When I first saw the HTC Advantage X7501, I was trying to visualize how you would hold it up to your ear to make a call. You don’t. Even though the keyboard is removable, to make a call with this computer masquerading as a smartphone, you either use the included wired headset, a Bluetooth headset or the speakerphone. Since it weighs 12.6 ounces and measures 5.2 inches by 3.8 inches by 0.6 inch thick, that is a good thing.

The HTC Advantage X7501 has a 624MHz processor, 128 MB RAM and 256 MB flash ROM, and runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition. Although that sounds like a regular smartphone, it also has a 8GB hard drive. Yes, a hard drive. There is also a SDHC compatible miniSD card slot. It has a 480×640 pixel resolution, 5 inch touch screen as well as a QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard can be detached and used as a protective cover for the screen when it is not is use. Additionally it has a 3 Megapixel camera with a built-in flash.

This device is more of an alternative to an Ultra mobile PC than anything else. It just so happens that along with 3G data access, 802.11b and 802.11g wireless, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0, it is also a quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM world phone. With the addition of the HTC docking station you can connect a mouse, monitor and keyboard, and you have a mini desktop computer. The HTC Advantage is too smart to just be a smartphone.

Posted on February 11th, 2008 by mervyn