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Blackberry for College Students

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Posted by: thecure

I'll be going into my 3rd year of college this coming September, and I've been wanting a phone with a full qwerty keyboard for some time now. I looked into the Sidekick iD and Sidekick 3, but they seem kind of "childish" to me.. and plus, everyone and their mom has one... Anyway, I'm planning on going with T-mobile since AT&T's plans are more expensive..

Should I get the BB 8700g from T-mobile now, or should I just wait until something new is released? And exactly when will that be?

Is the 8700g "outdated," or is it fairly new?

What other options should I consider? I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks.


Posted by: ChiTownsFinest

What do you plan on doing with this phone. Are you going to be sending a lot of emails or txt do you have a laptop and just want too have another toy


Posted by: Haoaw

I don't think 8700 is what you would call "outdate"

I currently using it and it fit the bill very nicely... It got everything you need aside from wifi or camera

Unless that's what u going for (which are bad choice to go with bb) than 8700 is more than u need for its current price

The thing that are good for the recent model are... Camera. Sd card. Wifi. Trackball


Posted by: MicroT86

I'd recommend it. I've been using my BB8700 since sophomore year or college and it makes my life easier. I get all my e-mails on it (including my school e-mail so I don't need to check it everyday), texting and AIM when I don't have my laptop, all my assignments/appointments/exams on the calendar and the internet whenever I need to check something really quickly.

If the OP is going with T-Mobile, waiting until 9/24 to get the Curve (BB8320) if you want the latest and greatest. Has the camera, wifi and the micro SD slot to name a few advantages it has over the 8700.


Posted by: mgerbasio

The GPS in the 8800 blackberry makes the upgrade over the 8700 worth it. That said, I'd probably go with a WM phone if I didn't need the Blackberry to access corporate email. The Blackberrys are getting better but with the 8700 I don't believe you're going to get all the multimedia capabilities, storage card, camera, etc. if that is important to you. WM devices also have more software at a lower cost. If I was getting a blackberry, I'd look at the curve or 8800.

Regards-Michael G.


Posted by: Prom1

If the OP is going with T-Mobile, waiting until 9/24 to get the Curve (BB8320) if you want the latest and greatest. Has the camera, wifi and the micro SD slot to name a few advantages it has over the 8700.[/QUOTE]

^ To the OP! The date of the 8320 Curve is only rumored & not yet final but seems reasonable & plausable.

I recommend waiting for the 8320 above the 8700 for the following reasons.

1) Much faster navigation & ease of use switching applications.

- Imagine being on the phone and trying to schedule a date, appointment or a task for exams without a headset of any kind, or even with a headset when you have heavy University/College Txt Books in the other? 8700 = Finger & Thumb salute pretty much impossible if not carpul syndrome inducing acrobatics. 8300 series = 1 hand + same thumb (1 hand to hold and use the thumb on the same to click the menu key > select switch application, scroll to Home then scroll to and click on Calendar/Notes/Tasks etc and bingo your in. Total time 3seconds or less).

2) Standard usuage of AAC/MP3 Ringtones/Alarms etc.
- Record Voice Notes of your lecture. The BB Pearl has 1min limitation not sure if the Curve has the same but I'm sure a 3rd party app can increase this until the MicroSD slot is full, or has free memory left.

3) In addition to #2 you get a MicroSD slot for storing the photos of family, friends, trips etc for inspiration. Furthermore the Curve or 8320 now become your MP3 music player.
- This coupled with A2DP support for wireless stereo BT headset (answer/reject calls, make a voice note; listen to MP3s control play/pause/next/previous/fast forward/rewind remotely !

4) Camera - 2MP+LED Flash.
- not the greatest but at least you can take that 5ft or less photo of a girl or quick pic of something you need to remind yourself of later and be able to TELL what it is when you view it later - beats typing a memo when you only have 10seconds or less. You can form a proper memo of it later. Remember the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" ?! Hmmm.

5) Options to use BB Maps (the 8700 possibly can but its long in the tooth. Still a great work horse but not a powerhouse). Paying new price on that just isn't worth it.

