New Blackberry???

[jrandol]

I have a BB 7250 w/ Verizon right now, prior I had a 7100 that I liked as well. I am getting a new one thru my work (will be Tmobile now) and can't decide between the 8700 or this new "pearl" model. I use the BB as a phone as well. What are the selling points of this new "pearl" model? I understand it has the two letters per key setup, which I got used to on my 7100, but what else does it have the 8700 doesn't?

[LunkHead]

I have a BB 7250 w/ Verizon right now, prior I had a 7100 that I liked as well. I am getting a new one thru my work (will be Tmobile now) and can't decide between the 8700 or this new "pearl" model. I use the BB as a phone as well. What are the selling points of this new "pearl" model? I understand it has the two letters per key setup, which I got used to on my 7100, but what else does it have the 8700 doesn't?

I recently changed from the 8700 to the 8100

Here are my thoughts

The pearl is MUCH smaller. I actually laugh when I put it next to my 8700.. The 8100 has a camera, a trackball in place of the track wheel (love it, once I got use to using it)

The 8100 has, in my opinion, MUCH better phone quality! The 8100 supports videos as well...

[nmadd]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/8.01 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/3.0.5849/1438; en; U; ssr))

Well I can't compare the 8700 and pearl side to side as I don't have both but I can give my top praise to the pearl. I haven't had it for very long but I've had nothing but a good experience so far. Function has been spectacular and I can never speak too highly of the form factor. I'm sure that you would not be disappointed.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Katrina Niolet]

I carry both my 8100 and 8700...
I use the 8100 for "general" use
and the 8700 for the hard core stuff
I do a lot of SSH from my Blackberry and the 8100 cannot type certain characters that the 8700 can (like curly braces or french style quotes for example ({ } or «»))
Plus only the 8700 has chinese support so far :-/ (probably not an issue for most people lol)

[NJBlackBerry]

I switched from an 8700 to a 8100/Pearl. I never thought I'd stick with it - I'd given up on the 7100t and the 7105t since I just didn't like Suretype.

I'm sticking with the 8100; I've gotten used to Suretype and its many nuances, and I think the form factor is great. In terms of functionality, the key additions to the 8100/Pearl are:

- MP3 capability
- Video support
- 1.3mp camera
- microSD memory slot
- Voice notes
- Voice activated dialing

I am sure that when OS v4.2 comes out for the 8700, some of that functionality will be added.

Do I miss the 8700 - not really. I get several hundred e-mails per day and have no problem keeping up with it using the Pearl.

[jrandol]

Great information, thanks all!!!

How is the battery life of the 8100??? I remember the battery life of my 7130 was a little weak in comparison to the 7250. That was annoying.