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Dynamic323 · 11-28-2005, 10:15 PM

I was SO excited to get to the store and get my hands on the new 8700c. I tried it out, ready to purchase, and then realized, I couldn't deal. The keys are simply too close together for people with big hands that it makes typing almost as annoying as it was on my 7100t! There is simply nothing better for typing than the 7290. So I'll be sticking with that one, angry that I can't get EDGE and the new screen, etc. because RIM decided to change that design.

I predict that decision will backfire in terms of long term sales, I already know a lot of people at major firms who are staying away because of this same reason...

Steve

richard371 · 11-28-2005, 10:25 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Guess you are spoiled with blackberry and never tried a treo 650. You have to choose what's best for you

I'm lovinng the keyboard on the 8700 after the treo.

brmcguire · 11-28-2005, 10:29 PM

I second the Treo comparison. I went from a 7280 > Treo 650 > BB 7100g > 8700c. I am sure people will get used to it. I agree its tight, but nothing I can't get used to over time. I think the pros out do the cons.

Seattle18 · 11-28-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brmcguire

I second the Treo comparison. I went from a 7280 > Treo 650 > BB 7100g > 8700c. I am sure people will get used to it. I agree its tight, but nothing I can't get used to over time. I think the pros out do the cons.

Precisely...

barjohn · 11-28-2005, 10:58 PM

Maybe because I got used to the HP HW6510 and a Treo 600 before that followed by a 7100t and then a 7290 that it seems pretty easy to me. None are as easy to me as the 950 but this one is almost on par with the 7290 for me. The keys being closer together reduces the distance I have to move my thumb to type a character and makes up for the additional care I must take not to type two letters. I am finding that I am getting faster each day.

Doc Rock · 11-28-2005, 11:13 PM

Moving from a 7280 to a 7100t to a 7100g to the 8700c I do notice that the keys are a little tighter together. The biggest thing for me was getting used to changing completely the way I typed on a blackberry from the 7100 mode to the full keyboard again. Its a major change for me mentally. I would really love to still have the 7100 style keyboard but I know that was a big factor in a lot of people I work with choosing 7290's. The 8700c will probably not see this backfire you are talking about, I think it will really bridge a gap for people and we'll see a lot more of them. I predict it will be our corporate standard in another week.

Steve

Sparkomatic · 11-28-2005, 11:48 PM

I was mis-typing at first but have improved alot after a couple of days use. I had a Treo, HP 6515 and Qtek 9100... I would probably compare th keyboard to the Treo in terms of size and keyboard. Works good for me

dolo · 11-29-2005, 12:24 AM

I will be going to the 8700, but my history of devices should allow me to have a seamless transition :D

treo 600 -> treo 650 -> PPC 6700 -> BB8700.

Regards,
dolo

Sparkomatic · 11-29-2005, 12:51 AM

I'm sure you'll like it dolo. I used to think BB's were awful and at one point had a 7290 for about 3 days before returning it. I'm loving the 8700 and when through the same history as you with a couple more PPC's ;)

gadgetman · 11-29-2005, 01:09 AM

What made you reject the 6700?

barjohn · 11-29-2005, 01:18 AM

I actually liked the 6700; however battery life was a killer. It would barely make it through a day. The other big dislike for me was the backlight on the keyboard and the layout. The size was great but I had difficulty seeing the keycaps in many lighting situations including day light. The layout for the numbers across the top made numeric entry slow and there were still too many occasions when I needed the stylus to do an operation that I could do from a BlackBerry far more easily. It was a little thick and heavier than I liked but the screen was good and the speed was very good. EV-DO was very fast on the device. The PPC Browser was ok in landscape mode but there were web sites like my bank that I could not access. I would consider it a good second choice to the 8700. However, the volume was low on the earpiece compared to the 8700 and the speakerphone volume was not only too low but it was distorted as soon as you tried to crank the volume up. Not as integrated yet but a good device.

Sparkomatic · 11-29-2005, 01:39 AM

All of barjohn's points are right on. The Qtek 9100 had really good battery life though.

You have to remember that just about every PPC and application was designed to be used with a stylus. So, the HP 6515 with WM2003... just doesn't work. The apps don't work with keyboard shortcuts, tabbing, hardly anything.

