Ask Engadget: Best portable internet device?

Face it, folks -- internet browsing shouldn't be confined to your desktop / laptop. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of options out there when looking to get the intarwebz (and we mean the whole intarwebz) in your pocket. For those out there who've found the perfect one from the smattering of choices, throw Adam (and countless others) a bone here.

"I have a BlackBerry Pearl and the web browsing on it sucks like a tornado. What I want is a web browsing device that rocks me like a hurricane. I'd rather not have something large, even as large as a netbook like the Eee PC. There are the Nokia tablets. There's the Archos 605 / 705 WiFi. There are UMPCs like the Q1 Ultra. Then there's the iPhone / iPod touch. I'm looking for something that I can access the internet on from the couch or the john with a full HTML browser. And I need something that won't break the bank."

So, whatcha got? After you're done posting your answer from the lavatory, send over a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

[grull27 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:20PM]

iPhone 3G

[maball54 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:22PM]

The one answer to rule them all....

..not

[PuBeLeSs @ Aug 21st 2008 9:27PM]

iPhone period.... ya period

[dasilvetz @ Aug 21st 2008 9:28PM]

@ jtizzlefurizzle21

You, dear sir, are an idiot.

We are not even talking about phones here, but about the internet browsing experience.

Learn how to read first, before you post.

Besides- the iPhone/Touch is definitely the best device out there right now as far as browsing experience is concerned.

Don't hate because you bought a Zune and have a CDMA phone.

:)

[Tim @ Aug 21st 2008 9:29PM]

Honestly, for me the iphone is pretty much all i need, in an internet device, anyway. My eyesight is good enough that most pages i can read at full width, so the screen is about as small as it could be for that. If flash support was introduced, it really would be pretty much all i asked for. if you need something with a bigger screen, or like opening links w/o leaving the current webpage, or copy and paste, look elsewhere. but imho, the iphone does present a pretty dcent view of the web

[Nate @ Aug 21st 2008 9:31PM]

Wrong.

You can't be the best mobile internet device if you can't browse the internet without compromise. These days, lack of Flash is a pretty big compromise.

To me, Nokia Tablets take the prize for the best mobile internet device. The n800 and n810 can display practically any website you can throw at them. They are, truly, mobile browsing without compromise.

[maball54 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:37PM]

@Nate: Completely agree. Flash is a huge part of the internet for me personally, as is tabbed browsing.

[jtizzlefurizzle21 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:50PM]

@ dasilvets

i have an iphone i just don't go around saying its the one and only god of devices and when a product is better than yours you shouldn't be a child and say its the best... thats called being a fanboy
btw n810 has a much better browser with flash

[chris @ Aug 21st 2008 9:54PM]

The iphone supports "tabbed browsing":

Just hit the "tabs" (i.e. 'add another page') button in the lower right corner of the browser bar.

[1234321 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:56PM]

Yeah, iPhone does have a great browser but you phanboys can't say it's the best unless you've used everything. iPhone has great web rendering but so does n770 (before the iPhone), and then the n800 improved on it with a higher res screen (WVGA thats about 2.5 times iPhones) and added not only flash but later Flash 9 for video playback and flash gaming. The Mozilla engine for the n800 and n810 added AJAX (as far as I know the two are still the only mobile devices with it). Now the two aren't phones but as someone said this isn't about phones.

on the PMP front the Archos 605 and now the new Archos 5/7/5G has the same capabilities as n800 before the Mozilla engine (Archos runs on Opera engine and n800 used to). The 605 was slower than the Touch/iPhone but that might be attributed to the higher res (same as n8*0) and added flash, but the new gen. has an ARM Cortex processor so we'll have to wait and see.

on the PDA front there's Opera 9 for Windows Mobile, similar iPhone's Safari but with flash 7 (not enough for video though, Nokia and Archos use 9). It also supports resolutions from QVGA (half iPhone) to WVGA (about 2.5 x iPhone res). There's also SkyFire in beta which has the potential to beat all of them.

my 2 cents

[TomTom2007 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:18PM]

holy crap... how do you know that?
I do have a Zune 30 and a free phone from Verizon.... damn, you are good!

