Blackberry 8700c for Teens

[StevenJSilverman]

I'm 15 and I'm wondering if you think and why you think I should get a blackberry with BIS and Cingular over anything else. Please let me know....

[finch]

If you can't answer that question for yourself it may not be good choice. Further if your purchasing based on celebs and your peeps you'll be dissapointed. It's a secure business tool, with a strong focus on email. No camera, no SD, limited BT.

[WIKID3]

I'm 15 and I'm wondering if you think and why you think I should get a blackberry with BIS and Cingular over anything else. Please let me know....
So when you go to bed at 9 p.m., you can set the alarm on your BB, and you can wake up the next day for school........(y)

[K-Mack]

I agree with Finch, we could not possibly answer your question without knowing what you plan on doing with it, only you can do that. I will tell you that if you are looking for a powerful e-mail device you can't do any better than a BB. If you are looking for a lot of bells and whistles, you will more than likely be dissapointed.

Hope this was helpful

[NJBlackBerry]

No bling factor at all...

[naynar]

get a sidekick, at your age you'll think it's way more fun.

[strobate]

Some of these responses are a little condescending.

The things that would make a BB a poor choice for a 15-year-old (and some for anyone):

* Price--data plans are expensive, the device is not cheap.
* Limited media functionality--device works for web, phone and email only
* Stuffy--if you want to carry the same device as most defense contractors ...

[StevenJSilverman]

Thanks for the posts... Everyone in my family has one so they like them to keep in touch and I used to have the treo 650 but i hated how it kept resetting... I dont really care about the price... i like the fact of the always on email

[Xjett]

Hey man I had the Tre0 650 too, after being on my third one I gave up and went with the 8700c. I am 19 and I use it for email, IM, and net. It's all good for me and I enjoy it greatly. Plus everyone I know has them to so I am PIM messaging as well. I say go for it. But if you love the camera and the SD and all that. Stick with your Treo.

[ceebz]

Some of these responses are a little condescending.

...

No kidding. Some of the people here are ridiculous. The guy asked a simple question, no need to jump his case for it.

[paulbblc]

So when you go to bed at 9 p.m., you can set the alarm on your BB, and you can wake up the next day for school........(y)

You're a big man making fun of a 15 year old. If your going to post try to do so in a helpful manner.

[stripesace]

Thanks for the posts... Everyone in my family has one so they like them to keep in touch and I used to have the treo 650 but i hated how it kept resetting... I dont really care about the price... i like the fact of the always on email
Sounds like a good reason for me!

Dude seriously, life is too short to sweat these things. If you will use the device to its capabilites, and everyone you know has one and you use that tool to keep in touch etc, then yeah, sounds like a good reason to get one.

[StevenJSilverman]

Thanks for all your guy's is help. I just got a bb 8700c and got the Data package all set up. I love it 1000x better than the Treo not missing it at all

[WIKID3]

You're a big man making fun of a 15 year old. If your going to post try to do so in a helpful manner.
Relax, I was kidding with him.

[Xjett]

Haha don't listen to these guys...I had a Treo 600 when I was your age (dang that was the oldest thing I have ever said), and I used to have a section of my address book for my little black book and my calendar would remind me of all the TV shows I wanted to watch. You want a BB, more power to you.

[WIKID3]

Thanks for all your guy's is help. I just got a bb 8700c and got the Data package all set up. I love it 1000x better than the Treo not missing it at all
It's an awesome device, don't know how I went with one for so long. Any reason you decided on the 8700 vs. 7130?

[finch]

I think the overall moral folks a trying to convey is the BB is not a purchase you make for the sake of i tor because others have one. Numerous people have done so found that out the hard way it's limited in some aspects. Being said if you're unhappy with the Treo world and WM5 devices won't cut it plus you have multiple contact already using a BB I might fit the bill for you. If you want a rock solid stable, secure device and aren't concerned about a tone of third party apps then go for it.

[ItsAllVerbatim]

Just to clarify for the members of the board that jumped on him so quick...

I was using a BB 950 at age 15.
When I was 16 a Treo 180, then a 270.
And a 6280 until I got a Treo 600 - then a 650.
Now I have a 7520 and am purchasing a 8700c tomorrow.

I was using them when they were really stuffy. Not because some celebrity did.

I'm just saying.

[allenranger2]

I was supporting RIM 957 pagers when I was 15. I worked for a major investment bank who just got them, and I trained and installed, etc...It was fun, but now more fun to have my own and to see how RIM really came about. From those tiny pagers to full screen color. Wow.

[stripesace]

I got one because alot of guys I know have one, and then I started using it more and mroe and was like crap! This is just what the doctor ordered!

[StevenJSilverman]

It's an awesome device, don't know how I went with one for so long. Any reason you decided on the 8700 vs. 7130?

I went with the 8700c because of the full keyboard and the store by my house doesnt have the 7130c in stock

[junior1790]

stick with the full qwerty. GJ on the Berry, if your family and most of your friends have them then youe set for PIN messaging, better than sms...

[StevenJSilverman]

Anyone have a good reccomendation for which AIM app. to buy?

