Right so here's the thing, want to get my girlfriend a blackberry for christmas, however I don't have an unlimited budget so brought it down to the Pearl 8100 or the Curve 8310. So I just wondered what you guys thought, head to head which one would you choose and why?

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Seeing that you are on a limited budget, I wonder if you can afford add'l $30/mo blackberry plan. If you can, there is no question, gi with 8310.
If you are on T-mo, they used to allow $10 Blackberry e-mail only plan with Pearl. It also included BBM at no charge. You might want to look into that.
Good luck.

Looks like the carrier is Orange...

All depends on the keyboard style you think she'd like. The 8100, with the smaller, more compact keyboard, is different than the full sized 8310. The 8310 also has GPS (which the 8100 does not), and the ability to take videos.

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Sorry, can't see carrier details on wap...
I think you can still take videos with newer OS on 8100.

No. Video is not available on the 8100. Not even with 4.5.

Im talking about buying the handset only as she cant upgrade her phone for a good few months.

She would need to add the blackberry data plan/add-on that orange provide onto the account, for her to actually use the blackberry for browsing etc.

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Well if she buys off contract it doesn't matter.
Otherwise both devices should go for similar price out of contract. Go with Curve.

Is the curve 8310 worth getting as it is quite an old model now?

So is the 8100.
entry level new blackberry, 8520.
Even a bold 9000 is relatively cheap these days.

I no they are both old, but are they worth having?

personally, id say no.
but its an opinion, that other would likely disagree with.

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Get 8900 and call it a day. BUT
Your question was between pearl and curve......

go with 8310. Personally, I think its much better than Pearl and yeah, it has a much more comfortable keypad.

8310 gets my vote. the Pearl keyboard is too small

Yea but that is out of my budget!

Why?

I don't see the point in having a device that is so far behind the abilities of the newer models.

Both devices have only 64MB of memory for the OS and applications; as well as email, sms, contacts etc storage.
If the device is only for texting, emailing and making calls, it suits.

But if applications are wanted, its very limiting in how much can be installed.
It would also slow the device down.

The trackballs are notorius for being a problem, even on newer 9000 and 8900 models.

My opinion, its not worth the hassle.
But its not my decision.

Thank you for your input, am still new to blackberrys so still finding my way

I'd consider the person I was buying it for. When I was shopping my SO preferred a full keyboard. Your girlfriend may have entirely different preferences.

Questions of worth are always subjective. I currently own an 8310 but I wouldn't buy one today as there are newer models. I'd want something with a higher resolution screen and 3G at least. YMMV.