7100 T vs. 7290, your thoughts and opinions

[gumbyj5]

Hello,

I am considering either a 7100 or a 7290 with T-mobile. Can you post your thoughts on the topic please, pros and cons etc. Is the "real web browsing" the same on both. Do they really display the site well?

Let me know thanks!

PS I use a Mac computer.

[gadgetman]

Gumby:

The 7290 has by far the better browser. It's much faster (becasue of the fatser processor) and renders the pages perfectly.

The 7100 has very nice color. The 7290 colors are drab in comparison and there are no true reds or yellows.

On the issue of the browser, the 7290 is the clear winner in my opinion.

I really like the 7100, but I have stayed with the 7290 because of the superb browser.

Both the 7100 and 7290 have drawbacks. Neither is perfect.

Pokey

[finch]

Have had both myself, for me the SureType thing just didn't do it for me, could be all the email I get? I did like the bright crisp screen but it washed out completely when in outside light and the lack of shortcut keys drove me up the wall. For the sake of polyphonic tones and a speaker phone it just wasn't enough to keep me. That being said I have co-workers that wouldn't think of giving up their 7100r. If your require an excellent phone that does email go for the 7100 if you need an excellent email device that has a good phone go with the 7290

[LunkHead]

I just changed over from a 7100T to a 7290 and IMHO the 7290 is the way to go! Like stated earlier, the browser is far better on the 7290. The phone works better on the 7290 and my signal strength has increased with the 7290. The only advantages the 7100 has, and they are slight ones, is screen clarity and unit size. The 7290 also has a 2 stage backlight (love it) and you have to love the QWERTY keyboard on the 7290. Also, I am on T-Mobile

[gumbyj5]

Thanks for the replies. Any comments on the Sure Type is it a pain? I tried it in the store and it was a little bit strange. Also is size factor?

Any mac comments syncing etc. Also were are the different apps are the basically the same between the two.

[animlmed]

i love my 7250. I had the 7100g through and cingular and was not happy at all. Device was slower, service was horible. 7250 is great, and verizon does a great job too.

[jacobsaa]

I just appreciate the full keyboard. Therefore, I like the 7290 It allows for much better, quicker and full-featured typing. I am a big SMS user as well as e-mail sender via the blackberry. The keyboard is orginally what brought me to blackberry (the ones that use the qwerty) , and I can only surmise that I will be a blackberry user for years to come if the berry continues to feature the full keyboard.

[phoneorpda]

hey Gumby,

i initlally went with a 7100t in mid april.
Tmobile didnt have the 7290 available yet, and they gave me a good deal since i renewed my agreement.
I kind of enjoyed the 7100 for a little more than a month:i really liked the size,the customizable ringtones and the screen, but some things were bothering me, such as the suretype input method(which i seemed to get used to pretty quickly, but some words always call for a double check-see/are- and it was almost impossible to type quickly in another language-i speak italian too-.

Anyay i left my 7100t in a cab last week (ehm), so, instead of being pissed about being the moron i am, i decided to go and get a Tmo 7290.

I have had it for almost a week now and love it...i dont mid the size at all and love the full keyboard.
It definitely seems snappier than the 7100t and i like the form factor better....the 7100 always looked a little too "sporty" to me,IMHO.
I had to shell for almost full price, but i dont regret it, considering i spend so much time on it every day.



Also, i use macs only, and as long as you get pocketmac for blackberry you'll be fine (address,calendar,stickies sync...no app loading yet)

I hope it helps,


A>

[gumbyj5]

Very Helpful. I want a full featured "everything" device. How is the phone on the 7290 compared to the 7100t? Also does the 7290 have AIM.

For MAC users how do you get the apps on the device, from a friends windows, or OTA. Let me know. Thanks!!

[phoneorpda]

Very Helpful. I want a full featured "everything" device. How is the phone on the 7290 compared to the 7100t? Also does the 7290 have AIM.

For MAC users how do you get the apps on the device, from a friends windows, or OTA. Let me know. Thanks!!

