Pocket PC Thoughts: Palm's Treo 700w Reviewed: Part 1 (Intro, Background, Hardware)

Product Category: Pocket PC Phone
Manufacturer: Palm, Inc.
Where to Buy: Amazon [Affiliate]
Price: $299.99 USD (after Amazon rebate); $499.99 USD (from Verizon Wireless)
System Requirements: Windows 2000 or Windows XP; USB port; CD-ROM drive
Specifications: 2.3" W x 4.4" H (excluding antenna) x 0.9" D; 6.4 oz; proprietary AC plug/adapter; 312MHz XScale processor; 240x240, 16-bit screen; 128MB memory (60MB ROM, 14MB RAM free on startup); SD slot; QWERTY thumbboard; 2.5mm audio jack; 1.3MP digital camera; 800/1900MHz CDMA/1xRTT/1xEV-DO; Bluetooth 1.2; Windows Mobile 5 AKU1

Pros:

• Fast EVDO access;
  
• Top-notch one-handability;
  
• Compact size, good for phone use;
  
• Broad support.

Cons:

• Smaller, square screen incompatible with some applications;
  
• No WiFi;
  
• Less than ideal memory;
  
• So-so multimedia performance.

Summary:
Palm's first effort in the Windows Mobile arena has yielded one of the most talked-about Windows Mobile devices of all time. The form factor, plus Palm's customizations, makes it pocketable and usable as a phone, but does it make for a good Windows Mobile Pocket PC?

Read on for part one -- introducing the device and reviewing the hardware -- of the longest Pocket PC Thoughts review ever, if you dare!