6) 8320 WILL have WIFI! 2.4Ghz/5Ghz for 802.11N (a/b/g)
- Do you have VoIP phone at the college? I'm sure you have WLAN. Imagine surfing sites faster, still getting your emails in your dorm or on campus even in the tough spots where phone signal is marginal at best hope or bar none where data cannot get through. Lookup directions, FOOD, or need that MMS/SMS/Email of that pub everyone is talking about.
- Now it'll be difficult to get all the correct settings from those campus WLAN gatekeepers but I'm sure they'd love to learn something new that they DON"T have. (Hey you may be able to hook up some extra dough buy selling them an 8320 at retail+usual fee
- VoIP service like Vonage or the like on your WiFi router will allow you to extend your home phone to your 8320 because it has UMA support. Router must be able to power down to conserve battery though.

As you can see the 8320 and the 8300 Curve (except point #6) can do everything the 8700 can & MUCH MUCH more.

ultimately its what you're going to use it immediately and 6mths down the road for that you'll make your decision on. Its your $$ you're going to be using and I STRONGLY recommend an unlimited BB Data plan!

PS If you're travelling within the USA for spring break you may wanna check T-Mobile coverage of your destination if roaming rates are an EYE gouge consider TMobile hotspot if available there - and see if that is unlimited. if you can per use or 2wk or 1mth unlimited then you're BIS emails will work on 8320 over WiFi

8700 you're forced to use something else of suffer the exorbitant data rates while roaming - which your unlimited data plan does NOT cover, to the best of my knowledge.


Posted by: DubDub

First of all, you need to make sure T-Mo provides the service you need, when and where you need it. Don't trust the coverage maps, talk to people and see which carrier they have, how they like it, etc. Even if it is the cheapest plan around, if you don't have service it is too expensive.


Posted by: dgburns

Quote:
Originally Posted by thecure
Is the 8700g "outdated," or is it fairly new?

Yes, all 87xx series devices are a bit "outdated". Not that they aren't fully functional, they just don't have stuff that the more "recent" models (81xx, 83xx, 88xx series) offer.

Your choice for "recent" models breaks down basically like this:
88xx "World Phone" are "business" class devices. No camera.
83xx "Curve" are "consumer" class devices. Camera.
81xx "Pearl" are "consumer" class devices. Camera.

The models in all three series have multimedia capability, something the 87xx series currently lacks. If you decide to go for a "consumer" class device, your decision comes down to if you want full QWERTY keyboard (thus larger device) or SURETYPE (slimmer device). I've used both, and am okay with either. You have to try both, but first impressions aren't alwys accurate here. I had a SureType 71xx device for a year, and at first try I hated the keyboard, but I actually got used to it quickly and got very fast with it, and since the range of thumb motion is less I found myself suffering less from "BB thumb" than I do with my full QWERTY 8830.

Reports elsewhere have indicated new models "coming soon" to TMobile in all three series. Updated 83xx and 88xx devices are rumored for Sept or Oct availability, both adding WiFi to existing. TMO doesn't currently offer the 83xx series, but there are rumors that they will once the new one is released. As well, an updated 88xx should soon be out for TMO (reportedly already slipping out on AT&T).

All that said though, you really need to make sure where you will be using it has good signal coverage before commiting. Some people test this out by getting a "pay as you go" plan first, then upgrade device and plan once coverage has been confirmed. Or check with acquaintances that would use a device similar to how you would and see how they rate the coverage.


Posted by: stevoreanimator

Quote:

^ To the OP! The date of the 8320 Curve is only rumored & not yet final but seems reasonable & plausable.


this is not a rumor and is the official date for the curve. Sept 24th.


Posted by: Mr. Bond

Quote:
Originally Posted by dgburns
Yes, all 87xx series devices are a bit "outdated". Not that they aren't fully functional, they just don't have stuff that the more "recent" models (81xx, 83xx, 88xx series) offer.

Your choice for "recent" models breaks down basically like this:
88xx "World Phone" are "business" class devices. No camera.
83xx "Curve" are "consumer" class devices. Camera.
81xx "Pearl" are "consumer" class devices. Camera.

