[bluemarble]

what blackberry device model is best value 3rd party internet usage apps?

My father bought me a blackberry I'm not sure what model, and my intent is to use it for internet access using 3rd party internet apps. the most important thing I want my blackberry to do is be able to IRC in the united states using a cheap generic data plan (with no voice). what unlocked model blackberry would be the best overall value in the $200 and below category? I'd really like something with a full easy to read qwery keyboard that makes identifying the keys easy to read (opposed to the pearl with some two tone qwerty colors where they are not as simple to read and identify)

thank you for any recommendations

[takeshi]

Core functionality is pretty much the same across the models. "Best value" would be whatever model you can find for the cheapest.

You may or may not be able to use the BB without a BB data plan (depends a bit on the carrier, your luck, phase of the moon, etc). If you must have data services then you'll need to get a BB data plan.

[rambo47]

Model 8700. No camera, no WiFi. That's about the limit of your stated budget. If you spend a little more you can get a Curve 8320 and have WiFi access and a camera. If you wanted to go super cheap get an old 72xx model, but again, no camera or WiFi.

As for working with a generic smart phone plan, no Blackberry works well with them. A Blackberry Data Plan opens up a world of possibilities. It's not one model that works better than another, its the Operating System you load onto it. Anything that runs OS 4.5 will do a lot, but without a Blackberry data plan its hit-or-miss on what will work. If you go T-Mobile you can get a $30/month full BB data plan and run everything. It's only a $20/month add-on if you have a voice plan. That's about the cheapest deal in Blackberry data out there.

If you're not going to get a BB data plan, why get a BB? You might be better served with an unlocked Moto Q and T-Mobile's TZones at $5.99/month.

[Dubdub]

From the FAQ. Here is why you need a BB dataplan

What do I need a Data Plan for? What do I need a Data Plan for? - BlackBerryFAQ


* Do I need a data plan to get email?

Yes, without a data plan all you have is phone, SMS, and PIM services. (ie... Outlook, Contacts, Calendar ect..)

* Do I need a data plan to access the internet?

Yes you will need a data plan to access the internet

* Do I need a data plan for MMS?

Yes, on most carriers, you will need a data plan to send/retrieve MMS messages.


With NO data plan you may:

* make phone calls
* send/receive text SMS messages
* NOT use any instant messenger program that anyone has found so far
* use the device as a standalone PIM
* NOT send or receive any information over the internet, in any way shape or form, despite what you heard about it being possible


With a generic data plan in addition you may:

* use a third party browser like Opera Mini, but NOT the resident BlackBerry browser
* may get email either via a web interface (using Opera) or other third party app, but NOT BlackBerry push email
* use a number of third party applications that require net access, including some instant messenger programs, as long as they're available to install from DM because:
* canNOT install apps OTA because that requires the resident browser
* canNOT use BlackBerry messenger or do PIN-->PIN messaging


With a BlackBerry data plan you may do all of the above plus:

* receive true BlackBerry push email from up to 10 different email accounts
* use the resident BlackBerry supplied browser to access the internet
* install applications OTA via the supplied resident browser
* use BlackBerry Messenger and send PIN-->PIN messages