Just got 8100, after trying out all features and 12 hours later, I'm now contemplating of exchange for a 8700 G with T-Mobile. I was told as long as I exchange and pay the difference within 30 days in CA.

The primary reason why I want switch to 8700 is due to its keyboard and screen size, typing is kind tricky and internet browsing seems less user-friendly compare to 8700. I do like the slim form factor and build quality of 8100 though. Might make the switch tomorrow.

yeah, i took a look at my cousins 8100 today. i definatley prefer my 8700 over it. would be able to handle the non qwerty keyboard and small screen

Isn't choice wonderful! You can choose what BB model you want!

just a suggestion, I too was concerned about having a full keybd, but the training (of the 8100) and the training of the user took about 2 days max. Now I only have to stop typing when I send yet another abbreviation that it has not seen before. If small form factor is desirable, you cannot make a decision on the 8100 based on keybd until a few days have elapsed.

I'm a longtime user of the 8700 and it's still VERY up in the air for me. There are def. "wins" for the 8100, not the least of which the BT / Modem thing, but the lack of qwerty REALLY slows me down (I'm not SureType n00b either, had a 7130e for a while). While the trackball makes scrolling in, say, google maps much faster, it's much smaller screen means more downloads, thus slower "scroll" speed in the end. A lot of this is nit-picky stuff, but I think in the end the idea of something so small / compact, and t-mo's FAR cheaper service will win me over ;)

FWIW - this is the first Suretype device I've kept more than 3 days. I gave up on the 7100t and the 7105t, and have been pleasantly surprised by the Pearl. I really like it.

Now, having said that, I have not given up my 8700. But I did wipe my data off of it on Friday.

I'm thinking about picking up a clean used 8700 and switching off between the Pearl and that, maybe on a weekly basis. That way I'll get a good comparison and can weigh the size vs. qwerty thing for myself. I'm starting to feel in touch with my feminine side, changing my "accessory" to match my mood. The good thing is that they're so used to seeing me with different gadgets at work no one will think I'm any weirder than they do now. I'm just the gadget guy and all around alpha-geek.

lmfao. i am the gadget geek at my school. hahaa

my .02...

I started out with a 7290: tough but Bulky! Loved QWERTY.

I got a 7100g shortly thereafter. Suretype was "ok" I got by with it for about 6months.

I got an 8700 and kept it for a few months and was relieved to go back to QWERTY after the 7100.

I picked up the 8100 (unlocked) two days ago and have been loving it. Suretype is similar, but better somehow than it was on the 7100g, but I still prefer QWERTY better. So far I like the 8100 over the 8700 (I had the 8700g) for the following:

1. Voice recognition is Kick-ass!

2. Form Factor - I love the size of this thing, despite non-QWERTY

3. I can play my .wav attachments from Unity (Cisco unified messaging - a.k.a. Voicemail in email) FINALLY!!!

4. The camera isn't bad, although I don't know how much I'll use it.

p.s. I also have a Treo 650 (no comments please - I hate it! ) and I picked it up this morning and HOLY CRAP did it seem HUGE after using the 8100 exclusively for 2 days. Talk about the Treo-killer, I think the 8100 is a good candidate.

I just "bought" myself 14 more days to decide today. I took back the 8100 and am testing out the 8700. T Mobile was very customer service oriented and understanding. The form factor is much larger when holding the BB to the ear for talking, however for the email and texts my thumbs are happy. Oh well I have 2 weeks to figure out what Im missing from the 8100.

I finally made the switch from a new 8100 to a 8700 g with T-mobile. Well, both devices have some trade-off, finally the keypad and larger screen win me over. Hope I don't miss 8100 too much.