[G2 and Desire Z General] a2002cmacg:
I'm a TP2 user and an admitted Redmond fanboy. However, all good things must come to an end. I'm getting the G2 as well. But I don't really have the same amount of apprehension as you do, minus the rooting issue. As it stands right now, the Android platform, and the G2 in particular, combines most everything we loved about WimMo and our beloved Rhodiums, but without most of the drawbacks.

I'm making the switch because for several reasons, but reason #1 is that I don't think we'll find a more complete device for guys like us. Perhaps they're phones with better specs, but not more complete. I'm not too sure about how the exchange capabilities of Android stack up against WinMo's, but everything else that you mentioned, Android and the G2 does or is capable of. It's customizable, it has the core apps you need, and to be fairly young, its a mature platform. Updates come fast enough, but who really needs those when we have XDA?

Much as I love the TP2, much of the appreciation is owed to HTC for the sweet keyboard and Sense. I can't think of a single WimMo I would have ever bought that wasn't an HTC. I'll probably have the TP2 for another decade:-) However, all things considered, you have to admit that the G2 is better in almost every aspect. S-LCD vs. LCD, trackpad vs. none, much MUCH better processor, more storage, better camera, HSPA+, sturdier build and it just looks friggin sweet. Now as far as the TP2 keyboard, well, its the best ever and that's just that, but the G2's is easily the next best thing. I MUST have a hardware keyboard and I've given just about all of them a test drive. The Galaxy's and the Droid's aren't even the same league. None really comes close to the G2's. And with a much missed trackpad and a more responsive screen, the overall package IMO is actually better than the TP2's. I played with one for like 30 mins in the Tmo store and I was banging away messages almost as fast as I would on my TP2, and I've had over a year's practice on the TP2. Remember, the G2 is still an HTC. The phone is pretty awesome.

Now the hinge issue, I'm not sure what to make out of it. I don't think it's as big of an issue as people were making it out to be, kinda like Antennagate on a smaller scale. The model I played with didn't have the issue. It was really crisp but I wonder if it can take the same type of abuse my TP2 did.

One of the reasons we loved ROM's so much is really because we had to flash in order to get optimal performance. The G2 doesn't have that hickup. It's amazingly fast. Most everything works as described from my brief experiences and from everything I've read. Especially the core functions. We can't say that about WimMo out of the box. I can't speak for the long term usability or stability of Android, but I refuse to believe that even without any sort of hacking that its worse than WimMo. I love WimMo for the same reasons you do, but goodness they frustrated the hell out of me sometimes.

I'd love to know that I'll have full root on my phone as soon as I get it, but knowing that there are temporary solutions to remove bloatware and tether, I'm good for now. But I have confidence that we (they) will get it soon. When we (they) figure it out, we'll be able to get Sense on the phone I imagine. The Desire Z has Sense on it. (BTW, maybe you should just get an unlocked Desire Z?)

Sorry for being so long-winded. Didn't mean to write an essay. All I really need to say is that I'm jumping ship too. Yeah Android isnt' perfect, but what is? And if you can name a better hardware/software option for power users like you and me, I'd love to hear it.