Not new to PDA's, phone, or the web; just new to having it all at once.
How useful is the web browser ability with the blackberry? Planning on getting a Pearl, not sure if I would get a data plan. Is browsing the web on the small screen fairly acceptable? Is it graphic at all? Anywhere I can see some screenshots of it in use? Thanks.

Hmm...I'll take some pics for you if you want of my web browser and all on my pearl and me visiting few sites like myspace.com etc...... or w.e buhh it will be tomorrow im not home right now so if nething just keep in touch with me private message me your screen name and all

Here's an example of Opera Mini, which is the best browser IMO for any mobile phone I've seen yet.

http://www.operamini.com/features/simulator/

It rocks on my 8700c and I hope it will on Pearl (if I can get the trade I want ) as well.

I don't have any screenshots for you but I feel the web experience on the 8100 is nothing short of remarkable for a little handheld device. I run up usage numbers in the 400 mb range/mo and I'm still impressed with RIMs (and Opera) ability to render full size pages to the level of usability that they do. I'm happy with the BB browser but do use Opera for certain chores. Get the data plan. If your a surfer, you won't regret it.

Web on the 8100 is great for basic surfing, news, forums, information gathering, etc. Since that's the bulk of what I do online, I really enjoy it. Put Opera Mini on your 8100, and set the font size to "small". You'll be surfing very well. As far as graphics, it renders pictures very well.

You can see an online demo of what sites look like in Opera Mini at this web site:

Opera Mini Simulator

Once the phone pops up, click in the address bar and type in a page address to see how a particular page would render in Opera Mini. Play with the options in the simulator (again, I recommend setting the font size to small).

The 8100 doesn't do multimedia web sites, however. My husband and 13-year-old stepdaughter find mobile browsing something of a joke. They spend all their time online playing multi-player games at sites like Pogo.com and surfing YouTube. If your computer use revolves around music, games and video clips, be aware that you can't do those things on the go (at this time, anyway).

Browsing isn't all you can do with the data plan, BTW. You can use chat software and get email with it as well. My 8100 has my work email, my personal email and GoogleTalk on it. Any way I would ever want to get in touch with anyone in my life, I can accomplish from this device. Personally, I would not get an 8100 without a data plan.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everybody for the input. The opera mini demo clinches it for me. Thanks again. And thanks for the offer to take some pictures, but I think I know now what I need to know. Appreciate it!