Upgrading TE to TE2 Some Questions

[mirac976]

Hi

Been thinking for some time of upgrading my tried and trusty TE with the new TE2 model. From what I read, the screen is way better; no whine, battery life is way better, and the processor faster. I am also considering the T5 as an alternative.

However, I have not seen any positive reviews on both models and this is worrying me.

I love my TE beceause it is so stable. Only one hard reset (my fault) and just a few soft resets (so few that I often forget to use the end bit of the stylus for this) in nearly 2 years of ownership. Anything I install works first time, and the OS is so easy and intuitive to use its a dream.

I use my TE mainly for;

Watching movies using Kinoma (bought the upgrade from their site). The movies play ok except for some breakup on fast action bits. I have three 1G cards for this purpose. This is the area of performance I want to improve most with an upgrade.

Keeping up to date with current events via AvantGo.

Listening to music with Pocket Tunes.

Occasionally doing some work.

Programmes I have on the TE include Card Export, E Reader, Font 40S5, Grx View, Quick Spell, and Word Comp, which I expect will all run on the TE2 and T5.

Things i would like to add are WiFi (I know that both the TE2 and T5 don't have this but am ready to buy the WiFi card), Bluetooth, and GSM? or something to download my office e-mails when I am abroad in Europe.


Apprecite any advice.

[Antoine]

I did the upgrade from the TE to E2 specifically for my BargainPDA review just to get a good idea of the process. Basically, you will want to check palmfocus.com for the compatability list for the Treo650 (as that mirrors teh E2's configuration) and get those programs updated on your TE if possible. Then, when you do get the E2, sync and backup everything, move it to a new folder, delete Palm desktop, install teh new Palm Desktop (do not install it over the old version) and create the user name for that new E2. Add your applications back one at a time to ensure you can catch any that dont work right, and you should be fine.

Card exprt and Fonts4OS5 work on teh E2, the rest you should check palmfocus.com

The E2 has Bluetooth, so all you would need is a BT phone.

Something to consider, I know its a lot more but may fit your needs best, is teh Treo650. It has everything the E2 has, but its a phone and PDA, therefore you carry one device. plus, if you get the unlocked one from palmOne, or get it unlocked from Cingular, then you can take it to Europe and most of the rest of the world and use it as you wish to as a phone that will connect to the net for you. NOTE, it does not support the wifi card from palmOne or anyone else. But since its a phone, you really dont need wifi that much.

[Bibles on my T3]

mirac976,
Alas as Antoine points out, you can't assume that any 3rd party software that runs on the te will run on the TE2 or T5. I'm pretty sure that 'Wordcomplete' doesn't work properly on the T5, as I had problems trying it on my T3 & when I went to their support pages at www.CIC.com I found a reference to a 'known problem/bug' which was the same on the T5 and T3, whereby it simply doesn't work form some letters correcty when guessing words you are trying to write. It's something like that anyway & was bad enough for me to 'bin it'.

You may find that it's easier to get stable app's for the T5 as it's been out longer than the TE2 - and Antoine - or anyone esle - correct me if I'm wrong but, the TE2 isn't identical to the Treo 650, so comaptibility with the '650 I don't think will be a guarantee of compatibility with the TE2.....although the list Antoine refers to should be of quite some help.

....Alas upgrading almost always results in some grief for those of us who have 3rd party app's we like using & want to keep using : moving from one device to another unfortunately often does throw up annoyances & disappointments in this area which can take time to resolve. The addage if it ain't broke don't fix it is always worth bearing in mind.....

Also though the TE2 has a 200Mhz processor compared to the 126 Mhz one of the TE , many TE2 users report it isn't always faster than a TE - and this is presumably because the NVFS architecture slows some of the workings down due to the ongoing process of keeping data you input safe in case of power loss (the purpose of NVFS). Whether that's relevant to your usage playing video I don't know - but it's hard to believe you wouldn't be better off with a T5 for video due to the faster processor it has. You could try checking out the Brighthand Forums for more on that, where there are many more knowledgeable Palm pda users who like to help out... : here's the link :

http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&forumid=166
(that's for the TE & TE2 users - you can navigate to the 'T' -incl. T5 series forums from there & others)

Hope that helps. :)

[mirac976]

Hi Antoine and Bibles on my T3

Thanks for your valuable help, some great points for me to consider before taking the plunge.

[Bibles on my T3]

mirac976,
You're very welcome and greetings to all on the beautiful, freindly island that is Malta, a land blessed I believe many of The Lords faithful ! (I visited Malta a few years ago and the Maltese peoples warmth and gentleness was humbling indeed :) )

[mirac976]

Hi Bibles on my T3

Thank you for your very kind and generous comments about Malta. We are indeed very proud of our christian heritage and try our best to pass it down to future generations. Overall, I think we are still a warm and gentle people, but in all honesty the trappings of our modern material world are having their negative effects.

I too spent quite some time working in the United Kingdom. My work took me all over the British Isles, and I still remember the day I had to leave with sadness and nostalgia. A wonderful country. The hospitality and support I received was second to none. Truly a land of gentlemen.

And again thank you for your help.....T5 or Treo....both soooo tempting.