HTC Athena Advantage (X7501, Unlocked)
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"The most powerful "phone" ever" on by RuzaRoos
Pros: Very fast, beautiful screen
Cons: Big and pricey
Summary: This is the perfect device for a sys admin or hardcore gadget nerd. If you have a windows mobile device and find yourself wishing for a bigger screen, your wish has been granted. The screen is what makes the device special. VGA out is just a bonus. Slingbox in your pocket (well maybe not your pocket) at 640x480 across 5". Gotomypc in your pocket with font legibility on a 1024x768 host with mouse support via Bluetooth. Google maps with GPS. I can go on forever. If you spend a lot of time remoting into machines and are on call 24x7, this is a life changing device. The review will probably compare it to a laptop because it costs as much as an OK one and twice as much as a cheap one; but it isn't as powerful on its own. However, when this device is paired with Gotomypc or VPN+Terminal Services over 3G or WiFi, the possibilities become apparent for those of us who rely on those technologies. The size is only a problem if you don’t like carrying a bag. Don’t try a belt clip please. It’s unlocked so just pop your SIM in and you’re ready to go. The iPhone is more fun but if you need to get work done on your mobile, this is the phone to get.
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"HTC's got a good start in this market" on by JanisKFP
Pros: Do-it-all device, 5" screen + wm6
Cons: Microdrive. Camera. Drivers.
Summary: XP/Vista & Linux umpcs don't offer a full day of battery with instant on (and a full boot of about 1-1.5 minute/s). Via browser, I can control my XP PC anyway. Mobile software is much less expensive, and can do just about everything Windows compatible software can do (except write music easily. WM6 Finale or Sibelius, anyone? Web design? Mostly. Tune pianos? Yes. Office anything? Absolutely, sometimes better. Graphics? yep.)
This is WM6 device, and in my book is more of an oversized phone than a pared down PC, but HTC has had a good start finding the middle line.
For HTC this unit is a just a start on the venue. The microdrive is antiquated and unrelaible. It also sucks battery charge like none I've seen, or read about, primarily because the driver written for it bites. the drivers written/used for the display aren't great either, but the display itself is gorgeous.
I think the speaker phone is the best I've heard, and I've gotten lots of compliments on the mic. It pairs and works excellently BT headsets very well. Ones with built-in caller ID & A2DP stereo, like the Jabra BT8010 are well-suited, so I haven't had the need to even try to hold it to my head, or even use the wired headset for mp3 listening, movies, etc.
I like the x7501 kbd well enough, but, like the new x7510, it doesn't lock into place - the magnet, although nifty and *very* fast to connect (I open my leather case and it's attached, sometimes even when I don't want it to be), it doesn't let me walk around with it carelessly while typing. I suspect the whole keyboard thing, including the rather lame layout, to improve substantially in newer models of this sort of device.
The camera, like all HTC cameras (or so I've heard) is an adequate phone camera, but that's about it. I was hoping for something decent to match the 3mp, but no go. Colors are way off, light reading is sub-par, the flash is a phone flash, so it's almost useless. The 3mp is a sales gimmick, but hey, for a phone....
Wait for the x7510. It sports flash memory instead of the God-awful microdrive, a "better" keyboard, and hopefully better drivers.
IMHO, umpc and phone manufacturers will never understand that a good camera, with image stabilization and 7-10 mp, would sell a unit, pocket pc or umpc, by itself. Someday "easy-share" really will be.
Being a WM6 fan and a regular on the xda-developers website (forum), the thing I miss most, vs. the other HTC devices, is a truly sufficient number of attached (not on the kbd) hardware keys.
If you know someone who is too visually impared or has too much trouble with small touch screens to use a QVGA PDA-phone, This is the PERFECT device in its native 96dpi mode. As the tech-savy crowd ages, this sort of device will prove very useful.
To make the most of this nice-but-not-perfect device, get a big SDHC card and check out the xda-developers website. -
"Very good piece of technology" on by junulriko
Pros: beautiful large screen, faster OS, big memory capacity
Cons: a bit heavy but tolerable
Summary: I just purchased the unit two days ago, and find it very good. Screen is large and very nice considering only with 262K colors. For two days, I already get used to it very well especially the available functions and features. highly recommended for those who do not have yet high end pda or smartphone.. Shall I say, it has its own character making it on the top... Cons.. quite heavy and big for a phone but for my size no problem..
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"badass phone" on by KingCritic300
Pros: it has everything
Cons: it does everything
Summary: this phone can do anything and who cares about the key board
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"EXCELLENT Design - Device - BEST PPC I've Owned!" on by ArchiMark2
Pros: Large, Bright, Sharp Display - Responsive Performance - Built-In WiFI/BT - Large Storage Space - Exclnt Design - Leather Case
Cons: Lightweight Stylus - Just a bit too big for pocket
Summary: This is a wonderfully designed handheld device. I did not buy X701 to use a phone. Already have a cellphone...
But I did buy it to have a carry everywhere, instant-on 'micro-computer' that can connect to the net via WiFi and has BT connection too.
Been using it for about 2 weeks and it works great, a real pleasure to use...
Keyboard is a bit different but after a day got used to it.
Have had too many little handheld devices over the years to list them all, but I've had them all from Newtons, Palms, HPC's, PPC's, and Zaurii and this one is the nicest combination of size, performance, and features.
If you want a great lil' handheld this is the ticket. However, if your priority is a phone then it may not be the one for you...
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