ProductCritic: T-Mobile MDA Smartphone Reviews

phoneArena.com (80)

The MDA felt great throughout the testing process. It didn’t take long to get used to the size, especially considering that it’s smaller than most PDA phones.

Pocket PC Thoughts (80)

I would definitely recommend the MDA to anyone looking for a compact all-in-one communicator and PDA. It’s not a performance monster, but it does what it does very well and you’d be hard-pressed to find more bang for your buck out there.

PC World (78)

The MDA fills a void in T-Mobile’s phone line-up, if you’re looking for a device that can do more than a Sidekick or a standard cell phone. But its quirks prevent us from heartily recommending it.

Phone Scoop (75)

It is one of the best put-together Pocket PC Phones so far. Unfortunately, despite T-Mobile’s best efforts, Pocket PC Phone Edition is still not a good choice for most users. The Windows Mobile 5 version is more user friendly than the last, but it is still not friendly enough.

The Gadgeteer (75)

On it’s own, it neither makes a standout Pocket PC nor a standout mobile phone, but combined, it makes a really nice compact device that can pretty much do it all. That said, I would definitely buy one if GSM coverage was better in my area!

Brighthand (72)

I actually prefer the T-Mobile MDA a bit over the Cingular 8125, despite the fact that they have identical internal hardware. The design of the MDA is more rounded, and fits more comfortably into the hand, than does the more squared-off 8125. That said, the devices are almost exactly alike: solidly designed and built, data oriented, GSM handheld with very few frills.

PDAStreet (70)

The MDA is excellent in keeping you in touch with home and office, but it lacks the wow factor of today’s most popular phones. A little design flair would make a lot more enjoyable.

MobileBurn (70)

But in my opinion, for a device to be truly practical as a phone, it must be usable with one hand most of the time. This is where the MDA falls short. Microsoft’s Windows Media 5.0 OS requires more buttons for one-handed use than are available on the MDA. As such, for a very large percentage of operations on the device, one is required to use their finger or the included stylus on the touch screen – something that most always requires a second hand.

Business Week Online (70)

Great for Windows apps; doesn’t match the e-mail speed of BlackBerry or Treo

CNET (67)

Hobbled by a poorly designed QWERTY keypad and sometimes sluggish performance, the Wi-Fi and EDGE-enabled T-Mobile MDA makes for an enticing but ultimately mediocre addition to T-Mobile’s smart-phone lineup.

LAPTOP Magazine (60)

You’ll definitely want to call your friends to brag about the device. That is, assuming you can get a signal.