So since Storm has been using our website to vent about his poor widdle arm (muscle tear, schmuscle tear; suck it up, Buckwheat!), I figured it’s my turn to use the Netterwebs to my own advantage.
So here’s my situation: my cell phone is about to give up the ghost, and it’s time to upgrade. More to the point, it’s time to get a PDA. Being a Sprint customer (I’ve been very happy with them for years), my choice comes down to a Treo or a Blackberry; and I’ve had enough friends complain vociferously enough about their Treos that it looks like the Blackberry’s the winner.
So I can choose between the Blackberry 8703e and the 8830. Here’s where you come in, Clamoring Public. Anyone out there have a preference? If so, why? Any and all input is welcomed. Please help do my homework for me?
Oh, and my arm hurts, too.
Paul.
UPDATE: I should have mentioned….I am now Mac-based (for the most part), so something that syncs w/a Mac without massive headaches is, while not absolutely necessary, at least a big plus. Anyone had luck or lack thereof with any of the Windows-based devices, like the Moto Q? Also, while iPhones are kewl r0xx0rz, I am locked into Sprint, contract-wise (and as mentioned, am quite happy with them anyway); so no go, Steve Jobs.
13 Comments
iPhone! I LOVE my iPhone!
Lets see Blackberry get a real web browser! OR Wi Fi!
So I work for a tech support company as a consultant where I provide BlackBerry support as well. So I’m about to get ubernerd on you Paul.
If you are going to get a BlackBerry, get the 8830 – it’s got the latest handheld software developed for it, additionally it’s a newer device, and cooler 3rd party apps are available for it.
Now that that’s out of the way, good choice on not getting a Treo, but don’t count out Windows Mobile devices – they are cool too, and IMO better and easier to use than BlackBerry’s are.
Sprint Offers these VERY good PDA’s that are comparable (all Windows Mobile Devices):
Mogul by HTC
Touch by HTC
MOTO Q 9c by Motorola
Happy Thumbtyping!
PS- Dana, BlackBerrys have WiFi and Wireless Data connections – and there are 3rd party browsers that compare to Safari (i support iPhones too;))
I work with Edwin Soto, so take that for what it’s worth. I would also recommend the 8830, but I think that BlackBerries are easier to use and (at this point) have more and better third-party applications than do Windows Mobile devices.
For example, if you’re a Google-head, you can get Google Talk and Google (Calendar) Sync for a BlackBerry, but not for Windows Mobile devices.
In a moment of self-disclosure, I should say that I have a BlackBerry (8100) and Edwin has a Windows Mobile device (Verizon XV6700). 🙂
Also PS: Dana, the iPhone is only available for AT&T customers at this point, so unless Paul were switching providers….
Blah. Neither is a great choice. No music or camera? I would think those would be high on your list of features, given your career.
JoCo has picture phone. No pressure.
In a choice between two turds, however, go 8830. Perhaps if you flashed that winning smile of yours at at lonely mall kiosk clerk you could press for an Upstage, you loyal Sprint customer you.
Your arm hurts? Dare we ask what you did to it? Were you alone when the incident occured? Please answer carefully, young minds read these comments. Maybe if you illustrated…
Oh wait, someone beat you to it.
Yeah, what would be better would be a BlackBerry with a camera too, but they seem to be offering camera OR wifi for the moment. Lame indeed.
As for you’re update Paul… there is synching software for both BlackBerry’s and Windows Mobile devices that would work on your Mac.
I’m still rooting for you to get a Windows Mobile Device based on the fact that you CAN use them to listen to music and take pictures, etc. Blackberry’s are good too, just limited IMO to the guy that just wants to have a cool phone everyday. Oh and in case you were wondering – the Touch and the Mogul has slide out keyboards (hence missing when it is closed).
Yeah, I eyed the Touch and Mogul the other day at the Sprint store. I don’t really care about music access, but the lack of a camera on the Blackberrys is a bit of a bummer. And since you guys seem more helpful than the drones at Sprint, I’ll ask:
Would I have any trouble setting up IMAP email accounts on the Touch or the Mogul?
If you’re on a Mac, you’ll definitely want to check out the Missing Sync line of products from Mark/Space. They integrate your handheld device with Apple Mail, Address Book, iCal, iPhoto, iTunes, you name it.
http://markspace.com/
I’ve been using their Palm sync product for years and it’s the bomb.
The real bummer is that Sprint doesn’t offer the *other* BlackBerries that do have cameras. Ah well.
IMAP on Windows Mobile should work fine, although be warned if you use Gmail: there’s a known issue causing HTML mail not to display properly on Windows Mobile devices. Bummer.
First of all, the term is Intertubes. Second of all, WHY ARE YOU MAC BASED? NOOOOOO. MAC may be better than PC, but Linux > *.
Windows Mobile based devices are good with POP and IMAP, so you’re good there Paul.
The 8830 is very impressive, and it can play MP3s very well. Surfing remarkably good, though somewhat slow. My main complaint is that the 8830 has by far the worst keyboard of any BlackBerry I’ve ever used (I’ve been using them for more than 10 years). It’s a horribly frustrating finish to a technically good product. I am thinking of moving backward in technology to get a keyboard that works.
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