anyone upgrade to the 8700g from a 7100t/7105t?
 

I just made the switch to the 8700 from my 7105t (which was my first bb).

As much as I hated how the 7105 would confuse 'get' with 'hey' and 'to' with 'yo', I think I was able to type much faster with the connected keys. . . . and the keyboard was one of the main reasons I wanted to upgrade! (that and edge, of course)

Who else has made the same switch, and what are your impressions so far?

i just upgraded to the 8700g from the 7100t. i'll admit that i typed pretty quickly with the 7100t (onehanded, notably faster), but i like having the full keyboard, and i imagine that i'll be just as quick or quicker with the 8700. had a treo before the 7100.

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I switched from a 7100t as well and I typed much faster on the 7100 I think because the keys are so much smaller on the 8700. Hopefully I just getting used to typing on the 8700.

I went 7105t>8700c>8700g. The predictive text is definately fast on the 7105t and is nice because it acts like a built in spell checker. After using the 8700 I wouldn't go back though. The only advantage the 7xxx series is size and it's still a relatively huge phone. Carrying the 8700 isn't much different.

I made the switch from 7105t to 8700g because of the very same reasons as tedwright. I have had mine for exactly one week and here are some of the things I like. The screen makes web browsing 1000x better. I am liking the the addition of the smart button - for profiles. (much better than pressing # for vibrate). The 8700 IS faster in every respect, I went to a page that was 487kb and I though it had timed out because the bar at the bottom of the screen wasn't moving, just when I went to press esc - the bar updated and was at 481kb - it was only a few sec. The 7105t would have taken longer or timed out. I wish they had an option to make the dedicated mute button activate the speakerphone, or serve as a mute to an incoming call (it think it may - if you have it set to 1 beep).I thought the single letter to a key would help, but the keys are so small I'll probably never be able to type really fast. Oh the 64megs help with everything, and that currency keys gets on my nerves. I do like the fact that is does mp3s, because that adp stuff was a bit of a hassle ( one to may steps). All in all I am glad I made the purchase as I can not see them launching anything that will surpass it BB wise at least for the remainder of the year. If anyone has a 7100 series an wants to upgrade, you will not be disappointed unless there is no EDGE in your area.

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I'm in the same boat. I found that typing without looking on the 7100T was much easier than it is touch typing with these tiny buttons right next to each other...but the error rate of the SureType was annoying enough to warrant me trying this new phone. At least when I make an error, I can blame myself and not add to the frustration that is the device. Maybe its time for RIM to update the 72xx series with 8700 power but retaining its supposed better keyboard.

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I find it aot more difficult to type one handed with the 8700. Other than that I have no complaints about the 8700 compaired to the 7100 I had before. It has taken a little time to get use to the full keyboard but now I can type almost as fast as the 7100.

I upgraded from a 7100t.

I actually had just learned to type more efficiently using SureType (as per a hint on these boards, I didn't keep checking the suggested words but typed out the entire string). Regardless, I am, for the most part, thrilled with the 8700, and this despite the fact I paid the full $400 -$50 for a one year extension (I was out of contract).

It's fast, fast, fast. Did I say fast? Internet browsing and messageboards on the 7100t were excruciating. I love the large, bright screen. And although the keys are a bit stiff, sometimes stick and are too close together, I think overall the full keyboard will prove to be a significant improvement over the 7100t and ST. The only definite downsides to me are the relative flimsiness of the plastic casing and the awful holster (every time I pull the BB out I inadvertently hit a key or two or click the trackwheel).

Overall, and even after using the Cingular 8700c for awhile (which IMHO looks better), I just love the combination of 8700 and no-worry, inexpensive T-Mobile service. Where I travel, and agreed this is not true for everyone, I get good cell service and EDGE everywhere, and I don't have to worry about extra data charges.

All in all, a very good investment, as far as I'm concerned (is that AFAIC)?

=NLK=

I upgraded just over a week ago, and I love the 8700g, although in regards to your problem with sure type, you could edit how sure type recognized certain words, but i guess that doesn't matter to you any more

Not sure if you know that the currency key doubles as a speakerphone key. Otherwise curious as to why the currency key gets on your nerves?

Yeah, I know. I wish the top mute button would double for speaker phone (maybe press and hold for 1.5 sec.). The currency key gets on my nerves because that screen always pops up when I am typing and hit it instead of return. I JUST took the time to read it (i'd always hit escape, and keep typing) and it allows you to set a default. No more agitation - reading is fundamental!

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The thing I hate about the currency/speakerphone key is if you hit it to fast when making a call, the speakerphone option hasn't kicked in yet and you pull up the currency screen instead. The.speakerphone works fine after the "Call Fowarding Conditional" message.

As klp45 noted, you can set a default for the currency key. (You can do it directly in Options, Screen/Keyboard.) I have it set for $ and I have never had the speakerphone key not do exactly what it was meant to do in phone mode. Then again I may not be as fast on the trigger as you...

7100 what? Oh, you mean that thing I now use to prop open doors since I got an 8700. Yeh...I had one, but the 8700 eats it for breakfast in ever category except size. Made the move a week ago.

Yeah. You can edit SureType, but there's plenty of words that have the same keypresses, like he mentioned. The BB can't differentiate between HEY and GET, because they're the same key combination.

I have made the switch (see my username). At first, I was slower but now I think I'm about the same speed typing emails and I don't have to worry about see/are.

Further, the speed of edge, the speed of the processor and the screen are truly amazing. The fact that I can read email outside on a sunny day is very nice.

Exactly. You can set it to default to hey OR get, but they are both words that I fequently use. Same with yo and to.

It is cool that everyone has basically the same feelings about the switch. Overall I am very happy with the 8700 so far.

got the 7100t in mar. '05, upgraded to the 7105t in nov. '05 (better keyboard, adjustible lighting for screen, scratch proof screen, etc.), and moved on to the 8700g last week mostly due to the still better keyboard. not regretting the upgrade at all.

I use my BB for my small businesses with BIS (have 3 e-mail accounts sent to the BB) and the BB is a must have for a one person / small biz like myself.

SureType is the tool of the devil.

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Hey, it's better than T9 predictive. Or multitap. *gasp*