[clueless techie]

Hi,
I'm mainly lookin' for a blackberry for personal use...

I've been lurking around some of the threads & faqs, but still, still want some extra help...

I'm lookin to buy a blackberry so I can...
- use IM: Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk.
- check email: gmail, yahoo mail.
- tethered modem: I still don't have a laptop, but buy one soon.
- general web browsing

Sprint is my current carrier. Would Sprint's blackberry models have what I am lookin' for? Should I look into other carriers? I'm strongly lookin' into the Sprint's BB 7130e.

My main concern is to have IM: google & yahoo and be able to check email: gmail & yahoo.

I'm also a little price conscious on this, so does Sprint offer some better pricing? Or they all average the same for all carriers?


Thanks.

[rambo47]

Sounds like you want a T-Mobile SideKick, not a Blackberry.

[takeshi]

Any current Blackberry will work. I'd personally choose carrier based on coverage but if pricing's a major concern, TMO has the cheapest data plans.

[moosehead]

You can do all the things mentioned with Cingular...however I'd check and look at the coverage maps. Also for data packages I think TMO has the cheapest....I've seen some users post they only pay $19.99 for unlimited vs cingular $29.99 BIS. Just my .02

[jungleland]

so far, all three people have not given you an accurate answer. Based upon the things you are looking to do, ANY carrier will work. It all comes down to whether or not you need GSM (do you travel a lot outside of the US?), if you need GSM, I would go with Cingular as it still seems more reliable than Tmobile, all though Tmo is cheaper. If you don't need GSM, then it comes down to either Sprint or Verizon. Verizon still leads the way amongst ALL carriers in Domestic coverage. Verizon also has the fastest laptop Tethering setup. The only thing sprint has on Verizon is the GPS, which I am fighting to have activated.

So, if you need GSM, go with Cingular, if you don't go for Verizon.. Any BB you choose on any carrier will do exactly what you have outlined above...

[Greg8700G]

it all depends on your coverage in your area!

[pierre15208]

Originally Posted by moosehead

You can do all the things mentioned with Cingular...however I'd check and look at the coverage maps. Also for data packages I think TMO has the cheapest....I've seen some users post they only pay $19.99 for unlimited vs cingular $29.99 BIS. Just my .02

Tmo raised their BB data plan to $29.99/ mo. I only pay $19.99 because I renewed before the price increase. But It's still a very good value compared to the others.

[jungleland]

Originally Posted by pierre15208

Tmo raised their BB data plan to $29.99/ mo. I only pay $19.99 because I renewed before the price increase. But It's still a very good value compared to the others.

Not true...Still 19.99 as the UNL add on..

[pierre15208]

I beg to differ with you, check this link.

Internet & E-mail data plans: rate plan details for the wireless web

[jungleland]

Originally Posted by pierre15208

I beg to differ with you, check this link.

Internet & E-mail data plans: rate plan details for the wireless web

You can beg all you want...You're wrong! Feel free to select an normal voice plan and then select a blackberry go to your cart and upon checkout you will still see the BB unl add on for 19.99...Additionally I have called customer service to re verify, and it is still 19.99...

[MrKyoo]

BlackBerry e-mail and wireless web

~MrKyoo

[pierre15208]

I made a mistake, the add-on is still $19.99/mo, I just checked. I got confused with the $29.99 plan. Sorry.

[jungleland]

Originally Posted by pierre15208

I made a mistake, the add-on is still $19.99/mo, I just checked. I got confused with the $29.99 plan. Sorry.

Of course you did...The last time I was wrong was in third grade

[pierre15208]

I may not always be right, but i'm never wrong!!! ;-D

[jwolf7722]

Im using a 7130e on sprint. It will do everything you want. If modem use is important I would stay with EVDO if you are in the coverage area. Which will limit your options to sprint or verizon. I still believe sprint's plan is 39.99 with unlimited use and unlimited phone as modem. If you are with sprint already try it and if you dont like it return it after the 30 days or whatever time they give you. Im very happy with my blackberry and sprint(besides there customer service is very poor on blackberries). But again im in EVDO almost all the time.