should I buy the n900?
 

hi, i've been wondering if the n900 is a good phone to buy. i got credit at the nokia store and it's time for me to change my iphone 3g. during the past few days i've been reading threads about owners who are not happy with the phone and some members getting frustrated about them complaining. can someone kindly tell me if i should or should not get the n900? by what i've understood it seems that the n900 is a beta phone supported by the community. does this mean this phone is better than other phones for a general user like me?

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

general user = does not use the for the full N900 potential it got

so i would say no

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

if youre jumping from a 3G to an N900, you have a big change coming. if youre a general user and like the apple way of things, with the updates and alot of those kinds of apps, id say no, dont buy it.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

U want to buy the N900 because you got credit from nokia? If that's your reason, please don't waste your credit-- tell them to send you a check or wait for another phone from them...

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

my iphone is jailbroken and has alot of applications and potential for more

what do you mean by full n900 potential?

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

No, it means the exact opposite. Really, don't buy it.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I'm guessing this is yet another version of one of our resident trolls, since this is nearly verbatim from the last "should I buy it, I read a lot of problems here" post from a week ago.

Just in case it isn't, yes, you should buy 5 or 6 of them. Because I say so, that's why.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

This is troll territory - stay away.


I like my n900 especially with PR1.2 update.

I say buy it.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I am a 'general user' and would say; yes, why not?
You can easily get more speed from it thanks to the community, it does most everything I want and need it to do, with the purchase of sygic, and with the potential for USB host mode coming (again, thanks to the community), I have never been happier with a purchase in regards to a mobile phone/device.
My only niggles are with the smoothness of the vid cam, however, with overclocking and the most recent firmware update... It's almost there!
Also, Docs-to-go will bring out a version to allow editing of office documents, now that we have the latest firmware... Just don't expect a full app store at this time... There is an excellent community driven effort here to add missing functionality to the device.
But, without installing any other software, sure... you can use it simply.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

No don't buy it. The iphone is a finished product and is fully supported by a community and the manufacturer. The N900 is a beta that the manufacturer never really meant to release and if it wasn't for the community wouldn't exist. If it wasn't for the community efforts you wouldn't even be able to get it working to a level you can say "I have a text message."

The fact Nokia's own software doesn't work on the N900 is evidence enough of their (dis)like for it. Ovi maps, Ovi suite and Ovi store being the three main examples of half finished and poorly thought out software.

The only plus for the N900 is the Linux, which you have to jail break to get root permissions etc, to really have a chance at breaking your phone. When you do you can get lots of extras and will have to learn linux, which most general users shoudln't do. Most of the software are ports from linux and not really mobile apps. Most of the ones I have are needed to just give basic functionality, nothing is around that do things like online banking, gas bills, bill calculators and the other gimmicks the iphone has.

Most of the other key arguments to the N900 are gone now. There isn't much argument for the N900 playing all file types as 'Core player' on my HTC tytn 2 plays every file type as well. Large screen size died when the Desire and Sense came from HTC (my n900 is piddling in comparison to one of the HTC models out now. The desire and Nexus boast more powerful CPu's and so the N900 has multitasking as the last real thing I can think of that works with little competition. (Though I still argue my tytn 2 can multitask, with more than one software open and selectable from the X program.)

Save your cash, save your annoyane and save the credit. Though I can't suggest any Nokia phone I would buy, can you cash it in for something else?

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Sigh. Seriously? ever week we have to answer this question?
We are all here to help the community grow but don't people do research anymore? you must have "googled" something to end up in this forum. Why not read detailed reviews? watch youtube videos?

Yes its harsh but getting fed up of these threads popping so often.
P.S. quite convenient that your current phone is an Apple 3G.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

If you don't miss all those thousands of mini-apps form Apples Appstore, like a phone you can hack all you want and are interested in a pocket-sized computer, I'd say buy a N900. You dont even have to be that technical person (some brains required) since you always (at least I have) get help from here. And then my personal opinion: I like this phone and haven't regretted buying it a single minute, so if you fit in the description above, I say go fot it!

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

do u really wanna get fu**ed up. I guess so. Then u should buy n900.:D

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I say buy it and tell as many of your friends to buy also because the more N900's that are sold the more Nokia will think of giving support for it !.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

This is bull... haven't you noticed the price of this device is dropping like a rock from the sky? Give yourself a year, may less, and nokia will even forgot they produced this device... just like my old 6620.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

i`m a general user too and i dont regret buying it, although it has some issues,

i really love the desktop screens and the way you can customize them, integrated skype, the webbrowser, the camera is good, etc.

downside are the missing apps and the fact that u need to download a lot of third party/community apps to get things going..

if you are willing to invest time on forums like these for troubleshooting then you should get it

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I've been known to always state this... that if you have to ask, I'd say no.

