Hi all,

I've got to make a choice between a new Blackberry Pearl 8100 or sticking with a 8700.

I like the 8700 I've got know as I'm quite happy with the full QWERTY keyboard but like the look of the Pearl and must admit I do miss the camera off my old Sony K800i.

What are peoples opinions on the pros and cons of the 8100 and 8700? Has any made the switch or similar and regretted it/never looked back?

I have previously had the 7100, the 7105, and the 7290

I got the 8700 the day it came out and had been using it until a few weeks ago when I got the 8100...

A few months ago I got the 8100 and sent it back after 2 days... I figured I would try it again and had planned on playing with it until the 8800 came out on T-Mo....

However, after using the 8100 for a few weeks now, I love it! Much lighter and smaller than the 8700... I am easily getting adjusted to suretype, and flat out love the trackball as opposed to the trackwheel...

I am actually thinking about keeping it and passing on the 8800 now because I have become so use to the smaller size and weight...

The 1st time I tried the 8100 I only gave it a few days and sent it back. My suggestion is that if you are use to using qwerty devices as I was, to give the 8100 at least 2 weeks before you decide... Suretype, the smaller keys, the smaller screen all need a little time to adjust from using a qwerty device.

To answer the question.... I have no plans on going back to the 8700 and am actually thinking about passing up on the 8800...

Well I just got a free Pearl this afternoon and have to say that I don't like it but may be finding the same as you, that it just takes a bit of getting used to. To be honest it took me a week or so to get used to the difference between a full QWERTY keyboard on a Nokia E61 and that of the 8700.

I've got to wait until tomorrow to get a new Enterprise Activation password so I'm going to play around for a bit with the Pearl offline and see if I can get used to it.

I have to say though I do favour the larger screen and holster of the 8700.

I was in the same boat.... I did not like it one bit the 1st time I had it and sent it back after 2 days....

This time I told myself to try it for 2 weeks.... After the 1st week of using it daily, I decided to keep it as it began to grow on me... Now after 2 weeks, I have no intention of sending it back and am actually going to pass on the 8800.....

It takes time and make sure that you use it exclusively for a few weeks before passing judgment...

To save me looking around on here. Do you have to use the predictive text? I really don't like it and I never have done, I've always turned it off on previous mobiles as I find it a lot quicker just to be able to type.

Or is this part of the design?

Amazingly enough, the 8100 will actually learn as you type... Stick with suretype and after a few weeks you will be typing like a mad man... They say the best approach to suretype is to NOT look as you type and check afterwards as it will probably come out as you intended with a few exceptions here and there of course...

Blimey. You're right, I've started to get used to it already.

Ryan, and remember your 8100 has SureType, not pedictive text (where the software PREDICTS the word you are typing and finishes it for you). There is a difference. SureType requires you to completely type the word you want first, all letters. As Lunkhead said above, watch the keys you are typing, not the screen. At the end of a word glance at your screen and confirm it is correct or select the right one where there is a choice. And it will learn from your odd words and proper names you type.

When I had my 7100, I was pretty darn good on the SureType. When I moved to my current 8700, it took me two weeks to get my QWERTY thumbs back again, lol.

I love my 8700, full qwerty pad, nice big screen.

I like the size of the pearl, and the trackball is much better in my opinion than the track wheel. Sure type takes a lot of practice, but once you get used to it, it's preety cool.

I personally prefer the 8700 because of the full qwerty pad and i love the large beautiful screen. But once the 8800 comes out for tmo.. I will be upgrading. Goodluck!

I love it now. Lol. The Suretype is actually pretty easy to use given a bit of time and actually very clever. I've learnt my lesson not to be so dismissive so quickly in future. If I hadn't have been I would have realised Suretype isn't the same as predictive text as you've pointed out.

To me the only drawback for the 8100 remains the screen size but obviously that is matched by the overall size of the device.

Yes I agree! It takes a bit to adjust but once you do it's a breeze....

I am loving the 8100 and I never thought I'd ever remotely consider passing on the 8800 but this LITTLE thing rocks!!!!!

I was pretty turned off to BlackBerry at first, and the only feature I actually liked was the QWERTY keyboard. Why was I turned off? I had a 7750.

Anyway, I got rid of the BB for a while, then decided to give them another chance with the 8100, and after a couple weeks of SureType, I was hooked. I still think I might prefer a full QWERTY, but for the size and price, you just can't beat the 8100.

I use suretype and qwerty, but the difference is......qwerty was forced upon me by my higher ups. I still use my Pearl more during the day than I use the 8700c. On the weekends, the 8700c sits all alone on my office shelf at home while the Pearl is always with me. All in all...I love suretype wayyyyy better than qwerty.

Could someone give me a little background on their personal usage of each? Im so hooked on the qwerty and have been using it for 7 years at least. I also can drive and type without looking at device faster than i can type regularly. I find it hard to believe i could have the same experience with suretype.

i love qwerty and have been using it for a while, but i agree with everyone if you use sure type long enough you will master it before you memorize the keyboard shortcuts