All BlackBerrys are not created equal. Sure, they'll all push e-mail straight to your handset like a regular
SMS text message, and they're each a handy tool for roaming professionals, but that's where the similarities end.
Judging by the four models that have passed through our labs, each is directed towards a distinct type of user, so
it's important to pick one that suits your requirements.
Novices will find that the 7100v fits the bill nicely. It uses a compact candybar design and is the least expensive of the BlackBerry range, but since it's an early model there are a couple of niggling flaws. Its tiny keys make bashing out long e-mails an arduous task, while the device also has difficulty displaying images. Nevertheless, the 7100v is a handy portable e-mail device that can easily double as your regular mobile phone.
Improving on the 7100v is the 7130e, which offers a similar phone-oriented design but boasts an improved keyboard and better graphics capabilities. In addition, the 7130e's biggest drawcard is the fact that it runs on the incredibly fast EV-DO network -- as opposed to the regular CDMA network -- so can reach speeds of up to 600Kbps compared to CDMA's paltry 100Kbps. It can even morph into a broadband modem when connected to a laptop, enabling you to jump online wherever you are.
Also an EV-DO device, the 7250, like the 7130e, can be used as a broadband modem. However, rather than adopting a slim candybar design, the 7250 is a wider, more data-oriented device. This means it features a larger keyboard whereby each letter has its own key (with the 7100v and 7130e, two letters share one key), making e-mail composition a breeze. On the flip side, the wider design also makes it less suited for use as a regular phone -- unless looking stylish is not one of your main criteria -- so there's a trade-off between usability and aesthetics.
Finally, the latest BlackBerry to hit our shores is the 8700 -- easily the most powerful offering thanks to its adoption of an Intel PCA901 processor. Applications and pages load virtually instantly and battery life is superb. Like the 7250, the 8700 offers up a full 35-key QWERTY keyboard, but it doesn't run on the EV-DO network or double as a modem. Yet in its favour is the fact that the 8700 is undoubtedly more stylish than the 7250, allowing users to reap the benefits of a larger keyboard without sacrificing on style.
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