[doublestack]

Is the 8830 a "good" upgrade from the 8703e if I will not be using the GSM features?

I really like the track-ball feature and upgraded operating system; but I am unsure if there are any trade-offs.

I like the 8703e's rf, call quality and keyboard. After reviewing some of the comments both here and on other forums, I am still unsure.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[JSanders]

I would. I upgraded from 8700g to 8800, love it.

[MotoUp]

Absolutely! I feel like the 8830 has better call quality. I love the trackball. I wasn't sure about the keyboard at first, but love it now.

[John Clark]

Yep. Worth the upgrade.

[dgw2]

I am with the others. I love the slimmer form, trackball, and newer operating system. I keep pics and video of the kids on it for when I travel also. My only issue was the keyboard lighting and the tight spaced buttons. I have since gotten past it and realized the keyboard was okay. I still would like to change out the keyboard for a black one (I am on Verizon) as I see elsewhere in the forum. They just have not posted a picture of it yet. Good luck. You will not regret the upgrade.

[juwaack68]

I love the trackball/menu key combination. MUCH easier to work with then the trackwheel.

[deo59]

Everything about the 8830 is better except the keyboard. The trackball and spell check are worth the upgrade. You will learn to deal with the keyboard. IMHO of course.

[juwaack68]

Originally Posted by deo59

Everything about the 8830 is better except the keyboard. The trackball and spell check are worth the upgrade. You will learn to deal with the keyboard. IMHO of course.

Yea, it took me a couple of weeks go get used to the keyboard. I went from the 7130 to the 8830 and yow...felt like I forgot how to type at all at first.

But now I'm stylin'

[akosnitzky]

It is worth it and you will get used to the keyboard.

[cwosigns]

I did the same upgrade, and paid full retail to do it. It has been worth every penny.

[MPScan]

Agreed with all of the above. The only issue that I was the least bit hesitant about was the keyboard and how closely spaced the keys are. I am a big guy (6'3, 250lbs) with pretty big fingers..

...but after only a few weeks of getting the feel of it, I can type just as fast, if not faster, then I could on my 7xxx series.

[MuahMan]

Originally Posted by MPScan

Agreed with all of the above. The only issue that I was the least bit hesitant about was the keyboard and how closely spaced the keys are. I am a big guy (6'3, 250lbs) with pretty big fingers..

...but after only a few weeks of getting the feel of it, I can type just as fast, if not faster, then I could on my 7xxx series.

Nice Avatar!!! DIE YANKEE SCUM! LOL, jk.


Dustin Pedrioa for President!!

[celltester]

I made the switch from the 8703 to the 8830 and am loving it. THe call quality is better, the phone is more sleek imo. It is thinner, less bulky. The keyboard was like going from 7250 to 8703e, took a few days, but worth the effort. I like the media player, I use it for MP3 player in the gym, and the benefit of memory slot for memory card is unbeatable. I enjoy the open BT as well, for file xfering. Last but not least, the wheel is the most difficult thing for me to get used to. I like it, but I love the wheel system, some things just shouldn't be played with, and that is one of them imho. I will get used to it I am sure and begin to love it, but I kinda don't want to get used to it, I love the wheel!

[Bigmark173]

Is it just me, or does Thursday seem SO far away!? Since this handset hasn't been released, the minimum wagers at CARE know NOTHING about this handset. No ETA, no pricing information, no product knowledge at all. Has anyone been able to get any information about the GSM side of this new toy? Even with an Int'l prepaid SIM, that will only take care of the VOICE side. Will the data side still work since RIM does the "pushing" via PIN? I have a friend at the local COS that is pulling a handset for me as soon as UPS delivers them.

[John Clark]

The sprint version of this phone is unlocked. Don't know about the Alltel. If you get it unlocked you can use other sim cards but the data will work only if the sim card has a BB data plan on it. Most prepaid sim cards don't have data so likely you're not going to be able to get your email, etc. with another sim card. You will likely only get voice/sms with the prepaids.

[Bigmark173]

Thanks for the BAD news! I was afraid that would be the case, but like I said, the folks at CARE don't know a thing about this handset! Some have never even heard about it!? Thanks again! Looks like it will be an AT&T SIM card as an adder line for my travel time and data.

[AnthroMatt]

I made the switch and am happy as well. I didn't even have a problem transitioning to the new keyboard layout either. No regrets whatsoever, especially since I sold my 8703 for the same amount as I paid for the 8830!

[doublestack]

Thanks for all the great comments. I am sold!! Tomorrow I am upgrading.

Best regards,

Pete

[Tri-Tip]

I made the jump from the 8703e to the 8830 on Verizon. I was a bit leary about the trackball, but I quickly got used to it. I loved my 8703e so much, that I said I would NEVER UPGRADE.

Below are my comments about this switch over, both good and bad:

The Bad:
Keys are too close together on the 8830.
Still a little trouble scrolling left to right in text, tends to jump to the next line down.
Miss the extra convenience key. On my 8703, I could have a screen free of icons: A = Address Book, M = Messages, L = Calendar, Call = Phone, Side Convenience = Google Maps, Front Convenience = Ring tone Profile...those were all the features I needed on a day to day basis.

The Good:
Spell Chekc
Slimmer - Fits in my pocket instead of having to use the case on my belt.
Spell Check
Looks Cooler
Spell Check

[doublestack]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I made the jump from the 8703e to the 8830 on Verizon. I was a bit leary about the trackball, but I quickly got used to it. I loved my 8703e so much, that I said I would NEVER UPGRADE.

Below are my comments about this switch over, both good and bad:

The Bad:
Keys are too close together on the 8830.
Still a little trouble scrolling left to right in text, tends to jump to the next line down.
Miss the extra convenience key. On my 8703, I could have a screen free of icons: A = Address Book, M = Messages, L = Calendar, Call = Phone, Side Convenience = Google Maps, Front Convenience = Ring tone Profile...those were all the features I needed on a day to day basis.

The Good:
Spell Chekc
Slimmer - Fits in my pocket instead of having to use the case on my belt.
Spell Check
Looks Cooler
Spell Check

I noticed yesterday when I was at the Verizon store that there is only one convenience key. The store had it programmed to voice command. I really like the form factor. I think I will be able to get used to the new keyboard (I hope).