And to be honest, with MeeGo looming and with only community support for the next OS, I'd suggest holding off on Nokia's offerings.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

This is the best phone i ever had! If you like linux you wont regret this.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

After the PR 1.2 fiasco (many people not being being able to upgrade), I'd say a big NO.

I am veteran Linux user and a professed anti-mainstream guy, but the update really showed a lot to me. I updated mine OTA using the commandline using 3 commands (after dicking around). A simple thing that could be scripted into the actual upgrade software, but it seems Nokia's developers can't even do that. Further, the fact that people couldn't even perform the upgrade using the PC installer speaks volumes to how much they care about this product.

I've had the N900 for a few weeks now and I do enjoy it as a nice toy for hackers and those who like dicking around. But I think most people would do better elsewhere; it's not worth the hassle and it is now clear it is not on Nokia's priority list. The items that were supposed to separate it from the crowd have not even materialised: fully-functioning Skype video or Flash 10.1, while the crowd is getting those features as we speak.

If you want a wonderful Linux toy, then yes, but otherwise, I think you're best off waiting for a better Nokia offering or going elsewhere.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

nope!! get a htc with android on it...

Nokia is not the way to go at the moment

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

man great replies but i don't appreciate the negative ones directed at me just for asking a question.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

The N900 has a frustratingly unfinished feel to it. There are just basic things that a phone should do that it does not, or does in a less-than-ideal manner. For example, the email client is a bit ropey, you can't cut and paste text in it, etc. Apple's stuff rocks when it comes to usability. But if you like mucking about with a phone and customising it, it's not a bad choice. And it has some serious advantages over the iPhone, especially when it comes to hardware:

1. swappable battery - no use having all those features if it's a brick by mid-afternoon. I keep a spare in my wallet, so no problems.

2. resizeable fonts in the browser - amazingly, Safari doesn't do it (nor does Firefox Mobile yet), but some websites are just much easier to read if you make the font bigger (not merely zoom in).

3. a real keyboard - it's definitely an advantage

4. a real FM radio (downloadable app is free) - low power, no data portable entertainment

5. FM transmitter - nice to be able to listen to music without special speakers sometimes

6. Bluetooth that's for more than just handsfree, like file sharing

7. Usable built-in speakers - again, great for listening to music in certain situations

The iphone apps thing is a bit of a red herring. Most of them are rubbish, or are good but do things that, very quickly, you stop doing. No great loss.

And nobody else you know will have one, so it's a conversation starter.

If Nokia really got behind this phone, it could be really great. Properly 'screw you, I've got an N900' material. Unfortunately, the company seems to suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder and has already turned its attentions to Meego.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Hahaha... you have not seen anything yet. Wait till you start criticizing the device and you'd see the true character of Nokia funboyz here...

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

if you add a poll, i wouldnt be surprised if over 80% say no...

unless you are a linux guru, i wouldnt recommend you to get a n900...

if you want nokia, the best one by far is the N95!!! if you want touchscreen, dont touchnokia :P

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Ok I'm going to try and cut through the negative posts here. If you:

a) like messing with computers
b) care only about basic phone functionality
c) want the best mobile web browsing experience

Then it is a great buy.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I'll go with cfh11 if you just want a phone, maybe you should go elsewhere. If you want a phone, a computer, and an adventure, this is the way to go. It's a wonderful experience.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Im a general user and i wouldnt trade this phone for anything else out there, and i wouldnt go back to my n95 that i loved for years.

This phone can do so much more that I want that android and apple cant because they are not open. you cant do all the wonderful emulators (by my count all those roms that you can get for free are alone bigger than the app store). I can click any rapidshare link download, unzip, and use the files right on my phone. I do this almost daily for music, movies, and comic books. I can download any ebook, not just those on itunes. I can use flash. All of that is free! That saves me so much money, I can teather with out asking my provider or getting charged extra on my data plan. I dont have to convert files on my pc then load then through itunes to use it as a ring tone, i just use any music file I want right on my phone, easy, fast and simple.

Yes I get some annoying bugs, my music player sometimes skips ( i need to over clock it). But no bug or amount of bugs have once made me regret this purchase. Ive had this for about 6 months and my friends with Iphones get jealous that they are so restricted.

It is a mobile computer, a buggy one sure, but its the most free and useable one out there. Customizable and fun everyday.

I dont email much so if thats a deal breaker for you beware i guess. It does it but not the best.

I hope that helps from a regular user.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Linux OS to be more specific..

this is nowhere near to any other OS

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I see that a poll has been added, and the No's are winning.

