Developed and designed for situations, when requirements go beyond voice communication, MC 218 - this advanced mobile companion - ensures that multi-form business communications... more
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A review by jelightfoot on Ericsson Mobile Companion MC 218 September 25th, 2000
Author's product rating:
Look & Feel
Excellent
Memory / capacity
Excellent
Comfort & Portability
Satisfactory
Ease of use
Very easy
Value For Money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
excellent software, great for sending e - mails on the move, runs your life
Disadvantages:
quite big (for a PDA), poor support, sticky keyboard,
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I was in the market for a PDA originally, because I wanted a cheap and easy way to send and receive emails on the move. I was starting up in business and didn’t want to use my company email system or computer.
I wanted to buy the Psion series 5mx, but as an owner of an Ericsson phone instead bought the Ericsson MC218, which is practically the same machine (but grey instead of black and silver). It uses the same software, but comes with some additional software too. BUT- There's no point buying the Ericsson version unless you already own an Ericsson mobile phone. The MC218 comes with a modem that you clip the bottom of your Ericsson phone (see picture above). This is very useful as it allows you to download/upload all the contacts on your phone's memory. You can edit the contents of your phone using a keyboard, instead of doing it on the phone. Also, the modem is used to send/receive e-mails, SMS and faxes via your phone as well as surf the Internet and WAP.
If you use a computer, you can synchronise your Outlook with the Ericsson via a cable. This is very useful. It comes with a CD that you download onto your PC. You can back up the contents of your Ericsson for peace of mind. All in all I've been very pleased with the Ericsson. I've got over 450 names, addresses and telephone numbers in the contacts section and use the diary constantly. It does everything I could possibly expect it to do, and use the e-mail function more than my PC e-mail! The Epoc software is truly excellent, and very intuitive if you use computers regularly. In fact it really runs my life.
The screen is LCD, which being a bit dated is still very functional. (I think a small coloured screen is probably a bit unnecessary anyway).
Another really useful thing about the Epoc machines is that you don't need to close any files when you've finished using them. I keep the address book and diary open almost all the time, and simply turn off the PDA with them still open. This is a huge advantage over a PC.
However, there are some down points: 1. Firstly, although the Ericsson MC218 or Psion Series 5mx is considerably more powerful than a Palm Pilot, it's far too big and heavy to fit into a shirt pocket. If "small" is really important, you'll probably want to look for something else e.g. Psion Revo or Palm.
2. When I first bought it, it was very tricky and confusing (for a non-techie) to upload the Internet/email software and settings. What's more, Ericsson Support were far from helpful. It was several weeks before I managed to use the e-mail/WAP and Internet functions. This in my mind was pathetic. Especially as I had to make several calls to Ericssson support, often with no solution at the end of them. The rest of the software, however is easy to use, and even the internet/e-mail is very straight forward once it works!
3. The IR port works quite well, but you have to align the phone with the back of the MC218, which you can only do on a tabletop or flat surface. This is fine unless you want to use the WAP function on the move- impossible if you are standing up, and hard if you're in a car as I've discovered. Hopefully, the new Bluetooth (radio link) technology will take care of this, if the MC218 will support it.
4. The keyboard often sticks. This takes some of the fun out of using it, as you have to revise everything you type, and fill in the missing letters to between 5-10% of the words. Surprisingly, the size of the keyboard causes me no problems at all. (I type with two fingers anyway!)
On the whole, despite all the criticism, I couldn't live without it, and don't regret buying it over another PDA. But that was back in November 1999, and as far as PDAs go, that was quite a while ago. It still serves me well, but with the new generation PDAs out with all the latest technologies e.g. Compaq iPaq, I doubt I would have opted for it today.
More Reviews
Ericsson MC218 Review ofEricsson Mobile Companion MC 218by
clinch100
Advantages: Compatibility with PC (Outlook, Word, Excel) Disadvantages: Compatibility with mobile phone
...to be compatible with my Ericsson A2628s mobile phone. I had purchased the DI 28 modem (it came with a DI27 modem initially) although it then became apparent that the "My Phone" application was not compatible with the phone. After contacting Ericsson Support I found out that the MC218 is only designed to be fully compatible with their "earlier" mobile phones although the email function would work with later phones including the A2628s. I couldn't ... ...DI 28 and fortunately managed to get a refund on it.
My advice is that if you need a machine to transfer documents between a pda and a pc and you need to input a fair amount of data then the MC218 is perfect. If you need a communication tool (ie email and internet browsing) then you should carefully look into the compatibility with your mobile phone.
ON the whole I find it a great machine and I have not had any problems with it. It uses 2 x AA ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Extra-easy integration with Ericsson phones Disadvantages: none that would stop me from buying it
I have an T18 and have used the MC218 extensively. It's really handy to use for writing SMS, emails & faxes even - which are all routed through the phone. You can even get Handwriting recognition software so you don't have to even use the keyboard, which is a little small (maybe I just have big hands?) There are loads of websites offering freeware for the EPOC operating system, and lots of things you can do with the pda. Autoconversion from Word ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Look & Feel
Memory / capacity
Comfort & Portability
Ease of use
Value For Money
helpful
08.01.2001
ericsson MC 218 Review ofEricsson Mobile Companion MC 218by
swashy
Advantages: Disadvantages:
...extra build in software ( ericsson bought the rights to make the psion with its name on so that it could build them and get people to by more of there phones.) The machien it good to use and comes in a different colour to the psion 5 mx. The extra programs in the machian are also good if you have an ericsson phone! ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Software: Calculator, Games, Calendar, Contacts, E-mail, Word, World clock, Sheet, Data, Sketch, Voice Note, Quick launch icons, Postcard, My phone, Alarm/Clock, Fax, Mobile Internet (WAP), Ericsson Mobile Internet
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Listed on Ciao since : 25/09/2000
Manufacturer's product description
Developed and designed for situations, when requirements go beyond voice communication, MC 218 - this advanced mobile companion - ensures that multi-form business communications are always at hand. The Ericsson MC 218 supports e-mail, fax, SMS messages and Internet access. Supplied with an Ericsson Infrared Modem for ultimate wireless connectivity, the MC 218 works together with any Ericsson GSM mobile phone. The MC 218 features several Ericsson unique software applications that enhance your performance when on the move. You can send text, digital pictures and drawings with the Postcard application and you can gain complete and rapid access to the Ericsson Mobile Internet. Developed specifically for mobile use the Mobile Internet application (WAP) is a unique function offering you quicker access to the Internet.
I do not personally own these, though I think my knowledge will still be helpful. I went with my boyfriend recently to set up his cousins new speakers, for some reason he always pays my boyfriend to do these things for him, before even attempting it... more
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