[stac]

Hi Folks -

I just started my crackberry habit about two and a half weeks ago with an 8700c on Cingular. After two weeks, I'm enamored of what the 'berry can do functionally. It's fast (no lag) - stable - capable as a phone - got the apps I need (berry411, bloglines, etc.) but I do have some issues with the 8700 that make me think that I might be better off with a 7130c - namely form factor and build quality. My 8700c's keyboard doesn't reassure me - the keys slide under my fingers when I type like the plastic overlay with the buttons on it isn't securely fitted to the underlying assembly. Secondly, while the 8700c is relatively slim, it's wide enough to make me wonder how best to hold in in many sitations to use it one-handed. Sometimes I feel strain in my wrist when trying to hold it flat to my face so I can see the display when working with it.

My questions - is there anyone out there with a 7130c? Can you tell me if the phone/sound quality is equal on that handset to the 8700c? Is the web browsing experience of equal quality to the 8700c despite the lost pixels (narrower screen)? Is the build quality of the keyboard any better than my 8700c's disconnected feel? Is the suretype functionality anything like the text input method on Motorola handsets? After a short while, I could text message with the best of them on a razor (without a keyboard) so I believe in the type of technology that suretype uses - does anyone find suretype to be a complete no-go as far as functionality is concerned? Does the 7130 have the same kind of battery life that the 8700c has? I've read a lot here about the 7100 series handsets that eat batteries... does the 7130 suffer similarly?

I'm looking for some well-thought-out opinions and experiences on this. I have the time in my 30 day window to switch to the 7130 and give it a shot. Should I bother?

TIA,
Stac

[digital/blasphemy]

Originally Posted by stac

Hi Folks -

I just started my crackberry habit about two and a half weeks ago with an 8700c on Cingular. After two weeks, I'm enamored of what the 'berry can do functionally. It's fast (no lag) - stable - capable as a phone - got the apps I need (berry411, bloglines, etc.) but I do have some issues with the 8700 that make me think that I might be better off with a 7130c - namely form factor and build quality. My 8700c's keyboard doesn't reassure me - the keys slide under my fingers when I type like the plastic overlay with the buttons on it isn't securely fitted to the underlying assembly. Secondly, while the 8700c is relatively slim, it's wide enough to make me wonder how best to hold in in many sitations to use it one-handed. Sometimes I feel strain in my wrist when trying to hold it flat to my face so I can see the display when working with it.

My questions - is there anyone out there with a 7130c? Can you tell me if the phone/sound quality is equal on that handset to the 8700c? Is the web browsing experience of equal quality to the 8700c despite the lost pixels (narrower screen)? Is the build quality of the keyboard any better than my 8700c's disconnected feel? Is the suretype functionality anything like the text input method on Motorola handsets? After a short while, I could text message with the best of them on a razor (without a keyboard) so I believe in the type of technology that suretype uses - does anyone find suretype to be a complete no-go as far as functionality is concerned? Does the 7130 have the same kind of battery life that the 8700c has? I've read a lot here about the 7100 series handsets that eat batteries... does the 7130 suffer similarly?

I'm looking for some well-thought-out opinions and experiences on this. I have the time in my 30 day window to switch to the 7130 and give it a shot. Should I bother?

TIA,
Stac

I had the 7105t before switching to the 8700 series. It really does boil down to what works best for you.

I will say this, i do believe the keys are sturdier on the 7100 series (none of the slight move that bothers some in the 8700 series).

Suretype is ok, it recognizes words that you use often and saves them to a custom wordlist automatically. Once you get used to suretype, you'll be fast...but there are still some words that always tend to trip up suretype like "get" and "hey". The 7100 series in general has a great form factor for one hand typing.

my 7105 actually has the same approximate battery life as my 8700.

web browsing experience is slightly different, though it just takes some getting used to. most websites that i visit still work and format in a respectable manner (even online banking).

[EricaJ1074]

It's a personal decision but I came from a 7730 to a 7100t to a 7105t and I can tell you I am much happier with the SureType series BBs. It is much easier to type one handed while multi tasking. SureType learns the words and phrases you use and stores them for later retrieval.

I never used my 7730 as a phone but my 7100t had great sound quality and the battery life was around 4-7 days moderate use. I hope any newer models have this same battery life/sound quality. I'm averaging 2-3 days on my 7105t with the regular battery and 4 days with an extended battery. I have been using my 7105t as a message device only (personal reasons here) so I haven't tested the phone side of it.

I find web browsing much faster on my 7105t than it was on my 7100t and my 7730, even though I don't have EDGE (yet). I'm hoping T-Mobile's newer model (if they get one) has EDGE so I can test the speeds.

