I had an SE Xperia X1 and Windows Mobile was insanely unstable. I hated how every day with the device was a struggle to operate the UI that only works with a stylus, for every little thing. Then I got the cracked case design flaw, so I thought "this is not worth the hassle" and stumbled onto someone in the same situation who mentioned the N900.

As soon as I read the words "full Linux" I was hooked. My main OS at home has been Linux for a few years now. Granted, its desktop performance is still a lot more rough than Windows (PC Windows that is, not Windows Slowbile), but no licensing issues and the fact all the free software is written for Linux anyway meant it seemed silly running Windows with its many issues just to run open source software that comes with Linux as standard. I had been using Linux as a web server and router for years anyway, so it made sense to converge together on a single PC and save some electricity. Plus it means I never need to boot my desktop anymore, as its running 24/7 and just a simple login away, from anywhere with Internet access remotely too.

So the idea of having the Linux advantages on a portable device was a killer feature. Obviously it still needed a lot of work to have a usable UI but it was clear Nokia were doing that work, it just looked gorgeous. The fact I can SCP files over from Linux, SSH into my N900 to do command line work rather than having to type on its (granted fantastic for its size) keyboard. Then of course there is the web browser which blows Opera Mobile on the Xperia X1 away. Its far more stable and doesn't take years to do everything.

But by far the most useful is IM. I no longer use it on my PC I keep it logged in on my N900, so instead of forgetting to logout when I leave the house I just take it with me. Every time someone sends me a URL thinking I am on the PC I curse, then I open the URL and realise it works perfectly. Quite frankly, the N900 surprises me every day with how well it works for the stuff I wanted it for.

Its even more amazing when you think its only been out a month and things have already improved dramatically. I feel like I have had it six months, things have changed so much in such a short time. Its not perfect, but as long as Nokia and third-parties keep working on it rather than dropping it for the latest thing, we are not going recognise it by the end of the year, it will be such a difference device compared to its "not quite ready" status at launch.