BlackBerry Forums Support Community

benoit808 · 02-14-2007, 10:14 PM

I am not trying to start a BB/MSFT war but just trying to make sure I make the right choice.

I never owned a smart phone and I am planning on buying the BB Pearl from T-Mobile. Here is a list of what I want to be able to do:
- get corporate emails without having BES
- connect to Win Servers using Remote Desktop
- connect to Linux Servers using SSH
- download and read pdf files from the Internet
- write simple memos with basic formatting

Someone using a T-Mobile Dash told me that I wouldn't be able to do all that with BB but Windows Mobile would work just fine. I really like the form factor of the Pearl so this would be my first choice but I want to make sure it will work for me.

Thanks

erhino · 02-14-2007, 10:18 PM

Well a BB may not be for you. I did a lot of research prior to purchasing the pearl (which I'm very satisfied with), and came to the realization that the pearl serves one primary function: to connect you to you messaging. That is to say, the BB makes IM, email, MMS, SMS, Voicemail and calendaring very very easy and accesible.

A friend of mine is a proponent of the Windows Mobilee platform, but his reasons for buying a windows phone were similar to yous. As far as I know, there isnt even a capable MW Office viewer for the pearl, but I don't think theres substantial demand out there.

For your purposes, I think you may be better off with a windows device.

Hope that helps.

(PS - This is my first post on the forums)

hrhenry · 02-15-2007, 08:49 AM

Actually, yes, the Pearl can do all that, just not cheaply.

With the exception of corporate email (you can redirect through BIS instead of using BES), all the programs needed are going to cost money. For Windows connect and ssh, check idokorro.com. For office and pdf docs check dynoplex.com.

You probably can find much cheaper programs for Windows Mobile, but it definitely can also be done on the Pearl.

R.
==

Dr. Jerry · 02-15-2007, 09:04 AM

I have a Treo 750 and a Pearl. Out of the box...with what you wish to do...the Treo is your best bet. All of the functionality you are looking for is built in.
If you choose the Pearl...open your wallet!! For example, I have Dynoplex's eOffice Professional and it cost $200. It will do .PDFs and all of MS Office...but it ain't cheap!

kurrupt_1 · 02-15-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Jerry

I have a Treo 750 and a Pearl. Out of the box...with what you wish to do...the Treo is your best bet. All of the functionality you are looking for is built in.
If you choose the Pearl...open your wallet!! For example, I have Dynoplex's eOffice Professional and it cost $200. It will do .PDFs and all of MS Office...but it ain't cheap!

I would pay the extra $200 if the the Pearl was my first choice. It's like having a job you hate going to everyday if you didnt really like the form factor of the Treo and it did do everything out of the box. JMO

NJBlackBerry · 02-15-2007, 10:17 AM

Check out Repligo - we are going to implement the server version, but there is a standalone version which allows you to view documents and I think it's great.

LEGENDKILLER33 · 02-15-2007, 10:32 AM

I'm A New User Of The Pearl And I Saw Someone The Other Day Watching A Movie On His Pearl. That's What I Want To Do.....so How Can I Do It!!!!8

benoit808 · 02-15-2007, 03:59 PM

Thanks all for the replies and the info... Unfortunately it looks like I'll have to pass on the Pearl because I can't afford to spend all that money on software...