There is really no sense to "buttering up" this review. Thanks to Dennis over at Convergent Technology, I have had a chance to take a look at the i-mate PDA2k. The device is a PDA, a phone, and a camera, all rolled into one, making it one extremely powerful device. It also includes one of the hottest new ideas on the market, a slide out thumb keyboard. But that is just the beginning of included features, and the PDA2k does not leave much to be desired. It is a pinnacle of style, power, and functionality all rolled into one device. Basic Internals
The i-mate PDA2k is based around the Intel XScale PXA263 processor running at 400 MHz and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC Phone Edition. The PDA2k has 128 MB of RAM, and has a 64 MB ROM. For expansion, an SDIO slot is included at the top of the device. When it comes to wireless, this device has it all. WiFi (802.11b), Bluetooth, and GSM/GPRS wireless are all embedded in the device. Being that it is a Phone Edition device, the GSM/GPRS module is both for voice and data service. The screen is 16-bit color with a max resolution of 240x320 (no VGA support), and has a surprisingly vibrant screen. Under the screen is a thumb keyboard and on the back of the unit is a VGA camera.
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Final Thoughts
This is the longest review I have written. Then again, this is likely the most powerful and featured packed device I have ever looked at...and the price reflects that. The PDA2k is a power house of function and likely the user that is going to fully use a device like this would be the business user or the tech user. The device requires someone that wants to be always connected, needs access to the internet and email, always has a phone with them, and wants a device that won't let them down when they need it most. A number of users (including me) noticed some issues with the phones microphone, and poor voice pickup for calls. The biggest drawback of this device is likely its price, which is at just over $900. While for the price you get an unlocked device that can run on any GSM/GPRS network, it is a hefty price tag for the user that won't use the device to its full potential. But if you have the money, want power, and need connectivity, the i-mate PDA2k could be right device for you. Dave's Score - 8.5
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