[nick119]

Hey how's it going. I havent been on these forums for quite some time now. I answer numerous pin messages (about 5 a day) from people wondering how to setup programs like Ramble and other wap-dependent programs on the 8700 and I always ask them how the device is and how it rates compared to the 7290 and never get more than a general "it's good" response haha. I would love to buy one and learn for myself, but unfortunately cannot afford one at the moment as my cingular 150$/month bill is killing me as it is lol. Was wondering how the 8700 rates as an actual voice cell phone, i heard that it does have speakerphone and everything and was wondering how clear it is. How much faster is the internet browser on the 8700 than the 7290?

Also if anyone wants to trade an 8700 for a 7290 let me know haha^

Thanks a lot guys, all responses are greatly appreciated.

[takeshi]

8700c is significantly faster at web browsing than the 7290. I'd say that the 8700c is also a much better phone than the 7290. Can't really say how it compares to other cell phones though.

[rwashing]

of course

[delmarco]

no..not really.

[coreyg510]

The 8700c has speaker phone, the 7290 does not. The screen resolution is much better on the 8700 than the 7290. The 8700 is edge and the 7290 only has GPRS which makes speed on web browsing considerably better on the 8700c. The memory is a lot bigger on the 8700c, leaving plenty of room for any apps that you might want to download.

IMO the only downfall of the 8700c is the battery life

[thatboiwes]

Originally Posted by nick119

Also if anyone wants to trade an 8700 for a 7290 let me know haha^

Good luck with that.

[AlbertoM]

Yes. Absolutely.

[Stinsonddog]

What about the fact that the screen on the 8700 can be used outdoors. Very nice.

[lgreenberg]

I can't even look at my wife's 7290 without cringing. The screen is just so much easier to read on the 8700.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by coreyg510

The 8700c has speaker phone, the 7290 does not. The screen resolution is much better on the 8700 than the 7290. The 8700 is edge and the 7290 only has GPRS which makes speed on web browsing considerably better on the 8700c. The memory is a lot bigger on the 8700c, leaving plenty of room for any apps that you might want to download.

IMO the only downfall of the 8700c is the battery life

So basically the only advantages of the 8700c are the software improvements, which is probably expected anyway.

I guess you aren't too big on style, design or build quality.

Software improvements are obviously gonna be expected so I wouldn't go bragging about that like the 8700c just broke ground with edge support, TFT color screen and speakerphone...
Those upgrades were expected anyway.
IMO the 8700c falls short in everything outside the average improvments made to software. When every other new phone had edge, TFT and speaker....then we need to state other more SPECIFIC reasons why the 8700c stands out from the 2006 line up of new phones as well as why it would make the 7290 obsolete. That is if it does. IMO it falls short of that.

FOr example when the 7230 came out the older LED mono-chromes 6230 went obsolete the day aftter. Software improvements as well as build and design improvements were a great example of how a phone lineage progresses from old to new without losing the parallel importance of moving from "this older device has potential" to this new device built up on that potential" in every regards to software AND HARDWARE(design&quality).

bam.
Del

[Stinsonddog]

Aren't you going to be a nice Hubby and give her yours?

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I can't even look at my wife's 7290 without cringing. The screen is just so much easier to read on the 8700.

[lgreenberg]

I've actually offered. That way I can get a new, hopefully dust free, unit. She wouldn't even notice the dust in mine.

In the past her company made them purchase their hardware, then they paid for the service. So she went for the 7290 (the 8700 wasn't even out yet.) Now they've changed their policy and they now buy the hardware for them. I think she's going to request a 8700 soon.

I'm not even sure they allow users to activate their own hardware.

[lgreenberg]

Originally Posted by delmarco

So basically the only advantages of the 8700c are the software improvements, which is probably expected anyway.

I guess you aren't too big on style, design or build quality.

Software improvements are obviously gonna be expected so I wouldn't go bragging about that like the 8700c just broke ground with edge support, TFT color screen and speakerphone...
Those upgrades were expected anyway.
IMO the 8700c falls short in everything outside the average improvments made to software. When every other new phone had edge, TFT and speaker....then we need to state other more SPECIFIC reasons why the 8700c stands out from the 2006 line up of new phones as well as why it would make the 7290 obsolete. That is if it does. IMO it falls short of that.

FOr example when the 7230 came out the older LED mono-chromes 6230 went obsolete the day aftter. Software improvements as well as build and design improvements were a great example of how a phone lineage progresses from old to new without losing the parallel importance of moving from "this older device has potential" to this new device built up on that potential" in every regards to software AND HARDWARE(design&quality).

bam.
Del

What is it exactly you think the 8700 is missing?

