Price and specifications of Palm Treo Pro advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Network and Connectivity

The Palm Treo Pro, announced in August 2008 and released in October of the same year, was designed to work on GSM and HSPA networks. It supported 2G bands including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, as well as 3G bands HSDPA 850, 1900, and 2100. With these capabilities, the device was well-suited for a wide range of mobile network services, providing users with decent connectivity options during its time.

Design and Build

The Palm Treo Pro featured a sleek and professional design, measuring 114 x 60 x 13.4 mm and weighing 133 grams. It had a compact form that made it easy to handle and carry around. One of the standout features was its QWERTY keyboard, which was highly appreciated by users who preferred physical keys for typing. The build quality was robust for its time, with the use of quality materials that ensured the device could withstand regular use without significant wear and tear.

Display

The device featured a 2.5-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels, providing a ~181 pixel density. While the screen-to-body ratio was roughly 29.5%, the display was fairly adequate for viewing emails, browsing the web, and managing contacts. The resistive touchscreen technology required a bit more pressure than the capacitive displays common today, but it was quite standard for the time.

Performance

Under the hood, the Treo Pro was powered by the Qualcomm MSM7201 chipset, featuring a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 130 GPU. This configuration was quite capable for handling the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system. With 128MB of RAM and 100MB of internal storage, the device could manage basic multitasking and run most applications available at the time. For users requiring more storage, a microSDHC card slot was provided, allowing for additional memory expansion.

Camera

The Palm Treo Pro came equipped with a 2 MP main camera, which was fairly typical for phones released during that era. While it offered video recording capabilities, the quality and features were quite basic compared to modern standards. There was no front-facing camera, which limited its capabilities for video conferencing or taking selfies, a common feature in modern smartphones.

Audio and Sound

The device had a built-in loudspeaker and supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It featured a 3.5mm audio jack, a convenient option for users who wanted to connect standard headphones for listening to music or making phone calls. This connectivity option was highly valued as it offered flexibility to users in their choice of audio devices.

Communication Features

The Treo Pro featured Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, allowing users to connect to wireless networks for internet browsing and email. It also included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support for wireless audio streaming. GPS capabilities provided users with location-based services, although it lacked a built-in radio. The presence of an infrared port allowed for wireless communication with older devices that supported this feature, while the microUSB port facilitated charging and data transfer.

Software and Applications

The Palm Treo Pro ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, a popular operating system for business-oriented smartphones during the period. It came with a selection of built-in applications catering to professionals, such as Outlook Mobile, PocketInternet Explorer, and Office Mobile. The Windows Mobile platform also supported third-party applications, which could be downloaded to enhance the device's functionality.

Battery Life

The Treo Pro was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, offering a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours. This battery life was considered decent for its time, providing users with sufficient usage time to accomplish daily tasks without frequent charging.

Miscellaneous Features

The device was released in an Obsidian color, adding to its sleek and professional appearance. In terms of safety, it had a SAR value of 0.60 W/kg for the head and 0.87 W/kg for the body, meeting the required standards for radiation emission. It's also important to mention its price tag, which was about 70 EUR when released, making it a competitive choice in the market for those looking for a reliable business smartphone.

Conclusion

The Palm Treo Pro was a device aimed at professionals and business users, offering a range of features that catered to their needs. With its QWERTY keyboard, robust build, and reliable performance, it stood as a reputable choice for users in 2008. While it may seem antiquated compared to today's standards, the Treo Pro represents an important step in the evolution of mobile technology, bridging the gap between simple mobile phones and the powerful smartphones we know today.