Take the time, try to get used with the 8100 SureType. If you don't get used to SureType switch back to 8700. After a few weeks I am now in typing on the 8100 almost as fast as on the 8100.
I LOVE my 8700.. but am giving the pearl a fair chance. The camera and BBMessenger picture sending alone is a huge thing for me, and the size... I had a 7100 series for a long time too so getting used to suretype wont take long. I do notice its slower than the 8700, but the 7130 is too - probably because of the predictive text running in the background. its a lot easier to use the trackball than i thought, and the voice dialing is AWESOME... I dont use mine as a phone much so size in that regards dont matter, but it is a nice BB... i do miss the shortcut keys though, i had every key on the 8700 doing 2 things from the home screen.
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my office? 9700 tethered to my MBAir
Had an 8700, tried the 8100 and haven't looked back since.
...ok, maybe once, but after you use the 8100 for a few weeks, the 8700 seems bulky. Suretype takes a few days to get used to, but I find it just as easy now to type on it as I did on the 8700
I made the change and love the size difference. I had the 7100 when it first came out and left it for the 8700. I still like the larger keyboard on the 8700 but the size and style of the Pearl just got me. I know now that will use my laptop more for longer emails that i woudl have normally done on my 8700 since I now have EVDO card on it so it forces me to use it more due to the smaller keyboard on the Pearl.