Is it bad to go back in time?

February 28, 2008 10:41 AM

Is switching from a Palm Centro to a Blackberry 8703e a bad idea?

Hi everyone,

I'm on Sprint and recently (like 40 days ago), I switched from a Treo 650 to a Centro. I like many things about the Centro (smaller size, fast mode Blazer, relatively better stability). EVDO dosen't mean much to me, since I don't live in a PowerVision area.

I started messing around with Chatteremail lately, and I have switched to IMAP e-mail (via Fastmail). I really love IMAP; I'm not just reading email on the phone. Now I actually can file it, delete it, save a draft, and then have my Macbook show those changes, which is great.

I also find myself writing/responding to more e-mail on the phone, and this is where I have a problem. I'm not great on the Centro keyboard. I'm pretty accurate, but I find typing on it tiring after a short while. I'm also not too keen on the Centro's battery life and tendency to creak the whole time I'm typing on it. Plus today, I find myself either not getting voicemail alerts or missing calls.

So here I am. I'm beyond thirty days, and I'm considering selling it to get something else. I paid $99 out the door for the Centro, and I think I can sell it for enough that I would break even on an 8703e if I by on eBay.

So I'm thinking of the following of switching to an 8703e: Made for e-mail, Blackberry reliability is supposed to be great, scroll wheel, might be nice to change OS, big keyboard, I can afford it if I buy it on eBay. I would also save $5 a month on data, with Sprint's new $30 text, e-mail, web, GPS plan.

Now, I realize I may be a stooge here, so feel free to tell me what you think. I should do. I know the 8703e is long in the tooth and has no cameras, but I'd still like any insight you can offer. Also, I'm synching with a Mac.

Thanks,

posted by 4ster to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

I've used both Palm and BlackBerry. 2 and 3 years respectively. Though, I worked for RIM, so take this with a grain of salt nevertheless. I prefer BlackBerry, I find the typing easier, as well as the interface. It really does depend on what you want to do. If you need to modify a lot of files, I'd stick with Palm. If you don't, I'd go with a BlackBerry. The only wrinkle I can see is that you'd be using PocketMac to sync the BlackBerry to your Mac. It's nowhere near as stable as it's PC counterpart. I'd do a bit of research on PocketMac (and possible alternatives?) before making a decision.

I use a BlackBerry 8700 right now, which is almost exactly the same as an 8703. The lack of a camera, mp3 doesn't bother me and I really don't find it that big but, YMMV.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 10:53 AM on February 28, 2008

Also, my 8700 is rock solid. I've had it for almost 2 years, dropped it a bunch of times (no case) with no issues. As long as you don't get it wet, obviously.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 10:54 AM on February 28, 2008

I have an 8703e for work and I love it. I had a 8830 for a few months and a Palm device before that, they suffered in comparison. The 8703e is a top notch tool for managing email. I love the keyboard. I would highly recommend the change.
posted by Silvertree at 11:02 AM on February 28, 2008

Note that the 8700 series have the side-mounted scroll wheel and back button.

An 8800 series has the trackball and back button on the front of the phone, which may be more like the Palm. I'm not sure what Sprint supports though.

Mac sync software is available at Apple's website.
posted by ijoyner at 12:27 PM on February 28, 2008

WCityMike: for many people (myself included) the 'make phone calls' function is a relatively minor feature. Asynchronous communication by SMS and email is often far more convenient. Having a phone that can make an hour-long call after six weeks of standby mode is worth giving up so much additional functionality from your perspective, but the OP seems to have different priorities.
posted by onshi at 3:14 PM on February 28, 2008

Also, are far as battery life, I use my BlackBerry pretty frequently during the day and charge maybe 2-3 times a week. Yards better than anything else I've used in the past.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 6:11 AM on February 29, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I went ahead an bought one on eBay last night. I really apreciate all your help and insight.
posted by 4ster at 12:51 PM on February 29, 2008