[theridiculousguy]

Hello all! this is my first post im looking forward to your advice and knowledge.

i've gone through a bunch of threads and pretty much it seems like the 8700 is the "best thing since sliced bread" and worth getting.

i played around with the device today and the keyboard seemed kinda cramped to me escp vs the 7290. i have a sk2 right now, do you think its just that im not used to it or that my fingers may actually be to big to use it effectively? anyone else have this problem?

my other concern was if i did get the 7290 which is easier to type on will it be outdated soon enough that it not even worth getting? i like all the upgrades and programs that the 8700's offer.

any advice would be much appreciated. thanks to anyone who has a second. i look forward to joining you addicts soon.

[coreyg510]

Look at the situation from this point of view, rather than "Are my fingers too big". I can use a Treo's keyboard with no problems and I have big hands. You have to take in to consideration that you are used to the SK2 keyboard. Using a smaller tighter keyboard might seem a little cramped at first. However, with a little practice, you will be right at home and your fingers and hands will learn how to manuever with no issues.

[theridiculousguy]

thanks corey! thats comforting to hear. i will put in my order in the morning.

[cooperpwc]

I agree with the learned gecko. It is a completely different method of typing from the 7290. In the transition for those of us that had a 7290 (I know you didn't), it was definitely slower at first. But you get used to the 8700 keyboard. You type more with the ends of your fingers. Once you are used to it, it becomes intuitive.

My advice: go for the 8700. The 7290 is highly functional. It does email well. The 8700 is sweet.

Edit: Not that you needed to hear from me. I see that you made up your mind.

[allenranger2]

I had all 3 mentioned devices...SKII was good only for IM's, 7290 was nice but EDGE-less, and of course 8700 incorporates the best from the others including a nice color screen and fast processor. 8700, ding!

[trinybwoy]

i too migrated from the sdkII lastweek. it was PAINFUL getting used to the cramped keyboard of the 8700G, but after 4days, i am used to it.
now i can type without looking at the keybaord once again

[theridiculousguy]

Originally Posted by trinybwoy

i too migrated from the sdkII lastweek. it was PAINFUL getting used to the cramped keyboard of the 8700G, but after 4days, i am used to it.
now i can type without looking at the keybaord once again

glad you made the switch?

[trinybwoy]

Originally Posted by theridiculousguy

glad you made the switch?

YESSSSSS..i LOVE my blackberry!! i cant believe i had the audacity to think that the sdkII was soo great.
the 8700G gobbles the sdkII for breakfast. i can do soooo many things with the blackberry its unbeliveable!!
i am still getting used to keyboard, but i can bear with it

[cooperpwc]

When you google sdkII you get some really weird German results. But I figured out that you guys are talking about the Sidekick... Ridiculousguy, it's time to go nextgen.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by theridiculousguy

my other concern was if i did get the 7290 which is easier to type on will it be outdated soon enough that it not even worth getting? i like all the upgrades and programs that the 8700's offer.

I'd say it's more of a concern that the 7290 is GRPS only. Otherwise, it's one of the best GSM Blackberries out there.

[Chinasaur]

Question for those who switched from 7290 to 8700.

I too came from an SKII and I am just now getting over my hands cramping from holding the (to me) tiny form factor of the 7290.

Since the 8700 is smaller yet... do you find that the key arrangement helps the 8700? The keys on the 7290 slope down on the ends and the 8700 are even or slow up at row ends.

Thoughts?

[EricaJ1074]

Originally Posted by trinybwoy

YESSSSSS..i LOVE my blackberry!! i cant believe i had the audacity to think that the sdkII was soo great.
the 8700G gobbles the sdkII for breakfast. i can do soooo many things with the blackberry its unbeliveable!!
i am still getting used to keyboard, but i can bear with it

LOL Triny. I'm happy I helped you pick a better device.

[trinybwoy]

Originally Posted by Chinasaur

Question for those who switched from 7290 to 8700.

I too came from an SKII and I am just now getting over my hands cramping from holding the (to me) tiny form factor of the 7290.

Since the 8700 is smaller yet... do you find that the key arrangement helps the 8700? The keys on the 7290 slope down on the ends and the 8700 are even or slow up at row ends.

Thoughts?

yes, the arrangement of the keys actually assist in helping one type easier on the 8700. It keeps the thumbs pointing forward/straight instead of a constanly downward/bent movementy; which, under constant usage would provide the receipe for cramps.

[cxxxkies]

Hi guys.... So happy to saw this thread! I'm SK65 user before then switched to 7290 and after reading this thread.. I'm convinced and switching to 8700g in few weeks time!

[LunkHead]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8700g: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I came over from the 7290 as well! The 7290 is a tank and probably one of the best BB's ever made! BUT the 8700 has a better screen and like others have said, the 8700 has EDGE! Reason enough to swap if the screen did not leave you drooling!

[TBC]

Hi there
I just registered tonight. I too had a SKII then went to my current Treo 650. I am now in the market for a BB and after spending about 30/40 minutes with the 8700g, I think I am going to go for the 7290 instead.

The 8700g was my first choice but it felt very cheap and the buttons were just horrible IMO. I like the size but I just can't get over those buttons. The build of the 7290 is solid and i've always liked the design of it.

I think the 7290 would be a better entry model BB for me. Once I get use to the BB functionality, then I wouldn't mind something like the 8700 as much. I was honestly very dissapointed in the build of the 8700. Would you guys agree that the 7290 would be a better starter model for me a first time BB user?

Also wondering how much faster is the EDGE?

Thanks

[PaulPoker]

I've recently changed from a 7290 to an 8700. at first the layout seemed good and easy the keys are much closer then the 7290, but as ahs been said before on this post with time I'm adpting well to the new BB. I like the screen much clearer and crisper then the 7290.
As for the EDGE networks.. wow .. loads quicker then GPRS but I've read that it's not as quick as 3G.

8700 - all in all top device nice unit with some truly great functions

[TBC]

Originally Posted by PaulPoker

I've recently changed from a 7290 to an 8700. at first the layout seemed good and easy the keys are much closer then the 7290, but as ahs been said before on this post with time I'm adpting well to the new BB. I like the screen much clearer and crisper then the 7290.
As for the EDGE networks.. wow .. loads quicker then GPRS but I've read that it's not as quick as 3G.

8700 - all in all top device nice unit with some truly great functions

Thanks for sharing your experience PaulPoker. I've been hitting the web again today, continuing my research. As much as I said I didn't like the cheap keys of the 8700, I think I would really miss speakerphone if I went with the 7290. I"m also re-thinking the web browsing speed as well. This is going to be a tough decision but I'm still leaning towards the 7920.

Thanks again Paul

[paulmac]

Having had both, (my 7290 sits in the drawer now just in case) I lean toward the 8700C. I agree there are a few quality issues with the 8700 and I wonder how durable it is compared to the 7290, time will tell. As far as the keyboards go, not too hard of an adjustment, but agreed the keyboard on the 8700 seems cheap by comparison. Edge is much faster than GPRS. And I too would probably miss the speaker phone the 8700 has. That said the 8700 has a much better screen, better ring tones (and better volume for the ring tones) etc. So for now I am staying with the 8700, but I like having a spare just in case.

[cwemely]

I upgraded from a 7290 to the 8700. The keys are indeed closer together, but the device is great! The screen is nice and EDGE is fas

The 7290 was definitely a more robust unit than the 8700g. I am a little more careful with it than I was with the 7290.

I am not looking back, however!