Hello everyone.

I assume some of you have seen me in and out of the boards asking technical questions about the N800 as to whether or not these certain aspects I inquire about should delay my intentions of buying the N800 at all.


Well, to be honest, I want a straight forward answer to a simple question, but first a not-so-straightforward, secondary question to my main concern:

Im not a linux whore and I don't know anything about programming, so the open-end software development doesnt catch my eye.

I don't know line options, program options, or anything of that matter and I do not intend to learn. I only have basic knowlage of these matters, yet I understand the structure of a program and the general outline for comprehending the intuity of 3rd party software, so any 3rd party apps of any use would still give me the option to use them.

That aside, should anything about the fact that the N800 runs on linux at all influence me buying one to begin with?



Now, please, adhere that question to this one, (again, with a not so straight-forward introduction) which is my main inquiry:

I have heard all the problems. All the cons (power consumption, crashing, incoherent software, power button failure, SD/memory issues) and all the pros (scaleable internet, 3rd party apps, games, music, video, web chatting, note taking, rss feed, bluetooth). But I only want a N800 for simple reasons.

I'm a student.

I understand, somewhat, the world of 3rd party applications and the like. I like music, and I prefer a device that can support at least a couple GB to walk around with, let alone have expansionable SD ports, which would be a plus.

From time to time, I would'nt mind watching a movie in a long wait or on a trip. I would love a device that can have a coherent internet browser with the ability to do simple things such as email, myspace, online school profile, and perhaps when I'm bored, youtube.

I wan't something that can support data files, such as PDFs that I can use for note taking when I don't have the option to use paper and pen.

I'm not looking for something to program. I'm not looking for something that can do a million things I don't need it to do, but I will want something that is a ligitimate peice of machinery that I won't need to struggle turning on, or formatting, or fixing from time to time.

I want the basics, and for those basics to be able to run smoothly.

I have not seen anything like the N800 that isnt outside of a $500+ price range, and yet sill would not support as many intuitive options as the N800, the video chat in particular. I don't care if the camera is crap, this device has video chat and IM support AND internet through WiFi without some nonsense plan, and thats almost unbeatble almost shy of simply buying a laptop.

Now tell me, in light of all the Cons that the N800 posesses, and according to my needs and all that the N800 has to offer and fullfill those needs and then-some, here is my question:

Is it worth my investment? Is it worth my time to buy one at all?


Some things I can look past.. like the battery issue. I have found quite sufficient external battery packs that can support a 20+ hour usage. I have found nicer SD cards, that appear to me more stable than others.

But the power issues.. the crashing.. is that normal for this device and should that hinder my initial intention?


Please, a positive answer would be so damned apreciated.. You really could't know exactly how much.



What I want in the N800:

-MP3 playback
-Simple video playback albeit crappy or not
-VIDEO CHAT, which is only arbitrary to my initial needs/wants
-Compotent, coherent internet browser
-touch screen txt program for note taking
-email on the go/WiFi internet
-long (if not, extreme haha) battery life through primary or secondary source, as needed
-games, if possible. but only arbitrary, again, to my initial needs/wants

Most of these cover my needs, and several cover my wants, which give it a +10/10 for choosing to buy this device in the first place.


What I don't want in the N800:

-Power issues (i havent gotten an answer, but I hope this issue is a rarity, and not standard)
-memory issues
-crashing
-Unuseable peripherals

The general scope of these Cons seriously aggravate my intention on buying the device, and overall decrease my choice in buying one down to a -7/10 which would place this device in a category of "I don't really need this right now, and I can wait for soemthing better." Though some cons seem fixable, or simply rare issues.


Please, based on all these facts and wants and needs, can someone tell me if its truly worth buying, according to me?

Im on the edge here, and I would love any input. Thanks for understanding..

-SeTh

Since you seem to have done all the research, why do you want us to make a decision for you? Either get one, based on what you have read here (and it seems as if you have done lots of research), or don't.

I call troll.

You couldn't get laid by Linux if you paid money.

I suggest going to a store and playing around with one for a while. Hopefully one with the OS2008 edition. Your own experience will be the best guide. The mileage of what people find good enough and sufficient for their needs is so flexible, that it's almost pointless to ask us.

I have to agree with ragnar. On this forum you will find people equally passionate about both ends of the user experience, where some scream their hatred and others gush their love. Obviously the experience is difficult to quantify.

This is my first post on this forum, but I trust, that you will not mind my fresh eyes here.

I could not recommend the N800 more. I have bought four of these tablets for various family members. It started with my mother, she got a 770 a couple years ago because it was simple to use, and smaller than a notebook. She still uses this for mail and messaging.

My son, father, and girl friend are using the N800. My son in particular enjoys the N800 and constantly has it in hand. It is just right for wikipedia and mp3s.

I just got a N810 for myself. I got it mostly for messaging. It is quite sleek. However I have to say that the N800 is my fav; it is tough to beat those two SD cards. Sixteen Gb cards are quite affordable just now and the N800 is also a fair price. Tough to beat that price point.

As to the reliability of the device. I have found those that I have had to be of good quality. The 770 developed problems after about a year and was replaced under by Nokia. No problem with the service. With respect to the programs crashing, if just stick with the Nokia recommended software you should have no difficulties.

