Help me choose a mobile computing device
June 9, 2010 2:09 PM Subscribe
Help me choose some sort of mobile computing device to use while bike touring and vacationing.
I'd like a relatively small, light computing device that I can use while bike touring and travelling. I've never owned a cell phone or any other device smaller than a laptop, so I don't really know what is out there.
All I need to do is check my email, do a little browsing, look at maps, Skype, and so on. Wireless is a given, but if I can get some kind of prepaid cell network data usage (my next trip is in Europe, but I'd like to have this option in Canada and the US too), that would be great. I would like a real keyboard of some kind, though I am willing to use a folding one. I don't want to carry more than 3 lbs or so, including the charger.
I've used a Dell netbook, but something smaller would be nice. I think an iPhone would work for me, but I'm not willing to spend more than $400 or so and I am not willing to sign on to any contract.
I'd like a relatively small, light computing device that I can use while bike touring and travelling. I've never owned a cell phone or any other device smaller than a laptop, so I don't really know what is out there.
All I need to do is check my email, do a little browsing, look at maps, Skype, and so on. Wireless is a given, but if I can get some kind of prepaid cell network data usage (my next trip is in Europe, but I'd like to have this option in Canada and the US too), that would be great. I would like a real keyboard of some kind, though I am willing to use a folding one. I don't want to carry more than 3 lbs or so, including the charger.
I've used a Dell netbook, but something smaller would be nice. I think an iPhone would work for me, but I'm not willing to spend more than $400 or so and I am not willing to sign on to any contract.
You should buy an unlocked Nokia E71 (the E72 is even better, but being newer is more expensive) and a cheap, used netbook.
The E71 covers all the features you need, including:
- mobile email and browsing
- a great QWERTY keypad for banging out SMS and short emails.
- 3G connectivity
- GPS & Google Maps
- a full featured, native Skype client (not pieces of shit like Fring or Nimbuzz) with no restrictions at all (i.e. you can use it with your SkypeOut subscriptions)
However the screen is pretty small compared to the newer touchscreen phones -- you wouldn't want to do more than basic browsing on there. The great thing about the Nokia phones is that they do full USB and Bluetooth tethering (i.e. sharing the 3G internet connection) out of the box. No restrictions at all. So you would tether your netbook to the E71's 3G data connection.
The only reservation I have about recommending the Nokia is that its OS, Symbian S60, is really showing its age. It is one of the most powerful OSes out there, but its interface is fiddly especially compared to the iPhone or even Android phones. It'll take you a while to figure out how to use the Nokia to it its full capabilities. If you are good at figuring out computer hardware and software, then you'll be OK. Otherwise, stay away.
posted by randomstriker at 4:29 PM on June 9, 2010
The E71 covers all the features you need, including:
- mobile email and browsing
- a great QWERTY keypad for banging out SMS and short emails.
- 3G connectivity
- GPS & Google Maps
- a full featured, native Skype client (not pieces of shit like Fring or Nimbuzz) with no restrictions at all (i.e. you can use it with your SkypeOut subscriptions)
However the screen is pretty small compared to the newer touchscreen phones -- you wouldn't want to do more than basic browsing on there. The great thing about the Nokia phones is that they do full USB and Bluetooth tethering (i.e. sharing the 3G internet connection) out of the box. No restrictions at all. So you would tether your netbook to the E71's 3G data connection.
The only reservation I have about recommending the Nokia is that its OS, Symbian S60, is really showing its age. It is one of the most powerful OSes out there, but its interface is fiddly especially compared to the iPhone or even Android phones. It'll take you a while to figure out how to use the Nokia to it its full capabilities. If you are good at figuring out computer hardware and software, then you'll be OK. Otherwise, stay away.
posted by randomstriker at 4:29 PM on June 9, 2010
Perhaps a bit too obvious, but... how about the Apple iPad? It's a lovely little device, and seems almost ideal for touring. Much, much better than an iPhone for most things. Email, check, browsing, check, Skype, check, maps, check (and how! GPS too!). Only a little more than a pound and a half. It will work with a separate "real" (small, wireless, Bluetooth) keyboard but you might be surprised at how usable the on-screen keyboard is, especially in landscape mode - I've got big hands and I can type with abandon on it.
The biggest benefit, in my opinion - absolutely amazing battery life. Even with heavy use it will easily last all day; with light use it will keep a charge for days. The 3G cellular access is prepaid and contract-free, and compatible with the worldwide standard so it'll work in Europe, Canada, US, you name it.
The only problem I see is that it's significantly above your price-point of $400. 57.25% above it, to be exact, for the cheapest 3G-capable model ($629). Even the WiFi-only model is $499 and with that you forgo not only cellular network access but also GPS. But aside from that, it seems to answer most of your requirements admirably. Also, it just works. One of the most frustration-free gadgets I've ever owned.
posted by Kiscica at 6:08 PM on June 9, 2010
The biggest benefit, in my opinion - absolutely amazing battery life. Even with heavy use it will easily last all day; with light use it will keep a charge for days. The 3G cellular access is prepaid and contract-free, and compatible with the worldwide standard so it'll work in Europe, Canada, US, you name it.
The only problem I see is that it's significantly above your price-point of $400. 57.25% above it, to be exact, for the cheapest 3G-capable model ($629). Even the WiFi-only model is $499 and with that you forgo not only cellular network access but also GPS. But aside from that, it seems to answer most of your requirements admirably. Also, it just works. One of the most frustration-free gadgets I've ever owned.
posted by Kiscica at 6:08 PM on June 9, 2010
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You can pop in a locally bought Pay as you go (PAYG) SIM card for each country you visit.
I don't know about continental Europe, but I got an excellent PAYG SIM in the UK, with a generous data plan, for 50p/day.
With the right bands on your phone, you'll be able to use it in Europe and the US no problem (you might have less than 3G data rates in some countries however).
posted by zippy at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2010