I got to play with a few devices before settling on the 8525, like the Samsung Blackjack, Motorola Q, Blackberry Pearl and Cingular 8125. I never got to play with a Treo 750, which I was considering because I use a Treo 650 at work. I like the 650, except for that awful Palm OS and an unsightly antenna; the 750 corrects both of those issues.

When it came down to decision time, I picked the 8525 because:

1. I’m more familiar with Windows Mobile (WM) over RIM OS, knocking out the Pearl.
2. I prefer the full WM Pocket PC OS over the WM Smartphone OS, knocking out the Blackjack and Q.
3. I wanted a large touchscreen, knocking out the 750.
4. I was attracted to DSL-like connection speed, knocking out the 8125.

The 8525 is not without its disadvantages, however. I am very clumsy and have beaten up all of my phones in the past (sometimes by accident, sometimes not). Most phones are more-or-less designed to withstand a beating. Looking at this PDA, I’m not so sure it could take that kind of punishment. I have to exercise a great deal of caution when carrying it around. It is far too large to just stick into my pants pocket. Had I chosen any of the others (aside from the 8125), that wouldn’t be an issue.

That’s a fairly minor issue though. Getting a slide out keyboard that my fat fingers can actually type on, a larger screen and a larger battery makes it worthwhile.

I mentioned the DSL-like speed that Cingular’s high-speed UTMS/HSDPA network offers. That turns out to pretty much be a lie. The phone never comes close to reaching the maximum download speed. Despite my disappointment, it is speedy enough and the connection is very solid. From work to home and back, I have a steady signal, except for one spot on Route 29 and our dinner table. What confuses me is that the phone often has difficultly downloading 50 articles from my RSS feed, but has no problem at all streaming live TV via my Slingbox. I would think it would be the other way around.

Edit: Stoopid WordPress lost all of my edits. They have been reentered.