Palm Pre 2 or wait for the new HP Palm 3?

[Hands0n]

I have always wanted to get my hands on a Palm Pre but was put off by the bad press, the O2 exclusivity (having been 'network-burned' by iPhone on O2) and the stupid price of a SIM-free, knocking on for £500. For a device that did not seem to be that well built, according to what I've read on the Interwebs, and a bit niche in comparison to iOS and Android devices it just didn't seem worth it.

HP, having acquired Palm, have not taken too long to sort out some WebOS product and have brought to the table the Pre 3 that is due out in the UK some time this Summer. SIM-free, early adopter, price is around £499 according to Google Shopping. I'm not having any of that for such a new device. It will have to come down to around the typical price for an Android smartphone to interest me.

But the old Pre 2 (avoid the Pre and the Pre Plus which are dreadfully slow) is being seen in Google Shopping from £150.13 from LambdaTek http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=2152943&relatedprods=y#productTop although still at silly £300+ prices from other suppliers). Even on eBay these are going for very much more!

So, having sold an old BlackBerry and having a nice balance in my PayPal account burning a hole in my pocket it seems an irresistible buy to gain some WebOS experience ahead of the new HP product.

Buy now or wait? It seems like a no brainer.

[Ben]

Hmm, for the money I'd be inclined to push you towards the purchase, if only to feed my own curiosities!

I, personally, however, have never had much of an interest in Palm. I'd probably want the HP'd Pre 3.

[hecatae]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/259850

£131.69

[hecatae]

review please, did you get the 16gb or 8gb version?

[miffed]

Veeeeeeery tempted !!! This could be the "niche" OS / product that I'd like , I loathe the fact that everyone from 8 year olds to frail old ladies has an iPhone the same as mine - it sort of defeats the object of being a tech obsessed geek !

Only thing stopping me from ordering now is that I am away for a week from Friday , and knowing my luck the delivery would not arrive before then , (even if I specified next day ! )

[Hands0n]

review please, did you get the 16gb or 8gb version?

I will write something up very soon. I got the 16GB and then later in the day, yesterday, I found the Ebuyer offer - £30 cheaper (with postage). I'm a little bit cheesed off for not checking Ebuyer, I knew they were there but didn't think to compare.

Incidentally, I notice that the sellers of these at this price all have around 1,600 in stock. Sounds like they've all picked up a pallet or two of factory clearance stock. I suppose once they're gone, they're gone.

NB: Shortie review. I'm quite enjoying my first WebOS experience. It isn't iOS, and it isn't Android. But it didn't take any time at all to learn.