[glk56]

I am going to get one of these two models (with Nextel/Sprint service). Looking for opinions from users of either of these two models in terms of which one you prefer.

I don't expect to do alot of email, but I do have a fairly extensive address book and calendar in Outlook that I use quite often. I also keep my life scheduled on Outlook and currently sync it with a Palm T-X. I want to give one of these models a try.

Any thoughts-recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Dawg]

from the very small of details you are interested in either one will be fine. biggest difference really is the keyboard

[Seca]

I have the 7100i and like it.

[srl7741]

I would say 7100i is the model 4 u. If your going to sync you don't really need the keyboard handyness. The 7100i still retains the ol" cell phone likeness and that say alot no matter what others say. If all you need is the robustness of the blackberry but won't be entering data via the bb i think you will find the 7100i is a better choice. If you lack a real keyboard or access to a computer the other would be the way to go.

Yes i admit i own the 7100i, however i was faced with the same choice not long ago. On the go i need information and i go to my bb for it. While not on the go i have a normal keyboard/box and sync options. I have found i don't have much of a need to type from my bb unless it's a chat type response.
Bottom line? If you don't have access to a laptop/desktop you need the 7520 if you do have access then there is no reason to use your bb to type entries in any app.

This post in only meant to stimulate thought? So mill about smartly and THINK.

[rmccamman]

Wirelessly posted (7100i: BlackBerry7100i/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

It only took me about 2 weeks to get use to the keyboard. I really like it!

[b0ris84]

when i was going to get a blackberry i decided about two weeks ago i knew i had to go for the 7520, as much as i would like to have the new 7100i i knew that i would b doing a lot of msging and typing and for that i wanted the full keyboard.

[Toddboy71]

I started with the 7520, then upgraded after about 7 months to the 7100i upon its release. Screen, size, features all point to the 7100i. I liked the 7520 and never thought I could deal with the suretype keyboard, but I couldnt have been more wrong. I've gotten used to it, and actually prefer it, especially for single handed entry. It is slightly slower with two hands than the 7520, but not enough to really care.
Good luck!

[fliedlice]

I love my 7100i....I type faster on it than I do on my desktop and also agree with srl7741 if you have a deskop or laptop there isnt much need to enter data into the bb..only time I enter data into the bb is when im in class and will forget to add it later

[Eddie8]

I like the 7520.I think they look cooler than the 7100.I like the full keyboard and the pda type look.Just my .02

[kelvin]

My company is currently piloting the 7100I. Most of our users are not hevay email users (mostly short responses). The 7100I is working our great. The screen is much better and the ring tones louder. Overall, I would say if you need a PDA more than a cell phone, the 7520 may be for you. But, if the you spend more time on the phone, and just need to answer short emails, go with the 7100I

[nc-chris]

I'm sitting here wondering if the people complaining about the keyboard have actually used a 7100 for any period of itme. It takes a few days to get proficient and know which words, for example, have multiple matches, etc. Once you're familiar with this, though, you can fly through the keyboard. I can type faster on a 7100 than a 7520 - the keys being closer together actually means less finger movement, and the 7100 can be effectively used with one hand.

A friend of mine just went from the big berry (don't know cingular model names, sorry) to their 7100 - she was really worried about the transition, but now says she can type faster on the 7100 than she ever could on her bigger one.

For what it's worth...

[Mr Pink57]

nc-chris:

only downside to the keyboard is if you have an off day of typing it really shines on it.

pink

[nextelnutt]

I have the 7520, my father decided to switch to the Blackberry from standard Nextel Moto platform phone and he likes it. However he doesn't
think the ringtones are loud enough for the enviroment that he works in.
I had a buddy who bought the 7100i and thought it was too big. So I
bought it from him. A friend of mine liked it. So he bought it from me.
Then after a few days of using it, he thought it was a little to big and
so many more features, he wouldn't use, so I bought it back. I am using
it for testing programs. I love the screen clarity. If Nextel comes out with
the 8700, and it has the same screen clarity, I am all over that. I like the
full size keyboard, I have gotten a little used to the suretype and multitap
of the 7100i.

I enjoy being able to change the themes on the phone and like the list view.
I alphabitized everything for finding stuff even faster.

I would like to see more shortcut keys on the 7100i. Of course, I have not fully read the users manual yet either.
So that is my opinion and I hope it helps.

Now let me go back to reading and catch up on what I have missed here lately.

[nb_mitch]

I have never used a suretype, and really don't want to, but from your "description of need", I think the 7100 might be the one for you. I have heard the phone is also better on the 71xx than the 72xx series, I know my 7290 was not good, but love my 8700.

Not sure what Nextel's return policy is, but maybe you can test drive one for a week and then return it for the other if you don't like it.

[blackberry_jedi]

the 7100i is the devil~
enough said

[myownminerva]

you wont be able to sync if you still have the palm s/w on your pc ;)