vB Easy Archive - Considering the blackberry

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Considering the blackberry
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Posted by: Stunt101

Hey guys/gals,

I currently am a Nextel customer, and I am really dissatisfied with my i95cl. I want a new cell phone before I start college, which means that that the 860 and 930 are out of the question

. Also, I am not impressed by the 730 or 830, which has left me looking solely at the blackberry. It looks like a pretty sweet device, but I have a few questions about it:

-can it run aim? the aim on my i95cl is really sluggish and pretty much worthless. However, the sidekicks on tmobil are very impressive. If the blackberry can run aim like the sidekicks can, I'll be sold on that merit alone.
-is it always connected to the internet? My current phone seems to always be online, which is nice. Also, are there any good web browsers I can buy/download?
-Can I access my college email account through the blackberry? It's not terribly important, but it'd be nice to be able to check up on my mail througout the day and reply to important messages.
-Can it send text messages?
-how is the color display?

Finally, as I want a top of the line mobile unit, is a new Blackberry on the horizon?

Thanks for the help,

Icy Hot Stunta

Posted by: Earmuffs at work

Wirelessly posted (MOT-85/01.04 UP.Browser/4.1.26m.737 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)

U have to change your plan if u get one 49 for unlim dc 0 cell and 99 for 300 and unlim dc u dont wanna switch trust me

Posted by: Stunt101

That's a lot of cash.

However, I am currently part of a plan for my father's medical office (there are around 40-60 employees and family members on the plan). Is it possible that I could get a more affordable rate?

Also, for a student, do you think that the treo 600 would be better? I want to be able to keep contacts and keep track of hw assignments/reading, which any basic pda should be able to do.

Posted by: rcg

You can have whatever voice plan you wish on your BlackBerry. YOu would simply add the blackberry email plan for 34.99 or 44.99 (unlimited). That gets you a full service BBerry.

It will run AIM if you purchase a program called webmessenger.

You could access your college email if it's pop3.

You can send email not text messages.

The color display is good.

The BlackBerry is really a business tool and is configured and priced as such. The TREO has a lot broader software base because of it's PALM OS. You can sync both to outlook or other PIM's for contacts and calendar. The TREO is much more gadgety than a BB but you pay a price. The keyboard smokes the TREO. The push always on email is a huge feature if your email centric. And the BB is far more durable than a TREO.

Posted by: WiFiDevilDog

I've heard that there are better PDA's out there other than the Blackberry...

Posted by: mas90guru

I have the 7510. It's great if you are very email focussed. Not great for AIM, SMS (which you CANNOT originate or REPLY to !!).

Take a look at the TREO 600 on Sprint. For $15 you get unlimited data and it will do SMS, has tons of software that can be loaded including AIM and Email.

I've read nothing but disappointing reviews from people who go from 95 or 730 to the 7510 expecting a real nifty "gadget".

The 7510 is awesom - don't get me wrong - it's just really a very email focussed device and if your primary use is not email you will be disappointed.

Posted by: Chaoss

Hey if you need a brand new blackberry I have one.
$300 you pay shipping or paypal costs.
Nextel sells them for $350 with service agreement.

Im in Jersey. also, It comes with everything that comes in the box. Including sim card

Posted by: KBAM

Wirelessly posted (i95cl LE: MOT-85/01.05 UP.Browser/4.1.26m.737 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)

BB 7510 has color depth of 64k, same as Treo 600, i7xx and i830. i860 has 256k. Next iDEN BB, rumored for year-end, should have dial-up capability. --BAM

Posted by: GregGebhardt

I used a 7510 Nextel Blackberry for over a year.

Unless you have great need to track your email you will find the BB too large to carry on a daily basis. If you are talking Nextel email yes you can get it on your BB. Others maybe.

If you do get it, put a screen protector on it right at first as mine was damaged by just wiping on my shirt and that not covered under warranty.

As far as crusing internet sites, it is slow and not worth it. EMAIL is what blackberry does best though the phone gives excellent reception.

As far as you contacts on your current phone don't expect to put your sim card into the BB and have them pop up. The BB uses it's own memory for contacts and can not read what it on your card. You realy need to use a BB sim card and get your service moved to it. Unless you contacts are on outlook you will need to move every contact by hand.

Get the extended battery and you can go a long time between charges.

Do NOT use the plastic belt clip. It will scratch your BB. At the least get the BB leather belt slip in case.

Keep all the boxes and docs so when you get tired of lugging it around you can sell for the most on eBay.

Posted by: harryball

He appears to be speaking of the Vzw plans, which would put you on the BB7750 which I currently have. Any voice plan +44.99/month get's you 96% of what you'll want.

It will NOT run Aim via Webmessenger unless you have an MDS/BES server available. maybe your father has one, but if not the software is $1000.00 for the minimum license.

You can send email AND SMS text messaging. But the 44.99/month does not include any SMS allowance. You will need to add a text messaging plan, largest is 1000/month for 9.95/month.

Unless you have an MDS/BES server, you also will not have web browsing out of the box. Vzw, being 3 years behind cutting edge technology, has not released their web browsing solution for the device yet but they swear the will... soon... maybe... might be by Fall... probably of 2007, but it will be Fall.

So for Web access, you will need to purchase Reqwireless WebViewer, $30.00, and sign up for a WAP gateway. www.mobileweb4u.com is who I use, go there for details.

Good Luck.