WM5 is a step in the right direction but the 6700 and the Qtek 9100 still don't fully integrate with the apps in WM5.

The Treo worked well with the keyboard but the 8700 has been wonderful. Of course, there is no touch screen so it kinda has to work with the keyboard and buttons

krad · 11-29-2005, 08:41 AM

i had the 8700 for over two weeks and every email or note i took on it, i had spelling mistakes because the buttons are two close.

i spent more time making sure to type the right button and less on the actual email.

I find my 7100t much easier to type on, it seems more user friendly.

cwosigns · 11-29-2005, 08:45 AM

[QUOTE=krad]i had the 8700 for over two weeks and every email or note i took on it, i had spelling mistakes because the buttons are two close.QUOTE]

I don't think the keyboard is your biggest barrier to correct spelling.

hooba · 11-29-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krad

i had the 8700 for over two weeks and every email or note i took on it, i had spelling mistakes because the buttons are two close.

i spent more time making sure to type the right button and less on the actual email.

I find my 7100t much easier to type on, it seems more user friendly.

You have to remember, it's the nature of the beast to be more comfortable with your "security blanket" of whatever device you start with. I'm sure typing on the 7100 is easy to you because it's in your comfort zone, same goes for any switch. Some adapt to the change quicker than others, but I assure you, I know many a fat thumbed user who aren't having difficulties whatsoever....myself included.

emale · 11-29-2005, 09:11 AM

I'm 6'1" 230lbs and you could say I have fat fingers, but I can surely type no problem on the 8700c, takes a day or two to get used to, just like sure type did.

dolo · 11-29-2005, 01:56 PM

gadgetman,

The 6700 is a superb device, don't get me wrong. At this stage, I have tried every major PPC/handheld device and have "tested" all the waters that I needed to.

The constant "i might need that" or "that would be really handy" has been fulfilled on my end with the various devices.

That being said, I realized that the 6700 is a great device, but believe it or not does not suit my personal needs. "WHAT?!?" you may ask - let me explain it real quick.

I am a business professional in the online advertising space and have strong needs for alot of features these devices have - however, for me i was probably using no more then 30% of the phones potential. the 95% of my usage was geared to 3 core needs - phone, sms/email, web browsing. multi-media has become much less of a need and want over the last 12 months. that being said - the 6700 performs all my core needs, but doesn't do it as "fast" or "seamless" as i would like.

the treo 650 still (IMO) is the best device i have owned and used - but durability and OS stability were seriously lacking in that department. i have been a browser here and contributer here and have not owned a bb outside of a 950. but i do know many that have used it, and know well enough its very durable and rock solid as far as stability.

Sure there are certain featuers that other devices may do better (ex: treo's SMS layout) - but I feel that the 8700 will suit my needs and do the things i need my device to do - the best.

Sorry for the dragging post - but the take away (specific in my experiences) is - i've tested all the waters and the 8700 will suit my needs the best.

Regards,
dolo

richard371 · 11-29-2005, 02:14 PM

Yea I love my Treo 650. I have it running very stable now. I am finding the 8700 suits my needs beter so I will be converting to it assuming I can get it unlocked otherwise I will have to break my contract with tmobile and sign up for Cingular which is more exp and their CD is horrible.

krad · 11-29-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooba

You have to remember, it's the nature of the beast to be more comfortable with your "security blanket" of whatever device you start with. I'm sure typing on the 7100 is easy to you because it's in your comfort zone, same goes for any switch. Some adapt to the change quicker than others, but I assure you, I know many a fat thumbed user who aren't having difficulties whatsoever....myself included.

i dont' have a security blanket.... i have had over 6 different devices in the past year... treo's, pocket pc;s, mda's, blackberries galore!

say what you want, but the buttons are to close.

krad · 11-29-2005, 04:03 PM

[QUOTE=cwosigns]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krad

i had the 8700 for over two weeks and every email or note i took on it, i had spelling mistakes because the buttons are two close.QUOTE]

I don't think the keyboard is your biggest barrier to correct spelling.

rofl!!!!! not funny.

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8700c is AWFUL if you have BIG Thumbs