It is an early device on a new platform and it is far better than my N95 was at launch. Most of the posts complaining are about wanting functionality NOW!! The device has so much potential that everyone wants everything at once, that is a good thing.

So see the negatives as frustrations rather than the device being at fault. For me it has almost replace my laptop, which i did not expect. I also have no complaints about it as a phone, but this is an area that could be improved, but I still would not go back.

In a years time who knows, but It deserves to be there up front alongside the best of the Androids and iPhones.

If you don't like you can always sell it on

i am hoping for a bit of both.

My use is easily far more internet than calls/texts. So long as the browser is good and it makes calls and texts, i can work from there.

I have been using Ubuntu as my main OS for over a year now. Only use Windows for something i can't do on Linux - sync my winmo phone - but google does that for me now anyway.

I choose these types of devices as i like playing around - not on development, i am clueless with that side of things! I have enjoyed my time using linux as you get to 'fix it' - a bit like owning an old car and servicing it yourself or getting out the haynes manual out when i breaks down. Some folks like to tinker, others just want things to work.

I'm disappointed with my N900 in many ways, but I'm also happy with it and don't plan to get rid of it.

I was also very dissatisfied with my N95 at first and eventually things were fixed by firmware updates and by community (abundance of software, google apps, opera, and so on, hacking platform security, python, rompatcher etc)

Now a couple years later I compare the N900 to N95 as the benchmark. So I expect I'll fall in love with my N900 soon enough.

There are some things I miss from my 5800, but none of them compare to the extra capabilities of the N900. Unless you're really, really into S60, I'd say the compromises are well worth it.

For the slightly above average user, the N900 is great. For Linux users, the N900 will replace your fleshlight.

Not had a single problem,

The browser is second to none. Although I wish there was a working stripped down browser to use in edge areas.

The contacts are arranged great. I like the treaded conversations and ways the device brings everything together in this arena. (IM's, Skype,Numbers ect)

I was like you when my N900 was sitting in the box. Then it got better when I started using it, then it got worse again.

It has taken me a week or so to get accustomed to the device and I now really like it. However I have a few BIG gripes about it still.

Email - The client does not work with large accounts. When I launch email and select my inbox, it takes forever to show messages and ultimately crashes. I hope this is addressed in the next firmware release.

No MMS - Seriously, was Nokia not watching the iPhone and the MAJOR complaints it had without MMS.

Ovi Maps and GPS = ******ed. The application takes forever to load and GPS locks are not guaranteed. My finding are that you must have an active sim card for the GPS to get a lock within Ovi Craps. Although, the GPS can geotag pictures without delay. - Again, what were the thinking. Its not like Nokia is short on cash.

My fear is that Nokia will not continue to support the N900 as they are working hard on Maemo 6. If we only see two firmware update/releases, this will be a disappointment. I am accustomed to Palm's & Apples frequent updates. From what I have gathered about Nokia, they are notorious for putting something out and forgetting about the users.

This bugs me most.

Just read the specs of the N900 & see if they suit your needs.

This isn't a device meant for the "normal" customer (at the moment).

It's an intelligent gadget if you know how to use it but it's still a baby-platfrom (even if there's already been previous maemo versions, maemo 5 is completely different, offering new stuff to the customer but it's still not friendly to ANY person)

I know it's not for me - maybe the next version!

Once "Maemo" is friendly to the era we're living in - I'll be in!

the phone is good

and it has even greater potential

it is just more likely for people with bad experiences to be more vocal

Here is the problem with internet these days: it's always the 1% of unhappy/unsatisfied users who are most vocal. The other 99% who are happy with their device don't post: "it works great!". It'd be a boring forum. It's the complainers that make the noise, the 1 or 2 percent. It's like that with every public forum.

The other problem are the fanboys who try to justify their large purchase by ignoring any real negatives.

I would sum up the N900 as follows:
If you don't appreciate having a computer in your pocket, its not worth $500 unless you can get it real cheap (under $400 for extreme sales/coupons/cashbacks)