[tprime]

I have a 8120. The size and suretype are what make the pearl great for me. I am not the fan of the flip though the buttons are bigger. My wife has a 8900. It is a beautiful phone but the keys are a little small for me.

[mvalpreda]

UMA on my Pearl is awesome. I love the size as well. that is the selling point for me.

[djdonnyk]

Pearl because of size and the ability to type messages twice as fast!

[GeoGiant]

Originally Posted by djdonnyk

Pearl because of size and the ability to type messages twice as fast!

Ditto! The size is great. You shouldn't wear a holster on your belt unless your Batman

[geekdaddy]

I like everything about my pearl except:
- RAM
- Processor speed
- Camera
- Wifi

RAM and processor speed are the biggest issues for me, although a better camera would be nice. Wifi is also a "nice to have" but it's not essential for me.

Of course I'd like a bigger screen and a full keyboard too, but I'll live with the small screen and suretype keyboard because I prefer the form factor.

I've looked at the Storm and I didn't like it. The cool-factor was good, but it's very large and it took me much longer to input data and migrate thru applications using the touch screen than it does on my pearl. The storm is cool, but it ain't no iphone when it comes to the touch screen interface...

So, how about a shrunken version of the Bold?

[zocster]

Originally Posted by geekdaddy

So, how about a shrunken version of the Bold?

Yes yes yes! Half the guts of the bold and will have a winner! arghgh RIM come on, so many of us wants to keep the form factor, Please make our dream come true!

[djdonnyk]

I agree, RIM please assist us with a needed upgrade???

[dstaff]

I love my Pearl for its size... I don't feel like I'm holding a brick up to my ear..

But, I'd like to something the size of the Pearl (81xx form factor) but with a bigger screen (Storm style) does not have to be touch screen... but where you can turn it sideways and get a full QWERTY slide-out keyboard. Just my $0.02 worth...

[L4nd0]

the pearl is loved for it size
but it feature are too limited

I think they should make a 8140
with the following
2mp........3mp would be nice but a bit on the expensive side
wifi version 2............the one that pc and labtop have that u don't have to pay extra for
gps
RADIO (no comment)
better screen quality
faster processor
new design wouldn't kill anyone
if u have any feature that u would like as well just post them

[jasbart]

I've had a Pearl 8100 for almost two years, got a replacement right before the 1 year anniversary. I like the size, the phone, even the internet. What's driving me crazy is the keyboard, especially the escape key. I guess the contacts are wearing out. Apparently the keys can actually store key strokes and then upchuck them all at once. Or I can push the blackberry key to delete an email and it'll delete one email and open the next.

I just added a 2 gig memory card and the phone acts like a young pup, mostly.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Jim

[tubular031]

Originally Posted by o2mpx

For me Suretype keyboard, and small form factor are 2 main reasons. Keys are easier to press as having 2 letters per key means bigger keys. Also can't beat the small size.

yep! that is why i am on a hunt for a new pearl. My 8100 is old and tired (been beat to hell for almost 4 years now). I tried the bold, curve, and storm and after a day or 2 went back to the beat up old 8100. I really like the bigger keys on the pearl. I have FAT fingers and have troubles typing on the small keys the other phones have. I think I am going to the 8130 next. plus att stinks! I like vz way better.

[jasbart]

I ended up getting a new 8310 Curve, and have been very happy with it. The only thing I miss about the Pearl is the size and how it fit in my shirt pocket. I love the Curve's keyboard, don't miss Suretype at all (and I'd pretty much mastered it) and the larger screen is the icing on the cake.

Jim

[BrianLion]

Originally Posted by luc-mobile

I started with a Curve, but eventually surrendered to the Pearl, the one I really wanted. In short, for two reasons: it's reasonably small and very, very elegant. I think it's the most beautiful phone I've ever seen. A lot more practical, too. All the other models are holster-prone pieces. The Pearl is made to be carried in inconspicuous pockets when not simply tossed around.

The only new BlackBerry that has swayed me lately is the 8900, but only because of the specs.

...

Now, for a lengthy and much more subjective discussion:

Men of style are not supposed to be seen carrying lots of stuff around unless strictly required by their jobs, like postmen or plumbers. It's not classy. Women do that, and they have purses for that. Men don't have purses, and by now every minimally style-aware guy must know what women think about the infamous fanny packs. Holsters are not very different from fanny packs.

