The biggest issue I've noticed when trying to "sell" the n900 to people is they immediately compare it to the iphone, and then, usually at this point, their critical thinking abilities totally shut down and they go into rabid fanboy mode.

I have found this is the case even with non-techie people, as most people don't like the idea that what they've learned from the media could be wrong, or out of date.

It sucks, but we will never be able to persuade anyone to think positively about the n900 as soon as they've entered this pattern of thought.

Therefore, I suggest we take a leaf out of apple's book and go in a slightly different direction, and market the n900 a little more.. surreptitiously.

Repeat after me:

• "It's not an iPhone"
• "It's a whole different ballgame to the iPhone"
• "It's not competing with the iPhone"