Treo/Phone PDA Q's??

[jfpruitt]

I'm new so hopefully you all can bare with me on these questions.

After a few days of research and comparisons, I have decided that I would like a phone that does it all. I hate to carry multiple gadgets around with me, so, if possible, I want a phone that would do chat, internet/email, text/AOL/ICQ, etc., play mp3 and finally a camera option. And, if at all possible, something that links the Outlook contacts and calendar also. I have thought about buying a phone, a PDA, a mp3 player and digital camera all separately, but wouldn't it be great to find a phone with all these incorporated??? So, does such a phone exist for me? Or am I looking to get something like a PDA/computer type that will cost me over $500??? I'm certainly willing for the refurbs as well, so, do I need to look for something like a refurb Treo or HP?? I'm just really confused at all my options available now. And the upcoming phones during the holidays being offered???

The main functions I really must have would be chat/text/internet/email/web feature and a mp3 player. I just don't see the point of having the extra mp3 player if I can avoid it with a cell phone combined. However, I've been so busy lately, I'd really love a PDA as well, or something similar at least. Just your basic functions of reminding me of appts and such, and nothing to fancy would suit me.

And, finally, is the quality of the Mp3 and camera phone options equivalent to a standard mp3 and digital camera??? For example, if I buy a 2 meg pix camera phone at Cingular, is that equivalent to the same 2 meg pix digital camera alone from Best Buy?? And does this apply to mp3 player options too? I just want a basic mp3 player and something to quickly take decent quality photos when I want them.

Saying all this, is the 6820 or Treo what I'm looking for then? I've just heard SO MANY OPINIONS, I have no clue which way to turn now. I just wasn't sure if the Treo or 6820 had the PDA/Outlook sync features I'm looking for as well. Not to mention all the new phones coming out soon. So, do I wait on one of those then??

I'M JUST SO CONFUSED! LOL

[alex_mathews]

Wow, that was quite a write up! I would say that the Treo should fit your needs in all cases except for the camera. The camera on any current cell phone isn't meant to be used like a standard digital camera, so the quality of the picture in most cases is probably not as good as a digital camera. Depending on your needs, the digital camera on a phone just might be good enough. The mp3 playing ability of the Treo is comparable to any other flash/memory card based mp3 player. There are numerous programs available to do IM.

I can't comment on whether the 6820 would be a better choice or not.