I've had been using my SPV M5000 from Orange for over 3 months now. This review aims to illustrate some of the pros and cons I've experienced with it over that time.
Specs:
OS: Windows Mobile 5.0
Case: Clam-shell with built in qwerty keyboard
Screen: VGA 640 x 480 65,000 colours
Memory: 128 MB
Weight: 285g
Size: 127.7 x 81 x 25 mm
Camera: 1.3 megapixels
Connectivity: Bluetooth, InfraRed, USB, Wifi, GPRS, 3G
Memory Card: SD
Design
The M5000 is a clam shell design with a rotating screen. You can use it like a laptop or twist the screen and use it like a traditional Pocket PC. I find that I always use it in Laptop mode nowadays as it takes a couple of seconds to redraw the screen in potrait mode and if you are answering the phone or checking an email it's too long to wait.
Keyboard
The full keyboard is very good for typing out emails and SMS messages. I've never really been bother to use SMS before (I always thought it's quicker and easier just to call) but with the keyboard I've been typing a lot of texts recently! They keyboard also has a cool red backlight which comes on when the light conditions are low.
Screen
Althought the screen is pretty high res (640 x 480) most apps don't use this feature to it's fullest. For example internet explorer is pretty similar to a much lower res version. I have tried a program called ozVGA which converts the screen to a true 640 x 480 display which is better but requires a reset if you switch from normal to high res. The new Opera Mobile beta is much better for web browsing and uses the full resolution but unfortunately is too buggy for daily use at the moment (keeps crashing the device).
That said, the display is certainly much crisper and fonts are more rounded and easier to read on the higher resolution (even if the layout is the same as lower res screens).
Internet
I bought the M5000 primarily to check websites and recieve email. I had been using an iPAQ 6340 to do this but the GPRS connection was pretty slow and downloading emails and viewing websites took a long time.The M5000 has fulfilled this function admirably. The 3G connection is very fast for downloading emails and not too bad at websites either. Another unexpected use for the M5000 has been as a mobile broadband modem. Using the data 3G connection I can plug the phone into my laptop and browse the web and recieve emails on the laptop. This is great when you are on the road and you don't have a wifi connection (or don't want to pay for a hotel one).
Phone
The device is too large for most people to use as their main phone. I do but only because I only have one SIM card for my connection plan. If I had two cards I would put one in my C500 and use that as my phone. I bought a bluetooth headset but still find myself just holding the phone up to my ear to make calls. It looks pretty conspicuous and is a bit of a throwback to 80s mobile 'brick' phones when you are walking down the street making a call.
Software
Pocket Outlook, Word and Excel are all included and are great for general organisation. PIE (pocket internet explorer) isn't that great due to low res. Windows Media Player looks pretty good but I haven't used the device for playing MP3s much yet.
The OS seems a bit sluggish compared to other PPCs I've tried. When swivelling the screen from front to back it takes a couple of seconds to change from potrait to landscape.
Pros
Fast internet connection
Full size Keyboard
Cons
Too large for use as a phone
Slightly sluggish compared to other PPC devices
If anyone has any questions... fire away!
Linear Mode
