Palm Treo 600 Smartphone
- Processor: 144 MHz Arm
- Installed Memory: 32 MB
- Operating System: Palm OS
- Design: Mobile
- Style: Smartphone
- Network Type: GSM 850 GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900 GPRS GSM
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El Treo Es Numero Uno (Review is in English)
Pros
The perfect size, tons of features, speaker phone, internet access
Cons
new ones aren't cheap, battery is permanent, poor digital camera
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The Treo 600 is the perfect combination of size and functionability. If you like the Palm OS and find yourself juggling a phone and PDA, this is the perfect companion.
In my opinion the Treo 600 (and 650) is to date the most perfect combination of size and ability in a PDA/phone. I purchased it because I constantly found myself leaving my PDA at home or in the car when I could have really used it. Since I always keep my phone on me, now I always have my PDA as well.
Out of the Box
I fell in love with the Treo as soon as I laid hands on it. It's sleek and compact yet has a screen big enough to read articles on without scrolling every other sentence. The thumb keyboard was surprisingly easy to work with despite the super tiny buttons. While it does not have a flip cover or sleeve, it comes with a protective film you apply to the screen and the buttons are always locked so you don't accidentally call someone in Zimbabwe. The four shortcut buttons above the keyboard are programmable and make it quick and easy to get around. I also love the four directional navigation button that keeps me from pulling out the stylus every 5 seconds.
Using the Phone
The screen layout for the phone is extremely simple. The basic ten number keys are large enough to use your finger on the screen, even though I usually use the numbers on the keyboard. The Treo can save a phone number for every key on the keyboard, which means you can call up to 28 numbers with the touch of one button. I love that! You can also dial numbers straight out of the address book. On the side of the phone are an up and a down button that control the volume of your ear piece and ringer. The 600 also has speaker phone, although half the people I've tried to talk to while using it say they can't hear me. Bummer...it's still nice to use while you're on hold.
Handspring Functions
The rest of the Treo 600 runs on a Palm Operating System which works like any other Palm Pilot or Handspring. Since I transitioned to the Treo from a Handspring, it was a perfect fit for me. It still has the phone book, calendar, memo pad, to-do list, and more. The calendar is by far the most useful tool to me as I am able to schedule thousands of events and reminders with alarms. This is really the only reason I wanted the Treo, because carrying a phone and a PDA is just so 20th Century. I can easily navigate through the calendar, memo pad, and other tools while talking with someone on the phone tool. This makes it really easy to look up phone numbers for the person I'm talking to or schedule an event we've planned.
Extra Features
As I'm sure you've noticed, the 600 comes equipped with a digital camera. Now, I've had the privilege of using the newer Treo 650 and have ever since been very disappointed in the 600's camera abilities. It is a very basic camera that only shoots halfway decently in the sunlight. It does not have zoom or a flash and even the best pictures look dark and fuzzy. But HEY, it's got a camera! Just don't buy the Treo for this feature alone. Another cool feature is offered through Sprint's Business Connection software. With this I'm able to check e-mail from my computer at the office and look through files on my hard drive. So far the only files I've been able to open with the Treo from my computer have been ".doc".
Syncing Up
The Treo 600 syncs to your computer just like any other Palm device. The software allows you to sync your calendar, address book, memo's, and to-do lists through the Palm Desktop software or Microsoft Outlook. It may sync with Lotus notes too, but I only use Outlook.
Surfing the Web
With the help of Sprint's PCS Vision, I'm able to get on-line from anywhere with signal strength. I use it primarily to check my bank account and credit card balances. I've even paid a bill or two with it. Loading time is always terrible as with any PDA and I've found that some sites will not load at all because of their size, like Ebay.
Problems
As I mentioned before, the digital camera is nothing to write home about. The Treo 650 has added several new features that make the camera much more desirable. Finding a suitable case or sleeve is a little difficult, especially if you don't want to buy one of Palm's custom fit holders. I found a nice hip-clip sleeve at CompUSA for cheap. Typing on the thumb keyboard can get a little frustrating, but shouldn't be too bad as long as you're not typing your doctoral thesis with it. Either way, it sure beats trying to use graffiti. The battery is permanently enclosed in the Treo (unlike the 650), but I only charge it every other day. Cost is the only other issue, but thanks to the newer 650, you can find great deals on the 600 on Ebay.
