Email aside, How does BlackBerry rate as a PDA

Originally Posted by RIMarkable

I was just wondering how those of you that have used PocketPC or Palm as a PDA would rate your BlackBerry's PDA functions against the other players when you don't put email into the mix.

I am a PocketPC transplant and although I now am a die-hard CrackBerry addict, I miss some of the features that I had on my old IPaq. Infra-Red, memory card slots, more horsepower, and a stylus, just to name a few.

Originally Posted by sk33

I'm also wondering about this..

T-Mobile is offering me the Blackberry 7100 for $100, and that's by far the cheapest for a PDA/phone. I only need very simple PDA function, and I don't need a data plan at all.

Is the blackberry's voice OK? (I'm going from a SE T610)

All I really need is calendar and phonebook, and ability to sync with PC... is all that possible on the BB?

Originally Posted by jase88

I forgot to mention that my Palm Tungsten W lacked any non-volatile memory. One time the battery completely died on me...when I recharged it everything was gone. Thankfully I had backed up the data on my laptop!

Not sure if other Palm devices have the same issue. But the Blackberry will always retain your data...not matter how badly you kill the battery.

Originally Posted by mgerbasio

I don't like the Blackberry but that's an improvement since I hated it when I got it. I'm using the 7290 on Cingular. It does work as advertised but it is a big step back from a PocketPC. Our company has locked down email access, took down OWA and forwarding ability so Blackberry is now the only way to get to our exchange email when mobile. Without BES I don't see any value in the bb at all since you aren't getting push email and it doesn't sync with the pop/imap accounts.

For a email device not to have a spell check is beyond belief. Yes I know I could get one but don't like the idea of sending all my messages to a server to be checked. If that's the case, the whole idea of a secure device is kind of out the window when I need to access a third party server. I'm sure our IT department would have a fit.

All other PIM functions fall short of Palm/PocketPC, although I think the PocketDay software does help; I'll also plug Berry411. Paying $200 for a program to view and edit MS Office docs isn't even something I'd consider for a feature that should be in the box. The browser is lacking, even Avantgo doesn't cache pages. Not that I use it but you can forget any multimedia. No maps, something like Pocket Streets. Again, downloading takes too long and doesn't help when I'm inside an office building trying to find my next meeting. I can't copy text notes or pdfs to the device to be viewed later. Same with the IM software, although there are a few options now.

Yes, I know there are work arounds and third party software. But the cost of the device is right up there and the data service has a preimum over standard pda monthly data costs I'd expect the BB to be much more than it is now. Out of the box it should have at least the same features for consumer appeal.

To me, this is nothing more than a very specialized device to access corporate email. What it lacks in PIM it makes up for in security and ease of central management and that's a lot. I think the device has potential to be as good or better than the Palm/PocketPC. Why you'd get this without needing it for BES is beyond me when there are much better and cheaper solutions. I've pretty much been able to dump my PocketPC for everything except my job notes (text/word/pdf files), maps/gps and zagat to go. With PocketDay, the PIM is passable.

As a phone, the ear piece volume is too low. On a busy street in NYC I can't hear anything.

Regards-Michael G.

Originally Posted by JAChavez99

Just out of curiousity, you said there are better and cheaper devices...which specifically are you referring to? I know Nextel just had the 7520 pretty cheap, since I just got it.

Originally Posted by mgerbasio

When I had the T-Mobile data plan, I could use it to access my email, unlimited data for $10/mo. If I wanted to add VPN it was $20/mo. For BB without BES it is $30/mo with BES $40/mo. ATTWS and Verizon were charging $35/mo for unlimited PDA and $50/mo for BB. I haven't check recent pricing.

You can pick up an unlocked imate jam or MDA II, MDA III on ebay for about the same price as an unlocked BB if you want an all in one device. Otherwise you can get a palm or pocketpc with bluetooth and a bluetooth phone with a data plan and teather as needed.

You might also want to look at the Audiovox SMT 5600. Add voice command and you have a nice smart phone.

Why not try the Cingular BB for 30 days and return it if you don't like it. What you expect in a PDA might be a lot different than what I expect. I was getting away with using a SE T610 to pick up email and triage messages. When I needed to respond I could do it from the phone or connect to my ipaq 4150 with bluetooth easy enough. Imap servers keep all the messages in sync. The MDA II made it much easier but it looses to the BB in size, weight and battery life.

Regards-Michael G.