Wifi enabled cell phones etc

Hey guys. I am not very savvy when it comes to this modern technology stuff so I thought one of you guru's could help me out. I have the wireless router set up for my laptop out in the shop but I forget to put it away or close it sometimes and I have a feeling the dust isn't good for it. I've been looking at other devices that will fit in my pocket and can connect to my wireless network but now I am thoroughly confused since there are so many available and I'm not sure what's good or bad! All I really need it to do is allow me to read/reply to email and read/reply on the forums (I'm a bit "over the hill" with bifocals so it also needs a decent sized screen!). Any suggestions or tips on what to look for?
Thanks!

 

if you want to do any significant web surfing, you probably want to stay with a computer. an old desktop and monitor could be had for cheap and do the job. just blow the dust and crap out of it every so often. i've got 2 wifi smart phones and both suck for reading forums - just not enough screen real estate!

 

Maybe some form of a pda could work? I will look into one if I can find anything. For example I am on my cell replying via wi-fi. But if screen size is of the essence maybe a toughbook. Since they are supposed to withstand dust and everything else you can throw at it.... Well to an extent at least.

 

iPhone that's how I do all my web surfing e mail ect my uncle pawned the comp

 

iPhone is the best in my opinion
Sitting in a mall right now while the wife is shopping and am sending this from it

 

x3 on the iphone -- the blackberry storm would be the next suggestion due to screen size, but alas, it is not wifi capable.

 

x4 on the iPhone.

Silverback, I have no problems with TacomaWorld keeping me logged in on my iPhone. Or were you talking about other forums (perish the thought )?

 

Im using the att tilt... Not as crisp of a screen as the iphone but at least it has a full keyboard that slides out.

 

iphones are very sweet and probably the best smart phone right now. anybody see the palm pre released at CES yesterday? looks amazing

OP - do you want a device just for wifi or one that is a phone too?

 

That's a good question because if he doesn't need a phone, he could get an ipod touch... the iphone without the phone... the 'i'

 

there is a new palm device coming out on Sprint that looks AMAZING. Dunno if it has wifi though.


If all you want is something ultra portable to browse the internet one, look at a netbook. It'll be bigger than a Smartphone/iPhone, but it's an actual computer with a real keyboard.

 

yeah, thats the palm pre debuted at CES a few days ago. I will own it the day it comes out

 

I have a WM phone, HTC Touch Pro
http://www.htc.com/www/product/touchpro/overview.html
You can do whatever you want on this phone. Touch screen, WIFI, Bluetooth, 3G, Video, MP3 player, Of couse it is a phone.

 

Currently i am using a Motorola Q9c. It is a Windows Mobile 6 based smart phone that has an easy to use Qwerty keypad. I recently had a Blackberry that i used for work purposes and just never liked the setup, although I couldn't say anything bad about it. What I can say is the Motorola is ALLOT stronger phone and has been dropped from over 15 feet, and still going strong. I use the phone in very dusty conditions at work and have yet to have any issues 8 months in. If you use Windows Outlook it will synchronize to your PC very easily. Sending and receiving emails is also a very simply. For a while i was using it for high speed internet access tethered to the laptop via bluetooth and couldn't complain about that either. all in all, I would give the Q9c two thumbs up, especially for the price.

 

I have had numerous phone/pda devices capable of WiFi. I just want to warn you that WiFi uses up the battery very quickly.

 

+1

This is most definitely true with all phones regardless of make. I found using the networks data service was quite a bit more efficient in saving battery life than using WiFi. I would rarely use WiFi, especially as large of a security risk that public systems pose to the user.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! I played with my nieces iphone and although very nice I'm not too keen on the touchscreen (I forgot to mention I also prefer a key board with the buttons spaceed as far apart as possible). It does not have to be a cell phone however if somebody knows of one with an unlimited data plan at a good value that would be a plus since I could take it with me. I'll go check out some of the others mentioned and more suggestions are welcome/appreciated!

 

i believe on T-Mobile it is only $20.00 data plan, but you only get edge service with HTC phone, AT&T, Verizon, Sprite will have to pay more on the service plan but it is 3G.

 

the blackberry bold is wifi cap. i just picked mine up today and so far its ok, still torn from the iphone, any help