Review: Treo 700wx
Dieter Bohn gives a full review of Palm'due south Treo 700wx.
(Originally published at TreoCentral on September 6, 2006)
The new Treo 700wx, available now from both Palm and Dart, is like in near every way to the Verizon-exclusive Treo 700w. Running Palm's customized version of Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC edition, information technology'south an advanced smartphone that will see nearly every user'southward needs.
If you're new to Windows Mobile, you admittedly should outset with Michael Ducker's excellent 700w review from Jan 2006. Since the 700wx is mainly an upgrade to the 700w, much of this review volition be detailing the differences between the two devices.
Overview
Afterwards a heady month of internet rumors, the Treo 700wx has finally hitting the store shelves. I've been using it for a week at present and I've come up away largely impressed. Impressed enough to buy one of my ain - I have the early-contract termination fee from Verizon to bear witness it. Dart may have lost out on getting the exclusive rights to sell a "Windows Mobile v Pocket PC Edition" Treo first -- but they announced to have the terminal laugh now.
Generally, the 700w fared poorly in comparing to the 700p in the applied science-commentariat. I had always thought that it had gotten a bad rap. But at TreoCentral we were mostly pretty impressed - the 700w didn't knock it out of the park, but it was a solid double. The existent surprise for many of us long-time Treo users was how far along Windows Mobile had come while we ignored it for our user-friendly PalmOS devices.
Having already broken myself in on WM5 with the 700w, I found myself eager to encounter if any of my original issues with the device had been resolved. Back in January, Ducker wrote:
Sure, there are some things that demand improvement (more consistent 5-way back up, less borer to accomplish actions, threaded SMS... more on it later), but nosotros have to call up that this is Palm's first experience with Windows Mobile
Palm has definitely improved one or ii things in the 700wx. And one improvement - discussed in the side by side page - is enough for me to whole-heartedly recommend the phone to the very same people whom I would take previously told to stay abroad from the 700w: ability users. Across that, though, Palm kept the 700wx about identical to the 700w - a great device with some stuff to quibble nearly.
Specs and RAM
The "10" in 700wx
Every bit they've done in the past, Palm has released an updated version of one of their handhelds with an "10" appended to the proper name. The 'x' here denotes that the 700wx has radically more than program memory than the 700w. Before nosotros go to that, though, let's list out the full specifications:
- 128MB (60MB user attainable) non-volatile
- Intel® XScale™ 312MHz processor
- 240 x 240 color TFT touchscreen display
- 16-scrap color displays over 65,000 colors
- CDMA2000 EvDO network—compatible with 1xRTT network
800/1900MHz nationwide digital phone - Bluetooth 1.2 wireless back up
- Photographic camera: 1.iii megapixels with 1280x1024 resolution
- 2.5mm headset jack is stereo headset compatible
- up to v hours talk time and more than than 300 hours standby fourth dimension from the removable battery
- Multi-connector on device
- Dimensions: 2.three" W x four.4" H (excluding antenna) 10 0.ix" D
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
If you go to Palm's product page you'll note that these are the fully-accurate specs on both the Treo 700w and the Treo 700wx. What Palm doesn't list is that the 700w has 32 megs of RAM defended to running programs, whereas the 700wx has 64. Since WM5 uses up somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 megs of that RAM right off the bat, we're looking at a nearly 3-fold increase in program memory available to all your applications.
The difference in using the 700wx for heavy-duty tasks is simply enormous. In my commencement wait at the 700wx I played a brief video wherein I opened nearly every pre-installed app and it even so had more program memory costless than the 700w has immediately subsequently a reset.
To be off-white, yous can actually open up every app that comes pre-installed on the 700w and still take a snappy phone. The difference comes when these applications actually start to work - when you're browsing the web, editing a large document in Pocket Word, downloading emails in the background, left Pocket Informant open, accept a bunch of plug-ins running in your Today screen, and heck, maybe y'all're running Copilot Live 6 GPS too--for kicks. On the 700w you can do whatever two or possibly three of those things and experience a small tedious-downwardly. On the 700wx you can practice them all with nary a lag.
Real world implications of more program retentivity
For the average user at that place really isn't going to be a big difference betwixt the ii devices. They both handle e-mail - both push and regular Pop or IMAP. They both have high-speed internet access, sync up very well with Outlook, and run the same applications. Every bit long every bit y'all periodically remember to quit some applications - or at least don't run anything too intensive, y'all may never notice the difference.
For the power-user, nonetheless, there's just no comparison. I wrote before that I had felt that the 700w got a bad rap -- and I still feel that way. I think it's a great device with not bad capabilities. Information technology's just that, for me, carrying around a 700wx is the equivalent of carrying around 2 700ws.