My Recommendation
The Treo 600 is truly a massive advance in mobile technology and I know that it makes my life easier. If you like the Palm software and find yourself juggling a phone and a PDA, the 600 is going to be your new best friend. I have looked at the 650 and have found the screen to be much clearer and slightly easier to navigate, but it wasn't enough to justify the higher price.
Out of the Box
I fell in love with the Treo as soon as I laid hands on it. It's sleek and compact yet has a screen big enough to read articles on without scrolling every other sentence. The thumb keyboard was surprisingly easy to work with despite the super tiny buttons. While it does not have a flip cover or sleeve, it comes with a protective film you apply to the screen and the buttons are always locked so you don't accidentally call someone in Zimbabwe. The four shortcut buttons above the keyboard are programmable and make it quick and easy to get around. I also love the four directional navigation button that keeps me from pulling out the stylus every 5 seconds.
Using the Phone
The screen layout for the phone is extremely simple. The basic ten number keys are large enough to use your finger on the screen, even though I usually use the numbers on the keyboard. The Treo can save a phone number for every key on the keyboard, which means you can call up to 28 numbers with the touch of one button. I love that! You can also dial numbers straight out of the address book. On the side of the phone are an up and a down button that control the volume of your ear piece and ringer. The 600 also has speaker phone, although half the people I've tried to talk to while using it say they can't hear me. Bummer...it's still nice to use while you're on hold.
Handspring Functions
The rest of the Treo 600 runs on a Palm Operating System which works like any other Palm Pilot or Handspring. Since I transitioned to the Treo from a Handspring, it was a perfect fit for me. It still has the phone book, calendar, memo pad, to-do list, and more. The calendar is by far the most useful tool to me as I am able to schedule thousands of events and reminders with alarms. This is really the only reason I wanted the Treo, because carrying a phone and a PDA is just so 20th Century. I can easily navigate through the calendar, memo pad, and other tools while talking with someone on the phone tool. This makes it really easy to look up phone numbers for the person I'm talking to or schedule an event we've planned.
Extra Features
As I'm sure you've noticed, the 600 comes equipped with a digital camera. Now, I've had the privilege of using the newer Treo 650 and have ever since been very disappointed in the 600's camera abilities. It is a very basic camera that only shoots halfway decently in the sunlight. It does not have zoom or a flash and even the best pictures look dark and fuzzy. But HEY, it's got a camera! Just don't buy the Treo for this feature alone. Another cool feature is offered through Sprint's Business Connection software. With this I'm able to check e-mail from my computer at the office and look through files on my hard drive. So far the only files I've been able to open with the Treo from my computer have been ".doc".
Syncing Up
The Treo 600 syncs to your computer just like any other Palm device. The software allows you to sync your calendar, address book, memo's, and to-do lists through the Palm Desktop software or Microsoft Outlook. It may sync with Lotus notes too, but I only use Outlook.
Surfing the Web
With the help of Sprint's PCS Vision, I'm able to get on-line from anywhere with signal strength. I use it primarily to check my bank account and credit card balances. I've even paid a bill or two with it. Loading time is always terrible as with any PDA and I've found that some sites will not load at all because of their size, like Ebay.
Problems
As I mentioned before, the digital camera is nothing to write home about. The Treo 650 has added several new features that make the camera much more desirable. Finding a suitable case or sleeve is a little difficult, especially if you don't want to buy one of Palm's custom fit holders. I found a nice hip-clip sleeve at CompUSA for cheap. Typing on the thumb keyboard can get a little frustrating, but shouldn't be too bad as long as you're not typing your doctoral thesis with it. Either way, it sure beats trying to use graffiti. The battery is permanently enclosed in the Treo (unlike the 650), but I only charge it every other day. Cost is the only other issue, but thanks to the newer 650, you can find great deals on the 600 on Ebay.
My Recommendation
The Treo 600 is truly a massive advance in mobile technology and I know that it makes my life easier. If you like the Palm software and find yourself juggling a phone and a PDA, the 600 is going to be your new best friend. I have looked at the 650 and have found the screen to be much clearer and slightly easier to navigate, but it wasn't enough to justify the higher price.