I predicted this long ago.

We have been bombarded with polls for months, most with essentially this content. Polls with a high degree of participation here are overwhelmingly pro-N900. People got tired of affirming their feelings for the N900 day after day after day after day.

This is a great technique for skewing poll results. Over time, participation ebbs and the extremists gain. This is a well known phenomenon in real voting. Get rid of the crowds and the fanatics remain.

Then we have the other moral that helps to explain this inaccurate poll. Hate is stronger than love.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I don't think it's hate you're witnessing. Seems like disappointment to me. Well that a rather polarizing device at the crossroads of what's down the road in terms of Nokia support.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

To be honest, like some linux lovers out there i'm a hard person to satisfy when we're talking about tablet/phone/smartphone software. The N900 has great hardware for sure. The software still needs work - hopefully the community will take care of that.

In general, i haven't seen a single tablet/phone/smartphone GUI that amazes me. iphones - boring. Meego - seen something similar before on Asus/Acer netbooks. Some people are just hard to please! ;-)

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

NO
Wait a few more days, iPhone 4 should be out by then, or else get the Nexus One or HTC Evo 4G

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Search. The question has been asked by you before. You get the same answer every time, and the same folks saying yes and no, and the same reasons.

Over and over. And over.

Mods... help us. We're begging you.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

To satisfy your own personal needs, raise your epeen level over 9000 and obtain nerd gasm super saian stance.

Thats why you should buy the n900.

Fuuu, ask yourself this mate, what do you want your ideal phone to do, ignore the negativity of other users because its quite frankly the average layman(I mean guinny pig ;) ) talking (Such as 1.2 fiasco and all that crap,

Im asking you now Fuu, if you tell us what you want, thats the best way we can help you specifically decide.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

I am really sorry, I wanted to love the n900, I use the phone to its full potential, I waited and waited for the pr1.2 update, even the promise of the "new" ovi store with paid apps kept me hanging onto the phone......

But, then I realised the apps that the apps that interest me, the stunning 3d games that I expected, the oooooh and aaaahh factor I expected to hear from friends in the pub.... would not be acheived with the n900.

I am a big fan of htc, and have had most of their phones in the past (currently a winmo hd2 and and android desire) but i opted for an n900 as it was "something promosing"...

Well I have now defected to an iPhone 3gs :eek:
And, it pains me to say... I love it. I waited for the ovi update for angrybirds level pack, paid the 2euros yesterday, completed it within 30 minutes. I have just downloaded angry birds on iphone and i have over 120 levels! I have also downloaded zenbound!

I think there are some great guys on this site, really i do, but Nokia doesnt love you like you think....
And before I get flamed, think, the iphone is a good bit of kit, as is the n900, but only one will stand the test of time.....

In response to the chap that asked "do i buy the n900" please be aware that Nokia will drop that handset quicker than a furry hot turd. They did weeks after release, there are better phones on the horizon. Think about what you want the phone for.

:D

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

before i bought the n900 ii had the n95 8gb, its a great phone, but it is NOTHING compared to the n900, this just shows that many people in these types of threads cant be taken seriously..

and the person who mentioned the iphone 4g: oh dear lord..

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

Wait, you said that they will, then they -did- weeks after release (which would be what, December?) and yet they released updates?

If the iPhone3Gs and all its restrictions and limitations do what you want, then by all means enjoy. The N900 isn't for everyone.

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

One thing you can take into consideration is that N900 has massive communities support. I install OpenWRT (a varient of Linux) in my unused Linksys router, turn it into a vpn gateway and dns server. N900 will also become what the communities like it to be, and that's the motivation behind Nokia making device as such.

Goners and whinners come and go, and leave nothing back to the world. If they said no, probably you may take a serious look to the opposite. XD

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

dont buy it just wait for the iphone 4g

i am geting that when it comes cant wait but the n900 is a good phone just not as popular as apple so i say . . .no dont buy it!!!!!!!!!

Re: should I buy the n900?
 

After the announcement of the Nokia N900 I wanted it so badly.

I used a HTC Touch Pro before - but the battery lasted shorter then the N900!

I used an jb iPhone 2G but wasn't pleased enough to keep the device.

I tried Sony-Ericsson and Google G1 but nothing reached towards my good and old Nokia 9500 Communicator.

I used the N900 since January but I sold it because it had too many pixel errors and I really don't know.
These threads in here blaming the device as crap and so on made me think bad about the N900, too.

To be honest, I'm currently using a SE Xperia X10 but seeing what the community do with the N900 and remembering it and using other devices then the N900 I want my N900 back...

I think I'm waiting for my contract to run out in late June and get a new N900 - cause I really miss this awesome device :)