T-Mobile MDA Professional Review

Overall Rating

Fantastic VGA screen
Built-in full keyboard
802.11b Wireless Access (WLAN)
3G and GSM (good for US & Canada)
SD Memory slot
Bluetooth
Windows Mobile Media player
Pocket Outlook
Pocket Internet Explorer
Lots of memory
Windows Mobile 5, so lots of features

Heavy, for a phone
Occasional lock ups

The T-Mobile MDA Pro mobile phone is actually a HTC Universal. A number of UK networks are marketing this phone under their own brand names. For example, Orange call it the M5000, while O2 call it the XDA Exec. But for T-Mobile, it is simply known as the MDA Pro.

Before I begin this review, I think it's important that you understand that this is in fact a PDA with a phone attached to it, rather than a mobile phone with PDA functions. The version of Windows running on the unit is Microsoft Windows Mobile version 5.0 and NOT Microsoft Windows Smartphone or any other cut down version. Essentially, the same version of Windows runs on this phone as some small tablet machines.

The unit itself comes boasting a 640 x 480 pixel screen, with 65k colours (VGA), 64Mb RAM with a 128Mb ROM. Expansion is via the SDIO/MMC slot which I personally have taken to 1Gb. Best of all, this unit comes with a full blown 802.11b WiFi connection on-board. So if you're in a WiFi network, why not take the opportunity to make a Skype call. This is exactly what we did while on holiday in Canada, and it works fantastically on this unit. What's more, the Bluetooth adapter allows for simple expansion for GPS systems or headsets.

The processor is an Intel 520 MHz unit that is more than powerful enough for any application you might want to throw at it. So far we have tested both TomTom (for PDA) and Navigator, and they are both absolutely fantastic.

Operation and configuration are a sharp improvement over previous Windows Phones, and basic browsing is well tailored for. With only the most complicated (or non-scalable) of pages failing to appear well enough to get by. The email client provided on the T-Mobile is excellent, and I have no problem accessing Yahoo, GMail, or even remote Exchange mail servers.

Even the handwriting recognition works well.

But it's not all roses. As with most Microsoft products there are some things that annoy. Every so often the unit will grind to a halt for no apparent reason, and whilst having a raft of features (such as a full keyboard), 286g is more than a little heavy to drop into your top pocket. Plus all that screen real estate has a price. Whilst you might be happy with your current mobile phone, you should realise that the 250h or 'stand-by' for most is an abstract dream. Once you think about it being a PDA and it needs regular charging, you'll be much happier with the unit.

It sync's easily with Windows, provides superb voice recognition dialing and plays a whole host of media formats for both audio and video.

Another top feature is that the unit can operate as a Windows broadband modem. Which might not sound much, but being able to get 224k access in a hotel room over the highly priced 56k line is a fantastic feature. This can be used either via Bluetooth, or my recommendation would be using the USB cable. As this pumps power into the unit and isn't limited by the performance of Bluetooth networking.

One last point. On a purely aesthetic point, the silver T-Mobile machines show up wear far less than the matt black O2 units that tend to show every single bump and scratch; plus T-Mobiles current web and walk package actually works very well. I spent three months in the middle of the Devon moors outside Tavistock, and the unit never failed to get a signal, either 3G or GPRS. But, that's more a compliment on T-Mobile's network than this unit.

If size and weight are not an issue, I highly recommend it.