BlackBerry Forums Support Community

CodyMac · 08-10-2005, 12:12 PM

Hi. I've never owned a smartphone or PDA, but am thinking of getting a BB 7100t/g. I truly have no need for a PDA, but I want one anyways. Therefore, it's hard for me to pick one since I don't really know what my needs are. Price is a factor, so I ruled-out the Treo 650. I wanted something with some semblance of a keyboard, so I settled on the Blackberry 7100. Now, I can pay $139 for one and stick with Cingular, or pay $200 and switch to T-Mobile.

Questions:

The T-Mobile version is the 7100t, and the Cingular is the 7100g, right? Is there a difference in features between the two?

I was quoted an unlimited data plan with Cingular of $45 per month. I looked on the T-Mobile site and it looks like it's $30 per month. Is this correct?

I already verified that we do not have a BES at my company. Should I still be able to get my work email? I have read the FAQs, and they mostly made sense. How would I get my work email (Outlook Exchange Server)? Would it just check periodically for me, therefore NOT being a true 'push' like the BES? Would I be able to sync my calendar and contacts wirelessly, too?

Again, I have read some of the FAQs but the answers to these questions didn't leap out at me. Thanks for any hand-holding you can provide.

Cody

map · 08-10-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodyMac

Hi. I've never owned a smartphone or PDA, but am thinking of getting a BB 7100t/g. I truly have no need for a PDA, but I want one anyways. Therefore, it's hard for me to pick one since I don't really know what my needs are. Price is a factor, so I ruled-out the Treo 650. I wanted something with some semblance of a keyboard, so I settled on the Blackberry 7100. Now, I can pay $139 for one and stick with Cingular, or pay $200 and switch to T-Mobile.

Questions:

The T-Mobile version is the 7100t, and the Cingular is the 7100g, right? Is there a difference in features between the two?

-->Yes

I was quoted an unlimited data plan with Cingular of $45 per month. I looked on the T-Mobile site and it looks like it's $30 per month. Is this correct?

-->Yes

I already verified that we do not have a BES at my company. Should I still be able to get my work email? I have read the FAQs, and they mostly made sense. How would I get my work email (Outlook Exchange Server)? Would it just check periodically for me, therefore NOT being a true 'push' like the BES? Would I be able to sync my calendar and contacts wirelessly, too?

-->You will use Desktop redirector and have to leave your computer on all the time. It will push email to you, not pull it. To the best of my knowledge, you can't pull from an Exchange Server. Calendar and contact sync - no wireless sync - you will have to do it with Desktop Manager.

Again, I have read some of the FAQs but the answers to these questions didn't leap out at me. Thanks for any hand-holding you can provide.

Cody

CodyMac · 08-10-2005, 03:59 PM

Hmm, so it sounds like life without BES sucks somewhat. Thanks for your response.

Dawg · 08-10-2005, 04:01 PM

I dont have bes and i love mine just the same I have tried BES and it was cool but bwc works for what most need

CodyMac · 08-10-2005, 04:07 PM

Sorry, what's BWC?

DrumWild · 08-10-2005, 04:08 PM

My T-Mobile data plan (unlimited) is only $19.99.

NJBlackBerry · 08-10-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrumWild

My T-Mobile data plan (unlimited) is only $19.99.

That's correct; T-Mobile for BWC/BIS only is $19.99. For BES or Desktop Redirector, it is $29.99.

Dawg · 08-10-2005, 04:16 PM

I liked bes but couldnt get my work email because I dont have a way to forward it.

CodyMac · 08-10-2005, 08:12 PM

I called Cingular and they wouldn't work with me on the price of the data plan. So, we're (wife and I) sort of torn on what to do. We're prolly gonna stick with Cingular. Do you have to sign a contract on the data plans, too, or can you cancel whenever?

earpon · 08-10-2005, 08:53 PM

Go for T-Mobile. If you'll end up paying more for the Data service with Cingular it's up to you. But if it'll save you a lot later on, go for T-Mobile.

Check your area for T-Mobile coverage at http://compass.t-mobile.com

CodyMac · 08-10-2005, 10:34 PM

Well, I think we're sticking with Cingular, because overall it would barely be more expensive (by $20), with no roll-over, and the phones would cost about $120 more total. Thanks for the recommendation, though.

TXBBUSER · 08-11-2005, 10:09 AM

You don't have to leave your computer on all the time if you don't use BES. I don't have it and have no problems. If you want your POP email to come immediately to your handheld, you can just forward all your email in your POP account to your Blackberry email address, or, you can jsut give everyone your BB address as a new email address. You can configure your settings with whatever reply to address you want.

jasonb · 08-11-2005, 11:55 AM

I was in a similar situation. We were with Cingular and they would not do anything for us as far as phone and coverage. My wife and I were both wanting upgrades I was going to a BB and My wife to a Razr and they would not let us upgrade because we were not in there window. We were only a month away. Cingulars customer service is horrible. I could not get a manager to talk to me. We were customers with them when they were still Celluar one where we live. So we switched to T-Mobile and have had no problems. we have spoke to their customer support a few times and they have been extremely helpfull. I would not switch back to Cingular if they were the only cellular provider in the world. Just my 2 cents

BlackBerry Forums Support Community

n00b Questions