TECH SAVVY: Palm Centro Basically Dominates

This morning I received an email from an old friend asking for advice on smartphones:

I am in the market for a smartphone. I want to keep Verizon as my carrier, so that knocks the iPhone off the list. I am particularly interested in using the device for phone and for the Internet to get my office email (it's a Web-based email system (Outlook). I don't use Bluetooth; I have an iPod so I don't need an MP3 player, etc. My needs are pretty basic. I don't know why, but I am turned off to the Blackberry. Is that wrong of me? What do you suggest?"

I answered immediately. The best smartphone in this situation is the Palm(PALM Quote - Cramer on PALM - Stock Picks) Centro. Verizon(VZ Quote - Cramer on VZ - Stock Picks) just started selling them. For $99.99, my friend will be able to get all of her email as well as being able to browse the Web, keep appointments and her phone book.

Palm Centro's a Heavy Hitter

Yes, the Centro comes with features she said she didn't really need, like Bluetooth and a music player, but it does have a nice little camera on the back and a microSD memory card slot -- to take/save those candid shots of the grandkids.

Aside from all the doo-dads on the phone, the Centro wins on two counts -- ability and price. The handset itself is terrific. Its small size, surprisingly usable little QWERTY keyboard and fast data capabilities make this $99.99 jewel a steal. That's why they've sold so well for Sprint(S Quote - Cramer on S - Stock Picks) and AT&T(T Quote - Cramer on T - Stock Picks).

What you may not know is that AT&T has quietly begun marketing refurbished Palm Centros. If you search its Web site, AT&T is now offering refurbished, white Centro handsets for $49.99. Last time I looked, they had some in stock. Today, the page says the refurbished phones are temporarily out of stock.

Refurbished means that someone has actually tested and repaired the phone after a buyer found something wrong or after a journalist (like me) is done with his review. It actually goes through more thorough testing than the more expensive "new" phones. They should come with a full new-phone warranty. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate buying refurbished electronics myself (and have done so in the past).

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