I'k writing and then much about programme memory here partially because it's the most pregnant new matter to the 700wx, but besides because it applies to something that hasn't gotten a lot of attention when information technology comes to the WM5 Treo: The Zen of Palm.
Having all that extra memory means that you lot need to spend less time worrying about whether and how the device is working and more than time but obviously using information technology. On the PalmOS, you lot don't worry most quitting programs because they merely quit on their own and open upward rapidly when you lot want them. On the 700wx, y'all don't worry near quitting programs because you know that yous have enough RAM to run them all anyway.
I should mention that the extra program memory isn't a magic bullet for arrangement stability, however. The 700wx is certainly more stable than the 700w when multitasking, merely both withal give me the occasional confusing freeze upwardly a couple of times a week.
Hardware
What'southward in the box?
The 700wx comes with the standard Treo accessories - a USB sync cable (which doesn't seem to charge the telephone), a power cable, and a pair of hybrid headphones. I'm glad to see that Palm's including hybrid headphones at present. I've ever been unhappy with the ii.5mm jack on the bottom of the Treo. I had been hoping that with the popularity of bluetooth headsets they might consider but moving it upward to the standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
The 700wx also comes with a manual and a software CD with Active Sync and various other little extra pieces of software (a puzzle game called "Cubis" is on it and I'm addicted). Later in the article yous'll come across some "opening the box" photos.
Overall experience of the 700wx
I put off the hardware section of this review a piddling later than usual because there'due south not much new here. The Treo 700wx maintains the aforementioned tried-and-truthful shape of Treos since the Treo 600. Like the other Treos in the 700 serial, it has a slightly squarer feel than previous Treos.
The Sprint version of the Treo 650 was bluish. I'thousand happy to say that this Treo is a much more professional person greyness tone - though actually with a hint of bluish to it. Nosotros'll call it gunmetal, simply slightly darker than its 700 series cousins. It's easily the most professional-feeling and looking Treo I've e'er owned (and I've endemic nearly all of them).
The only other deviation is that there is a tiny cream pad on the inside of the bombardment embrace - which makes the 700wx experience more solid - it passes the "creak exam" with flight colors. Palm has actually come a long-way in terms of build-quality since their early on days. The buttons all have a great feel to them. The ringer switch even feels improve than on previous Treos - Palm has added a little orange paint below the switch so you can more hands see whether it's on vibrate-mode or non (alas, neither the 700w or 700wx have the 700p'south niggling vibration reminder when you motility the switch).
The keyboard is very like shooting fish in a barrel to type on. Again, Palm has done a good job hanging on to what's important (Handspring'south much-touted "oval-domed keys") while evolving the design to await more professional (squaring up the keys and allowing the entire keyboard to angle upward instead of go directly across at the top).
Screen and backlight
The 700wx maintains the 240x240 resolution screen. There are times when this relatively lower-resolution doesn't bother me at all. But when I'm browsing the web the lack of screen space does sometimes get noticeable. All the same, there is no "grid" betwixt the pixels - the screen is very sharp. It likewise looks fine in sunlight, definitely on par with other modern color screens. The backlight on the screen is pretty-much what you'd look: bright and well-baked if yous set the brightness very high, slightly boring if you set information technology low. I just get out it in the heart.
What'southward interesting to note about the backlight is how there seem to be subtle color differences from Treo to Treo, especially on the keyboard. When reading the boards I'yard seeing a wide array of opinions on all the 700 serial Treos - people will say that it's too blue, besides purple, also xanthous. I'chiliad sure that part of that is only differing perception of color. Yet it does seem odd that there doesn't seem to be much consistency.
In the photo here you're looking at a Treo 700w then two 700wx Treos - all ostensibly with nigh identical hardware. Though information technology's likely difficult to tell from the photograph, the widest variation between keyboard effulgence and color is between the 2 new 700wx Treos. Odd. Anyway, you lot can probably tell I'm quibbling here. The screen, keyboard, and backlight are all cracking on all 3 Treos - bold you're happy with 240x240 resolution. Most of the time, I am.
Phone and Data
Fast information? Check.
Similar its Treo 700-series cousins, the 700wx sports EVDO. EVDO gives the Treo about-broadband-like speeds. With a good signal I averaged about 450 kbits/second in my tests. Heck, with a poor point I withal managed around 350-400 kbits/second. That's roughly half of your average cable-modem speed and 2/3s the speed of your average DSL line.
