[xfloat=LEFT]http://www.4winmobile.com/reviewer/irblinx/argon/argon-hero3b.jpg[/xfloat]O2 Xda Argon

Many thanks to O2 UK who have once again allowed 4WinMobile to get an advance look at...

NP

Well at work i know the maintenenace/repair guys are still using the XDA IIs in their jobs. So i reckon if they ever upgraded they would be given the Argons. Personally i would not buy it, but as others have said for those who are in specialsied jobs this might meet their requirements.

For me it just doesn't offer enough over the IIs, if your IIs isn't broke then why would you go for this upgrade? They have been in use for years now so any problems will have been circumvented in any case IMHO

As some of you may know I have been looking to replace my aging XDA IIi for a while. Also been looking to upgrade from PPC 2003se.

The IIs wasnt an issue. Tried it, hated it.

The Argon has been the first opportunity to upgrade to another 3.5" screen. I have tried 2.8" devices and find them cumbersome especially on things like the phone pad keyboard.

O2 arent interested in giving me an Argon. I have found the Panda for £400 without contract and therefore ties to O2.

What I need to know is whether the Panda is worth £400 as opposed to staying with the IIi (whose case is also starting to crack).

Cheers

Do you want a different device, or would a second-hand IIi fill your needs? If so then take a look at ebay. Or post a wanted ad in the swap shop forum here. I'll bet there are some unused IIi devices lurking in drawers.

£400 does sound amazingly expensive for what is, in effect, a 2 1/5 year-old phone. A especially when you can get the new HTC Touch for less that £300 (not that the Touch would suit you, it's just an example of what's available for a lot less). I'd definitely go the eBay route if I were you.

Or, forget the HTC devices and have a look at something a bit different. Asus are releasing the A696 with a 3.5" screen and WM5 for just £200! Have a look here. Asus re-locates GPS PDA in UK | Reg Hardware

To be honest I dont know.

XDA IIi
The camera has never really impressed me. Whether this is due to it being a 1.3MP camera or simply the design (I always seem to get dust and stuff in the recessed lens surround).
802.11b has always been good enough for my needs.
PPC 2003se is really old now, and theres no possibility of putting 2005/2006 on it.
O2 software rediculously restrictive. No matter what I have done I have NEVER been able to get my PAYG o2 card to operate GPRS in it. No matter what settings I used I didnt have any luck. This meant no mobile internet and no MMS capability. I have never been able to send or recieve since ending my original contract.

Panda
Absolutely love the retro design.
Dont really know what the camera is like.
Having not got as far as o2 it wont be hobbled by their software.

But is it worth £400? Thats what I would like to know.

Thats not a phone edition though.

Im not prepared to carry 2 devices around. Especially having had 1 for so long.

I thought the Panda was new to the market?

Ive just found details on the Polaris and that appears to have a 3.5 screen? Is that right? Would I be better waiting for that?

That is a reason to go to a different network. All other networks offer GPRS on both contract and PAYG without any messing around.