Should I get a spare 755p?

[jigwashere]

I love my 755p and using it on the Sprint SERO plan is awesome! My contract isn't up until July, but I'm eligible now to renew my contract and get another phone from Sprint at the discounted rates. For example, I could pick up a spare 755p for $100.

Here's my reasoning: I really love my 755p and don't see anything else at Sprint that I'd be happy with. With Sprint SERO and a phone tethering hack, I have (limited) unlimited and ubiquitous internet access. With my stereo headset and SAG, it's a great mp3 player. It's also great for streaming public radio. Email is flawless.

If something went horribly wrong, I'm worried I wouldn't be able to replace it for less than $100. Sprint/Palm is discontinuing the 755p, and I think even the Centro is discontinued.

The Palm Pre probably won't be allowed on SERO, and it doesn't have a tethering option.

I suppose if disaster did strike, I could just get a standard Sprint phone and start carrying my TX again. But that'd kind of suck.

Even if I never need a replacement 755p, I could at least take advantage of the second battery. Of course, the stock battery is pretty cheap, so that hardly justifies the expenditure.

Am I crazy? Am I at least crazy in a good way?

I'd appreciate your comments.

[hal]

I don't think you're crazy, Jig, I think you are just trying to preserve a combination that works seamlessly, not a usual situation in ANY platform, least in Palm OS. Also a seamless working combination that works for you. OK, you're a bit crazy , but in a very good way.

As you have been into smartphones for a while, yes, I agree a PDA + cellphone won't suit you anymore. I'd say go for the second 755p. One strong point in its favor is that to upgrade you just hard reset and even use the same HotSync ID; what can I teach you about this? Even the personal preferences can be migrated; something not advisable if you purchase another model. The 755p, I gather, was very popular in the US, so I bet you will be finding batteries and accessories for a good while. I think the single factor you may take care of is the requirements, in software/configuration, for that Sprint SERO plan.

[jigwashere]

Back in ought 7, folks were buying up spare TXs for $200 (and thinking that was the end). I'm thinking it's my turn to get a spare....
Now is a good time to buy a Tx

EDIT: Should I have said "aught" instead of "ought"?

[Hook]

Actually, in 09 some of us may be getting spare TXs for $200...

[brickman65]

If that combination is working for you, that is what I would do Jig. You may consider Ebay though for a new Sprint 755P. I am afraid that if you get one from Sprint with a discount, they will not let you keep your SERO plan.

I could be wrong about that but I think I am right.

I would sell you my old one for cheap if I thought that it would be worth selling. Mine seemed to have more issues than yours ever did. Besides, I gave it to a friend of mine to try out to see if he likes it.

[headcronie]

I'm still paying the insurance premium through Sprint. Granted, I just got notification that the replacement fee went from $50 to $100 now. But they did that across the board for all 'high end' models.

If anything, I might switch to the Centro. Otherwise, Palm OS works great for me. Email is beautiful. I echo Jigs comments. I'd pick up a spare if I had the cash to spend on it.

[hal]

How does that "replacement fee" work over there?

[headcronie]

The replacement fee is provided through Asurion Insurance. They provide you a replacement device upon receipt of your insurance deductible. This does nothing to your contract, and can even be done when you are out of contract and going month by month. It won't renew or extend your contract.

[r0k]

We pay 6 bucks per line per month for the Asurion insurance. We have had 3 phones replaced in 4 years. The last time we did this on Verizon, the cost was $50 and the phone being replaced was a RAZR.

I would recommend getting the spare 755p as Asurion can't replace a phone they can't get. Also, even if they can get you a replacement 755p, Asurion replacements are often refurbs.

[questionfear]

I'd get the extra phone, Jig. Worst case scenario, you find something else you want to use later and sell it. Best case scenario, it gives you several more years of happy phone time with a device you know and like.

I think that right now is a weird transition period for smartphones...there's a lot of great OSes out there, but they're all newish or in the process of being revamped. You either have to gamble on Android, iPhone or WebOS, or you commit to WinMob, Blackberry, Palm, or Symbian. If you gamble on a new OS you don't know that the software will be there, or be supported over the life of your device. If you commit to a more established OS, you don't know if their next upgrade will support the software you are currently using, and since all of those OSes have commited to major revamps in the next year or so it's pretty much a lock that there will be some backwards compatibility issues.

2-3 years from now, hopefully some of the dust will have settled and it will be clearer who is surviving and who isn't, and what OS is best for what needs...but with everyone either new or in contortions, it makes sense to find what works and stick with it.