As far as the phone goes, i think they work the same, to me at least.
The only differences i noticed is the lack of time stamp and origin of the call on the 7290 (doesn't say if i was called from the contact or if i called it and doesn't specify the time the called was made/received).
Size is also bigger on the 7290 of course, but it doesnt bother me at all.

As far as app loading, all the apps i needed were available OTA, and was forced to use a friends pc only when i needed to upgrade my 7100t to the latest system, which you can get done at a Tmobile store too, i believe.


Hope this helps,

A>

[gumbyj5]

It helps a lot.

Can you elaborate on this I didnt understand:"The only differences i noticed is the lack of time stamp and origin of the call on the 7290 (doesn't say if i was called from the contact or if i called it and doesn't specify the time the called was made/received)."

Also where did you go for the apps and what did you download.

[phoneorpda]

It helps a lot.

Can you elaborate on this I didnt understand:"The only differences i noticed is the lack of time stamp and origin of the call on the 7290 (doesn't say if i was called from the contact or if i called it and doesn't specify the time the called was made/received)."

Also where did you go for the apps and what did you download.

My 7100 would mark any call with a specific icon, that would tell me if i missed the call, received or made it...and there would be the time of the call too, next to it;afaik, this is not possible on the 7290.

As far as downloads, i know there is a thread for free BB software ,somewhere here, and that's all i consulted.
Serch for "free software"

Hope this helps,

A>:

[gumbyj5]

Can anyone else elaborate on the phone of the 7290 compared to the 7100t?

[gadgetman]

I have a 7100t and 7290. The 7100t with OS 3.8 has much louder volume and much louder ringer. But the sound is tinny (too much treble, not enough bass). The 7290 has lower volume, but clear and very pleasant sound. The 7290 actually has better sound than my landline, but too low volume for very noisy environments. The 7290 ringtones are not loud enough.

The 7100t with OS 4.0 is terrible. The audio is staticky and unpleasant. You have to install 3.8. There is much discussion about this on this forum.

Incidentally, forget about using the 7100t in sunlight. The screen looks like its turned off. Can't see a thing. The 7290 screen is terrific in sunlight, even with the sun shining directly on the screen.

On balance, the 7290 wins, but the 7100t is really nice too despite its flaws. My wife loves the 7100t. She wouldn't dream of carrying around a 7290.

The choice between the 7100 and 7290 can drive you nuts.

[Lord_ZealoN]

The best one is the one than you like more i think

[gumbyj5]

Thank for the help everyone. It is a tough choice. I am switching from a sidekick II and i am not sure if i will like the Sure Type. Any thoughts?

How do the sizes compare, is the 7290 too big for pants pockets.

I will let you know what I decide.

If i decide to go with the 7100 is it recomended that i downgrade to 3.8

[phoneorpda]

Thank for the help everyone. It is a tough choice. I am switching from a sidekick II and i am not sure if i will like the Sure Type. Any thoughts?

How do the sizes compare, is the 7290 too big for pants pockets.

I will let you know what I decide.

If i decide to go with the 7100 is it recomended that i downgrade to 3.8



gumby,

go to a store and check them out...that will solve your size issues(phone size, i mean).

I personally like the 7290 and keep it in my pants pockets with no issue whatsoever, but then again, i really liked the Apple Newton when it came out...lol.



A>

[takeshi]

I wouldn't say that the 7290 is too large for pant pockets but that's a personal preference so it's a bit meaningless to take someone else's advice on the matter.

I wouldn't recommend keeping a Blackberry in your pocket unless you have a pocket dedicated to just the Blackberry. The screens scratch easily. We have an exec that insists on doing this and his screens are always gouged and scratched. Battery life will also be a bit better if you holster it as the magnet in the holster shuts off the screen.

[blkberryboy]

Gumby,
I say buy one or the other, give it a spin for the 14 day trial peroid (T-Mobile) and if you dont like it try the other one. Reading this post one thing is appearnt to me, it is completely up to the individual which one is better. I like the 7290, to me it is the top of the heap, A number one.

Good luck.

