What BB is right for ME?

[tpblackberry]

Hey guys,

First off I would like to say hello to all. This is my first of many posts (I hope, :p)

Secondly, I am REALLY interested in Blackberry's and plan to get one before june starts. SO, this is the question, what blackberry is right for me?

i am the type of person that will be using the data part a lot (IM, email, web) and im not really sure the difference between all of them, so if someone could give me their opinion on what one i should get.

I like the LOOK of the 7100 series, but i cannot stand the surftype, im really looking for the qwerty keyboard.

Anywho, Thanks all in advance.

Tim

[Mark Rejhon]

The four best models TODAY as of May 2005 are: 7520, 7250, 7290 and 7100 series.
(The models are the only ones with the full 32megs and Bluetooth, and they all have great bright screens and improved keyboards)

Listing North American Carriers:
7520 - For Nextel networks (iDEN)
7250 - For Verizon/Sprint/Bell Mobility networks (CDMA)
7290 - For Cingular/T-Mobile/Rogers (GSM/GPRS)
7100 - For Cingular/T-Mobile/Rogers (GSM/GPRS)

If you want a great BlackBerry with the longest battery life and without an antenna, I highly recommend the model 7290 .... (Run chat software 75 to 100 hours nonstop on a single battery charge). The 7290 has the advantage of actually working properly as an external modem for a laptop, if you want this feature too. If you want a BlackBerry with the fastest CPU performance, I recommend the 7250, at the expense of battery life for continuous connection (Run chat software about 8 to 16 hours nonstop).

For more information, please see:
BlackBerry Myths Busted: 2005-Era BlackBerries (http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=4019)
BlackBerry Instant Messaging FAQ (http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=2973)
BlackBerry Glossary (http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?p=34233)
BerryFAQ: Mark's Big BlackBerry FAQ (http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?p=1844)

[tpblackberry]

What do you think of the 7230? Because I really don't need bluetooth...

[NJBlackBerry]

As Mark mentioned in his note, there are a few notable difference between the 7230 and the 7290. The 7290 has twice the internal memory (32 mb vs. 16), the aforementioned Bluetooth, and a much better backlighting system. It is also a quad band BB.

The 7230 is good. I had one a while ago. It is only tri-band (900/1800/1900) while the 7290 adds that quad band for better coverage in North America and the Caribbean. The key point for me is the excellent two stage backlighting system in the 7290. The 7230 almost seems dull now.

Just my .02.

[takeshi]

The 7230 backlight works well when you're in a dark location (i.e. at night). If you're in a location that is only somewhat dark or just poorly lit, the 7230's screen can be hard to read without the backlight and not much better with the backlight.

On the other hand, I find the 7290's backlight helps with readability in certain office lighting situations where, again, the 7230 would be a bit difficult to read. The 7230's backlight is sort of like those "Indiglo" devices and it has a bluish tint to it. The 7290's backlight is not only brighter on even the low setting, but it's actually white (or close enough that I can't tell it's slightly off-white).

That said, I rarely use the higher backlight setting on my 7290, but it's definitely good to have.

[tpblackberry]

Thanks guys for your opinions!

I am really not sure though yet, I mean, one of the reasons I am so fond of the 7230 is because T Mobile supports it, and Tmobile has the best data pricing, bar none!

How much of a difference is the 16mb vs. 32mb? Is the 16 to easy to fill?

I don't know, I guess it's the price of the 7230 that has me hooked, and with the features it has, it's pretty much all I need for a STARTER blackberry (it wil be my first one)

Anywho, thanks again guys.

[Mark Rejhon]

Don't forget there's a model 7290 coming to T-Mobile shortly. Just so you know! And getting an unlocked 7290 from somewhere else have long already worked on T-Mobile (for about 6 months now).

The 16megs is already almost full. You only have 4 megabytes left on a 16meg BlackBerry. But on a 32meg BlackBerry, you have something like 15 megabytes free.

So you have four times the free memory on a 32meg BlackBerry versus a 16meg BlackBerry, because the BlackBerry Operating System takes up the same memory. It doesn't multitask as well when you run more than about 5 applications at the same time, the hourglass shows up more often.

However, the 7230 is a great starter BlackBerry. Just expect a screen that more resembles a monochrome screen instead of a color screen, for indoor use. The backlight is EL (similiar to TIMEX INDIGLO) and is not white colored. Outdoors, the 7230 is amazingly clear, colorful and sharp though, since it is a highly reflective color screen. (Both the 7230 and 7290 look similiar outdoors... While the 7290 looks vastly better and more colorful indoors)

[tpblackberry]

Thanks Mark!