[Matthew @ Aug 21st 2008 10:21PM]

i have the ipod touch and I must say that if I could only have one gadget this would be it. I know the question focuses on internet which the touch is amazing for (within wifi range) but the touch is also an mp3/video/app player. But getting back to the internet, the touchscreen works perfect. You get an easy to use keyboard and a widescreen display with a very nice resolution in a beautiful small,thin package. Got my 32GB for $330 after live.com ebay cash.

[1234321 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:32PM]

just to add another cent,

the N810 and a plethora of smartphones have keyboards, which is hard to beat. Even the non-keyboarded N800 and WinMo smartphones can be linked to foldable full sized keyboard via bluetooth, good if you're in class or something

and lets not count the HTC Dream (and android in general) out of this yet, it'll be out soon and the few looks at the web browser seem promising, so far its closer the that on safari then anything else but I'm sure they'll add flash if they haven't already, and lets not forget it's open sourced so hopefully the community can pick up on any downfalls of the android browser

[GatgetMan @ Aug 21st 2008 10:37PM]

http://www.apple.com/claksucksass

[bobby @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:33AM]

You CDMA lovin' Zune toting morons who diss the iphone are so STUPID! There is simply nothing better for browsing. Oh and by the way, WHO THE HELL NEEDS FLASH!!! ITS A GOD DAMN PHONE!!!!

[Jeremy K. @ Aug 21st 2008 10:48PM]

omg clak is back. Run for your lives!

[nikster @ Aug 21st 2008 10:48PM]

It's hard to imagine how any device could be better than the iPhone at browsing, given the iPhone's screen size and overall physical size. I never thought I'd seriously browse the internet on this small a screen, yet now I have, and I even posted in forums, and bought stuff online using the iPhone. It's amazing.

If you want a bigger screen, maybe those Nokia tablets are better (though they do break the bank, keep that in mind), but you are pretty close to Eee PC territory right away. You are also going to miss the intuitive zoom and pan functions.

For the size there is no better device than the iPhone, period. I even kind of enjoy that Flash doesn't work, keeps out all those crappy ads and horrible "rich" user interfaces.

[Mike10010100 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:51PM]

Clak, i thought you went away to your happy land. The whole "you're better than everyone else, so leave us alone thing"? Remember?

Anyway, yeah i would go with the device that has the most software and hardware features. For God's sake everyone: he's not asking for a phone, just an internet device. For these above reasons, the Nokia tablets before mentioned would be the best. QED

Unless you can prove me wrong...

[who? @ Aug 21st 2008 10:55PM]

Refurb iPod Touch. $199, practically as good as new, for the same price as an iPhone (minus the contract!).

[1234321 @ Aug 21st 2008 11:12PM]

nikster, N800 doesn't "break the bank", you can get it for as low as under $200 now, and that's with no plans or strings attached, and there's a community making free software for it. The device itself is freely updatable to the latest of OS (OS 2008 Chinook) and there are actually zoom buttons at the top, and you can disable flash if you don't like it
now I'm sure you are perfectly happy with your iphone browsing as many are but don't compare it to something you haven't used

[1234321 @ Aug 21st 2008 11:14PM]

and in case the question comes up the n800 has 2 SDHC slots, so upto 64GB storage (but 32GB (2x16GB) without "breaking the bank"). And you can link it to a phone via bluetooth when you aren't around WiFi

[SSG @ Aug 21st 2008 11:40PM]

psp

[Connor @ Aug 23rd 2008 11:15AM]

web browsing is hardly the web without flash. now i understand the itouch is good ( i used to have one) but i switch it out for an n810 and linked it to my palm centro for use of the internet anywhere in cellphone range for only 30 dollars a month. yes the iphone can get internet anywhere in cellphone range but who the hell wants to pay 60 and up a month for a web experience with no flash? that said the nokia n810 is literally THE best mobile web experience at the moment.

[Andy Calado @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:21AM]

The market has already decided who the winner is in the mobile web browsing market, and it's the iPhone / iPod touch by a VAST majority. Sorry to disappoint you haters.

(Typed effortlessly on my iPhone 3G.)

P.S. Thanks Engadget, for the iPhone optimized website!

[Jeff @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:47AM]

I'm agreeing with the iPhone/iPod Touch thing. really it's the slickest. Re: Flash - i seriously haven't missed it AT ALL, as it turns out flash is 99.6% ads and worthless crap, and i can get over the other 0.4% of not-so-horribly-worthless stuff.

iPhone/iPod Touch all the way.

