hey everybody out of the two units the 7100i and the 7130e which one do you think is better?

I have used both and like the 7100i better. They do almost all of the same things (no Direct Connect on the 7130e), have the same stellar screen resolution, and are both very phone-like.

I didn't like the 7130e as much, though, since the keys are recessed into the keypad and it was more difficult to know that I was pressing the correct keys. I'm sure I could have gotten used to it if I used it longer, but that's just my 2 cents.

I hae the 7100i and am very hapy with it. The web is slow, but useable and the device is great.

A big consideration is carrier and coverage. Who has the best coverage where you plan to be using the device? Nextel is great around here, but when we go to the mountains we take a Cingular prepaid. I still like the 7100i because most of my family has Nextel and DC is nice, but might consider the 7130c if not for that.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

I have had both and really like my 7130e. Pros are the sprint network is faster due 2 evdo. Phone as modem with the 7130e. Downfall is no DC and sprints customer service isn't very good. If you get evdo in your area and don't use DC that much then I would go with the 7130e.

As others have said, the phones are very similar. If you use Direct Connect, get the Nextel offering. If you want better data services and better coverage (more roaming options with the 7130e, including data roaming if you are a Sprint customer in an Alltel area), go with the 7130e.