What are the monthly expenses?

[jason2583]

I have several questions as to the monthly expenses that go with purchasing a Treo 700p. (And a few other kinds of questions)

1)About how much does the actual phone bill cost (just talking on the phone, nothing else)?

2) I know this phone has no wifi, so Internet access costs money, right? Well, how much money exactly? And, yes, I know: they charge for the amount of data transferred or something. So let's just say that I get online about 3 hours a month, how much would that cost? (an estimate)

3) I saw that there are TV-watching capabilities for this phone. How does this work? Do you pay a monthly fee for each channel, or do you pay for data transferred? Well, in either case, let's say that I get a sports channel and I watch it 3 hours a month. How much should this cost per month?

4) Is there a program that I can purchase (third party) that allows me to edit power point documents on the go. If so, will it allow me to create lines, arrows, squares and other shapes so I can make football playbooks on the go? (Yes, this question seems a little weird, but can you)

5) Are there any other phones better than the treo, for the same price?

Total Price- What should the total price per month be for using the extra features on this phone: web browsing 3 hours a month, watching one channel 3 hours a month? Can someone give me an estimate.

I'm asking this because I'm 16 and can't obviously pay for the fees myself, and this could effect my dad's decision in getting the phone. So, please help out....

[benjie]

I pay about $75 a month per phone, I have three with Sprint and one with Verizon, the Verizon is more than $75 a month though.

#2 - get the right plan for voice and $15 for unlimited...

You really need to talk to Sprint for the low down.

#4 - Documents to Go - but no editing like you want. You can copy and paste from one doc to another though.

#5 - Some say yes and others say no. Sort of like the Beatles song, I say hi, you say goodbye. Seriously, for the what the Treo 700 series does, it is hard to beat.

Ben

I have several questions as to the monthly expenses that go with purchasing a Treo 700p. (And a few other kinds of questions)

1)About how much does the actual phone bill cost (just talking on the phone, nothing else)?

2) I know this phone has no wifi, so Internet access costs money, right? Well, how much money exactly? And, yes, I know: they charge for the amount of data transferred or something. So let's just say that I get online about 3 hours a month, how much would that cost? (an estimate)

3) I saw that there are TV-watching capabilities for this phone. How does this work? Do you pay a monthly fee for each channel, or do you pay for data transferred? Well, in either case, let's say that I get a sports channel and I watch it 3 hours a month. How much should this cost per month?

4) Is there a program that I can purchase (third party) that allows me to edit power point documents on the go. If so, will it allow me to create lines, arrows, squares and other shapes so I can make football playbooks on the go? (Yes, this question seems a little weird, but can you)

5) Are there any other phones better than the treo, for the same price?

Total Price- What should the total price per month be for using the extra features on this phone: web browsing 3 hours a month, watching one channel 3 hours a month? Can someone give me an estimate.

I'm asking this because I'm 16 and can't obviously pay for the fees myself, and this could effect my dad's decision in getting the phone. So, please help out....

[jreagles16]

Well first I'm 17 and have a treo 700p it is great but you better have a job to pay the bills on it.

1) You can look up the plans at palm.com or verizonwireless.com

here is a link:http://web.palm.com/products/communi...questid=458017

but it does depend on your area. (the link shows price for Denver, CO)

Just go to palm.com>buy now>(then enter zip code and yes)> then the list of prices for your area will show up.(don't worry when you click buy now you won't buy it and it won't be added to your chart yet so don't worry)


2) it all depends on how much MB's you use it doesn't matter about time so much but more about MB's. You can look at the following link above about MB usage or unlimited.

3)Well You would have to have an unlimited data package for that and also pay for the app mobi tv which is another $10 a month.

4) Docs to Go can edit powerpoints but not what you want to do (as stated before). You can graph excle graphs.

Also, you can get an app which will allow you to use your phone as a TI-83 calc which can help cut costs.(if you have one).