Compared to the older 1xRTT data networks available on Sprint and Verizon (which you can still fall dorsum to if yous don't have EVDO in your area), it'due south a 300% increase in speed.
Of course, raw bandwidth is only half of the story. The other one-half is how chop-chop your web browser tin can actually render the pages you're downloading. Pocket Net Explorer on my 700wx loaded up TreoCentral's (table-heavy) homepage in about 10 seconds - 3 seconds faster than the 700w.
Dial-up networking? Check.
Every bit gratifying as it is to accept high-speed data on my telephone, it's even more than gratifying to have it available for my laptop when I'k abroad from a WiFi indicate. The 700wx has an application called "Modem Link" pre-installed. Modem Link lets you attach your 700wx to your Windows laptop with the included USB cable.
You'll need to download and install the "Dart Connection Manager" to your desktop, which is a mixed blessing. On the 1 manus, you take to have the presence of listen to load up the software CD in a spot where you have an net connection and then you tin properly download Dart'south desktop client. On the other paw, the desktop client works seamlessly and handles all of the network configuration for you lot.
Verizon has promised this adequacy for the 700w just has not, so far as I take been able to gather, delivered. In the meantime, PDANet is a good solution for 700w DUN.
Tethering is USB-simply, unfortunately.
Phone quality - staying the grade
Phone reception wasn't an result, which is to say I don't notice it being particularly stronger or weaker than other phones. Phone calls on the 700wx were, to my ears, identical to those on the 700w. Both are ameliorate than the Treo 650, especially in terms of phone call volume.
Of course, the 700wx has the neat photo-speed dial buttons and the VCR-similar controls for your voicemail. You can assign speed-dials to buttons on the keyboard and type-to-find your contacts equally well. Finally, because it uses EVDO, if you are called while using data the ring will come up through. You cannot do both voice and EVDO data simultaneously, however.
Unfortunately, the 700wx nonetheless uses Bluetooth ane.two - which means certain advanced bluetooth features are non supported. I generally find that the range of bluetooth headsets paired with Treos is slightly worse than average and the 700wx is not an exception. It works, merely information technology won't blow your mind. If you're planning on using bluetooth, become the best headset you can. (Mine's currently the Sony Ericsson HBH-IV835 and it works very well).
Ane nice update is that the 700wx at present has soft-buttons on the call-screen for both speakerphone and mute. On the 700w you demand to hit the menu button first, then scroll down to the selection you'd like. The new buttons really merely relieve one or two push button presses - but psychologically information technology makes a big difference for me. That may be because I'm used to those big thumb-buttons on the PalmOS calling screen.
The 700wx'due south buttons are not large thumb buttons, still, so you'll likely exist using the five-way to admission them. Fortunately, the five-mode focuses on them by default. If yous want to toggle bluetooth you'll have to do information technology the quondam-fashioned-carte-manner. I can't explain why they'd add these 2 buttons simply not the bluetooth. I much prefer the PalmOS way - the speakerphone button switched automatically to a bluetooth toggle when it detects a headset. Still, though, nice impact.
Included Applications
Fast data? Check.
Like its Treo 700-series cousins, the 700wx sports EVDO. EVDO gives the Treo nearly-broadband-similar speeds. With a adept indicate I averaged about 450 kbits/second in my tests. Heck, with a poor point I still managed around 350-400 kbits/second. That's roughly half of your average cable-modem speed and ii/3s the speed of your average DSL line.
Compared to the older 1xRTT data networks available on Dart and Verizon (which you tin even so fall back to if you don't have EVDO in your area), it'south a 300% increase in speed.
Of class, raw bandwidth is only half of the story. The other half is how quickly your spider web browser can really render the pages you're downloading. Pocket Cyberspace Explorer on my 700wx loaded upwards TreoCentral's (tabular array-heavy) homepage in about 10 seconds - three seconds faster than the 700w.
Punch-up networking? Bank check.
Equally gratifying as information technology is to take loftier-speed data on my telephone, it's fifty-fifty more gratifying to have information technology bachelor for my laptop when I'chiliad abroad from a WiFi signal. The 700wx has an application called "Modem Link" pre-installed. Modem Link lets yous adhere your 700wx to your Windows laptop with the included USB cable.
You'll demand to download and install the "Sprint Connection Managing director" to your desktop, which is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, you have to have the presence of mind to load upward the software CD in a spot where you have an internet connection then y'all tin properly download Dart's desktop client. On the other hand, the desktop client works seamlessly and handles all of the network configuration for you.
Verizon has promised this adequacy for the 700w but has not, then far as I have been able to get together, delivered. In the meantime, PDANet is a proficient solution for 700w DUN.
