General Question

LexWordsmith's avatar

Would people who are tech-savvy please be so kind as to recommend a particular one of this kind of device for me?

Asked by LexWordsmith (964points) December 2nd, 2009

I hope to purchase (or get purchased for me as a holiday present) a device that will enable me to
(1) go to free wireless hotspots and (a) obtain access to gmail and (b) browse the Web,
(2) make and receive cell-phone calls,
(3) download generic MP3 files from the Web and store them on the device, and
(4) play, through earphones, MP3 files already stored on the device.

Desiderata:
Cost;
Storage capacity;
Ease of use (including keyboard with 26+ keys, preferably);
Weight;
Size of device;
Size of screen.

I already have a cell-phone, so a netbook is a possibility, but an all-in-one device also works for me.
I realize that “size of screen” (larger is better, up to some point) and
“size of device” (smaller is better, down to some point) are conflicting desiderata.

i would rather purchase from a company that either
(a) ships from within the USA or Canada or
(b) has a physical pick-up point neear Washington, DC.

Any recommendation or discussion will be greatly appreciated.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

14 Answers

LexWordsmith's avatar

oops! i’m afraid that the typo “neear” will make @grumpyfish grumpy!

erichw1504's avatar

You can get a netbook and install Skype on it which can make phone calls and do video chat and stuff.

jackm's avatar

Have you looked into the One Laptop Per Child project? It may have what you are looking for.

J0E's avatar

Sounds like you need a smart phone, most can do all those things.

dpworkin's avatar

Everything you mentioned can be accomplished on a RIM BlackBerry phone, some of which can now be obtained quite reasonable through Verizon. The iPhone is a sexier but unnecessary alternative and requires a contract with AT&T, heaven forfend.

Foolaholic's avatar

@drClaw

Nay, thou needst a Droid

Blondesjon's avatar

@pdworkin . . . If you have bad credit you can get around the AT&T contract for the iPhone.

If your credit is sub par AT&T will turn you down and you are free to find a less discerning service provider.

drClaw's avatar

@Foolaholic uh maybe if you don’t want to have to pay the mac-tax on everything but some of us have priorities and don’t need frivolous things like food and a warm place to sleep if our phones are shiny enough. Take that jerk!

MissAnthrope's avatar

Yeah, a smartphone sounds in order. Blackberry and iPhone are the two most popular. I lean toward the iPhone because you don’t have to deal with the teeny tiny buttons, though I will forever hold a grudge against AT&T for their exclusive deal with Apple. On principle, it sucks.

@Blondesjon – Really??

Blondesjon's avatar

Yep. Heard it straight from Kim Commando’s mouth.

kyle94481's avatar

Yeah a blackberry or Iphone will most likely seal the deal for you, although, the the droid is looking nice.

FireMadeFlesh's avatar

I would go for a 7” laptop computer, with an SSD and long battery life, and wireless internet.

LexWordsmith's avatar

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to help me out and for the info.

@Blondesjon : aaaah, KC, yeah, i’m in the tank for her, on voice and knowledge alone—don’t know what she looks like, and don’t care.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther