[Ron Steven]

After 2 weeks, I've decided to keep my 8100. It was a tough decision to switch from my 8700 but the 8100 won me over. Far more pro's then cons. I am looking forward to the 8800 when it comes out next year. I'll probably switch over to that. The camera is not a big deal to me.

[gfisher99]

Originally Posted by kasperapd

Never tried the 8700, going to get my hands on one in the next day or so, and see how they compare. I really like the 8100, but I only have the 7130e to compare it to, and it's definitely better than that.

Hahaahah.. I wonder where you are getting that 8700??

I switched from an 8700c to the 8100 and have been happy with it. SureType was a nightmare for me on the 7100t, along with reboots during phone calls...

Picking up the 8700c now feels way too big in my hands. I doubt I will be switching back. The 8800 series is going to have to be VERY cool to make me switch back to a full-sized device.

[ImagineParadise]

I've messed around with the 8700 and have seen pictures of the 8800.

The 8100 (Pearl) is by far the sexiest out of the 3 followed closely by the 8800. The 8800 with a full qwerty keyboard, in my opinion, is going to be too difficult to type/make calls to be appealing. The 8700 is a monster compaired to the 8100/8800. The 8100 is thin, not fat like the 8700. Suretype on the 8100 is great. I dont know why everyone is complaining about the suretype when I have nothing but good news to report on it. The finger smuges arn;t that big of deal to me because all it takes is a quick wipe down on my shirt to make it bling again. And, when we have good cases for the 8100, that wont even be an issue.

8100>8800>8700>every other smart phone.

[Stinsonddog]

Originally Posted by ImagineParadise

I've messed around with the 8700 and have seen pictures of the 8800.

The 8100 (Pearl) is by far the sexiest out of the 3 followed closely by the 8800. The 8800 with a full qwerty keyboard, in my opinion, is going to be too difficult to type/make calls to be appealing. The 8700 is a monster compaired to the 8100/8800. The 8100 is thin, not fat like the 8700. Suretype on the 8100 is great. I dont know why everyone is complaining about the suretype when I have nothing but good news to report on it. The finger smuges arn;t that big of deal to me because all it takes is a quick wipe down on my shirt to make it bling again. And, when we have good cases for the 8100, that wont even be an issue.

8100>8800>8700>every other smart phone.

Sometimes size is good. I have never ever dropped my 8700 unlike my old 7100. For some functionality will outweigh size.

[El Blackberry]

I did after 10 days. Suretype sucked, smudging, it's overall fragility, trackball, weaker signal, screen too small, etc. It's a nice little phone but not my cup of tea. I went back to my trusty 7290 and will get the 8800 when it's released. Just my opinion.

[ceebz]

Originally Posted by El Blackberry

I did after 10 days. Suretype sucked, smudging, it's overall fragility, trackball, weaker signal, screen too small, etc. It's a nice little phone but not my cup of tea. I went back to my trusty 7290 and will get the 8800 when it's released. Just my opinion.

I don't believe the signal is weaker at all. I can sit the 8100 right next to my 8700 in a poor coverage spot and they seem to perform the same.

[El Blackberry]

I have to disagree. At my desk with the 7290 I get 3-4 bars, with my 8100 I got "searching" to maybe 2 bars at best. Mainly it stayed on 1 to 2 bars. Not very scientific but that is the case. I may have had a bum 8100 perhaps but I did read of a few other threads that some did experience fewer bars with the 8100.

[ld-runner]

can anyone explain or give an example of SureType. Are the keys on rockers or is it press and hold 1 button to use the character on the left. Just curious.
Thanks

[paulbblc]

double click the button brings up the next character. starts with the character on the left.

[kasperapd]

Originally Posted by ld-runner

can anyone explain or give an example of SureType. Are the keys on rockers or is it press and hold 1 button to use the character on the left. Just curious.
Thanks

You can also check out this link from BlackBerry:

link --> BlackBerry

[pft]

First, let me say that I am long time bb user. In July, I went from an 8700c to 7130c. I loved the 7130c...it was the best bb I ever used to date. Call quality (both ends were significantly better then my 8700c), signal strength (better than the 8700c), screen (equal to the 8700c), performance (equal to the 8700c), form and function (much better than the 8700c) - simply the best bb hands down. It was extremely stable; I encountered no bugs or difficulties. I was originally tentative because of the move to suretype but I can honestly say that I became faster with it vs. QWERTY (I actually had a lot less typing errors using it). I have larger hands and the keyboard layout on the 7130C is great (better than what I have seen with layout on the 7130e). In comparison, sure QWERTY is more straightforward to use, but the 7130c’s implementation of suretype is great and for me it was an easy toss up between negligible typing convenience and the 7130c’s form factor. Note that my average use is approx 20 short business emails per day.

Then the Pearl was released, I was tempted and ended up ordering it (sight unseen, I ordered online). As a suretype convert, I was sure I would love the 8100. Not being under contract with Cingular anymore, I returned the 7130c but kept the service active (back to my old 8700c for the interim) and waited for my 8100. I got the Pearl for $50 (activating new T Mobile service) and was planning to cancel my Cingular account and even ok with losing the phone number that I had for many years (the $50 deal for the 8100 did not allow for number porting).

After I received the 8100, my immediate impression was that it is way too small (specifically the screen and cramped keyboard). Suretype worked as good as the 7130c but felt much more tedious to use due to the keyboard layout. Trackball use was ok but is not enough alone to convince me away from a trackwheel device. I actually almost dropped the 8100 several times due to how you have to hold it. Keys were funky, like the 8700c they were loose/ spongy to me, the 7130c has a good solid feel. I started using the device real world after connecting to my businesses BES. Reception was horrible compared to both my 8700c and the 7130c, call quality was back on par with the 8700c (not loud enough, more background noise than the 7130c), volume was too low (earpiece and speakerphone) sound was tin-like and I experience interference static and echo, it dropped many calls, device became extremely slow at times (even with simple tasks like changing themes), Bluetooth lost the connection many times (never happened with either my 8700c or the 7130c), voice dialing was nowhere near the quality standards of my wife’s Razr (it was hit or miss trying to understand me) and the camera was underwhelming (as expected though). On top of all these issues, I experience many/ most of the bugs other users reported on this forum. The bottom line, in my opinion and from actual use and comparison this is not a device targeted at an adult or someone that needs to readily rely on a bb as a business tool. It is also the hands down the most poorly designed, unstable and frustrating phone or PDA I have ever encountered. Some bugs will eventually get resolved but there are still a number of things here a software update just simply cannot resolve.

I have since returned the 8100, cancelled the T Mobile contract under their 14 day return policy, reordered and received the 7130c from Cingular and have just sold my old 8700c to a collegue. I am happy again with my bb...as noted earlier the 7130c is best bb I ever used to date. If you are a business user looking for a something different or in my opinion a better alternative to the 8700 (smaller, improved call quality, etc) and can effectively utilize suretype I highly recommend it any day over the 8100.

[brmcguire]

Originally Posted by paulbblc

double click the button brings up the next character. starts with the character on the left.

In some cases maybe. I approach suretype this way. Treat each letter as if it has its own key. For example, when i need a "i" in a particular word, i just hit the "i" key. I don't worry if there is a "u" on that key as well (no double typing). That's when the SureType kicks in. It understands what word I am typing. Of course there are instances where it has no idea, but after entering it once, it typcially learns it for next time. I entered the name "BW3's" in my learned words list because it never got that right. BW3's = Buffalo Wild Wings.

SureType is a pretty decent method of entering text. When the form factor is compromised, it's a good alternative. I personally don't mind it and find that its very accurate. It does take patience at first, but over time it rocks.

[nita]

I will be keeping my Pearl.

The Pros certainly outweigh the Cons for me

[Stinsonddog]

Originally Posted by pft

First, let me say that I am long time bb user. ........

Great post. This really enhances the community. Thanks for taking the time.

[coreyg510]

Originally Posted by Stinsonddog

Great post. This really enhances the community. Thanks for taking the time.

LMFAO

[Avner]

After using the 8100 for two days, I just sold the it on eBay and went back to my good old 8700c. Although I miss the camera, the entire 8100 is much too small and crowded for me. Going back to the 8700 is a real pleasure.

[DocGo]

I am keeping my Pearl. It is the perfect sized BB for me.

[ceebz]

Originally Posted by El Blackberry

I have to disagree. At my desk with the 7290 I get 3-4 bars, with my 8100 I got "searching" to maybe 2 bars at best. Mainly it stayed on 1 to 2 bars. Not very scientific but that is the case. I may have had a bum 8100 perhaps but I did read of a few other threads that some did experience fewer bars with the 8100.

Hmm, I had both showing the actual dbm reading and they were almost exact. Their range of fluctuation was very close, within 2dbm.

[ImagineParadise]

Originally Posted by Stinsonddog

Sometimes size is good. I have never ever dropped my 8700 unlike my old 7100. For some functionality will outweigh size.

If you're worried about dropping it, get a wrist strap.

Originally Posted by El Blackberry

I did after 10 days. Suretype sucked, smudging, it's overall fragility, trackball, weaker signal, screen too small, etc. It's a nice little phone but not my cup of tea. I went back to my trusty 7290 and will get the 8800 when it's released. Just my opinion.

If you look at the size of the 8800, you'll be useing the pointed end of a pencil to try and type on that thing..O wait, I know what we can do, lets all buy 3rd world kids, bring them over here and use them as personal note takers for our 8800's (because their fingers are so small).

Suretype is a lifesaver for me. It guesses what I'm about to type to about an accuracy of 85-90% of the time. And if that means saving space on my bb so that it doesnt look like Im taking into a big square box (8700) then suretype wins over a full qwerty keyboard.

Smudging? omfg. wipe it down on your shirt from time to time or just wait for a decent case to come out for it and the issue is resolved.

Weaker signal- um no.

screen too small? go to your computer if you want a bigger screen. Its a phone. its not a laptop.

[paulbblc]

Originally Posted by ImagineParadise

If you look at the size of the 8800, you'll be useing the pointed end of a pencil to try and type on that thing..O wait, I know what we can do, lets all buy 3rd world kids, bring them over here and use them as personal note takers for our 8800's (because their fingers are so small).

Suretype is a lifesaver for me. It guesses what I'm about to type to about an accuracy of 85-90% of the time. And if that means saving space on my bb so that it doesnt look like Im taking into a big square box (8700) then suretype wins over a full qwerty keyboard.

Smudging? omfg. wipe it down on your shirt from time to time or just wait for a decent case to come out for it and the issue is resolved.

Weaker signal- um no.

screen too small? go to your computer if you want a bigger screen. Its a phone. its not a laptop.

1. The keys are just as cramped if not more and much smaller on the 8100 than on any other BB I've ever seen.
2. Some people, like me, have OCD and do not like looking at a BB with smudges all over it, not to mention the glare that results from the smudges in sunlight.
3. Um no what? How do you know if it has weaker signal on his end or not? Do you sit next to him eyeing it to make sure?
4. Viewing websites, email, etc. on a 320x240 is a much better view in my opinion, and many others, than trying to view the same things on 240x260