PCS Phones for use with Powerbook G4 12 in.

[Christian Dupuis]

Hello Listers...

I'm out fishing for recommendations. Up here in the frigid bloody 
north, there are very few cell service providers that support the Mac. 
Actually, technically speaking, there's only Telus (through Smith 
Micro). As a result,  I'm kind of limited as to mobile data 
connectivity; although there has been an increase in wifi hotspots in 
Montreal, they are located in hotels or a few public areas, and nothing 
really practical. Therefore, I need to resort to the old phone to 
laptop method for access, and I need your honest opinion on what works, 
and how well it does...

To single down the choices, I've basically identified four candidates; 
the Audiovox 8900, the LG 4600, and either the Samsung SPH-A520 or the 
Samsung SPH-A540. I would have also liked to consider the Motorola 
V60ci, but as far as I can tell, it's not on the list of Telus 
offerings anymore. What I'd like to hear about is performance; which 
are best/worst at getting a good voice signal, same for data 
transmissions, battery life, coverage problems, and so forth.

Any info appreciated. I'd be happy to keep slogging around the 
old-fashioned way (i.e., never wander too far from my wireless access 
point or an open network), but I've just started working on a project 
that requires me to be connected more often to the net (customer 
service & support issues).

Cheers from a snowy February Montreal Tuesday Evening...

Chris