Here is my situation:

I just started a new job, and get a Blackberry. My options are a free, gently used 8700c or purchasing a Pearl for $199 or purchasing an 8800 for $299.

I owned a 7100 about a year ago, but did not have data active (long story involving a broken phone, but I didn't want to pay the extra for the data and just used it as a phone/text device), and the SureType didn't bother me.

I do legal work, and I'm not sure how much e-mail and/or attachment volume I'll have to deal with from my Blackberry at this point. I typically won't be a heavy traveler as far as I know, so I've usually got a laptop within 5 minutes reach.

Any thoughts on this? I understand the Pearl has better reception than the 8700c, which has me kind of leaning in that direction. I'm just not sure I can justify the extra expense on the 8800 without a pretty solid reason (had they put the 3G data on the 8800, I wouldn't even be asking).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I know with the 8100 and 8800 you can view documents (I have been able to open excel and word, but not PDF) which was a plus for me. I am a clinical social worker so I do receive a lot of emails with attachments.

I do not travel a lot. Don't know reception quality from one device to another. I think it is provider and signal strength that more than anything determine this.

I know those that have upgraded to the 8800 are very happy (those that I know and have talked to).

8700c is still a very good device. Of course with the 8800 you get the multi-media component (I use my 8100 for MP3's and videos so for me that is a deff plus).

Pearl of course also gives you the camera which is actually fun to have.

dark54555--So if the 8800 cost will be hard to justify, you have consideration between the 8100 and 8700, most of which you have outlined already...

--8100 is Suretype, 8700 is QWERTY. I have the 8700 and my wife has the 8100, and I don't mind SureType either (had the 7100 for two yrs), but still, I "prefer" the full KB.
--Reception is not better on the Pearl than the 8700, same reception on both.
--8700 screen is bit larger than the Pearl.
--Pearl has extra memory card or pictures, etc. Pearl has the camera.

So... its really your personal preference in my opinion. I still prefer my 8700 over the Pearl for MY personal device.

Can the Pearl open attachments without additional software? Blackberry noted that both the 8700 and 8800 can on their website (as does PhoneScoop), but I haven't been able to get a definite answer on the Pearl. If the Pearl can do that (which it sounds like it can, based on brucejr's post), I think I may be sold on the Pearl.

Yes, all of them, the Pearl, the 8700 and the 8800 can open documents such as DOC or XLS files. Often, a third party software makes it easier.

As I see it, it boils down to two things.

Number One - are you will to spend your own money for a BB?

Number Two - are you more comfortable with a QWERTY keypad or SureType?