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View Full Version : Ditch the 8700c when the Pearl comes out?

walds11
10-03-2006, 04:57 AM
I have a Razr through Cingular. I have the MediaNet package, so I get very limited, stripped down internet access. Love the razr as a phone. I wanted a phone so I can access internet and email, so I got a Blackberry 8700c this past Saturday. Took a little while to get used to, but I love it!!! My only negative is the phone is a bigger than I am used to(especially when carrying it around), so hopefully I will get used to it. Can't go wrong with the full size keyboard though. I hear that Cingular is coming out with the Pearl soon. Maybe I should of waited for that :( I got a decent deal on my 8700c and I am not locked into a new contract. When will Cingular be releasing the Pearl?
kasperapd
10-03-2006, 09:22 AM
Cingular's release is rumored to be in November. I'd suggest going to T-Mobile and trying out their demo model to see if you even like the form factor of the Pearl. That should help you make your decision.
headtailgrep
10-03-2006, 11:16 AM
If your a money bags, do it. it's only money.
greggebhardt
10-03-2006, 11:27 AM
Wanting is much better than having. I used the I returned my Pearl after only a day or so. It is no where as nice as the 8700c
mymitsu3kgt
10-03-2006, 11:51 AM
That's what a lot of people are saying about the cheesy glued on keys and the troublesome trackball.
secrecyguy
10-03-2006, 12:31 PM
That's what a lot of people are saying about the cheesy glued on keys and the troublesome trackball.

You too negative!

So far, I have no problems with the keys and the trackball.

As long as you take a good care of it, you should not have any problems with it.
mymitsu3kgt
10-03-2006, 12:41 PM
Those two problems are from reviews on Engadget Mobile (http://www.EngadgetMobile.com) . You shouldn't have to take extra precautions not to damage a delicate handheld. RIM shouldn't skimp out on build quality.
dwc
10-03-2006, 01:01 PM
No issues with keys or trackball here.
Tom
10-03-2006, 01:25 PM
I ditched my 8700 when the 8100 came out. I love the form factor of the device, makes life a little easier not having a brick in your pocket.

I will however, ditch the 8100 in favour of a 8800 once it comes out... (simply because I want GPS and WiFi)
Greg8700G
10-03-2006, 01:51 PM
Take a look at this before you purchase the pearl. Had one and disappointed!

Why the BlackBerry Pearl keys suck - Engadget Mobile (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/25/why-the-blackberry-pearl-keys-suck/)
BES admin
10-03-2006, 02:46 PM
I had an 8700g and I picked up an 8100. I love the 8100. To each their own, but build quality is NOT any poorer than the 8700.

They ALL have to be treated with care.
kasperapd
10-03-2006, 02:46 PM
Of course if you take a screwdriver to the keys they will pop off. I have no problems with my Pearl, but like Guess, I may switch to the 8800 when it comes out for the full QWERTY and WiFi.
BES admin
10-03-2006, 02:47 PM
I will also be going to the 8800 when it comes out... but in the meantime, the 8100 is very nice.
Greg8700G
10-03-2006, 03:14 PM
What is the offical release date on the 8800?
ivada
10-03-2006, 03:14 PM
Read the comments there while you're at it - the comments convey far better and more accurate information than Engadget's "Article" does!

By and large, a lot of folks who have negative things to say about the Pearl seem to be hating the Pearl for being so, dare I say it - non-Blackberry! Maybe because it doesn't look so "Blackberry" any more - the dark/navy flat brick that seems to convey "look at me, I'm so professional and I'm so critical to my company that I need to be on a BB all the time so stop talking to me and let me get back to my full QWERTY keyboard". Instead, the Pearl looks like many other "ordinary/non-Blackberry" phones (admittedly much more sleek and sexy!) and does not shout this same message from the rooftops!

I used a Treo 600/650/700 for 3 years and just moved to a Pearl, and I love it!

Just my $0.02.
Greg8700G
10-03-2006, 03:20 PM
Im not saying that the pearl is a bad phone or anything.. I have really not read anything good nor have I had a good time with it when I had it...
richard371
10-03-2006, 03:58 PM
Take a look at this before you purchase the pearl. Had one and disappointed!

Why the BlackBerry Pearl keys suck - Engadget Mobile (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/25/why-the-blackberry-pearl-keys-suck/)

I don't see anything about the key falling off. If he could pull a key that far wo it falling off then it must be a very tough keyboard.
Greg8700G
10-03-2006, 04:31 PM
I don't see anything about the key falling off. If he could pull a key that far wo it falling off then it must be a very tough keyboard.

If you read the article.... here is what they had to say...

....They're smushy, mushy, wobbly, and weak. Know why? Because they're just keys glued to a thin, flexible rubber film beneath. Seriously, we kid you not -- more pictures after the break.

I have a feeling that if you look alittle closer to the pic it looks like the key is all the way out just not out far enough for the key to fall towards the ground!


Not trying to get all angry or anything just my $0.02. Also used the phone at the store after reading that and I thought that the keys were kinda poorly made or more less forgot about because of all the other stuff that blackberry decided to pay more attention too!
rambo47
10-03-2006, 05:46 PM
I've had one since the 12th when they were officially released and I have no complaints about either the keys or the trackball. In fact, I love the feel of the keys. Nothing cheap about them. Of course if you pry them off with a nail as they appear to be doing on the Engadget story......
CanuckBB
10-03-2006, 05:47 PM
As long as you take a good care of it, you should not have any problems with it.

That to me sums up the difference between wanting a tool or a cool gadget.

My BB is a tool. I don't want to have to take extra care of it. It will get jostled, dropped and knocked about. It needs to be built to take it.
richard371
10-03-2006, 07:29 PM
They do have play in them and that makes it easier to type since they are so close. If keys star falling off then we can worry about it then but I don't think they will.
antisepsisDC
10-03-2006, 07:35 PM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8100/4.2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Well, build quality started suffering with the 7100 series. The 8700s don't feel near so sturdy as the 72 and 75 series. The trackball and SureType are things that one supposedly gets used to. The smaller screensize is definitely a compromise. I don't love SureType, but the screen real estate is my primary complaint.
secrecyguy
10-04-2006, 01:53 AM
I ditched my 8700 when the 8100 came out. I love the form factor of the device, makes life a little easier not having a brick in your pocket.

I will however, ditch the 8100 in favour of a 8800 once it comes out... (simply because I want GPS and WiFi)

ummm... The 8100 have the option of GPS... Remember, it comes with BB Maps.
twinkiefan
10-04-2006, 07:41 AM
I had an 8700g and loved it. I got the Pearl to "test" and get approved for use at my company, have been using it HARD for 3 weeks now and I have no issues with build quality, etc. In fact, this is the first non-qwerty device that I think I'll keep around for myself. The 8700g will probably be given to a co-worker or just sit in my desk drawer...the form factor alone of the 8100 has won me over. :)
takeshi
10-04-2006, 07:48 AM
I'd wait for an 8800 as well...
hades
10-04-2006, 08:42 AM
That to me sums up the difference between wanting a tool or a cool gadget.

My BB is a tool. I don't want to have to take extra care of it. It will get jostled, dropped and knocked about. It needs to be built to take it.

I agree with CanuckBB...I think it really boils down to personal preference with any phone...thats why they market different products. I was a beta tester and long time user of the Treo...I was forced to switch over to the BB and I wanted to hate it...but now I would never switch back. I love the qwerty keyboard, the ruggedness, and the fact that it just plain works!

Long story short, the Pearl is very attractive and has some sweet features, but if it doesn't accomplish what you want...why buy it, if it does...get it!