Palm Treo 800w vs. Blackberry: Which Really is Better?

Question

I was hoping that there might be some really technologically-masterful, kind-hearted people out there who could finally shed some bright light on this subject. I work for a law firm that subscribes to Sprint (we get to keep the phones we choose, even if we leave the firm). While the firm will pay for the service, we must pick up the tab for the phone. In my case, that means $249.00. This PDA-type smartphone is/will be my first and I had to make the transition to a PDA-type smartphone because I was strongly advised by ALL of the people in my office that a smartphone would make my job (and life) much more manageable.

So, I called Sprint and spoke to a representative. I explained my needs and the rep recommended the Treo 800w because it was released only a week earlier and was one the "top-of-the-line phones on the market." I asked about Blackberry, but he said the Treo 800w would be better than the Blackberry Curve for my purposes. I have the option to send it right back within 30 days - no questions asked - in exchange for any other phone in Sprint's lineup. The Treo 800w just happens to be the most expensive in Sprint's lineup, so I have the option to choose any other phone they carry. To make a long story even longer, I ordered the 800w despite advice from cazed, impassioned Blackberry and Palm Treo fans in my office. I just chose to order the 800w (and have now had it for 2 1/2 weeks) because it was the most recently released and because the rep told me it was superior to the Blackberry Curve, for my needs. I list my requirements below with the hope that some really super-mega-knowledgable good souls can provide me and others with some really sound advice.

So the following are the most important features to me on a PDA-type smartphone:

(1) fast, reliable, and genuinely useful internet service on the road;

(2) the ability to generate documents from the device itself;

(3) reliable and accurate GPS, and

(4) a good camera with video functionality since I often need it to take pictures and/or videos in connection with my work.

Now, lemmee just finally tell ya'all about my experience with this phone in the past 2 1/2 weeks so I can determine whether I got "a piece," whether I just need to spend more time with this thing and learn how to use it (yes, I've read the manual), or whether I should send it back for a Blackberry.

I post this long question with the hope that the answers will help many others in the same position who must rely on devices such as this one to make life a little less chaotic and to make a living.

I have now been using the Palm Treo 800w for approximately 2 1/2 weeks and have observed that while it was initially and still is fairly difficult to use with regard to the features and functions of the phone (hardware and software), it appears to be an extremely feature-rich phone that works well and quickly, but learning how to use it proficiently seems to be a pain.

The primary difficulty with the phone seems to be maneuvering the complicated Microsoft Mobile Pro 6.1 operating system which many claim is more adaptable and easier to use in professional networking than Blackberries. I know nothing on this topic, so I defer to the experts that will respond. While I am fairly proficient in computers, I have no clue as to how that translates into smartphones. It just seems that performing any simple function on this phone isn’t so simple and requires too many steps. AND, the multiple steps a user has to perform to utilize the function he/she needs to acccess leave programs running in the background which must be closed to maintain the operational efficiency of the system. Also, if people find this bit of information important, the 800w speaker produces horrible sound in my opinion and crackles more than a bowl of Rice Krispies in ice cold milk.

Since this is my first smart phone, I’d like to know whether this is just part of the natural transition from a small flip-type cell phone to a smartphone, or whether Mircrosoft Mobile 6.1 Pro on the Treo 800w is worth the effort to learn. Also, is one really technically better (as between the Treo 800w and Blackberry Curve) or more likely to be more-widely used by industry in the future?

Thanks a bunch in advance for any well-informed information regarding this issue. I hope some of the information discussed in this posting will be helpful to others who have to make a living using these phones. Thanks again for reading!!!

Answer 1

I've too have been faced with exactly the same decision in the past week since I now must have a phone capable of document creation and the other functions you listed above.  

I've done quite a bit a bit of research, and your most recent comments are pretty accurate.  The Treo 800w does have better specs than the BB Curve 8330.  I also like the 800w's stand-alone Wifi.  Also, we all know MS operating systems dominate.  Our technical specialist advised me that the Treo 800w would more easily sync with my computer and our network.  Ironically though, he told me would personally rather have AND DOES HAVE a Blackberry - model unknown.  So if the Treo 800w is as fraught with as much difficulty with regard to its use as you indicate it is and as I've gathered from other sources, then its "superior" specs don't seem to ouweigh its practical use "in the field," as you stated.  CNET rates the Curve an 8.0 (excellent) on a scale of 1-10 and the 800 a 7.7 (very good).  I've researched the Blackberry Bold and it seems to be a fantastic product.  The only problem is that it is not yet available through this carrier (Sprint).  If you're in the same profession, then it appears as though the best way to go is with the Blackberry Curve.  If either BB or Palm releases something new in the coming months, you can always re-evaluate.  I'm most likely going to buy the BB 8330 for now.  Good luck!

Answer 2

I like the palm.

Answer 3

I've been a palm user since the treo 650p then switched to 700p afterwards 755p, I thought the switch to Windows mobile would be a hassle but on the other hand, it's been a smooth transition so far. In regards of sound maybe you have a faulty 800w as mine has been working just fine. Only setback is no 3.5mm jack for headphones, whereas the curve has it. Screen is 320x320 and touch sensitive vs 320x240 on the curve. Choice is yours, I'm keeping the 800w.

Answer 4

palm treo.

Answer 5

I have both the BB Curve and the 800w and I will be selling my 800w  within the next week.  The 800w is a durable, well-built device, but I find the Blackberry Curve to be better for the following reasons:

1. BB is much more user-friendly than the 800w

2. excellent system stability and speedy operation

3. keyboard is noticeably easier to use

4. BB's emailing system is a unique and useful feature that actually    

does make checking your email a bit easier to the extent that it's    worth noting

5. the batttery life is far superior; my BB will easily last a full day with  

heavy use and still have plenty left

6. although the 800w has better resolution, the BB's screen is far more  

vibrant and easier to read under all conditions

7. the BB also has a 2.0 mega-pixel camera with a powerful flash   (800w has no flash) and a video recorder that produce very good

images and recordings

8. GPS works great

9. BB's web browsing capabilities appear to me to be faster than the  

800w's

10.Have also found that a touch screen, although nice, is not

necessary with the BB since it is so easy to use

11. BB's organizational applications are good, although the 800w

arguably has better organizational applications, plus MS Word, but

you can download programs for the BB that will solve these issues

12. BB's speaker is far, far superior to that of the 800w's

13. the BB has an earbud jack (3.5mm) AND is Bluetooth capable.  

The 800w does not have an eabud jack, but has only ONE

micro-usb port which can be used for the headset, or for charging

the phone, but not both at the same time unless you purchase a

splitter.  You must use a Bluetooth earphone if you are charging the

unit and want to use it hands-free (unless you purchase a spliiter

which I don;t think Sprint even sells at this time).

14. Both reception and sound quality on the BB are far superior to the

800w

15. The form factor of the BB for typing is better and it is thinner than  

      the 800w.  The BB also weighs less.

Overall, while the 800w is a good device, the BB is just better in many respects and is just a pleasure to use.  The only hardware feature you lose by choosing the BB is the Wifi capability, but the BB achieves excellent, if not better data transfer speeds than the 800w without an access point (hot spot).  Also, I haven't yet been in an area yet where the BB was not able to receive a strong, stable signal.  The BB Bold will have all of these features as I understand, but I don't know when it will be released.  With either device, I think you'll be fine.  I just prefer the BB.