For your note taking I would get a bluetooth Keyboard. (I think I saw them for about $40 on amazon.) The battery life is also a lot longer if you are only taking notes or listening to music than if you are using the wifi to surf the net.

These tablets are easy to use and are a well rounded package for the money.

I didn't read the whole original message; it was too long. The message above mine by emo seemed like an adequate answer. I love my N800. But you know how much profit we make from convincing you? None.

So, I don't care if you buy an N800 or not. If you don't, it's your loss.

if your main concern is reliability, i would reccomend buying one from a local retailer, even if you have to pay more. then you can exchange it easily and quickly if something does go wrong. i have experienced power isues once, so i would reccomend buying a desktop charger and extra battery. i am also not deep into linux or programing, but thanks to these forums ive been able to do everything i need with it. i even got lucky and found a usb cable in my dadś junk box that auto detects my HD archos mp3 player. i run freespire linux on my desktop and just realized that if i share folders i can access them using file manager on the n800. this works with windows too. my only gripes are that itś a bit slow to load aps and browsing is also a bit slow. of course im´comparing to a desktop.... microb crashes sometimes, and other apps also crash every now and then. but is use this thing with my 29 dollar amazon bt keyboard all the time.

well, I'm in (or was in) a similar position. I can appreciate work-arounds and third party apps. I can do some modifications to get the results I want when necessary. for example, i got DUN (1x) via bluetooth over verizon on a V3m Razor, costing me only minutes (no data plan) with this little gem, right out of the box, mostly because I had reprogrammed and hacked my phone to let me do this on my palm zire 72 a while back. I can, with some guidance, get things done, not write your own code type of stuff, but you know, "basic" work arounds. Like you I don't want to, I have other projects to work on, I just need this thing to work.

I am a student, 2nd year of med school, and required to have a device that can run certain programs, generally palm friendly types. Garnet VM was what drew me closer to the n810.

I also want a PDF viewer with note taking options
I wanted many of the things you did, in addition to flash player (so freaking cool i can watch my lectures online with thing!)

obviously stability is important (duh)

now, i've never met me a linux whore, but from what i hear they have fewer STD's than say an up-market windows type tramp, so take that for what it's worth.

as for the PDF, man what a great viewer blows the palm right out of the water. Notes wise, I haven't found a good program yet (am i missing one people i've looked around, I would like to actually mark up PDF on the nokia)

my Zire 72 is internet friendly, but obviously not like the Nokia, no contest there.
Video very nice, though my friendly DIVX can be quirky.

but there are some essentials missing for me
PIM what the hell, this should be a no brainer, why on earth isn't a decent PIM set-up on this. I have a stupidly complicated schedule, and need, need to sync with outlook. this is one area where work arounds are really out. I wan't palm level functionality, and disappointingly Garnet VM doesn't have it.

touch screen is nice, really sensitive, more precise than my palm, but as someone on the forum has elsewhere lamented, it seems half finger half stylus friendly, assumedly updates can fix this problem.

stability wise, I ask my palm to do more than it should, and thus it crashes some, the nokia has been as stable as i could hope, but thats personal preference.

thing is, even with what i say, you can't tell unless you use one, the death of brick and mortar is a sin to that end.

What i did, and i would suggest you do as well, is purchase the thing from walmart or like store which has a generous return policy use it, and decide weather to return it. I am currently leaning towards the return due to PIM constraints, problems with getting some required palm apps to run, and surprisingly the lack of portrait mode, which drives me nuts for some reason. also, it looks like plenty of new devices will be on the market in the next 6-7 months, and given my current Palm, I can wait (it "runs" the software i need, but slowly with fun little crashes)

anyway, sure I entered into the purchase knowing that there is a good chance i would return it. but hey, walmart is going to do just fine, so i won't be loosing any sleep over it.

good luck with your search.

by the way, since you had mentioned that your research that PDF note taking app, do you have one in mind? i would love to know which.

Hi,

My N800 has been my introduction to any Linux platform. I'm not trying to push the N800 (OS2008) too hard. Web browsing, e-mail and a few other simple things work fine for me. I'll try to answer your questions.

-MP3 playback Does that no problem, although I sometimes think the volume is a bit low.

-Simple video playback albeit crappy or not I have converted several DVDs to view. Youtube videos look good.

-VIDEO CHAT, which is only arbitrary to my initial needs/wants I installed and then uninstalled Gizmo Project after succesfully testing the connection to my home PC. I thought the results were fair only.

-Compotent, coherent internet browser Works good for me but you may have higher expectations.

-touch screen txt program for note taking Have never tried this.

-email on the go/WiFi internet For me, using the N800 as a secondary method of accessing e-mail and web content, it performs better than I had expected. I can also tether to my cellphone.

-long (if not, extreme haha) battery life through primary or secondary source, as needed External battery packs seem to work fine in my experience.

-games, if possible. but only arbitrary, again, to my initial needs/wants Sorry, I'm not a game user.

-Power issues I have not had any of the on-off issues some have reported. Works as advertised.

-memory issues I'm using the standard memory and two 2gb SD cards. All good.

-crashing If I recall, it has locked up on me a couple of times with several applications running. But not so many times that I believe it an issue.

-Unuseable peripherals My unusable peripherals remain unusable.

Hope that helps.

Bill