vB Easy Archive - Comparison of Blackberry 6710 (ATTWS) and 6510 (Nextel)

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Comparison of Blackberry 6710 (ATTWS) and 6510 (Nextel)
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Posted by: mernie9

I just had the opportunity to play with Blackberry units from ATTWS (6710) and Nextel (6510). Both units worked pretty much the same. The Blackberry software was the same, they options were the same (except direct connect.) A few impressions.

Physical - Overall, I'd give the edge to ATTWS. The display is a bit bigger, which I like. The keyboard got a tad bit smaller, though. Nextel is a bit heavier but seems sturdier.

Phone Clarity - Voice was very clear on both units. I did try the ear buds that came with the Nextel unit -- I'm sure it would be the same with any BB earbud. Earbud speaker is good, but the microphone, which just sort of dangles in front of you, leaves much to be desired. (Voice sounds fuzzy.) I might use it in the car, but otherwise, I'd opt for the "phone" built into the Blackberry devise. Regarding the direct connect feature on Nextel, I expected that the radio would work like it does on their phone, where you can talk into the radio and hear an amplified voice back. Instead, you need to hold it up to your ear like a phone. A note about the phone (both units) ... at first I had a hard time hearing what the caller was saying. Once I put the devise below my ear an inch or two, it was very clear. (That doesn't make any sense, since the speaker faces out and not up, but that's the reality. Other people said the same thing.)

Ease of Use - BB is designed very well ... with the most common options a double click away. For example, if you click on incoming mail, it defaults to read (although you can pick delete, reply, etc.) for the second click. Once you read the email, if you click again, the default is "reply".

Keyboard - I only played with the units a bit, so I didn't have time to build competency with the keyboard. My first thought is that the keyboard was too small for thumbs -- but you do get the hang of it. I've watched a veteran user (2 weeks), a big guy with big thumbs, and he was very quick!

Sexy - Not! The BB is a business tool. No color. No cool apps. This is not your Palm Pilot. But if you want a great way to read and respond to your emails using wireless, BB is it.