I'm in search of a new mobile phone with GPRS/Edge with the primary purpose of using it to tether to another device (iBook- no PCMCIA, laptop- no Bluetooth, and a Nokia 770 webpad- no USB host-mode) for internet access.

All devices have Wi-Fi, but I prefer a wired connection to conserve battery life. Because I use three different operating systems, I would prefer something that works as just a "standard modem," and requires no supplemental drivers or other software.

For the phone itself,<strong> the cheaper the better</strong> and I have no problems with no extra built-in frills than good connectivity from my other toys.

(I resolved to go this route since I cannot get an unlocked Blackberry without native features disabled)

Any help would be appreciated!

Well, the Nokia 6230 would fit the bill...it has EDGE, is pretty small and can surely be found in the 7-8k price range (new). You can use it through Bluetooth or USB on the iBook, USB or IR on the laptop and Bluetooth on the Nokia 770.

Nokia 6230

6230i

Costs 4000B more and only offers a better screen and camera, not high on tjo o tjim's priority list the way I see it.

Thanks for the help; I was seeing higher prices on the 6230 that pushed me towards trying to find something else.

Only complaint is they use a proprietary connector for the USB rather than the mini-USB that I always have a spare around for. Another "wire" for my wife to curse!

Any other options?

Well, how important is EDGE support to you? The 6230 would be your cheapest option for that...otherwise, for a GPRS-only connection, you could even try to find a Nokia 6310i, which has fantastic battery life by today's standards (1 week or so), is a very reliable phone and includes Bluetooth, but only a B/W screen. Then there's smthn like the Sony Ericsson T610 or T630, which can be found in the 5000B range nowadays and work pretty well. If you want mini-USB, the RAZR is very nice, has all the options (besides EDGE), but does cost 9000 at least...but hey, you pay for something that looks good

Well, how important is EDGE support to you? ... If you want mini-USB, the RAZR is very nice, has all the options (besides EDGE), but does cost 9000 at least...but hey, you pay for something that looks good

Well, any thoughts as to how important EDGE should be to me? I do a lot of data transfer, and am living in Phuket at the moment, but moving over to Samui soon.

Ironically, I have a RAZR already. With any luck it will be unlocked at the end of this week, so it would by far be my cheapest solution.

Well, how important is EDGE support to you? ... If you want mini-USB, the RAZR is very nice, has all the options (besides EDGE), but does cost 9000 at least...but hey, you pay for something that looks good

Well, any thoughts as to how important EDGE should be to me? I do a lot of data transfer, and am living in Phuket at the moment, but moving over to Samui soon.

Ironically, I have a RAZR already. With any luck it will be unlocked at the end of this week, so it would by far be my cheapest solution.

Before you buy any EDGE mobile check with DTAC to find out where the EDGE coverage is and also if and when it will become available where you are now and more importantly where you are going to live.

Last I heard is that EDGE was only available in BKK and the big cities and you don't want to be out in the sticks with an EDGE capable mobile and no hope of RDGE for a year or so.

Although I worked as a cellular engineer for Motorola my personal mobiles (with one exception) have always been Nokia.

I use a 6300 on Bluetooth as my primary GPRS link and keep an old 6100 on a cable as a backup.

But thats just me.

Good luck.