[joe]

I started a new job recently that requires a lot of travel and a Verizon cell phone (company discount). And tho I don't have a notebook computer yet (mine is a G4 Tower), I'd like to buy a cell phone that will connect an iBook or 12" PowerBook (IE no PC Card slot) to the ineternet so that I can get online long enough to check email, do online banking, bill pay etc. I don't care about extras like camera, games, text messaging etc. Doesn't matter if it connects via cable or Bluetooth. Small size would be a bonus! Anyone have Mac internet experience using a cell phone with these features?
- Verizon
- can connect iBook to internet via USB or BT (or both)
- small and thin if possible
- camera, SMS, and other extras not important.

Thanx!
Joe

[f1000]

Try www.howardforums.com

[fudo]

If you want to also use iSync properly then go for a Sony Ericsson phone, either the K700 or the T610 or T630. The new K750i also works, but only after hacking iSync a little. I used the T610 for data access for about 9 months with my iBook without a hitch.

Generally the Motorola phones are pretty good. I have a Razr V3 which I have been using since December 04, however since it does not store multiple number for contacts it has been annoying the hell out of me. Apparently this happens with all of the Motorola handsets.

Yesterday I got a Nokia 6680 which also has lots of nice things, however iSync is not currently supported. Hopefully the next iSync update will resolve this. I'm in the UK so the 6680 is a 3G enabled handset. So it offers very fast data access, of course this comes at a premium. So far I have only managed to get GPRS speed connections. I believe the issue might be my line, will let you know once I get this working.

With all of the handsets I have used over the years, generally the Sony phones are the best for use with Macs.


fudo

[f1000]

Originally Posted by fudo

Yesterday I got a Nokia 6680 which also has lots of nice things, however iSync is not currently supported. Hopefully the next iSync update will resolve this. I'm in the UK so the 6680 is a 3G enabled handset. So it offers very fast data access, of course this comes at a premium. So far I have only managed to get GPRS speed connections. I believe the issue might be my line, will let you know once I get this working.

Take a look at my thread on tethering a Mac to a Bluetooth phone. See if adding my Startup Script to your computer can give you 3G performance.

[joe]

Originally Posted by joe

I started a new job recently that requires a lot of travel and a Verizon cell phone (company discount)...

On a whim, I stopped by the local Cingular shop today and found they do competitive discounts with Verizon. They're still only about half of what Verizon offers through my company. But the rollover is great and I like Cingular's cell phones better. Not to mention the great threads (esp f1000 - thanx) on getting Cingular data access working with Mac.

I'm sold on the RAZR. The compact size and aluminum finish are what won me over - tho the salesperson mentioned a newer black RAZR with improved features was due in "last week." So I may hold off another week just to see what the fuss is all about before I buy. I know the current RAZR doesn't get the high EDGE speeds that other Cingular phones do. But I wonder if any Mac users have managed to get the 42Kbps throughput to a notebook computer (via Bluetooth) as quoted in this RAZR V3 review. Read the 3rd paragraph from the bottom:

http://www.jiwire.com/motorola-razr-...t-review-1.htm

That's certainly livable for me. It beats the lame 24Kbps I get off my crappy Verizon land line here at home (which is why I'm on a cable modem). Any Mac / RAZR owners manage to get close to these speeds?