[Deraj090]

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Do the bold2 and tour have the same size keyboard? Also, anyone who felt the 9700 keyboard was too small to begin with -- did you get used to it?

[DacyJ]

Wirelessly posted (My name is Bubbles)

I love it, I think its just the right size for me.

[fonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Deraj090

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Do the bold2 and tour have the same size keyboard? Also, anyone who felt the 9700 keyboard was too small to begin with -- did you get used to it?

I had the original Bold (9000) and loved the keyboard. When I went to the AT&T store to check out the 9700, my only concern was the size of the keyboard. I played with the phone in the store, but was still not convinced. The 9700 was on one of those security tether contraptions, so I could not actually hold it in my hand and try to use it as I would if it were mine. In the meantime, my son-in-law got an 8900 from T-Mo. Since it was the same size keyboard, I played with the 8900 and decided it was not going to be an issue. I bought the 9700 and love everything about it. And the keyboard never has been an issue.

[NJBlackBerry]

Love the 9700 - I never liked the Bold 9000 keypad as I felt the entire device was too big. I compared a Tour side by side with the 9700 and the exterior difference was the trackpad vs. the trackball. The Tour is 2mm wider than the 9700, per the BlackBerry Device Comparison web site - BlackBerry - BlackBerry | Wireless Handheld Devices, Software & Services from Research In Motion (RIM)

[Deraj090]

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Love the 9700 - I never liked the Bold 9000 keypad as I felt the entire device was too big. I compared a Tour side by side with the 9700 and the exterior difference was the trackpad vs. the trackball. The Tour is 2mm wider than the 9700, per the BlackBerry Device Comparison web site - BlackBerry - BlackBerry | Wireless Handheld Devices, Software & Services from Research In Motion (RIM)

What about the keyboard size? Just as fonejunkie said, the security devices on the phone at the store don't allow you to hold the phone properly, and tell how the keyboard is gonna be

[splnkr]

Can't speak of the Tour. Coming from an 8310, when I first held the 9700 I thought, "boy, the keys are small". Within two days I was hammering away and never gave it another thought. Now I'd have a hard time going back to the 8310!

[akosnitzky]

The keyboards seem identical to team. I own the Tour and have used the Bold 2. The only difference is that bottom row on Bold 2 where alt and space bar are located is slightly smaller to accommodate the larger trackpad

[fonejunkie]

I think the 9700, 8900, Tour, etc keyboards are very much like that of the 8800...

[Deraj090]

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Well, the 8900 keyboard is a little different (with the separated keys), but yea -- the 9700 and Tour are similar to the 8800.


Does anyone know if RIM has anything in the pipeline lined up for AT&T, that I should wait until july/august to do an upgrade?

[ifonline]

I also had a 9000 and moved to the 9700. I don't regret it for one minute. I was a little concerned about the size of the keyboard, but the 9700 represented everything I was waiting for in a BlackBerry, so I got it without hesitation. I suppose if you got it you could always exercise the 30 day return at AT&T if you felt the 9700 was that uncomfortable for you.

[akosnitzky]

Originally Posted by fonejunkie

I think the 9700, 8900, Tour, etc keyboards are very much like that of the 8800...

The same style as 8800 series but proportionally smaller. Sort of the best of both worlds

[Deraj090]

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Originally Posted by akosnitzky

The same style as 8800 series but proportionally smaller. Sort of the best of both worlds

Agreed, except I think the bold2 is a TAD too small -- but the chicklet-style keys are far superior to the separated style of the curve. Not to mention how loud the 8900 and 8300 series keys are. RIM clearly didn't design those models to be conference-room-friendly

[tom0100]

I wouldn't say it so much a size difference but a keyboard 'style' difference. In any case, you will get used to it within a couple days.

The Tour 2 is coming out soon...it should have a variation of the 9700 keyboard.

If you are using a Tour, you must have verizon...and the 9700 isn't available to you on verizon....The Tour 2 will be though.

Originally Posted by Deraj090

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Do the bold2 and tour have the same size keyboard? Also, anyone who felt the 9700 keyboard was too small to begin with -- did you get used to it?

[Deraj090]

Wirelessly posted (8310, 8100, 7100t)

Nope, I'm on AT&T, with the 9000 -- I just have a bunch of friends with the tour, and was using that as a comparison. I'd say the true "best of all worlds" would be the size of the tour, combined with the trackpad.

[JaguarXJ7]

Wirelessly posted

Even if you have big hands the keyboard size shouldn't be an issue. I got some pretty big mits on me and have no prob whatsoever. Took me a day or 2 to adjust and now I can fly just as I did on my 9000.

I think RIM outdone themselves with this baby! This BB Rocks!

[jbeek]

Coming from an 8100, the 9700 keyboard was, um, a challenge at first, but I got used to it fairly quickly.

I did compare the 8900 and 9700 side-by-side before committing and decided the trackpad, general feel and build quality of the 9700 made it the better choice for me.

Haven't regretted it...I really liked the 8100 but I finally have what I think a "smartphone" should have been all along.