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Review Nokia 9210

A phone or a pc? Both!

by

With all the talk of bluetooth, Cameras on phones and colour screens, the supposed "next generation" phones never quite delivered the goods when they were released about 2 or 3 years ago. The big innovation from Nokia was this phone which folded in half to reveal a small PC within your phone. I was sceptical but at work, we were given them free to try about 6 months ago. I gave mine a good going over and here are the results (although rather late!).

Looks/design.

Somewhat odd. With its aluminium loking outer casing, it was trying to jump into the space age and away from the undesirable phone covers that so many people walk around with (why do you do it, people?). However, the colour was its least striking feature. Looking at the top of the phone, it now has a slanted edge and all of the buttons are pushed too far up the case. It looks like it has been stretched on a 15th century rack! The unusual design to the top of the phone does help break up its lines and reduce its "brick-like" feel in your pocket. The Outer Phone screen is small compared to most phones in this category.

However, it folds in half and is hinged along its left hand edge. Once opened up, it takes on its more desirable function as a mini pc. It has a long colour screen with a full keyboard. However, dont expect to speed type on this minature layout. The visible speaker adds to the feel of its multimedia capabilities.

Functionality.

Lots to do on this phone. It is basically a Portable office which provides the ability to be a phone, fax, e-mail, calendar, contacts, Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation viewer, WAP, Web Browser all in one! You full control over editing documents and displaying them. You can also display PowerPoint presentation slides in colour. Added to this is the email functionality of both Lotus Nontes and Microsoft outlook. you can also take advantage of its full 4096 colours to view photos and images from a compatible digital camera, watch streaming videos on the Internet and even view flash animations and listen to mp3's and Wavs.

Ease of use.

AS a phone it is quite difficult to use. the buttons are almost flush with the casing and very small. Big fingers would be unable to access them and lead to dialing errors. The small screen may also prove difficult to read when texting and reading. This is duplicated when you flip open the phone to use it as a PC. It must be difficult to cram an entire keyboard into such a small space and although Nokia do it well, it is a squeeze. typing is difficult as is browsing and any function. You do get used to it but it is still fiddly.

Restrictions.

Being a Dual band phone, it is not going to work in the USA. This is very restrictive to the business traveller and may make you rethink your purchase. Who wants to carry 2 phones around with them? OK, it does replace the needs of a laptop somewhat but only if the thing works in the country you are visiting!

Also the modem maximum speed is 43.2kbps compared to home modems of 56kbps so it is a bit slower.

Using it as a PC, particularly when connected to the Internet drains the battery. It needs recharging constantly if you use it as a pc.

Price.

Pay upwards of £300 for this phone and you wont be far wrong. I think that it is overpriced for what it is and much prefer my laptop and mobile separately. More to carry but at least I can use both properly and without hitting wrong buttons!

Advantages: Good multi purpose device

Disadvantages: Looks like a brick , Eats batteries

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