Tethering is USB-just, unfortunately.
Phone quality - staying the course
Phone reception wasn't an issue, which is to say I don't detect it existence particularly stronger or weaker than other phones. Phone calls on the 700wx were, to my ears, identical to those on the 700w. Both are meliorate than the Treo 650, especially in terms of call volume.
Of class, the 700wx has the neat photograph-speed dial buttons and the VCR-similar controls for your voicemail. Y'all tin can assign speed-dials to buttons on the keyboard and blazon-to-find your contacts as well. Finally, considering it uses EVDO, if you are called while using data the ring will come up through. You cannot practice both phonation and EVDO information simultaneously, however.
Unfortunately, the 700wx even so uses Bluetooth 1.ii - which means certain avant-garde bluetooth features are not supported. I generally detect that the range of bluetooth headsets paired with Treos is slightly worse than average and the 700wx is not an exception. It works, only it won't blow your mind. If yous're planning on using bluetooth, get the best headset you lot can. (Mine's currently the Sony Ericsson HBH-IV835 and it works very well).
One nice update is that the 700wx now has soft-buttons on the telephone call-screen for both speakerphone and mute. On the 700w yous need to hit the menu button first, then roll down to the option you lot'd like. The new buttons really only salve one or two button presses - only psychologically it makes a big deviation for me. That may exist because I'1000 used to those big pollex-buttons on the PalmOS calling screen.
The 700wx's buttons are not big pollex buttons, yet, so you lot'll likely be using the 5-manner to access them. Fortunately, the 5-way focuses on them by default. If you want to toggle bluetooth you'll have to practice information technology the old-fashioned-bill of fare-style. I can't explain why they'd add these two buttons only not the bluetooth. I much prefer the PalmOS style - the speakerphone push switched automatically to a bluetooth toggle when it detects a headset. However, though, dainty impact.
Assorted $.25
There's a few things that demand mentioning that don't really fit in the previous pages.
Searching There are at present two web-search options on the today screen. The new default is a Windows Live search (which is queried by a Dart server, for whatsoever that's worth). Y'all tin can set it back to the Google search if you like - the option is in a tab under the today screen'due south preferences. I would have expected the search choice to be under the option button for the search plug-in.
In any instance, the Windows Live search is actually really dainty. Unlike the Google search, the search results page gives you links to both the full version and a stripped-downward mobile version of each hit. With the Google engine you go to the mobile version and then scroll downwards on the actual folio to a link to the full version.
Assorted Bits
Vox Command works peachy (particularly with the extra programme memory!). Unfortunately, it doesn't work over bluetooth. Turns out this is actually a limitation of WM5, as explained here.
No WiFi. I have to mention that - it'southward practically archaic that a device this advanced doesn't accept WiFi built in. At least the drivers for Palm'due south WiFi menu are born and the bill of fare works great. In point of fact, you can surf via WiFi while on a call! I suppose that this would theoretically hateful you could discuss Skype and the actual phone at the same fourth dimension.
Bombardment life seems to be on par with the 700w - it easily gets me through a full day of moderate to heavy data usage and an hour or then of calls. You lot'll still be happier with an extended life battery. Another similarity: I can't encounter whatever appreciable difference in the camera quality betwixt the 700w and the 700wx.
I tin can't resist posting the "opening the box" photos, either.
Conclusion
The Treo 700wx volition cost y'all $499.99 with a 2-year service plan, $649.99 without, so it's certainly far from inexpensive. Dart's unlimited data program is, though, at just $15 per calendar month. Information technology'due south available now.
I am going to wrap up this review with a quote about the 700w from Ducker'due south review that I think applies perfectly to the 700wx: "The Treo 700w is an excellent Windows Mobile device, likely the all-time that has ever been produced." That title at present belongs to the Treo 700wx.
When a device gets this shut to seeming like it'southward practically perfect you tend to focus on the picayune things that it misses at the expense of everything that it gets right. The Treo 700wx is this close. Although this review may incorporate quite a few niggling gripes, they're little. This is by far the best Treo I've ever owned and probably the all-time Treo Palm has produced to date.
The called-for question, I suppose, is whether information technology'southward the best smartphone currently on the market. Not to put likewise fine a point on information technology: is it improve than the 700p? Here'south my take: the 700wx is more powerful and has more functionality but WM5 is still less intuitive and easy-to-use so the 700p's PalmOS. Yet, for me, the 700wx is better.
(Starting time posted at TreoCentral on September 6, 2006)
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/review-treo-700wx
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