I think the OP has already decided to go for the N900 and people here have done a great job of convincing him that maemo 5 is far better than android. I have never used an android device so can't give an opinion on that. What I can say is I am so used to maemo 5 that it would be difficult for me to switch to something else. Does not mean that something else is not better though and for someone who has not been using maemo 5 you don't have the problem of readjusting.

As good a job posters have made convincing that maemo 5 is better than android I would just like to point out that this is Talk Maemo. You are hardly going to get a balanced view here. If you went to an android forum I am sure they would do just as good a job convincing you that android is a far better option for you. It is like if you go to a bmw forum to ask whether you should get a 5 series or an e class they would all of course say 5 series. However, if you went to a benz forum the answer would be e class.

Would be good if there was a neutral forum to go to to find out which is better for you between maemo 5 and android but do not think there is.