPS with the PDAPhone for mapping and navigation?
Not too important

11. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?
Function over size, but not too big

12. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?
belt if not too big

13. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?

14. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, numeric dial-pad, or stylus?
Like them all

15. Do you want to play a lot of video games on the PDAPhone? What kinds - puzzles, strategy, action adventure, etc.?
No
16. Do you want to listen to music on the PDAPhone? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?
Yes

17. Do you want a camera on the PDAPhone?
Yes

18. Do you have any other hardware you intend to use with the PDAPhone? Do you intend to use any Bluetooth devices? What types of devices?
Would like to use a standard headset, w/o adapter - but its not a deal breaker


19. What kind of battery life do you need?(Always near a charger, battery life is not an issue or Need the battery to last several days) How many hours do you expect to spend talking on the phone? How many hours of data?(Web browsing, push email, VPN, IM etc)
Who doesnt want long battery life

20. What are your budget limits (PDAPhones range in price from below $100 for older used models to nearly $1000 for high end models without a carrier subisidy)?
dont want to spend > $300

I'm not sure what your question is since you've answered those you've posted.

From the thread title, I'm guessing you're asking what to choose between the I760 an VX6800.

It's simply too subjective a question. You should go and look, touch, use each and make the choice based on your likes/dislikes of each.

I've found that most users on these boards take on an almost obsessive bias to their purchase decisions, so your likely going to get biased responses.

I'm sure both units (and others not mentioned) have good and bad points. Hence the need for you to look for yourself.

I can say, without a doubt, that you're primary need noted (MS document reading and editing) is really impractical on the tiny form factor of these phones except for casual and emergency reading and the most basic of editing.

You will go batty trying to do "real" editing on these tiny things.

I would recommend a good UMPC if this is your primary need.

However, if you're game to make a go at a mobile office, I would highly recommend the www.softmaker.de MS document software with whatever device you buy. It's slow but arguably the best mobile doc software out there.

Good Luck ...

I guess you're right when it comes to MS document editing. I really on need the phone to have that capability for emergency editing, not the real thing. But now I've noticed that the Verizon XV6900 is out and is the replacement for the XV6800. Is it fair to say that they ironed out whatever kinks may have existed in the 6800? Might this not be a better option over the 6800 or the Samsung?

6900 is smaller/thinner. It doesn't have a keyboard, so you have to use an on-screen keyboard. It does have more memory vs. the i760.

6800 is not the most popular device among users, IMHO. i760 is a better device, IMHO.

If you want/need a keyboard, I'd go with the i760. If not, the XV6900.

But if you're willing to wait 2 months or so, I'd wait for the Diamond/Raphael. More information on Touch Diamond and Raphael for both Sprint and Verizon (Phone Arena)

__________________
Jeremiah 29:11

I have no problem waiting 2 months. I'll check it out, thanks for the link.

If you aren't married to Verizon and will entertain other carriers, take a look at the Tilt from AT&T. Or, for that matter, the Touch Diamond that's also out. Both are very capable phones, both have the features you're looking for, but you won't find them for VZW.

Although I wish I could dump Verizon, no other carrier has good service in my area. Does anyone know when the Diamond or Diamond Pro will be availble for Verizon?

Read above review... It has all you need to know on releases. Though long and short is Verizon will not have the Damond its built for Sprint

yes, I saw that, but I thought HTC was putting out a Touch model for Verizon. Maybe it was the Touch Pro?