[ebgreen]

"...if your family and most of your friends have them then youe set for PIN messaging, better than sms..."

Or BB Messenger which is an easier way to actually carry on a conversation than PIN IMO.

[zarza]

Honestly, I commend you for getting such an advanced technical device at 15. You remind me of me at your age. I assume that your parents paid for it?

[zarza]

Anyone have a good reccomendation for which AIM app. to buy?

You don't need to buy one. Follow the instructions on this site to use GoogleTalk for AIM. It is free, and I have found it to be fairly solid for a free app.

[StevenJSilverman]

Honestly, I commend you for getting such an advanced technical device at 15. You remind me of me at your age. I assume that your parents paid for it?

yes my parents did pay for it

[StevenJSilverman]

You don't need to buy one. Follow the instructions on this site to use GoogleTalk for AIM. It is free, and I have found it to be fairly solid for a free app.

You can use Aol Instant Messenger through google-talk?

[zarza]

You can use Aol Instant Messenger through google-talk?

Absolutely.

[ceebz]

You can use Aol Instant Messenger through google-talk?


http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=28638

[zarza]

yes my parents did pay for it

Cool. I guess your parents must be techies too? Gotta be nice to have techie parents with money. LOL

[StevenJSilverman]

Cool. I guess your parents must be techies too? Gotta be nice to have techie parents with money. LOL

Well not really techy parents... just my dads a CEO of a Corporation so Im on their BES Server so its free for me...

[StevenJSilverman]

Does anyone know if theres a application for me to view word documents or to compose word documents and edit them or email them?

[zarza]

Well not really techy parents... just my dads a CEO of a Corporation so Im on their BES Server so its free for me...

I see. Still cool that they'll do that for you. Most parents, regardless of financial status, wouldn't buy their kids a BB.

[zarza]

Does anyone know if theres a application for me to view word documents or to compose word documents and edit them or email them?

Definitely search the forums. I'm sure there is one.

[StevenJSilverman]

I see. Still cool that they'll do that for you. Most parents, regardless of financial status, wouldn't buy their kids a BB.

ya... but they saw that a lot of my friends were also getting them and my dad is traveling a lot so he likes to keep in touch

[zarza]

ya... but they saw that a lot of my friends were also getting them and my dad is traveling a lot so he likes to keep in touch

Still though, my point remains. Most 15 yr. olds that get a data device get a Sidekick II if anything.

[Stinsonddog]

I think when my kids become teenagers, I will trade them for BB's.

[zarza]

I would definitely get one for a college kid, but I would threaten them with their life if they broke it or lost it. College is run like a business these days with everything being done on e-mail and the web. Pretty fascinating.

[allenranger2]

I think when my kids become teenagers, I will trade them for BB's.

Now that's comedy! I may just do the same...

[StevenJSilverman]

thats why I want to get microsoft word on my blackberry so I can be anywehre and type up homework and email it to my teacher... anyone know of any microsoft word apps?

[naynar]

I would definitely get one for a college kid, but I would threaten them with their life if they broke it or lost it. College is run like a business these days with everything being done on e-mail and the web. Pretty fascinating.

i am in college and i love love love my bb. not only do i use it to remind myself when things are due but when i'm bored during breaks in class i can talk to my friends.

[vbaskar]

mmm i always thought majority of the teens wants those sleek,flip open,jazzy,light weight and OFCOURSE with Camera :)

seeing this makes to feel like this generation wants to listen to pink floyd,jim morrison,bob dylan and such kinda music...

probably i always felt that when i was young i was matured too quickly by listening to such kinda of music :)

[naynar]

mmm i always thought majority of the teens wants those sleek,flip open,jazzy,light weight and OFCOURSE with Camera :)

seeing this makes to feel like this generation wants to listen to pink floyd,jim morrison,bob dylan and such kinda music...

probably i always felt that when i was young i was matured too quickly by listening to such kinda of music :)

i had a sidekick and hated it so i got my bb a few days ago and for the recond i listen to that music now, i'm 21 ;)

[Pizzle]

thats why I want to get microsoft word on my blackberry so I can be anywehre and type up homework and email it to my teacher... anyone know of any microsoft word apps?


I hear rumblings of eOffice, but know little about it, and know that it's not free.

You may try a search for that and see what comes up. I think it's been reviewed on here.

[Tylar]

Thanks for all your guy's is help. I just got a bb 8700c and got the Data package all set up. I love it 1000x better than the Treo not missing it at all

I had a Treo for 4 weeks. REgardless of your age, if you can justify the addiction, then whatever. Treo is great if you're low on the email/synch'ing and high on camera, texting and other stuff that really doesn't jive for 100% work use.

[bobhammer]

I am 16 and have a 8700r, I love it becos of all its instant messengers and stability over the treo and ppc phone!!! and I am going to buy a 8707v.....!!! I dun really need a camera, so blackberry fits me very well!!

[texasag90]

Just to clarify for the members of the board that jumped on him so quick...

I was using a BB 950 at age 15.
When I was 16 a Treo 180, then a 270.
And a 6280 until I got a Treo 600 - then a 650.
Now I have a 7520 and am purchasing a 8700c tomorrow.

