Treo 600 vs. 650 - Treo Forums

k_b · 02-20-2005, 11:11 PM

I need to buy a Treo in the next few days and am trying to choose between a Treo 600 with my carrier of choice (Verizon), or a Treo 650 with a carrier I vowed never to use again. I will use the device mainly for phone calls, email, contact list, etc. -- nothing too techy. I have heard how bad the camera is in the 600 -- I've not had a camera phone before so I'm not sure how much I'd use a camera.

I live in Columbus, Ohio, and Verizon is by far the best carrier in this area; Verizon does not yet offer the 650 and they can give me no idea of when it might be available (I heard a rumor that it would happen sometime in March but Verizon won't confirm this, and I can't wait until March, anyway). I had a Sprint cell phone a few years ago and ditched it for Verizon when my contract was up. Sprint had bad signals, numerous dropped calls, and incompetent and/or evil customer service reps (when you could get a live person).

My company is buying the Treo for me, so price isn't really a deciding factor; however, due to a department reorganization, I can't wait longer than a week or so to buy the device and sign up for service. Unless their service has improved in the last couple of years, I really don't want to go back to Sprint. I know that ATT/Cingular andl T-Mobile also offer the 650, but have heard of problems with ATT/Cingular service and am not thrilled with T-Mobile's coverage in this area.

Please let me know what you think: Is the 650 a big enough improvement over the 600 that it would be worth it to go with a carrier other than Verizon?

jbcnyc · 05-08-2005, 12:14 AM

i'm thinking of getting the new verizon 650, but i'm wondering if i'd be just as happy with the 600 for my use -- largely phone and palm software stuff, some text messaging, not paying $50 for teh verizon data service. any thoughts?

chris · 05-08-2005, 06:32 AM

Quote:

I have heard how bad the camera is in the 600 -- I've not had a camera phone before so I'm not sure how much I'd use a camera.

I find the camera phones to be useful, but they aren't a replacement for the traditional digital camera. I use it as an added method of communication. For instance, I was at IKEA a few months back and noticed chairs that my wife might like. So, instead of trying to explain their appearance, I used my Treo to take a few pictures and sent them via email. We never bought the chairs, but my wife was able to get a good idea of their appearance. I never thought that I needed a camera phone until I had one. When I go to an event, I'm using my E-1 which is 5 times the size of the Treo.:D

Quote:

i'm thinking of getting the new verizon 650, but i'm wondering if i'd be just as happy with the 600 for my use

Both phones are a good choices. There are a few features that distinguish the 650 from the 600. It's a typical cost/benefit decision. Will you use the added features and is it worth the extra investment?

First off, there is the hi-resolution screen of the 650. It's bright, clear and amazing to look at. Secondly, the 650 offers Bluetooth. This opens up a host of features. The most common use for Bluetooth would be a cordless headset. I always seem to get my headset stuck to my seatbelt, button on my jacket etc. This usually ends with me dragging my Treo out of the car -- and to the ground. Speaks volumes about my case because it's never had a problem despite these spills. These would have been avoided if using the Treo 650 with Bluetooth headset.

There are other features that make the Treo 650 better than the Treo 600 (faster processor, etc). You can read the specs in the EverythingTreo store. That being said, you have to decide whether these are important to you. Is it worth the extra $$ for a hi-res screen and/or bluetooth. Plus, you'll pay extra for the 650. Right now, we offer the Verizon Treo 600 for $199. The 650 will be in the three's when it's released.

Good luck with your decision. Either way, I think you'll find the Treo will make your life more organized and you'll be amazed at all you can do.

-Chris

Killarney · 05-10-2005, 09:23 AM

The Treo 600 has a number of problems that the 650 does not have. I would strongly recommend anyone who can wait for a 650 to get it. For example, the 600 cannot sync with Microsoft Outlook, the largest business e-mail program, and when web browsing, some screens will not show up in their entirety, making web browsing often impossible. If anyone has any success in forcing Verizon to take back a 600 and give them a 650 when it comes out, please let me know.