5) The phone isn't as cheap as you think it is. If you get one without a plan it is about $619 but it is advertised as $299 but that is with a two year contract( beware). It is the top of the line phone unless you want to go to a different operating system. The top of the line phone is probably the Nikon N93 but that cost about $1,000 and has not yet come to the United States.

Other conter parts are the treo 700w/wx (which runs windows mobile. I have heard windows mobile crashes a lot.)

The motorola Q, t-mobile side kick and others. They aren't as functional as the treo and the most they can do is view docs ( not edit them like the treo).Also, they are about $100-$200 cheaper.

The total price your talking about for what you want to do is about(going with the very limited minute plan and unlimited data. With no added on features):
Verizon-$79.99(450mins and unlimited data)+(250 sms) $5+$10(mobi tv)=$94.99 then you have to add the activation fee+taxes+verizon services.
Total=(first bill around $225) after the first bill your probably looking at around $111 a month or a little less.

But it does depend on your plan. I can tell you this paying by MB or by 10MB will probably cost you more than just paying for unlimited data.

Sprint=$54.99(200mins and unlimited data)+(300sms)$5+(unlimited nights starting at 6)$10+(mobile to mobile calling)$5+(Insurance)$6=$80.99 a month + (mobi tv)$10=$90.99 a month+ sprint service+taxes probably=around $101 a month.
First bill=$170.

It all depends on where you live an your options. I would recommend playing with the plans at palm.com. ( don't worry you can always remove it from the cart).

What you probably should keep in mind is what network has good coverage and then price for your area.


Finally, you have to keep in mind the cost of the treo and next any assoceries for the treo. I think I have probably spent and maybe close to a $250 on my treo on accessories.

The treo 700p is jsut like my laptop but I can take this to school and use it without getting into trouble. Also I recommend it becuase it is stable and a great device. Once you see everything it can do it will just blow your mind.

The cons it is pricey and a little big. But it makes up for it in its functionality.
I use it for my business and school.

Also, it is great for watching movies, HW, listening to mp3s, playing sega games on it, and checking email. when on the road for hockey.


I hope this helps?

[benjie]

Your post is very good. Ben

[jason2583]

Well, crap. That's a bunch of money.

Once again, I know nothing about phones, so how much more per month does it cost for all of the stuff I mentioned above than a cheap phone with no features? This is what I'm asking: 90 = The price per month of this device, X = The cost per month of a cheap phone that can only talk on. So, given that, what does 90 - X =

(i'm trying to figure out how much more my dad would have to pay for this phone than my current crappy phone that can only talk)

[jason2583]

Hey, I just found this:

Sprint can beat Verizon on monthly charges if you get Sprint's cheapest voice plan ($30 a month for 200 minutes of talk time), its cheapest Power Vision pack ($15 for unlimited data and a little bit of TV service) and the current promotional offer of unlimited Phone-as-Modem service for $40 a month. That comes to $85 a month.

Does this mean just $45 a month for the data plan with a little tv and the voice pack thing?

And is 30 bucks for 200 minutes the cost for most phones? Or is that over-priced?

[jreagles16]

1) What is your old phone, network and plan( if you care to share)?

The cheapest you can probably go with is with sprint. Which is listed in that link.


Most carriers like t-mobile, cingualr and others charge 450 mins for $39.99 a month.

$45 dollars is what they list but you also have to include the networks service charges and state taxes. So maybe around $56 a month total.

It all depends on where you live and your networks. Sprint might be the cheapest but you should look at which how much coverage they have. You can go to their site enter your zip code in and look up your coverage map.


Also if you want to do teh Phone-Modem or what is called DUN you can't go over about 2-3GB of data. Even if you have unlimited data the networks (any network) won't allow it. You can be sued for breach of contract if you go over that limit. Also get your service canceled.

[kdallen]

Phone-as-Modem service for $40 a month.

A way around this is making a one-time purchase of PDANet or USBModem, which would allow you to use your unlimited data plan to tether whenever you want. You can read about/download a trial of PDANet in the software section of this site.

[jreagles16]

But you have to beware of your GB usage with verizon or sprint. Cause your not paying for the phone modem option.