This is an interesting article by Todd on MobileViews Blog and it is something that I have been thinking about a lot with all these new devices with some great features that have recently launched.

Here is Todd's scorecard:

Here is my scorecard for my devices:

We apply the same sort of grading on our devices when we review them on 4winmobile.com. I frequently get frustrated as often a devices overall quality can be a lot more (or less) than the sum of its parts. For example a device may be very average at everything but is super small, and therefore if size is your main concern it wins for you. The other issue is that because WM devices are so diverse then different people value different features of the devices differently.  In my opinion the best way to determine the best devices wold be for the user to fill out a form about which features are most important, (grade 1 to 5 or something) and then overlay that onto a matrix of scores of how well each device features at each task. That's the only way to get a true indicationof the best devices for you IMHO.

As Todd says in his article, he uses different devices for different situations. I find this also. If I am home and I want to view a video or even a web page on a decent screen, then I will use my iPAQ 4700. But I do not take my 4700 out with me, as it does not have a phone function and therefore is not constantly connected. I take my TILT with me on the go although its screen is definitely inferior. Then if I just want a small device to hold in my hand, I will take the DASH.

Now, I realise that people want just one device and most people have just one device , so that device has to be the one that best suits all their needs. I think the point of this is that it is almost impossible to determine the  'best' device. Dave, your thought of some sort of matrix sounds the way to go.

Dave Parker MVP:

the best way to determine the best devices wold be for the user to fill out a form about which features are most important

This is a fantastic suggestion, Dave. I've copied it over to another thread in the Pro Zone. I started a discussion there about actually creating just this kind of "Device Selector".