Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Hi all,
I currently use a Windows Phone 7 device (HTC Trophy). This was my first smartphone. I am a cellphone enthusiast and a few years ago experimented with Linux, but stopped because I found myself up against a brick wall most of the time. I love Windows Phone, but at the end of the day I want a phone/device that I can DO stuff on, i.e. spend time on like I would on a regular computer/laptop. With the WP7, it's all very well but not very engaging and interesting once I've got used to it. The whole "glance and go", "get the job done quick" atmosphere etc doesn't really appeal to me, because like I said I want to pay money for a device that will keep me interested.

The device I'm talking about is the Nokia N900. The official Maemo website for this really appeals to me. I just wonder if I would suit the change though, because a new N-device will come out towards the end of the year and the N900 is in general outdated anyway, with lower processor, RAM and apparently inferior touchscreen. It's also got a relatively small screen for what it's supposed to be: mobile computer. I would like to try out Linux again on my PC and maybe this phone will help get my interests up and become more of a "phone" than my current offering is.

Or, is it a better idea to buy a more modern high-end device and install Maemo on that? If possible.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Wait to see what the new Nokia device will be, then make your choice then

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

go for n900 if u have a lot time in your life, and no other hobbies.... i am really enjoying this...

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Best touch screen I've seen so far. Zoom right out on any website and you can still get the right link, even with your finger nail.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I wasn't sure about the touchscreen, looking from Yahoo! Answers people compared it to capacitative touchscreens really badly.

I'm now looking at alternative devices to host Maemo 5 or MeeGo. Or are they specific only to the Nokia N900?

Wait - just realised it's probably only the N900 since some of the hardware is specific to the Linux OS (I think) as I read something about GPU graphics which is associated with Linux. Correct me if I'm wrong. But it would be nice to use a device like the N900 with this software.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

It's not clear what exactly the next Linux based device Nokia will release will actually be, or when exactly they will release it. I'm not confident that what they put out will be something I would consider an upgrade so I wouldn't advise waiting, but if you are concerned about the cost of something that is falling further behind the top-end smartphones specwise you may want to consider purchasing 2nd-hand as used N900s can be picked up relatively cheaply.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

The touchscreen of my N900 is greatly superior in precision and ease of use to wife's Galaxy Tab. I second retsaw in advicing you to get a 2nd-hand N900; you'll get an excellent pocket computer, with an OS that'still lively in the hands of free developers, and will let you do almost anything you can imagine. Indeed, I haven't understood yet why Nokia did abandon maemo - whether they've been utterly stupid or the thing was too good for them.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

And if you get the N900 you get this community and its army of developers for free. Which to me is the phones biggest selling point.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Have a look at this to see what people can do with a resistive screen.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

capacitive = no stylus = no painting :(

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

Wait - are you promoting the touchscreen based on using a stylus? Or fingers?

Does the N900 have a dedicated stylus holder or is it normally used with just your hands?

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

stylus slips down bottom of n900 brilliant device :)

i use the stylus a lot but it's equally as good with fingers

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

I normally just use my finger nails, and it works perfectly. But yes, there's a dedicated stylus holder(and stylus is included).

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

the resistive screen is only to habituate. you need more pressure than on an capacitive but after a few days of usage that should be no problem.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

But then, the N900 screen needs much less pressure than any other resistive screen I've used.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

I'd keep the WP7 device for calls and get a cheap secondhand N900 for a tablet/netbook/mediaplayer if I were you. Phone functions are not the strong point of this device...
As for the screen it is superb. It is really sensitive and readable, it has a transflective layer like the PixelQI screen in the Notion Ink Adam tablet, so it is readable in strong light, in fact it is readable even with no backlight at all in a well-lit area (also turns b&w). It has its shortcomings thou. Many users experience some light spots on the right side of the screen, always the same place. It also does not support multi touch, but as I said it does not affect its usability, but many games require multi touch, you has to play these with keyboard. The Maemo linux is an amazing mobile OS with great potential, but it has shortcomings you would never expect (lack of portrait mode for one). If you want an interesting device, you are right to choose the N900, it can do things no other device ever can dream of, if you are willing to learn how to do it.

Re: Going to N900 from Windows Phone 7?
 

N900 touch screen is indeed very good, but it is resistive, ie pressure sensitive. As other have stated above, you need to apply slightly more pressure than on a capacitive, and it works better with nails than with a large surface (whole finger). It is really a matter of habit. As I have used resistive screens for 3 years, I feal more akward now on a capacitive one.

For the N900 in general, well it truly is the device I have enjoyed the most in my short life, but on the other hand I wouldn't advise it to any one in my familly (or any non geeky friend). In my opinion:
Pro:
- really feel free
- no 100,000 apps, just the 1000 you will ever need, plus the web.
- allways something to work on
Con:
- not really a gaming device.
- 18 months old, even if high end.
- allways something to work on

See it like moving from an all-inclusive resort holyday to a lonely planet trip with the same budget.