Treo 700wx Is Shipping

Tue Sep 5, 2006 6:17PM EDT

See Comments (135)

For a mere $500 you can now have the tip top of the Treo line, the 700wx.

The 700wx is an upgrade to the 700w, the Windows Mobile-based version of the Treo. And let's cut to the chase about why you might prefer it to the standard 700w. Here's what's new or upgraded:

  • Size, shape, and memory are all identical to the 700w. (Some websites are reporting that the 700wx has more RAM than the 700w, but they both offer 128MB. The 700wx does have more RAM available to programs, which some sources say results in a slight to moderate increase in application responsiveness.)
  • The 700wx supports dial-up networking, which the 700w does not. In other words, you can use it as a modem for your laptop or PC when you're on the road. Since it supports EV-DO high-speed wireless, this can be a major plus.
  • The 700wx operating system is slightly tweaked from the 700w, fixing some minor problems that 700w users have complained about.
  • The 700wx (Sprint only) costs $499. The 700w (Verizon only) costs $299.

Watch that last step; it's a doozy. Despite early hopes, there's no GPS, no major RAM upgrade, and not even a screen resolution upgrade on the 700wx. $200 for dial-up networking and a little faster response time? That's frightening.

Also, don't expect much service difference between Verizon and Sprint. Since both Verizon and Sprint networks use CDMA/EV-DO service, there's no real difference in the type and quality of calls. If you're already using a Treo on Verizon, the experience will probably be about the same on Sprint.

My recommendation? If you're a Sprint user, this is the only way to get a Windows Mobile Treo, and it's only $100 more than the 700p, which Sprint also offers. If the OS is worth that much to you, go for the new one. But if you're on a different network and already have the 700w, you definitely won't want to break your current contract so you can get what amounts to a modest upgrade at best. I'd expect prices to fall rapidly over the next six months, too, so hang in there.

UPDATE: I finally got my hands on a Treo 700wx to do some hands-on testing and it does indeed respond faster than the 700w, but there's a catch: I got about 4 hours, 45 minutes of talk time until the battery died with the 700wx, vs. 5 hours, 30 minutes with the 700w. Not a huge difference, but one worth noting if you're considering the switch.

Comments on Treo 700wx Is Shipping

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 26 Posted by bernardhcohen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    For the lady who wants to know why... mostly its about getting your email and responding when you are away from your PC.

  • 27 Posted by twachold on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a 700w, you can get software for about 35 bucks to run your laptop or desktop with a high speed evdo connection, sprint -nextel sucks, bottom line, I paid the early term fees to be rid of them in less than a year, 700w has some good features but needs some tweaking, along with wifi, you can purchase a sd-wifi card for about 90 bucks from palm, verizon does not advertise much to take away the overpriced options that they offer.

  • 28 Posted by ryu01234 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes, Verizon and Sprint are on the same network, but Sprint's network far surpases Verizon's. Verizon uses 800 MHZ towers along with 1800 MHZ Towers. This means that you might have good receiption in some places and poor receiption in other places. If you go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=zJAYfGqcUOc or www.youtube.com and type in Verizon Treo EVDO Crippled, you will see the difference in Speed. Sprint is on a network that has towers that use only 1800 MHZ, so you will have better frequency transmission along with better encryption. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at ryu01234@yahoo.com

  • 29 Posted by buskirknc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    What are you talking about Sprint's Network being smaller? Sprint has more EV-DO POPs than Verizon. Suggest doing a little homework.

  • 30 Posted by lrobles99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Whts the dffrnce btwn this phne & the 770p?

  • 31 Posted by remotemic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I probably shouldn't say this, but I LOVE my 700WX. Only had it for 2 days, and WOW!!! Besides all of its normal phone, PDA, windows functions, which all work great it's got lots of other great perks. This phone is definitely made for the gadget enthusiast. I'm on sprint, and the internet speed is awesome. I use it with PCAnywhere mobile, and can connect right to my office (pretty small to read, but with magnifier, works great). I can also connect to my slingbox, allowing me to use and view my Directtv from anywhere (and with the evdo speed...great pic), very handy when sitting in waiting room for an hour (like I did today). I also use it with a TomTom bluetooth GPS receiver..never miss a turn. Tomorrow I'll probably find another use. Oh yeah, did I metion it's also a phone!

