IT Pro Verdict
The Palm Treo Pro shows that, given the right TLC, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional can be a powerful business tool. However, with its average battery life and small keyboard there’s little incentive to ditch your iPhone, E71 or Blackberry Bold.
Palm hasn't had it that easy of late. Trying to please an ever-fickle business user base and tech-savvy consumers at the same time is no easy task. Take the Centro for example. It didn't exactly set the business world on fire, did it?
But that was then and this is now and Palm has tried to consign any gripes we had the Centro and its ageing Palm operating system with this Windows Mobile powered Treo Pro.
Looking like a familiar old friend with its stylish exterior and slinky black overcoat, the Palm Treo Pro wouldn't look entirely out of place at an Apple iPhone reunion party. However, looks can be deceiving and while this device has a lot to offer business professionals, an iPhone it most certainly isn't.
Serving up a new slim line packaging approach, the Pro's parents have done away with the set-up CD. While this minimises cardboard usage, it doesn't necessarily minimise headaches for the end user if they're using anything other than a PC. Mac fans may be disgruntled by the device's claims of easy PC set-up, as they'll have to download a third-party application to get things synced up and ready to roll.
Once you've gotten over the potential set up hurdle, you can start to appreciate what the Palm Treo Pro has to offer. At just 133g, 6cm high and 1.3cm wide, it's discreet enough to fit in your pocket without causing an unsightly bulge. While its 2.5 inch screen isn't the biggest on the market, it is still sizable enough to carry out most tasks without having to squint.
A stylus is housed comfortably round the back, as we've come to expect with Palm devices and unlike most keyboard equipped Windows Mobile devices the display is touch sensitive too.
The Treo Pro is among a flurry of devices that have recently succumbed to the advances of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. While it has its detractors we think the use of this OS helps move things on from the negativities people may have levied at Palm historically. It's a better choice for dealing with office documents on the go, for example, maximising productivity.
