Blackberry Newbie Needs a Little Help Picking a Device

[dark54555]

Here is my situation:

I just started a new job, and get a Blackberry. My options are a free, gently used 8700c or purchasing a Pearl for $199 or purchasing an 8800 for $299.

I owned a 7100 about a year ago, but did not have data active (long story involving a broken phone, but I didn't want to pay the extra for the data and just used it as a phone/text device), and the SureType didn't bother me.

I do legal work, and I'm not sure how much e-mail and/or attachment volume I'll have to deal with from my Blackberry at this point. I typically won't be a heavy traveler as far as I know, so I've usually got a laptop within 5 minutes reach.

Any thoughts on this? I understand the Pearl has better reception than the 8700c, which has me kind of leaning in that direction. I'm just not sure I can justify the extra expense on the 8800 without a pretty solid reason (had they put the 3G data on the 8800, I wouldn't even be asking).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[brucejr]

I know with the 8100 and 8800 you can view documents (I have been able to open excel and word, but not PDF) which was a plus for me. I am a clinical social worker so I do receive a lot of emails with attachments.

I do not travel a lot. Don't know reception quality from one device to another. I think it is provider and signal strength that more than anything determine this.

I know those that have upgraded to the 8800 are very happy (those that I know and have talked to).

8700c is still a very good device. Of course with the 8800 you get the multi-media component (I use my 8100 for MP3's and videos so for me that is a deff plus).

Pearl of course also gives you the camera which is actually fun to have.

[JSanders]

dark54555--So if the 8800 cost will be hard to justify, you have consideration between the 8100 and 8700, most of which you have outlined already...

--8100 is Suretype, 8700 is QWERTY. I have the 8700 and my wife has the 8100, and I don't mind SureType either (had the 7100 for two yrs), but still, I "prefer" the full KB.
--Reception is not better on the Pearl than the 8700, same reception on both.
--8700 screen is bit larger than the Pearl.
--Pearl has extra memory card or pictures, etc. Pearl has the camera.

So... its really your personal preference in my opinion. I still prefer my 8700 over the Pearl for MY personal device.

[dark54555]

Can the Pearl open attachments without additional software? Blackberry noted that both the 8700 and 8800 can on their website (as does PhoneScoop), but I haven't been able to get a definite answer on the Pearl. If the Pearl can do that (which it sounds like it can, based on brucejr's post), I think I may be sold on the Pearl.

[JSanders]

Yes, all of them, the Pearl, the 8700 and the 8800 can open documents such as DOC or XLS files. Often, a third party software makes it easier.

[Dubdub]

As I see it, it boils down to two things.

Number One - are you will to spend your own money for a BB?

Number Two - are you more comfortable with a QWERTY keypad or SureType?