So sometimes my gmail in my mail folder updates instantly- faster than it comes in on my laptop. Sometimes, however, it takes hours before it recognizes I have a new email and I have to go manually into the html version of gmail to check if I have new email (even if I am connected to 3G or wireless the whole time). Anyone know a reason for this?

On a (probably) unrelated note, sometimes my N900 won't share images to facebook or via email and just times out.

Both of these problems sometimes go away on their own, and sometimes after i take out the sim card and battery. Thoughts?

With google I find similar problems myself, but it's only a matter of minutes between POP3 and the web based interface, not hours.

I don't know that it's a problem with the N900 as such, do you have autodisconnect installed? For me it's pretty reliable with other POP3 and IMAP systems, might just be your internet connection isn't always dependable?

Just throwing some ideas around : )

search for the thread 'modest fixes'
that fixed my email updating probs