[bchase]

How many people out there are using there Blackberry just for Email and Data and carry a phone too? And what are you using for a phone and why?

I have to have Nextel for work so I have been using the 7100i for both thinking about spliting it what are the pros and cons of carrying a phone and blackberry.

[KonTiki]

I know some here do just that, but for me my 7250 works great as a phone also and I have a bluetooth headset which I prefer to the bulkier Blackberry as well as it frees both my hands. The second reason is one less device to carry and worry about charging and the like. My BB is multifunctioning and it suits me just fine, no need for anything else. It even lets me log in to my machine at work and from there I can take care of any problems that arise there.

[andrebsd]

I use it to replace my laptop. Going to invest in one of those virtual laser keyboards though, as the small keyboard can get cumbersome when typing lecture notes.

Dragging a laptop around to do email/internet/word processing at class or work ended up being cumbersome. It was rather heavy (well alot more than a BlackBerry), and battery life is an issue, along with finding wifi or hooking the BlackBerry up to the laptop.

Using the BlackBerry as a laptop replacement for me is very nice, no more carrying around extra things, no worry about when the battery dies (well unless im going to do more than like 6 hours of work online; doing 3 hours straight gets the battery to around 60% while in a weak signal area [of course brightness is turned down]), and I never have to consider finding wifi or hooking extra things up to go online. - Speaking of online, its nice to leave everything running on the internet when I go from place to place. Laptop have to turn it off, disconnect, when I get there turn it back on.

So yeah, I use it for email/data/phone.

[gwbishop]

I am a new user of the 7290 and I use it for web browsing, email and phone. Previsously I used a Moto phone and an ipac 4355. I definitely like using one device. I have a laptop for out of town trips, but the 7290 is great for everyday between the home desktop and my work computer. I have it set up to receive my gmail on the BB.

[gduerson]

i'm a new 7290 user and i'm going to use it for phone, calandar, to do lists, games, hopefully to hold a good version of the Bible, and possible to carry pictures of my kids on it. I'm not a "data" subscriber yet...may not ever be either... 45 a month is a lot when i use my laptop a ton for email...

[bchase]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7100i/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

No one out there using a phone and a blackberry?

[mrchun]

I use both, a Motorola e815 for work and a 7130 as a personal phone. The Moto is strictly for work... this number is handed out probably twenty times a day to strangers and is the leash by which the bosses can reach me throughout the day. The 7130 is for personal and school-related email and calls. Also, I have become addicted to the calendar and address book functions on the Blackberry and could never go back to trying to use a standard cell phone as my PIM (as I used to on the e815).

The 7130 could, without a doubt, serve as my only phone. All that it requires to be perfect for me is: Yahoo Messenger and voice-activated dialing, two things that are on my Motorola. The e815 is a much clearer phone, but the BB's functionality trumps the Moto's slight advantage in call quality. Odd... I need the Blackberry's more business-oriented functions in my personal life and simply require a phone and SMS in my business life...

Oh yeah, almost forgot... the 7130 serves as my alarm clock in the morning, too.

[knr]

Originally Posted by bchase

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7100i/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

No one out there using a phone and a blackberry?

I carry my T-Mobile 7290 (and don't use the phone on it), my Nextel i90 (phone and Direct Connect), and my emergency services dispatch pager. Yes, I carry three devices on my hip

-Kyle

[Soapm]

Originally Posted by gduerson

i'm a new 7290 user and i'm going to use it for phone, calandar, to do lists, games, hopefully to hold a good version of the Bible, and possible to carry pictures of my kids on it. I'm not a "data" subscriber yet...may not ever be either... 45 a month is a lot when i use my laptop a ton for email...

For games you have the wrong device. In fact your list spells wrong device.

Do a search for Beiks, it's the Bible I use.

[markhutchison]

Wirelessly posted (7250/4.0.0.204: BlackBerry7250/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

My BlackBerry has become my office. Everything goes through here: phone, calendar, contacts, email, SMS, Weblog posts, browsing, notes, morning wake-up calls, directions ... There is very little for which I resort to using my laptop.

I did originally try using a separate device for voice service but the direct dialing of numbers from websites, emails and address book made the single unit a much more convenient option.

[JesterDog]

I actually use my new 8700c for a side business I started. It has all the functions I need to be a mobile office. My other phone is an Audiovox SMT5600, which is perfect for my day job. No need for email with this phone, just the ability to sync with my laptop.

I've got a feeling that the 8700c is going to put the little 5600 to shame.

[Dawg]

I use mine as a paper weight on my desk. It reminds me of how much money I blew on a gadget lol.

[Eddie8]

My 7520 is my office and personal phone.I use it daily and carry it around everywhere I go.Couldn't imagine life without it.

[Mr Pink57]

In the beginning I carried around a v710 and a 7520, but now I am down to the 7100i. Mainly due to having less to carry around, also I suggest if you do use 2 devices look into a razr as a phone. Reason why is how slim it is, and that is charges thru USB like the Blackberry does.

pink

[VolvoGrrrr]

I have a 8700 and a Black Razr. The 8700 is for work (both data and phone) and the Black Razr is my personal cell. I do not like having one number for both use and the fact that if you leave the company, you may not take the number with you (even if it was yours to begin with).

The only issue I have with both is using 2 bluetooth headsets when I'm in the car. Yes I know I can forward one number to another but how often do you remember to do that? I only do it on long drives honestly and not the quick ride to the store.

[atwageman]

Wirelessly posted (BB 7520: BlackBerry7100i/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

I use bb for email and data. And use a i870 for voice. Both are used for work and play.

[nb_mitch]

I only carry a BB, I upgraded last July for the sole purpose of dumping the phone and laptop for a single device and love it. My 8700 is much more functional as a browser and phone than my 7290, but I had no regrets with the switch from day one.

[teamcrn]

i have a tmo 7290 and a nextel 860.. always carry 2 devices.. even though i have data only on my 7290 if an emergeny arises i can use the phone portion... i like to have a back up so i will always have a seperate phone.. what happens if you lose ya blackberry now you can communicate at all.. or if you need a replacment

[puma008]

My device is a one stop shop for me. 7250 use it for phone and data. love it.

[bchase]

I'm leaning towards getting a i870 I use the phone and DC alot. Just not happy with the phon DC side of the Blackberry. It's a Blackberry first and phone second.