[Raven VII]

I currently have a 7230 under T-Mobile. But the new Bluetooth (can I use it to connect to my Mac to synchronize with PocketMac?), spankier screens, faster processors and the fact that it's not T-Mobile (I don't like them much) is tempting. The 7230 I bought back in March of last year. Is it worth it upgrading now? Or wait until RIM introduces the 8th generation series? Are all three equal? And which vendor fiddles the least with your Blackberry? (For example, T-Mobile forces you to use their t-zones browser, puts "e-mail setup" on your device and makes it the default WAP browser (?) among other stuff. I like my Blackberry all defaults-based and stuff... nitpicky maybe, but that's just me... Oh, and I'd like a vendor that actually has MDS enabled on their BIS/BWC... T-Mobile doesn't (I don't get the IPPP service book, and when I called they said MDS is only available on BES, and refused to enable it for me). Yeah those are the reasons why I dislike T-Mobile...).

[finch]

Well if your looking for a much improved screen, 32MB memory, Bluetooth and quad band reception you'll be pleased. Bluetooth alone did it for me though I miss the larger screen of my 7780 :( No problem with PocketMac and your BB on a Mac I use it the sync with Entourage and Address Book all the time.

[mrogers]

Raven, I think you'd enjoy the new models, but you canNOT use Bluetooth to sync. As finch said, you can sync with Mac no problem but it still has to be through the USB cable, and since you specifically asked about Bluetooth syncing I thought I should point that out.

[finch]

Originally Posted by mrogers

Raven, I think you'd enjoy the new models, but you canNOT use Bluetooth to sync. As finch said, you can sync with Mac no problem but it still has to be through the USB cable, and since you specifically asked about Bluetooth syncing I thought I should point that out.

Good call mrogers, I had meant to say just that "there is no issue syncing via USB with your Mac" Good eyes!

[Raven VII]

Originally Posted by mrogers

Raven, I think you'd enjoy the new models, but you canNOT use Bluetooth to sync. As finch said, you can sync with Mac no problem but it still has to be through the USB cable, and since you specifically asked about Bluetooth syncing I thought I should point that out.

Oh... well that sucks... Guess I'll just hold off until the next "true" generation leap. Those things are expensive, and I can't afford to make small "hops", unless they're really worth it. Seems like this "hop" isn't, since the Bluetooth is really the main reason I'm eyeing them. I'm deaf, so if the Bluetooth is only good for headphones, then it's useless to me.

[mrogers]

Originally Posted by Raven VII

Oh... well that sucks... Guess I'll just hold off until the next "true" generation leap.

Well then you could be holding on indefinitely. RIM will likely never, or at least no time in the forseeable future, enable Bluetooth syncing on Blackberries because of security concerns. So just forget about that idea and focus on the other good points of the newer products.

[Raven VII]

I'm not waiting until RIM introduces syncing with Bluetooth, I'm just waiting for a true revision. The 7250/7520/7290 are really just minor revisions to the 7230 and the others as far as I know. Bluetooth is just the only feature that the 7230 doesn't have at all. I was just wondering if it's worth the $400 to make the upgrade. Seems it's not. The next generation will probably have even better features that makes it really worth it. Again, BT doesn't matter, it just happens to be the defining feature of the newer BB's.

[NJBlackBerry]

Bluetooth, plus two stage backlighting and 32 MB.

[Raven VII]

Heh heh you obviously didn't read the thread ;)

And the two-stage backlight worth $400? Nah no thanks... and 32 MB? I never even filled up whatever mine has (16 MB?), so that's not an issue.

[NJBlackBerry]

If you want next-generation, check out the 7100...

[Raven VII]

And lost the thumbpad? Not a snowball's chance in hell!

[geekman686]

The only reason worth while getting a new BB is if you are leaving T-Mobile for another carrier.

I believe Cingular/AT&T uses the 850 Mhz frequency in some markets, so it helps to get the 7290 (Quad Band GSM/GPRS).

[bigdongers]

I dont feel the 7290 is different enough to the 7230 to be worth upgrading. Give the 7100 a chance! I made the switch and am loving it.