BlackBerry Forums Support Community

Eric5273 · 09-13-2006, 01:10 AM

I'm looking to go back to using a Blackberry and I'm considering either going with T-Mobile's 8100 or 8700g or going to Verizon and getting the 8703e.

I like the form factor of the 8100, but I keep thinking that the 8703e would have a better web browsing experience because of the wider screen and EVDO speed.

I would basically use my Blackberry for voice calls (I don't have a landline, so this serves as my only phone), Messaging (email, SMS & AIM), and Web browsing.

My real question is regarding EVDO. I know EVDO is 3-4 times faster than EDGE, but I'm guessing that the processor becomes the bottleneck here. If that is the case, how much faster would the 8703e really be at loading web pages compared to the 8100 or 8700g??

Also, will the 8703e be able to receive MMS messages? (not very important, but just curious)

As far as QWERTY vs. Suretype, I don't really care. I have used both and I find them both fine. Obviously QWERTY is slightly better to type on, but then the device is also wider, so I consider this issue a wash.

And one more thing: do the CDMA Blackberrys still have awful battery life? I use AIM quite often and back in the days when the 7250 was new, I remember reading that just running Verichat for a few hours and doing nothing else would run the battery dead. Will the 8703e be like this as well?

kasperapd · 09-13-2006, 01:20 AM

I guess the best answer to your question would be which carrier provides the best coverage since this will be your only phone. I had a 7130e and had great voice quality on it. The EVDO was fast, but unless you do huge amounts of surfing, I didn't think the speed was fast enough to justify me paying $45 a month for VZW unlimted BB plan.

I just switched to the 8100 and like it so far from what I've been able to do with it, which isn't too much yet. I had my number ported from VZW, and it still hasn't come over to the new phone yet, so I have no real time usage with it yet.

Basically... I would look at what kind of coverage you have and which one provides the most features that you will actually have a need for.

Hope I was a little healpful.

cynep · 09-13-2006, 09:02 AM

The biggest selling point for the new 8703e is that it will be the first BB to be capable of connecting directly to your PC and acting as an EVDO modem. In theory you could dump your home internet service and use your BB for your internet connectivity (via USB port). Same goes for laptop internet connectivity. For me - it's a huge plus, as I am currently paying $80 for VZWBB. The EVDO plans (at least according to websites) will be about $15 extra, not $40. Oh, and as I numerously posted in the last 2 days here (cough, hehehe, cough) - 8100 sucks.

I returned my 8100 to store and this Sunday will happily part with about $375, buy 8703e and sign up for 2 years service. At least to me - it's worth it.

whsbuss · 09-13-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynep

The biggest selling point for the new 8703e is that it will be the first BB to be capable of connecting directly to your PC and acting as an EVDO modem. In theory you could dump your home internet service and use your BB for your internet connectivity (via USB port). Same goes for laptop internet connectivity. For me - it's a huge plus, as I am currently paying $80 for VZWBB. The EVDO plans (at least according to websites) will be about $15 extra, not $40. Oh, and as I numerously posted in the last 2 days here (cough, hehehe, cough) - 8100 sucks.

I returned my 8100 to store and this Sunday will happily part with about $375, buy 8703e and sign up for 2 years service. At least to me - it's worth it.

Just to correct your statement, the current 7130e on Verizon already has EVDO tethered capabilities. The 8703e will continue with this capability.

BOHIC · 09-13-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynep

The biggest selling point for the new 8703e is that it will be the first BB to be capable of connecting directly to your PC and acting as an EVDO modem. In theory you could dump your home internet service and use your BB for your internet connectivity (via USB port). Same goes for laptop internet connectivity. For me - it's a huge plus, as I am currently paying $80 for VZWBB. The EVDO plans (at least according to websites) will be about $15 extra, not $40. Oh, and as I numerously posted in the last 2 days here (cough, hehehe, cough) - 8100 sucks.

I returned my 8100 to store and this Sunday will happily part with about $375, buy 8703e and sign up for 2 years service. At least to me - it's worth it.

7130 and 7250 could also be used as EVDO modems. Using your BlackBerry as a modem to replace your home internet service might be against Verizon's terms of service. I know Sprint's terms of service prohibit this type of use.

joe allen · 09-13-2006, 10:16 AM

of course you will have to wait for the 8703 to be released.....and who knows when that will be.

Sakman · 09-13-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe allen

of course you will have to wait for the 8703 to be released.....and who knows when that will be.

It has already been confirmed for this Sunday

AnthroMatt · 09-13-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOHIC

7130 and 7250 could also be used as EVDO modems. Using your BlackBerry as a modem to replace your home internet service might be against Verizon's terms of service. I know Sprint's terms of service prohibit this type of use.

Not true. Sprint's BlackBerry plan's allow for unlimited phone-as-modem (PAM) use with your BB device.

Eric5273 · 09-13-2006, 11:50 AM

I don't really have a need to use the Blackberry as a modem. I am more interested in how fast web pages load on the Blackberry itself. Any comments for how much faster EVDO is when compared to EDGE with regard to loading web pages on the Blackberry? Has anyone tried comparing the 7130c (EDGE) to the 7130e (EVDO)??

If it's only 10% or 20% faster, then I don't think that is enough to warrant the extra money Verizon charges. But if it loads pages twice as fast, then I think it would warrant the extra money.

BOHIC · 09-13-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

Not true. Sprint's BlackBerry plan's allow for unlimited phone-as-modem (PAM) use with your BB device.

I'm not saying the usage isn't unlimited, just that their terms state you're not supposed to be using it as a replacement for an Internet Service Provider. They don't want you using the thing as a modem 24/7. Whether or not they'll actually shut you down for that type of usage, I don't know. I just make it a point not to violate terms and conditions in the first place.

BlackBerry Forums Support Community

8703e or 8100?