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

What is it exactly you think the 8700 is missing?

lack of style/design is more of my opinion. But the build quality is so substandard to anyone that is not a diehard blackberry fanatic that it's easy to point out after paying $400+ for the 8700c.

I'm not saying "the TFT screen or software is not an improvement". It is, but the 8700c doesn't break any ground with those improvements. Other newer handheld phones have the same feature. So I wouldn't use that example to say it is better or the best handheld/phone out there or the greatest achievement upgrade in the RIM line.

Lgreenberg I really don't want you or anyone else to think that I'm making stuff up for nonsense sake, so I will exempilfy my observations, stated in the list below, for you guys to pick apart. Whether you disagree or agree, is not important, but I just don't want to be misunderstood or banned from BBF.com for being a complete quack.

Stuff that I pointed out pertaining to my disappointment with the 8700c build quality ;

1. sliding/loose keyboard underneath
2. loose battery cover
3. sqeaky feel
4. square, calculator feel.
5. paint quality on plastic parts
6. problem of inadequate sealing of orifices along the front of device.

*I'll exclude the dust and cheap OEM plastic holster from my complaints since it has already been mentioned alot and agreed upon monogamously on this forum.

[Stinsonddog]

If you are so frustrated why don't you give up on the Blackberry or get a 7290 for email and another device for the other stuff. These posts are becoming old and tired.

Originally Posted by delmarco

lack of style/design is more of my opinion. But the build quality is so substandard to anyone that is not a diehard blackberry fanatic that it's easy to point out after paying $400+ for the 8700c.

I'm not saying "the TFT screen or software is not an improvement". It is, but the 8700c doesn't break any ground with those improvements. Other newer handheld phones have the same feature. So I wouldn't use that example to say it is better or the best handheld/phone out there or the greatest achievement upgrade in the RIM line.

Lgreenberg I really don't want you or anyone else to think that I'm making stuff up for nonsense sake, so I will exempilfy my observations, stated in the list below, for you guys to pick apart. Whether you disagree or agree, is not important, but I just don't want to be misunderstood or banned from BBF.com for being a complete quack.

Stuff that I pointed out pertaining to my disappointment with the 8700c build quality ;

1. sliding/loose keyboard underneath
2. loose battery cover
3. sqeaky feel
4. square, calculator feel.
5. paint quality on plastic parts
6. problem of inadequate sealing of orifices along the front of device.

*I'll exclude the dust and cheap OEM plastic holster from my complaints since it has already been mentioned alot and agreed upon monogamously on this forum.

[delmarco]

FYI, I didn't start the thread, I just responded. And I only repsonded because whenever a newbie asks if the 8700c is better than some other cell/PDA they are too many posts blindly praising the 8700c as if it is flawless.

I was a sucker to these blind praises here and now I'm stuck with an 8700c. I hate to see someone else blow $400.00 on something because they got exaggerated information about it.

just my 2 cents.

BTW I don't hate the 8700c.
I just think it is not the ultimate acheivement of it's potential.

[lgreenberg]

delmarco,

Your argument is very flawed.

All of the things you are describing are design issues.

None of which contribute to the overall functionality of the device itself (that is how it really performs and a wireless device.)

What you are saying in essence is you don't think the 8700 is better than any of the previous Blackberry's because it doesn't look the way you think it should.

No one is saying the 8700 is without flaws. However to say it's not better than the 7290 because, for example, it has a "calculator feel" is just absurd.

I'm sorry but there is simply no agruing that the 8700 is an upgrade to any previous BB on the market. The screen, processor, memory, EDGE etc. are all features which make it so.

Whether is feels better in one's hand than the 7290 is up to each individual user to decide but shouldn't effect whether it's considered an upgrade or not.

[KonTiki]

Some of these posts are really getting tired and ridiculous at best. Something should be done about them already before they do start having more severe negative effects. The unfortunate part is that if the threads are closed we will be depriving people seeking information from getting answers or sharing legitimate information rather than "quackery".

[lgreenberg]

People,

I have already warned delmarco about his repeated nonsense posting. He is well aware that if he continues it he'll be given a permanent vacation from Blackberry forums.

As long as it's limited to one thread I don't see any harm in arguing the pros and cons of a device.

[delmarco]

Don't worry. I'm done here. (sigh)

Yes, it's true, I've been warned, short of being tarred and feather.
I guess I'm the most evil thing that has ever logged on to BBF.com.

Vincere, videre, vicere!

regards,
Del