Smart Phone Help

[JoeRedskin]

Thanks for the advice. After looking, I think I have it down to three choices:

Motorolla X2 -> 3G, $50 or $90 with case and phone charger.
Motorolla Bionic -> 4G, $100 but need basic accessories.
LG Lucid -> 4G, $80 but works with current chargers (also 4" screen as opposed to 4.3").

Probably go with the X2, Data plan seems like a good deal ($30 for 4 GB).

Some follow-ups:
1) A couple of you have used the term "hotspot" - what does that mean?
2) Just so I am clear - If I am on my wifi, the "G" is really inapplicable and I can stream on on my front porch at a rate comparable to the ancient tower PC downstairs?

[mooby]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Thanks for the advice. After looking, I think I have it down to three choices:

Motorolla X2 -> 3G, $50 or $90 with case and phone charger.
Motorolla Bionic -> 4G, $100 but need basic accessories.
LG Lucid -> 4G, $80 but works with current chargers (also 4" screen as opposed to 4.3").

Probably go with the X2, Data plan seems like a good deal ($30 for 4 GB).

Some follow-ups:
1) A couple of you have used the term "hotspot" - what does that mean?
2) Just so I am clear - If I am on my wifi, the "G" is really inapplicable and I can stream on on my front porch at a rate comparable to the ancient tower PC downstairs?

A hotspot is a just place with free WiFi, like an internet cafe, coffee shop, etc.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by mooby

A hotspot is a just place with free WiFi, like an internet cafe, coffee shop, etc.

Your phone can act like a hot spot as well but it is generally not free to do this unless it is rooted.

[Daseal]

Yeah, turning your phone into a hotspot means it turns basically into a wireless router. Most phones offer it for free for 30 days then ask you to pay some ridiculously high fee to use it regularly. Once rooted it becomes very free.

If you're using your home wireless, you should see similar speeds as you see on a home wireless computer.

[BDBohnzie]

Before you buy the charger and case at Verizon, hit up the local Five Below or look online. I got my case and extra iPhone charger at Five Below. The case I have is from https://www.speckproducts.com/ and it's great.

The one thing I ran into when we upgraded our devices was my 6 year old router couldn't handle all the traffic. At any one time, I have 4 computers, 2 iPhones, an iPad and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 going at the same time. I grabbed a wireless-n router from Newegg for $30 and it's been great. Not saying you'll have to do the same (I've got an overkill setup), but something to keep in mind.

[CRedskinsRule]

Don't to anything. Just stay with your dinosaur phone for your dinosaur life!

Sent from my SpringBoard using Tapatalk 2

[tryfuhl]

I have the x2 and it's not bad at all.. great intro phone...

4g depends how the coverage is in your area.. they're expanding coverage around DC currently. I don't stream much but I know even YouTube can cause hiccups depending on connection.. but I'm down here in Waldorf. Be prepared to carry a charger with you or one of those power pack devices. I doubt you'll use over 4gb data.. my phone has been my primary internet device for a few months and I haven't approached that amount.

[JoeRedskin]

Again, thanks for all the help. One last set of questions:

Has anyone ever bought a "Certified Pre-Owned"? Any thoughts? Anyone have friends who went with the "used" phone? Anyone have or heard ofproblems with a CPO phone? Anyone no what precautions they take to make sure its, essentially, good as new?

I ask b/c the "Pre-owned" 4G Droid Bionic is the same cost as a new Droid X2.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Again, thanks for all the help. One last set of questions:

Has anyone ever bought a "Certified Pre-Owned"? Any thoughts? Anyone have friends who went with the "used" phone? Anyone have or heard ofproblems with a CPO phone? Anyone no what precautions they take to make sure its, essentially, good as new?

I ask b/c the "Pre-owned" 4G Droid Bionic is the same cost as a new Droid X2.

Just personal preference, but I would not ever get a certified per-owned phone, just too afraid of abuse from the previous owner.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Just personal preference, but I would not ever get a certified per-owned phone, just too afraid of abuse from the previous owner.

Pretty much this. I tend to buy most electronics new, just because I don't think companies do much to refurbished electronics besides what's required to get them to work again, and like CR said I don't know what the previous owner treated it like.

[FRPLG]

One other tip. Don't buy insurance through your carrier. Go with something like square trade. Same plans but cheaper.

[mlmpetert]

Also considering buying from a retailer thats not your phone's carrier like:

AmazonWireless: Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, and Accessories

I think saden has bought from costco with bettter/cheaper results. I have Verizon and always thought i had to buy through them for my upgrades and renewels, which is not true you can buy from anywhere.

I recently got a 4g phone and would say get a 4g phone. Youre locked into this thing for 2 years so you might as well have something youre not going to be fustrated with in 6months a year.

Also i feel like most 4g phones run faster on wifi, only because they are built to run at faster speeds on a continueing basis. At least that has been my experience.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Just personal preference, but I would not ever get a certified per-owned phone, just too afraid of abuse from the previous owner.

When it comes to electronics in general, I always buy new. As you say, you just can't trust the prior owner, unless you're buying something second hand from someone you know.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Also considering buying from a retailer thats not your phone's carrier like:

AmazonWireless: Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, and Accessories

I think saden has bought from costco with bettter/cheaper results. I have Verizon and always thought i had to buy through them for my upgrades and renewels, which is not true you can buy from anywhere.

I recently got a 4g phone and would say get a 4g phone. Youre locked into this thing for 2 years so you might as well have something youre not going to be fustrated with in 6months a year.

Also i feel like most 4g phones run faster on wifi, only because they are built to run at faster speeds on a continueing basis. At least that has been my experience.

Great advice! I paid a few dollars more and get the Bionic. I had the original Driod and went to the Bionic last month after my Droid bricked. Iwas due for a upgrade in Dec but said F it I liked my Droid. Holy crap! After upgrading what a difference in speed! My lap top has been on vacation since I got this thing!

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

When it comes to electronics in general, I always buy new. As you say, you just can't trust the prior owner, unless you're buying something second hand from someone you know.

I agree if you are buying on eBay but the Verizon CFPO program is pretty damn good. I didn't do but know plenty that have and if there was a issue Verizon quickly replaced the phone.