[Al See]

I need a new handset for my small business but am not really sure about the difference between the blackberry & windows mobile platforms.

I need full integration with outlook 2007 to synchronise mail, calendar & contacts.

It needs to be easy to set up & maintain with push email & outlook integration for a non-techy like me

What are the advantages/disadvantages between the 2 platforms?

Thanks

[RobM]

Do you host your own company email? Or do you use a web-based provider such as Googlemail, Hotmail or other hosting company?

If you host your own email then adding Blackberry will require BES to be bought, installed and maintained alongside your existing email infrastructure. This is a cost to bear in mind initially and also on an ongoing basis as it requires a specific skillset.

If you don't host it, find out whether the company/service that does support Blackberry before going too far down the road of looking at handsets.

[Al See]

Thanks Rob, good advice re checking with my host.

I currently have my domain & email hosted by Nativespace which delivers email to outlook via pop3 or IMAP.

I'll see what I can find out from Nativespace.

[RobM]

I would advise against Blackberry then, as it's an added layer of complication that you don't need to get a good messaging experience.

The HTC TP2 is a damn fine choice of handset, but do be aware that you have a world of choice these days for mobile email. With the Android boom and the iPhone both offering extremely solid messaging options, you have a great range of handsets to chose from.

That said, the HTC Touch Pro 2 is one of the few handsets that offers a decent QWERTY keyboard as well as a decent interface and touch screen, so I'd certainly recommend it.

[Al See]

Thanks for the advice, Rob.

I've ordered the HTC, a decent qwerty keyboard is important to me and what led me to the HTC device in the first place. Fat fingers & poor eyesight

Thanks again.