Though longer and wider than the BlackBerry Pearl, the T-Mobile Dash is the thinnest device we included in our review; its size and shape are its main strengths. We liked the Dash's size best of all the devices we reviewed—small enough to fit unobtrusively in a pocket, yet large enough for a full qwerty keyboard. Morrison also appreciated that no holster is needed to comfortably tote the Dash around, and it was notably smaller than her BlackBerry 8700c. The Dash is thin and somewhat slab-like, but it's not so wide that it's uncomfortable when holding against an ear to make a call. The Dash's width and contoured rear panel also make it sit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

Because the Dash runs on Windows Mobile Version 5.0 and functions best with a Microsoft Exchange Server, organizations standardized on the Microsoft product line will appreciate its simple Outlook e-mail, calendar and contacts synchronization. The Dash also includes the Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) with Microsoft's Direct Push Technology, which instantly delivers Outlook e-mail when it hits an organization's mail server. Exchange Server 2003 SP2 or later is required to take advantage of Direct Push. All that's needed to sync the device to an Exchange Server is the server name, domain name, user name and password. However, Exchange Server 2003 is required to wirelessly sync information, and it must be set to allow for wireless synchronization. For security reasons, Morrison's Exchange Server has wireless synchronization disabled, so she was unable to wirelessly sync the device.

Like the other phones featured in this review, the Dash offers various levels of device security, depending on which mail server is employed. Security safeguards available to any Dash user include password options to lock the device via PIN if a new Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card is inserted, and to lock its keyboard with two levels of password security when not in use.

T-Mobile Dash users who link their devices to Microsoft Exchange Servers can take advantage of identity security functions. For example, you can individually sign and encrypt Outlook e-mail to protect message privacy and prove to the message recipients that the message is from whom it claims to be from. Remote data wipe is also available should the device be lost or stolen.

Additionally, since the device is meant to function best with a Microsoft Exchange Server and it includes the Windows Mobile 5.0 MSFP, various security safeguards set by IT administrators through the Exchange Server can be applied to the Dash.

The T-Mobile Dash has impressive battery life with a little less than 11 hours of talk time, second only to the Nokia E62. T-Mobile estimates the device's standby time to be about nine days.

The Dash feels sturdy and durable the second you touch it. Its body is composed of two separate materials, not including its keyboard and navigation buttons: a black rubbery plastic that makes up the rear panel and battery door, and a silver metal plate on its face behind the keyboard and navigation buttons. More than half of the Dash's body is made of this rubbery plastic, which protects the device by absorbing shock and making it slip resistant.

The Dash accesses T-Mobile's GSM/EDGE network, which means it is a "world phone" that functions not only in North America, but also in Europe and Asia. Because 90 percent of Morrison's smartphone users travel overseas regularly, GSM phones are a necessity.

The Dash is the only device included in this evaluation that supports Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g compliant). None of the CIOs who participated in this review required Wi-Fi support for smartphones deployed across their enterprises, but users who travel outside of T-Mobile coverage areas, or who wish to save on data charges, will value Wi-Fi on the Dash. (Note: Wi-Fi drains device power, so the Dash's overall battery life will be affected by Wi-Fi use.)

We appreciated the Dash's dedicated e-mail key, which is meant to bring users to the device's e-mail inbox with a single click from any application. (The Nokia E62 has a similar key.) Business users who employ their devices mostly for messaging will appreciate this fast and easy access to e-mail.

T-Mobile's myFaves plan (which starts at $39.99) lets you select five people for unlimited calling. When you click on one of your myFaves, a screen displays that person's name and contact information and lets you make a call, send a message, share a photo or send a voice note.

The Dash also includes out-of-the-box support for AIM, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ instant-messaging services.

And on the flip side ...

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