[gre2974]

Anyone here thinks the keypad on the pearl is less then desirable? I saw a working model at a T Mobile kiosk and I thought it was very flimsy and cheaply designed. Dunno maybe it was the floor model. I’m really thinking about getting it when it comes to Cingular but that keypad is a big turnoff.

[aawong]

I had a 7290, 7100 and 8700 and by far this is the worst keyboard. I think it is a combination of cheap shiney plastic keys, small foot print of the keys and the feedback from the keys when they are pushed. I don't email alot so it is ok with me but if you are a heavy user don't get a 8100.

[NJBlackBerry]

Everyone has their own opinion. I am a heavy e-mail user (last week I awoke to 150 messages in my Inbox) and I have no problem whatsoever with the Pearl keyboard.

If you do not like it, stick with the 8700, which is an excellent keyboard.

I think the form factor and additional features of the Pearl are superb.

And that, as they say, is my opinion.

[gre2974]

hmmmm i do about half a dozen emails and text messages a day so i'm not a heavy user. i am willing to overlook this because, as you said the form factor and additional features seem really really nice.

[benhekman]

I type about a dozen emails per day at most, and have gotten used to the keypad. I don't have any complaints about it with the amount I use it, but definitely was able to type faster with my full-size 7230.

If typing is your priority, I'd recommend one of the full size models. If form factor and some of the other extras on the 8100 are the priority, it's a great little smart phone.

[mpallo]

At first I thought it was cheap as well when playing with the display models. I have gotten used to it. It has a nice flex to it.

[soch]

Depends.

The one made in Canada (edited...) has better keys than the one made in Mexico.

The one I got in Sept was much better than the one I got in Nov.

[absolved]

Yeah, the keys are squishy..but they're aiight. =P

[fkjr2]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Everyone has their own opinion. I am a heavy e-mail user (last week I awoke to 150 messages in my Inbox) and I have no problem whatsoever with the Pearl keyboard.

If you do not like it, stick with the 8700, which is an excellent keyboard.

I think the form factor and additional features of the Pearl are superb.

And that, as they say, is my opinion.

is there any way to set the "suretype" as default in all applications? When I text someone, it goes to multitap :(

Thanks, Fred

[Ketchums]

I thought that it'd be really bad at first, but I like it now. It's not as perfect as the full QWERTY found on other Blackberries, but for the size difference, it's really efficient. I have no complaints.

[ootdoo]

i don't have a problem with the keyboard. i used my old 7105t yesterday that i sold to my friend and i actually prefer the smaller keyboard (and i have big hands). maybe you have your expectations way too high or you just got a crappy unit.

As always, my opinion.

[redrim]

It took a day or so to get used to the Pearl keyboard compared to the 7100t, but after that it was fine.

[rkkeller]

I thought it was going to be hard to get used to the Pearl after coming from a full qwerty phone but after approx. 2 days I had it down.

The Pearls keyboard is about half the size of the one I had before and it has some shortcuts (press space twice for a period, hold down letter key to capitalize, etc..) that help.

[cloud909]

coming from the motorola razr, i think the keys on the pearl are MUCH better... they feel better, you're more certain that the key you just pressed responded... and in my opinion, look better than the razr (but maybe i'm just biased since the razr was one of the worst phones i've ever purchased)...

for me, it took some getting used to the qwerty/suretype keypad... i thought for sure i was going to return it within the 14 day return period, but after about two days, i got used to it and now i type faster on it than any other phone i've used...

[BiggJayBK]

To be honest I like the Pearl because of its capabilities, but nothing beats the 7290 keypad. I am a custom to the sure type because I lost my 7290 and had to use a friends 7105 for a minute.

all and all I have no complaints for the 8100. I really don't like the 8700 keypad. The keys are too small.

[Fungineer]

Originally Posted by soch

The one made in China has better keys than the one made in Mexico.

made in China? don't think so. Did you mean Canada? :D

I've gone from 7230 -> 7100 -> 7130 -> 8100, all Rogers. I like SureType and have gotten really deft at it, but I can still type faster on a full QWERTY keypad. The 7130 had the same sort of rubberized keypad as the Pearl, but I find that the Pearl has a few "annoying things" about the usage, namely, when I hit the space bar, depending on the angle I press it at, it rubs against the bottom plastic (where the Rogers branding is) and makes this horrible squeeking sound. mostly that's just when I'm typing quickly though, and I press down instead of in.

I'm totally hooked on the trackball though. I went back to using my 7130 for a few days and was habitually bashing the browser button instead of using the thumbwheel.

[connmen]

Originally Posted by Fungineer

made in China? don't think so. Did you mean Canada? :D

I've gone from 7230 -> 7100 -> 7130 -> 8100, all Rogers. I like SureType and have gotten really deft at it, but I can still type faster on a full QWERTY keypad. The 7130 had the same sort of rubberized keypad as the Pearl, but I find that the Pearl has a few "annoying things" about the usage, namely, when I hit the space bar, depending on the angle I press it at, it rubs against the bottom plastic (where the Rogers branding is) and makes this horrible squeeking sound. mostly that's just when I'm typing quickly though, and I press down instead of in.

I'm totally hooked on the trackball though. I went back to using my 7130 for a few days and was habitually bashing the browser button instead of using the thumbwheel.

^^ Yup I got the same annoying space bar sound -- also on Rogers. Mind you, on the spectrum of potential fit & finish annoyances, it's not too bad.