Why does the i500 cost 600 bucks?

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Brian Link - 26 Mar 2004 14:58 GMT

The i500 is nice and small, the clamshell will protect the screen
during moderately rugged use, and the screen is pretty, though not
hi-res.

But why does this phone cost $600? I spose because it can.. but
there's no speakerphone, no camera, low-res screen, no thumb-pad, no
SD expansion, etc. I can almost see it for the Treo 600 or the
refrigerator-sized G1000, but for the i500 I just can't figure it out.

Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mother, people only invite you to dinner for
three reasons: to sell you vitamins, to drug you
and take unpleasant snapshots, or to convert you
to their hideous farming religion."

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Robert M. - 26 Mar 2004 15:17 GMT

> The i500 is nice and small, the clamshell will protect the screen
> during moderately rugged use, and the screen is pretty, though not
> hi-res.
>
> But why does this phone cost $600?

combine a $300 cell phone with a $300 Palm Pilot, and voila.

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TCS - 26 Mar 2004 16:47 GMT

>The i500 is nice and small, the clamshell will protect the screen
>during moderately rugged use, and the screen is pretty, though not
>hi-res.

>But why does this phone cost $600? I spose because it can.. but
>there's no speakerphone, no camera, low-res screen, no thumb-pad, no
>SD expansion, etc. I can almost see it for the Treo 600 or the
>refrigerator-sized G1000, but for the i500 I just can't figure it out.

A thing is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it.
If it isn't worth $600, they'll sit on the shelves collecting dust and
get cleared out at a greatly reduced priced eventually.

Why do you let it bother you so? Either it's worth the price, or it
isn't. Otherwise, who cares?

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Brian Link - 26 Mar 2004 21:04 GMT

>>The i500 is nice and small, the clamshell will protect the screen
>>during moderately rugged use, and the screen is pretty, though not
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>Why do you let it bother you so? Either it's worth the price, or it
>isn't. Otherwise, who cares?

I do, because I want one, and $600 is too much money for me to spend.
Gets me thinking of the inherent cruelty and injustice of the world.

Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mother, people only invite you to dinner for
three reasons: to sell you vitamins, to drug you
and take unpleasant snapshots, or to convert you
to their hideous farming religion."

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RA - 26 Mar 2004 21:54 GMT

Brain - I hav had a I300 for years but I500 is not only over a year old, its
uses Palm OS v 4.1 which is 2 years old. I would recommend you wait for a
new version as I am. I300 has speakphone and I would not buy another one w/o
it.

Steer clear or wait for it to be $ 250-300. It is well designed and looks
sharp.
watch this space - http://www.phonescoop.com/

> >>The i500 is nice and small, the clamshell will protect the screen
> >>during moderately rugged use, and the screen is pretty, though not
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> and take unpleasant snapshots, or to convert you
> to their hideous farming religion."

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Steph - 31 Mar 2004 00:32 GMT

> Brain - I hav had a I300 for years but I500 is not only over a year
> old, its uses Palm OS v 4.1 which is 2 years old. I would recommend
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> looks sharp.
> watch this space - http://www.phonescoop.com/

On that note, our CompUSA circular listed the i300 for $499 with a $150 in-
store discount and $150 incentive discount from Sprint* (with 2yr
activation new line blah blah blah).

Anyway, the $350 end price is just a little to high for me.
Now if the unit came with 802.11 as well and the PalmOS could use 802.11
when appropriate and regular phone functions etc elswhere, then yes $350 -
of course i would still miss the expansion slot.

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Robert M. - 31 Mar 2004 01:18 GMT

> > Brain - I hav had a I300 for years but I500 is not only over a year
> > old, its uses Palm OS v 4.1 which is 2 years old. I would recommend
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> store discount and $150 incentive discount from Sprint* (with 2yr
> activation new line blah blah blah).

New i330's are selling on eBay for just over $200.

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