The Pearl is slick in every sense: it's small, it won't give you a bulge on the waist line, it's functional and has very elegant design. I also think it looks sports-like, something a tennis player or race driver would use. Or an executive during a break of his squash game.

Curves and Bolds try to look slick, but there is only so much they can do with all that size. They look geeky/dorky, they advertise some sort of insecurity, they scream "I feel naked if I don't carry lots of stuff with me so I am always ready for any situation no matter how much that will clutter my pockets." Just because we are geeks it doesn't mean we have to flaunt the geeky look.

And Storms say "I carry my own home entertainment system wherever I go." Not very manly either. Also, I hate this "dark" tendency of the iPhone, the Bold and the Storm. They all look like something lifted from some sci-fi movie. You know who really, really loves sci-fi movies? Immature men. It's OK to watch them, but if sci-fi design ever begins to creep into your real life, it's time to get a clue and grow up.

The only thing I hate about my Pearl is the camera. As lame as can be. Way to pinch a penny on that one, RIM.

I think luc-mobile was having a bad day that day.

[carteelith]

One word: Blingball and DiscoBall

[oiink]

Originally Posted by 8100_User

Who still prefers the Pearl 8100 over the new blackberrys and why? Thanks...

Started with the white 8100, then got a curve 8310 and then the Bold. Everyone of those devices is great, does all someone needs by a pda, by a blackberry.

Actually i have sold my bold (too big) and i am happy with the 8110. After a jump over the big blackberrys decided to go back to the small one. It does everything for my needs and is small, lightweight, battery long life, ecc...

So...depends from the needs but Pearls are, maybe, a good balance between performance, form factor, price...

Ciao,
Alex

[Elijah86]

I really do not like the keyboards on the 8110~30s. The 8100 has a much better one IMO. The only thing i wish for is a better camera and maybe wifi.

[mdschomburg]

The Pearl 8130 totally rules. As has been said:
-OMG do you need to be told not to wear it on your belt
-fits perfectly in a pocket
-uber stylish
-perfect for texting
-no need for a separate mp3 player
-pics as good as my Nikon 8MP
-do you need to be told that playing games on the phone=no life?

Why did I wait so long to get one?

[david9962000]

On the 8200 series the keyboard is wider and SureType has been improved.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by mdschomburg

The Pearl 8130 totally rules. As has been said:
-OMG do you need to be told not to wear it on your belt
-fits perfectly in a pocket
-uber stylish
-perfect for texting
-no need for a separate mp3 player
-pics as good as my Nikon 8MP
-do you need to be told that playing games on the phone=no life?

Why did I wait so long to get one?

Funny, after 2 years on a Pearl and recently switching to an 8900, these are my almost exact reasons for liking/preferring the 8900! I was using my BB more for mobile business needs, and decided to go with the larger screen etc. I used to like suretype, got used to it, and even periodically edited my custom dictionary for more accuracy. But I now appreciate the 'foolproof' full keyboard on the 8900, and overall it's faster w/o having to correct anything. (Suretype is good but FAR from perfect!)

The 8900 is very thin, and doesn't feel much larger than the Pearl. (I have a BestSkinsEver on it, and it goes straight into my pocket easily, no holster needed.) The screen is wonderful, the response quicker than the Pearl, and the style is also killer. Plus the autofocus camera is pretty sweet, and good enough for shareable/keeper photos.

I feel like the 8100 was a capable device for basic emails, phone, and a bit of web browsing, but the 8900 is more like a mini pc in the palm of your hand. And the battery life is still a bit better than on the 8100.

OTOH, my gf still swears by her Pearl (the whole purse thing and all, size is critical). It's very reliable, and works for her very well. (I definitely liked my Pearl, but the 8900 brought things to a higher level of utility in a relatively small package.)

[Tim K]

My only gripe with the Pearl is the internal memory. They either need to up the capacity substantially or allow applications to run on memory cards. I find myself running low on memory way too easily.

I'll take a look at the Tour when it comes to Verizon, but I really like the Pearl's size. I think it is also one of the nicest, cleanest looking phones out there and the best I've ever had.