[gumbyj5]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to buy one and do the 14 day trial. Is it possible to buy the 7290 change to the 7100t and change back to the 7290 if i choose? Or are you only allowed one phone switch with t-mobile.

Lets keep this post going strong. I will keep everyone posted with what i decide to do .

[gumbyj5]

***bump***

[LunkHead]

Having owned both devices let me try and list what I think are the pros and cons of each:

7100T
Pros: Size, screen (clarity wise), ability to get different themes, loud ringtones, dedicated answer and end keys.
Cons: Suretype text (verses a qwerty keyboard), phone, screen washes out in direct sunlight, browser, build quality.

7290
Pros: Qwerty keyboard, screen size, 2 stage backlight, phone, build quality, browser (speed and display), screen does not wash out in sunlight
Cons: Size (for some, not me), no dedicated answer and end keys, no themes, ringtones are not very loud.

Overall on a scale of 1-10 I would give the 7100 a 6 (six)(mainly because of the horrid phone) and the 7290 a 9 (nine).....

My main reason for changing to the 7290 was because of the phone. I do not have a home phone and I use the cell for everything. I need a phone that works, is clear, and consistent. The 7290 gives me this whereas the 7100 failed miserably.

[gumbyj5]

Thanks for the pros and cons very helpful. If there are no dedicated answer and end, what do you use?

also can anyone answer the 14 day trial question i posted above...

[LunkHead]

No idea if you can use 7290, trade for 7100, then go back to a 7290 or vice versa. I know they have a 14 day trial period but I am sure it has limitations. Probably best to call T-Mobile and ask that Q.

For 7290:
To answer a call you just click the track wheel on answer (default) when the incoming call box pops up. To dial out you can either go into the phone area or dial direct from home screen. Enter the number you want to call then either click the track wheel and select call that number or hit the enter (return) button. To end a call you simply hold the escape key down (button under track wheel) for a few seconds.

[LunkHead]

Here are a few links to help you with the 7290

User manual: http://support.t-mobile.com/knowbase/root/public/tm30097.pdf?&A2L.SERVICE=Manual

Exchange policy: http://www.t-mobile.com/info/legal/returnpolicy.asp

The return policy does not really say if you can swap back and forth. Better off calling them before trying! :)

[gumbyj5]

What are the problems associated with the 7100t 4.0 OS? Is this a deterrent from buying the 7100t?

[Lord_ZealoN]

What are the problems associated with the 7100t 4.0 OS? Is this a deterrent from buying the 7100t?

I have 7100v (7100 vodafone spain) and is great and all works (at the moment)

[gumbyj5]

Can someone reply who has a 7100t. I remember reading about people having to downgrade to 3.8...

[gumbyj5]

bump

[rsun]

I have a 7100t, works just fine. I think all the BlackBerries are slow :-)

Basically my opinion on SureType, it's possible to use, but you have to force yourself to use it. Basically when I had a "normal" BlackBerry, I would always reply from it, but if I read a message on my 7100t and I'm close to my computer, I'd rather reply on my computer. According to the BES, I'm almost at 5000 Messages sent, so I've pushed it all I can with the SureType technology.

[gumbyj5]

rsun, what do you find difficult about sure type. anyone else please feel free to answer!

[gumbyj5]

Bump

[Lord_ZealoN]

rsun, what do you find difficult about sure type. anyone else please feel free to answer!

Spanish is more dificult than english and i dont find very dificults with suretype.

[gumbyj5]

Why is the browser better on the 7290 compared to the 7100t?

[mattchamp]

all i know , the local department store is offering a free 7290, with a purchase of a pair of Dockers pants... i think they have ultra-wide pockets to allow easy access for a 7290...

[gumbyj5]

Bump

[BBrval43]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.0.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

7290 is better.

[BBrval43]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.0.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

7290 is better.

[dyzs]

Am I correct is saying that the only difference between the browser on the 7100 and the 7290 is the way it's displayed and the speed at which the pages are rendered? Therefore the 7290 is better because it is wider and has a faster processor?