[digital/blasphemy]

T-Mo is gonna get the 7130g, it's just a matter of time

[EricaJ1074]

I'll be waiting to upgrade.

[digital/blasphemy]

you'll never go back to a GPRS device after experiencing EDGE

[That70sGAdawg]

I already traded. It's the form factor that makes the 7130 better than the 8700. No more calculator to the face jokes. The adjustment to suretype is getting better, and I don't see going back.

[ndub33]

Personally, I would do this without hesitation-but it really is a matter of preference- form factor and keypad appear to be the biggest differences, so it comes down to what you like...

Nice to have choices, huh?

[ejmccartin]

I have the 7100t and was drooling over the 8700 untill I got to play with a working one in the store. the speed and screen are wonderful but I have to agree with you about the keyboard not feeling right. the buttons are too small for me and I have little fingers! I think the 7100 series really has the right form for me. t-mobile's salesman was nice enough to let me know the 7130 is coming about the same time I'm up for an upgrade so here I am ... waiting... trying not to drool too much.

[rebeldevil2003]

my first blackberry was a 7290, i then switched to the 7100g and i love it. with sure type it really isnt dificult at all to send emails/text. when the 8700 came out i spent a couple of weeks drooling over it and then borrowed one from my manager. other than the form factor of it i liked it but in the end i was more happy with my 7100. now that the 7130 is out i will definately be trying to test drive it before i make a complete swap. overall the form factor is what really does it for me. i can put the 7100 in my pocket and go out without the data (fanny pack) holster.

[doppler]

Originally Posted by ejmccartin

I have the 7100t and was drooling over the 8700 untill I got to play with a working one in the store. the speed and screen are wonderful but I have to agree with you about the keyboard not feeling right. the buttons are too small for me and I have little fingers! I think the 7100 series really has the right form for me. t-mobile's salesman was nice enough to let me know the 7130 is coming about the same time I'm up for an upgrade so here I am ... waiting... trying not to drool too much.

And when would that be?

[ejmccartin]

as reliable as salesmen are... he said 30 to 60 days

[lgreenberg]

Holding the two together, boy the 7130c is slimmer.

I'll post some comaprison pictures tonight, I'll be out all day.

I don't think the keyboard is going to be an issue for me. I figure I do about 70% reading and 30% writing.

[stac]

Well folks - after going back and forth on it, I did end up going with the 7130c. Greenberg's issues not-withstanding, I've had a great experience so far with my new 7130c. The form factor is killer. It's no bigger than any standard nokia or other piece of garbage - but is so much more powerful. I like the idea that my phone is no bigger than anyone elses, but I can do so much with it - quickly and efficiently. Doesn't even look like a smartphone to most people.

An added bonus - the themes that the phone comes with are incredible. For each account I have set up in BIS 2.0, there's a new icon referring to that email account... very, very cool.

I'm just diggin' the ride.

-S

[amishjs]

Originally Posted by stac

Is the web browsing experience of equal quality to the 8700c despite the lost pixels (narrower screen)?

Does anyone (someone who has used both 8700 and 7130) have a response to this?

Originally Posted by stac

For each account I have set up in BIS 2.0, there's a new icon referring to that email account

Is there a way to tell from the home screen which account has new mail? In other words, once a new message is received and the phone rings/vibrates, how do you know which account got the email? Do you have to check each one?

[lgreenberg]

I've just moved back to the 8700.

[rebeldevil2003]

amishjs


When you recieve a new email it shows you the standard message icon for all email. You must check all inboxes to find the messages. the messages are also all put in the original inbox that was used before bis 2.0. i have hidden all icons except the standard inbox, so all of my messages go to the same inbox.

[stac]

Originally Posted by rebeldevil2003

amishjs


When you recieve a new email it shows you the standard message icon for all email. You must check all inboxes to find the messages. the messages are also all put in the original inbox that was used before bis 2.0. i have hidden all icons except the standard inbox, so all of my messages go to the same inbox.

On my device, it shows a mailbox for all of the accounts I have configured under BIS2, and when there is new mail in any of them, there is a red indicator that shows you which email address has received the new email message.

[Photios]

Lgreenberg, I have been following your move to the 7130c to see if i should follow suit (as I'm sure many of us have). So, what brought you back? I came very close to getting a 7130c yesterday and just did not pull the trigger!

[careyana]

I asked a few questions at the launch event last week and the story goes along the lines that they've integrated the features from the 8700 that were so popular (the mic, speaker, themes, intel processor, etc) but still keeping the 7100 form factor. It really is all about what you prefer. I honestly can't see giving up my qwerty just for the slimmer design, but it sure is pretty.