Motorola Q vs the Palm Treo 700p. It's inevitable these devices be matched, both smartphones handling e-mail and attachments, high speed web access and enhanced camera and video functionality.  Although the Q is better priced (around $200 with a service contract) the Treo seems to lead based on user interface, higher multimedia functions and overall satisfaction.  Yes, it's cute but does that make it the best?

Walter Mossberg from WSJ favors the improved Treo for various reasons based on his extended testing some of which highlighted below:

Software hurting Q's performance:

Motorola chose a more stripped-down version of Windows Mobile software than the one used on previous keyboard phones, and it does work better one-handed. But it still requires many of the extra steps of its Windows sibling and yet lacks the touch screen and built-in Office programs of other Windows-based smartphones.

Buttons present awkward naviagation:

The Q has four navigation buttons positioned below the screen like the Treo; like a BlackBerry, it has a scroll wheel and back button on the right edge. The Q's keyboard has more space between each key than most smartphones, but the rounded shape of the keys themselves makes them uncomfortable to use for more than a few sentences of email.

Screen resolution and camera functions subpar with Treo:

The 320x240 resolution on the Q's screen is 25% lower than that of the Treo 700p, which has a 320x320-resolution screen. Many things -- Web sites, photos, attachments -- just didn't look as good on the Q compared side-by-side with the Treo. The Q's built-in 1.3-megapixel digital camera captured videos and still shots without a problem, but the view on our screen was cluttered by information bars at the top and bottom

Time Magazines technology section  echoes Walters statements - a publication heavily circulated in the Q's potential user market. Reviewer Rothman also appreciates the device for its overall design and aesthetics, but again, finds its limited document editing features a shortcoming, as well as its less than "agile" messaging options. He concludes:

Motorola Q may not be the smartest choice: 

What this means is that unless you are prepared to do a lot of data-intensive activities with the phone like check e-mail 10 times a day, surf the Web or upload photos, this smartphone may not be a smart buy.

So while the Q seems to offer an incredible deal especially if combined with an umlimited data plan, and is certainly sleeker than its competitors, displacing Palm Treos from their coveted smartphone and converged devices leadership is no easy task. The Motorola Q is NOT a bad phone or a bad buy - it just appears to lack the overall finesse demanded by a category leader especially in the areas of multitasking and user interface. However to its credit, it is a new phone and version 1.0 of anything is well... Recommend you test one throughly before handing over that credit card.

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