Basically, I'm looking for an older (aka cheap) android t-mobile phone with qwerty. The main issue, aside from slow processor/low ram seems to be actual space for apps/phone stuff/etc.

My question is, if i get a phone with 512MB internal, and root/use a small-footprint firmware, how much space will be left in the internal storage for all MY data? Is there a fixed amount of space set aside for firmware (that doesn't sound right)?

I had a cheap Archos tablet awhile back and learned quickly to use app2sd, which I'm fine with. I really just don't know how much internal storage is ENOUGH for me, which is obviously relative. Let me outline the main things I'm looking to do:

- Task Management App (Astrid maybe)
- Web browsing via WIFI
- Maybe a dozen odd games
- Probably some sort of calendar/alarm/reminder app as well
- Basic cell phone functions

I'm not a power user by any means, but I need to be able to accomplish those tasks without constantly hitting low memory or waiting minutes for load time. Definitely have enough know-how to figure out rooting.

Any advice would be great, especially example footprints of common firmwares/apps/etc.

If you wish to play a few games and have some nice apps, 512MB internal is REALLY pushing it. Most of the time, around 200-500MB storage will be put aside for the OS alone, and then additional space for apps and games. But, as long as the phone that you purchase has a microSD slot (most older android phones do), you can always expand the memory with that and use apps to SD to preserve your internal memory.

What's your budget?

I'm trying to stay around $100. I've been looking on swappa and was looking at a G2 (I'm on T-mobile). The G2 has 4g internal I believe, but the one I was looking at before, the Samsung Gravity Smart (I think) had only 512mb.

So basically, there isn't a set amount of space reserved for firmware, it's just however much space the firmware happens to take. So I could root and use a smaller firmware and have some more space (if I go with a smaller size).