[okeee]

im interested in blackberry 8800 / 8820 / 8830 . what is the difference between these? can I do normal internet surfing with these, or are some sites not available? Is the processing speed ok?

[aiharkness]

The 8800 and 8820 are GSM devices; the 8830 a so-called "world phone" with CDMA and GSM. The 8820 has wifi capability. The other two do not. All three have GPS.

These are antiques in the smartphone universe. Memory for the OS and applications is small. If you update to the latest OS you will have to pick and choose the few must have apps to load.

Also, if you don't know, you'll need a specific BlackBerry data plan from your service provider to use the BlackBerry data services and even many aftermarket apps.

[aiharkness]

As to your other question, the latest OS for those models is version 4.5. As I say, that is old. Still, you will be able to browse many websites, generally speaking, but it is going to be far from a full desktop browsing experience. And the device just wont be able to handle or load some other sites. There are workarounds on some cases, and a lot of sites have mobile versions.

[okeee]

would I need wifi? Im from europe. im not sure if i need CDMA and GSM.
which of these is the best if you just want to surf properly?

I'm not sure what a dataplan is, but I may buy a blackberry, and then search for a subscription that is useful. so the subscription provider should apply a data plan?

[aiharkness]

GSM and CDMA refer to different mobile phone technologies. The "world" phone is for CDMA use in the USA and GSM outside the USA. I believe generally you would be able to unlock the GSM on the 8830 and use it on most any GSM carrier, but ask your carrier. At any rate, you need to make sure your carrier (that is, your mobile phone service provider) supports BlackBerrys. Don't assume that it does.

You will need data service (data plan) if you want to browse. BlackBerrys are different, though. If you want to use the BlackBerry data apps, and many aftermarket apps, you need the data service specifically for BlackBerrys.

See

What do I need a Data Plan for? - BlackBerryFAQ

and

How to use BlackBerry on Generic Data Plan - BlackBerryFAQ.

The latter may help if you can't get a BlackBerry data plan but can get a regular smartphone data plan.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[stevetaz]

And I don't think they have 3G capabilities, so V E R Y S L O W.....

[aiharkness]

That's true. EDGE or GPRS on the GSM models. But if you have an 8820 and on wifi, speed is ok.

My wife is still using my old 8820 and she is happy. But she doesn't expect much and only uses about 40MB a month.

[okeee]

ok thanks, ill check with the supplier. do I need a data plan for a model for example 8820?

they dont have 3g, but do have GPRS and EDGE. how slow is it to browse? about how many seconds to load pages?

[aiharkness]

Page load time depends on the page. Forget very complex and large pages.

Again, yes, you need a data plan. See the links I posted above.

[stevetaz]

On an up side, the 8830 I used for 2+ years was built like iron and stood up to a lot...

[rambo47]

I had an 8800 and then an 8820 on AT&T. I agree that they're well-built and have great keyboards. But they were slow for browsing.

[okeee]

I meant, do I need a specific data plan for model 8820, or just a blackberry data plan?

how slow is loading of pages? longer than 30s?

[devnull]

Just a Blackberry data plan.

Page loading speed depends on the website and content as Ira has already said.

[aiharkness]

okee, talk to you carrier (mobile service provider). It may have different name(s) for BlackBerry services. In the UK, for example, one carrier calls it a BlackBerry bolt on, or something like that. But talk to your carrier. Make sure they know you want BlackBerry data service. It may be bundled with a voice plan, or an add on.

[okeee]

I want to get a blackberry 8800 / 8820 / 8830 from ebay, some are listed as new, some as 2nd hand. most are listed as simlock-free what do I need to be cautious of? how do I know that it is real and not fake?

[aiharkness]

Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

[okeee]

ok thats very useful.

can a blackberry 8800 / 8820 / 8830 be new in unopened box, but also unlocked? so have these series been sold as simlock-free?

i checked with the providers and they have a blackberry subscription, so that should be ok.
but are blackberry 8800 / 8820 / 8830 set up for BIS or BES?

about wifi, is it important/useful to have?