  • 32 Posted by tim_040878 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    looks like more expensive toys for people with more money than brains. these are probably the same people that have i-pods installed in their vehicles. the type of people that would generally use these products are the type of people who are'nt worried about a little hiccup like 200 more dollars. i just wish that they would transfer the high profits on high end gadgets to savings for the lower end phones that normal people use everyday.

  • 33 Posted by jrobinettiii on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I recently bought the 700w and am on Verizon. I like the file sharing and wireless e-mail client that is availiable. Other than some quarks to rebooting and some slowness durring apps, it's not such a bad device. However the wost thing is the battery life. I do a lot of talking and burn through almost 2 batteries each day. There is no extended life battery which really iritates me. Futermore when using blue-tooth, the battery time seems to be shortened by half. Until such a device exists with a long battery life, and I don't mean "standby", we are at their mercy!

  • 34 Posted by sean_barrett on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I ordered three new 700's from Verizon after advising sales rep we used ACT software and needed to sync with act not windows outlook. Received 700P's but before we realized there were two versions we past the 30 day exchange period & I ended up buying two different sync software packages and having to upgrade to Act 2006 to be able to work with new phones. At end of day it was the most expensive and time consuming upgrade I have ever experienced with Act and Verizon bpth blaming each other for my problems. Wish I had stayed with old Palm PDA & basic cellphone. Buyers beware!

  • 35 Posted by th3dark1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    We do not need another Treo. I do not know anyone personally who likes this product, 600, 650, or 700. Palm needs to fix the stabililty problem. I am counting the days until the end of Nov. so I can change to a Blackberry. While the BB has less functionality, it works very well for PHONE (imagine that!!!) and e-mail. Seriously, avoid the Treo - I am not kidding as you can see the post above that go into more detail.

  • 36 Posted by directguys on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    This thing is still a freaking boat anchor! Get these m-fer's small!

  • 37 Posted by courtneybbeasley@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had the ppc6700 before I bought the treo 700p..shorting that I miss my ppc6700. I've always liked the treo since the 600..but I also like the windows mobile software...hey who wants to buy a 700p..lol

  • 39 Posted by what_meworry2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a Verizon Treo 650 .. it has lousy voice quality cell to cell and especially when a landline user is on VOIP and has any latency, also has a weak antenna and poor reception in any fringe areas ..best feature is email w/Goodlink when used with Exchange..as a modem (with PDA net) it is too slow to be of any real use 96KB on average .. one of those stupid corporate must haves for the ADD sales crowd.. I really miss the day when you could make a coherent call on these things .. we are going backwards ..,makes a decent flashlight though in a cinch

  • 41 Posted by jawahar_antao on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have a treo 700p. cons: 1 no integrated wifi - you have to use sprint's paid service to get online. 2 the Palm OS is aging 3 Palm is loosing its ex-faithful followers (like me from HandSpring days)

  • 42 Posted by rambobatz2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like the phone for what it can do but the it sucks as a phone its hard to hear in the car or the at work.the battery go's out faster because the light keeps poping on I had to turn the timer on 15 seconds

  • 43 Posted by rambobatz2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like the phone for what it can do but the it sucks as a phone its hard to hear in the car or the at work.the battery go's out faster because the light keeps poping on I had to turn the timer on 15 seconds

  • 44 Posted by xfequihua on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hi all: I am a T-Mobile user and would like to upgrade from my current Treo 600 to a better one. Its my understading that if I use T-Mobile I cannot upgrade to the new 700 models. I also know that I could get a Treo 650 but its my understading that its basically the same as a 600 when it comes to performance. Since I am not intrested in bluetooth or a better camera what do you recommend for a T-Mobile user. I am also not into Blackberries. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, X

  • 45 Posted by tomerasmussen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a treo 600 user. Great tool but this one is outdated before it even hits the market. No BB, no high res, no gps. This will be slow on the uptake for power users -Nice going...NOT!

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.