The models in all three series have multimedia capability, something the 87xx series currently lacks. If you decide to go for a "consumer" class device, your decision comes down to if you want full QWERTY keyboard (thus larger device) or SURETYPE (slimmer device). I've used both, and am okay with either. You have to try both, but first impressions aren't alwys accurate here. I had a SureType 71xx device for a year, and at first try I hated the keyboard, but I actually got used to it quickly and got very fast with it, and since the range of thumb motion is less I found myself suffering less from "BB thumb" than I do with my full QWERTY 8830.

Reports elsewhere have indicated new models "coming soon" to TMobile in all three series. Updated 83xx and 88xx devices are rumored for Sept or Oct availability, both adding WiFi to existing. TMO doesn't currently offer the 83xx series, but there are rumors that they will once the new one is released. As well, an updated 88xx should soon be out for TMO (reportedly already slipping out on AT&T).

All that said though, you really need to make sure where you will be using it has good signal coverage before commiting. Some people test this out by getting a "pay as you go" plan first, then upgrade device and plan once coverage has been confirmed. Or check with acquaintances that would use a device similar to how you would and see how they rate the coverage.


OP: While what is said about these devices is (for the most part) true, there are exceptions to the rule. When I worked for AT&T, I sold BlackBerry Pearl's to numerous business users. I bolded the above part to emphasize this as well; I hate T9 and the other predictive text methods, however I am faster now on my Pearl than I am on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Give it a try--you can always exchange.


Posted by: dappervirgo

Quote:
Originally Posted by AccessCellular
I hate T9 and the other predictive text methods, however I am faster now on my Pearl than I am on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Give it a try--you can always exchange.



HOW? omg....i hate t9 with a passion!


Posted by: Mr. Bond

I despise T9 and refuse to use it on a normal cellular phone, however the Pearl is exceptionally easy to learn and use--now I type faster on it than on a QUERTY keyboard.


Posted by: rambo47

SureType on the Pearl is a vastly improved version of what we had on the 71xx Blackberries. Compared to T9, SureType is a pure joy. Not quite as good as a full QWERTY layout, but pretty close.


Posted by: thecure

Thanks for the replies, guys... From what I read, I think I'll just wait for the Curve. I wonder how much it will be? And I go to school in Riverside, CA, and T-mobile coverage is okay. A lot better than AT&T though. Verizon and Sprint are great, but their plans are quite expensive. Anyway, how much will the Curve be? Around $300 w/ 2 yr contract?


Posted by: Mr. Bond

Glad you found a solution! I would say in the ballpark of $249-$349 with (perhaps) a MIR.


Posted by: thecure

Actually, I just played with my friend's Pearl, and I'M IN LOVE. Should I get one now, or wait for the newer version? Do you think there will be a lot of differences/changes/upgrades between the two?


Posted by: The Champ

Quote:
Originally Posted by thecure
Actually, I just played with my friend's Pearl, and I'M IN LOVE. Should I get one now, or wait for the newer version? Do you think there will be a lot of differences/changes/upgrades between the two?


Well the new ones should come out by the end of this year, if not, beginning of next year. So I'd wait for that.

I'd say the phone would be around 199 - 299 when it first comes out.

Just a side note, ATT, Sprint, Verizon all have the same price plan prices (basically). The only differences are: ATT's cheapest price plan (39.99) only has 5000 night and weekend minutes compared to the unlimited N&W offered by Sprint and Verizon...and Sprint's night's start at 7:00 PM compared to the industry standard 9:00 PM. However, ATT allows you to pay extra for earlier night and weekend minutes.


Posted by: thecure

^ but isn't their blackberry data plan more expensive than t-mobile's?


Posted by: Mr. Bond

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) on AT&T is $29.99; $39.99 includes 1500 text messages; $49.99 includes unlimited text messages.


Posted by: dgburns

Quote:
Originally Posted by thecure
Actually, I just played with my friend's Pearl, and I'M IN LOVE. Should I get one now, or wait for the newer version? Do you think there will be a lot of differences/changes/upgrades between the two?

You should go look at somewhere like boygeniusreport.com for the latest "intel" on upcoming berry's.




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