[wickedpheonix @ Aug 22nd 2008 1:53AM]

another vote for the iPhone/iPod touch (touch if only using at home so you know you'll always have a wifi signal)

let the inbox be raped...

[Aengeln @ Aug 22nd 2008 3:50AM]

Is it just me, or is it something wrong with claiming the iPhone being the winner in the mobile web browsing market, and then thanking Engadget for their iPhone optimized website.

--A

[Mel @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:54AM]

I have to agree with Nate to some extent. Even to someone who does not care about flash, I could not recommend the iPhone 3G (especially if the goal is to not break the bank). The iPod Touch is a good compromise: great browsing sans the contract and monthly data fees. Personally, I'd say go for a Nokia tablet.

[Rich @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:43AM]

The Nokia N810 is definitely better than the iPhone 3G.

The screen on the N810 has 2.5 times the number of pixels of the iPhone's screen meaning that you never have to zoom in to read text. The browser also supports Flash and it's got a proper keyboard for text entry.

You might argue that it's no good on the move as it doesn't have HSDPA but you'd be wrong. It tethers very easily with a cell phone over Bluetooth and there's obviously phones on the market with far better HSDPA performance than the iPhone.

Get an iPhone 3G if you're uninformed. Get a Nokia N810 if you're in the know.

[Hawkman @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:05AM]

@1234321: "the n800 and n810 added AJAX (as far as I know the two are still the only mobile devices with it)"...

This comment demonstrates such a disturbing lack of understanding that I'd recommend everyone ignore your whole comment.

I'd recommend the iPhone myself, it's a great experience and you get a lot more than just a great browser, too. Mobile MonkeyBall, for instance! There's no substitute for trying these things yourself, though.

[d @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:22AM]

agreed. Especially if you're a mac person. Most others won't sync well.

[Greg @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:51AM]

Yup. Lowest price, wifi and 3g, app store, media player, multitouch, etc.
They're damn handy.

[dave @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:43AM]

please be realistic, the guy asked for something that he can use with WLAN at home and won't break the bank. iphone is good but it'll cost him 200 + 70*24 = 1880$US + taxes and fees. just go with an internet tablet like the n810 or samsung q1 or even gigabyte m704 they all have options under 800$.

[Hold McGroin @ Aug 22nd 2008 3:02PM]

Funny. In the US CDMA >>>>>> GSM. We had 3G on CDMA, what, like 4 years ago.... literally. Another phanboy who doesn't understand anything outside of an Apple marketing release.

Apple: "We have a 3G iPhone!!" Phanboy: Oh crap, this 3G stuff must be brand new and the best thing ever. Smart people: It's been around for quite a while if your weren't an AT&T customer. Phanboy: iPHone rulez!!!!!!!!!!11111!!

Apple: "It's got a touchscreen!!" Phanboy: My iPhone has the first touchscreen of any phone anywhere. Smart people: Been around longer than 3G, moron. Phanboy: iPHone rulez!!!1!!!1

Smart people: My phone browser has Flash and Java support. Phanboy: Uhhh, iphone rulez?

Smart people: My phone has a 5MP camera with autofocus and a Xenon flash. Phanboy: iphone!

Smart people: My phone bill is $50/month. Phanboy: I took out a mortgage.... iphone rulez!

Smart people: MY PHONE DOESN'T RANDOMLY DISCONNECT FROM 3G. Phanboy: crap.

Give up, the phanboys think they actually have it better.

[billobob @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:07AM]

@hold: at&t has had wifi for years now too, don't be dumb... it's just that apple chose not to include it on the first version of the iphone to squeeze out more $$$

also, don't forget that the real best phone, the N95, works with GSM ;)

[brian @ Aug 26th 2008 11:11AM]

Of course its the pocketsurfer2 by Datawind.
Why?

Because it offers -- the full Internet -- at speeds faster than any BlackBerry, any Nokia, and even the allegedly omnipotent Apple iPhone, even though it uses GPRS, not 3G.

It supports full HTML pages, JavaScript, frames (if you're 1999 enough to still use them), ActiveX control, Flash and Ajax. Download a 2MB Adobe PDF file in less than seven seconds -- seriously, over GPRS.

