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Good mobile / smartpone to take notes
Hello.
I've been avoiding smartphones as I didn't really need one, and I now would be interested to get a mobile phone where I could take notes easily. I don't care if it's 720p youtube crap compatible or not, I just would like to call and take notes, and maybe look up a webpage from time to time but that's not important.
I'm looking for a sub 100EUR second hand device, with the ability to run as much free software as possible.
Any model you guys would recommend? Something solid that would last long and be easy to repair? Are there any smartphones that can run 100% free software? (I heard that android is full of google crap that's hard to remove...)
Thanks a lot, friends!
Comments
I use a BlackBerry Bold 9900 for business. You can pick it up for about £45 ish on eBay second hand.
Fast phone, touch screen, hardware QWERTY keyboard allows me to make notes and write emails like a bullet.
Using a sim only contract from Virgin Mobile for £10 per month. 1GB Data, 2500 calling minutes and 5000 texts per month.
They're repairable from cheap parts on eBay and by watching YouTube videos to install the parts. If not, any small phone repairing shop will do it cheap.
Only problem I have is BlackBerry's have very limited apps that can be downloaded from BlackBerry App World.
Perfect for my business needs.
@info_hash...
Hi...
You can always buy any android phone... And install a reputable Cyangon Mod on it...no bloatware....
And android....there is lots of free stuff
For repairing... Get Nexus's... Second hand...
Reason....quality build and easy to repair due to amazing Dev going on
try the Samsung Note 5 or Sony Z5 Premium.
I will not consider BlackBerry even if BlackBerry company will pay for usage, as phones in my opinion is so behind of technology and no one bothered to pay for BlackBerry services as it's exactly the same as data usage and nothing more!
I made the mistake of buying a brand new Bold 9790 unlocked for £326 (!) in 2012 before RIM was sold.
Worst purchase in terms of value for money.
Cost is included in the contract with no added cost regardless of data provider.
£326!!! That is bad value for money. £40 for a bullet keyboard, however, and battery life of 3 days when using for a few hours a day is good.
I still get a full week of battery on mine with rare usage.
This one looks good and can indeed be found very cheap! Probably a good price/quality ratio. Software wise, I guess that it's fully closed source.. is it secure enough? Do they still publish security upgrades?
Sounds good, a bit more expensive than the BB 9900 and touchscreen only.. is the touchscreen good on the 4? Any cheap model to consider?
Do you have to pay for blackberry services?
Thanks each and every one of you who took a few seconds to answer me!
some providers did in past £5 extra for "BlackBerry services" on top of data cost - rip off!
$7?
Brother...there are many good mobiles and tablets around....just do a Google search ...I will always recommend android... Because it give the power to the user ...
An android mobile phone works ...as long as you want...just buy one with a removable battery so you could replace it after a year or so..when it dies....
that will rule out most blackberry device.
However I do have to say blackberry has the best physical keyboard once you get used to it. if your main goal is to type many note it is still something to consider.
The Moto E is a good bang for the buck and you can buy it new for less than 100€.
Also, it will be upgraded to Android 6.0, which is as much as you can expect at that price point.
Sorry but I beg to differ...
Don't take me wrong, I'm not fanboy at all. I just have used many iPhones, Android and some Windows phones over the last years. But there is a reason why I keep going back to the iPhone after all: it just works as it should, out of the box. And isn't really as limited as the first few ones were (which I also had and were a very nice product anyway).
Thanks guys
Android seems nice, but I'd like to avoid the google crap, and it seems that not all mobiles can run CyanogenMod...
That's the thing, I don't know if I can get used to the virtual keyboard, but I'm pretty sure I can get use to blackberry's keyboard, and I really would like to avoid a google phone. So yeah, BB means non free but they seem quite probably to be the most reactive on security upgrades, provide updates for old systems; and seem focus strongly on security which makes sense (if that's not great marketing strategy)..
Thanks, will check that out.
Why so? Doesn't it work fine? Or in the end you just kinda need the google stuff?
Iphone, while non free seem to work well, but out of my budget, and I'm looking for a cheap and quite simple device. But many people seem to like those, I guess there's a reason...
I'm just tired of them killing my devices with software updates, but I suppose Google does this too. Just wish companies would add more optimization for us folks who don't want to upgrade every year or two.
Security patch needed? Too damn bad, can't patch it till you upgrade to the latest and greatest with a performance drop since your phone's CPU is inadequate.
That's the same problem with M$ windows btw. Business is business, and for apple it's even more juicy as they also sell the hardware and the kids buying their stuff seems addicted...
On phones made for android, doesn't CyanogenMod allows to keep the same device and update without the need for an upgrade?
BlackBerry seem to offer upgrades for old models that run well (from what I've read, no experience at all in this field)
@nyr...
I partially agree but you have to be a power user to take full advantages of android..
And youe second point is pretty valid...but most of the apps and thing works even on the old android phone....with out dated things....
But ...
It still the best way for OP
Considering his 100euro budget...
You can install play store and other Google apps....search for Gapps...BTW...iPhone point is right ...no config required...works out of thr box...
These would be the best for taking notes?
First of all, officially there isn't the option, you need to install a ROM created by someone (if available. And anyway, you need the Google stuff for so many common tasks that you just need to accept the fact and live with it.
I understand, that's why I suggested the Moto E.
There are also some nice and cheap Windows Phones too, but they get less love than Android if you need third party apps so I would go with something Android.
You are right, they should be maintained for longer but at least is better than Android: I'm currently very happy with my iPhone 5C and not planning to upgrade, there had been two/three new generations already
Windows Phone it pretty good with long term support. If only the ecosystem wasn't as crappy as it is...
Kinda, but Cyanogen isn't always as stable as it should and they stop maintaining relatively new devices too. To be honest I haven't used them for two years or so, so this could have improved somehow.
I agree, for sure.
My flatmate recently got a 50 EUR Chinese phone and it works surprisingly well considering the price. I wouldn't use it, but I think that's actually enough for the average user needs.
@info_hash if budget is really tight, you should consider Chinese phones too. Expect zero warranty and non-maintained software, but other than that, they are mostly fine.
Moto E seems nice; I'll probably avoid windows phone for now - I've been ignoring M$ for more than a decade, I could probably do another one...
I'd like to try Cyanogen to see how it works, and am definitely curious about the keyboard of the BB... let's see what I can find cheap to experiment with.
I did consider the chinese phones but I'd really prefer to buy second hand, and I'm not sure that buying a cheap chinese phone second hand is a good idea, as there are robust and not too old choices available for cheap on the second hand market...
Thanks for all those precious inputs, didn't think the thread would end up being that interesting!
Why not get an ultra cheap 2nd hand netbook?
Because it would be as big as @pbgben 's proposal...
A mobile I often have with me, so I thought that something I could take notes easily with would be the easiest way. A netbook would need a bag to be carried around, while a cheap second hand smartphone could stay in a pocket
Portability and battery life???
Galaxy note has stylus, but I would prefer a Bluetooth keyboard
@Jorbox that's the kind of stuff I currently use. Get the job done but a better keyboard wouldn't hurt as far as taking notes goes