I was using them when they were really stuffy. Not because some celebrity did.

I'm just saying.


I was using an Apple IIe when I was 15. It had a 300 baud modem (full duplex)!

[supadupahyphy]

It really dosnt matter how old are. If you have certain needs and there is a device that can meet them. Why would not get that device? You are trying to stay connected and make your life easier, right?

Bottom line. If you have not picked up the BB yet what are are you waiting for?

[devlol]

Crack is crack.. err I mean a blackberry is a blackberry - it's a tool. doesn't matter what age you are, if you have a use for it, then you should get it. Unless you're just getting it because it "looks cool" and you want it for the "wow" factor of your peers. Then that's just a waste and you should probably get a moto Q.

But then again you already did get it =P

I think the only program for word processing would be eoffice. or eword.

Here's professional eoffice: http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=862&hz1=1&hz2=BlackBerry&jid=F535728261XF3FAEBX4BBFFD5A412DA9&platformId=5&N=4294922776&productId=121718&R=121718

and here's standard eoffice:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=862&hz1=1&hz2=BlackBerry&jid=F535728261XF3FAEBX4BBFFD5A412DA9&platformId=5&N=4294922776&productId=93174&R=93174

here's basic:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=862&hz1=1&hz2=BlackBerry&jid=F535728261XF3FAEBX4BBFFD5A412DA9&platformId=5&N=4294922776%2096513&productId=159619&R=159619

and here's eword:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=862&hz1=1&hz2=BlackBerry&jid=F535728261XF3FAEBX4BBFFD5A412DA9&platformId=5&N=4294922776%2096513&productId=93172&R=93172

[StevenJSilverman]

I was using an Apple IIe when I was 15. It had a 300 baud modem (full duplex)!

How old are you now?

[spblat]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I wish there was a device this powerful when I was a teen. I was the geeky kid with the "data bank watch" in high school. I was in my twenties when the first truly useful PDA hit the market, the PalmPilot 1000. I've been there and done that with treos, wizards, newtons, WinCE, sidekicks, and on and on. I'm more satisfied with my 8700g than I was with any of those, although my SideKickII was pretty cool.

[joaquin654]

Thanks for the posts... Everyone in my family has one so they like them to keep in touch and I used to have the treo 650 but i hated how it kept resetting... I dont really care about the price... i like the fact of the always on email


(y) hang in there steven .... yes the Blackberry has no real bling factor that most young people look for , but honestly you may not be the typical young man ! look at it that way ! lol . i graduated high school at 15 , college at 18 , and i would have loved a Blackberry at any age to send emails to my friends ( aka. "girls" ) and to browse the net while on the go . nice . plus edge make the web pretty nice to surf with the blackberry . plus you can see pictures and respond to emails immediately after it came through . also , t-mobile blackberrys come with Instant Messenger programs preinstalled ... thats a nice feature for young people ... hell , thats a nice feature for an old fogey like me !!! thats AOL IM , MSN IM , and others . so in the end remember this , only you know what kind of young man you are , so decide on your choice and roll with it . =) but like others said , remember that blackberrys don't bring things like : camera , memory card slot , or Mp3 player ... but good luck with your search .

[blk n blu]

Some of these responses are a little condescending.

The things that would make a BB a poor choice for a 15-year-old (and some for anyone):

* Price--data plans are expensive, the device is not cheap.
* Limited media functionality--device works for web, phone and email only
* Stuffy--if you want to carry the same device as most defense contractors ...

I dont disagree with the posts pertaining to this question, but to assert that price is a factor is equally (perhaps more) condescending than most posts here. "stuffy"??? this is by far one the most valuable communication tools I have came across. Helpful to anyone who uses email thruout the day to day.
If you want a media player/video game/toy...maybe look elsewhere. I suppliment those needs with pocket pc and xbox 360.

[Maan]

Man, I feel old.

When I was that age, cellular are the size of bricks (think Michael Douglas in the beach shore scene in Wall Street) and only for people with a lot of disposable income.

Now we have teens with Blackberrys. What is this world coming to? I'm heading to the hills.

[PolishPanda]

I'm 17 and I have a Blackberry.

All of my friends say it looks badass and that they wish they had one.

I go to a private boarding school and I run a small business while there so my BB has become a godsend in the last few days.

[atuarre]

Errm...if you want a blackberry, get one of the phone Blackberries, the 7100's I think are the ones that look more like a regular phone. I don't recommend the 8700c's or anything along those lines for someone so young.

If you bring it to school, it will most likely be stolen, and you are out of the money you paid for it.

[Aroc]

...get one of the ...7100's. I don't recommend the 8700c's or anything along those lines for someone so young.

Why would age disqualify someone from using a QWERTY keyboard? I don't get it. If anything younger people send text more (email/SMS/IM, etc) and older people tend to perfer the voice capabilites - based on my users at work. and as you consider even younger and old people I would expect those usage trends to continue. So that is the opposite on what you are saying.

Granted the younger people may not be saying anything important (we can't all be middle managers and salespeople) but they are typing info, lots of it.