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Okay, I’ve been purposefully trying to avoid writing about the iPhone 3G, partly because I don’t have one yet and wanted to write a bit more about it when I got one, but it’s a slow summer and the iPhone is still the hottest topic in the tech blogosphere right now, by far.

A month ago, I was 100% sure I was going to get an iPhone. Earlier this week, I was ready to wake up early and head to the Manhattan Beach Apple Store to get my hands on one. Now, I’m going to wait a little bit and then make a decision, and I’m not fully convinced the iPhone is the best smartphone on the market.

I’ve only read about a million comments and reviews about the new iPhone in the last week or so. There is the group of commenters that loves the iPhone and everything about it. Then there’s the group that hate Apple, iPhone, and the “fanboy” atmosphere of the iPhone adulation.

Then there are the militant Apple fans that get on forums and rip apart anybody who says anything bad about the iPhone. To those who comment about the poor battery life, the Apple Army replies: turn off the 3G. Then the anti-Apple crew says, “Why offer a 3G phone if you can’t use it?” There are similar complaints about push email, cut and paste, the camera, bluetooth/handsfree usage, slowness, email search, etc.

Most of the big complaints appear to be coming from experienced smartphone users, especially those who are addicted to the BlackBerry and rely on it for business use. But this isn’t a universally shared sentiment.

I just don’t know. I’ll admit I find it hard to believe the Apple uberfans sometimes because they’ve been touting Apple for so long, Steve Jobs could put out a ham sandwich and people would wait in line for it. I got a Mac after 17 years of PC use, and it’s a great computer but wouldn’t say it’s significantly better than a PC. I’m sure as I get to know Mac better, I’ll enjoy it more, but having seen Vista on high-end PC’s, I know it’s not as bad as everybody says.

Who to believe when so many have taken sides beforehand? It’s like getting information about Derek Jeter from nothing but Red Sox and Yankees fans.

I’m going to wait for the dust to settle. Also, I’m a cheapskate. Perhaps, in the end, that’s the most relevant point.

Technorati Tags: apple, iphone, apple fanboys