YouTube videos don't play,and you wont hear anything anyway, as there's no speakers or headphone socket -- which means no VoIP, of course.

[jkkmobile @ Aug 21st 2008 9:20PM]

Gigabyte M528

[maball54 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:23PM]

An awesome device.... $700... =/

[brandon @ Aug 21st 2008 9:25PM]

i have the iphone and its seriously the best!!!!. ALL HAIL IPHONE!!!!ALL HAIL APPLE!!!

[PuBeLeSs @ Aug 21st 2008 9:35PM]

i have an iPhone, but i still hate dumb people like you. i hide my phone cause im ashamed of all you loser fan boys

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 21st 2008 9:59PM]

take it back then if your so embarrassed of the most amazing phone ever, trust me, apple doesnt need your sale, they are still selling out all over the world, and 22 mew countries today

[zargon @ Aug 21st 2008 10:06PM]

Replace most amazing with most hyped and you will be on to something.

[nick @ Aug 21st 2008 10:24PM]

I one day wish that we could all live in a world of peace. Mac and non-mac users alike. Let's all just buy our products of choice and have the balls and ability to point out the pros and the cons in both opposing devices and our own :-) We all know the iPhone is a great phone, but it also does not support flash, and the 3G doesn't operate in 3G 100% of the time. There ARE other phones out there. HTC has some great models, and if you check out the phones Nokia rocks over seas you'd be amazed...the N95 and N96 are amazing. As far as portable internet devices go, from everything i've ever read, I would have to say the N800/N810. The flash support rocks, and without flash support a lot of web pages die. You can run your myspace mobile and post silly updates like "this is coming from my ipod!!!1!11!1!" but myspace loves flash, which you don't have.

[Setnev @ Aug 21st 2008 11:35PM]

The only thing the iPhone is really good for is for market research for other companies to excel where the iPhone fails. I.E it's restricting browser, buggy gps, etc. The only reason people love the iPhone so much is because the Apple nazis want you to love it but don't want you to do anything fun with it. Your restricted to what AT&T and Apple tell you you can do with it. That is where it fails.

Don't get me wrong, i like the iPhone, but there are plenty of alternatives out there and like the blog states, its not about the best phone, its about the best PID. The ones that rank up there very high are the Nokia n Series (particularly the n810) and most HTC Windows Mobile based phones (HTC Touch, Diamond, and soon to be Dream).

I hate fanboys. My parents are fanboys. I bought a Blackberry Pearl cause it was all i could afford and even though i can put more applications on it than the iPhone and has more features than the iPhone(camcorder, upgradable memory), they still think their iPhones are the best. Even though the Blackberry is all i could afford, it is still a better internet device than my old phone which was a Samsung t509s.

[guoruiwu1994 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:20PM]

the new archos 5, and 7 internet media tablets

[fischju @ Aug 21st 2008 11:35PM]

I'll agree to this with reservations - the 800x480 screen makes [almost] every website readable without scrolling horizontally, but it was a skippy experience if you didn't wait for the page to finish downloading before scrolling down. The Archos 5 has the much faster proc and promises flash 9 support, but much improved over the 605's spotty flash support (most videos sites worked, but Hulu and BBC's iplayer don't).

[maveric101 @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:48AM]

the Archos units with SSD are very reasonably priced. the Archos 605 4GB + SDHC runs just $200 on Amazon. I have the 605 160GB, and the web browsing is great on it, though theres only wifi, no 3G (though it seems you may not need that). I might look at the newer Archos players, like the 606.

on the other hand, you can pick up older versions of the Nokia internet tablets very cheap now.

[Alex @ Aug 22nd 2008 1:13AM]

As much as I love my archos 605 wifi, i really have to admit the internet is far better on my iphone. I would say its marginally quicker but overall just much easier to navigate. Its nearly impossible on the archos without the stylus and even then it is difficult. The gesture controls on the iphone are just much more intuitive and smooth. The only thing is that the archos supports Flash 9 and pdf's which is a big deal if you frequently use them, which i dont.

[Lucas Dailey @ Aug 21st 2008 9:21PM]

iphone. definitely. I use it in every and all situations. Yes I said all.

[zargon @ Aug 21st 2008 9:41PM]

Flash and java... oh wait...