Customer Reviews
BlackBerry 8700 
2008-02-22
This was the second blackberry that I've ever used and I thought it was a pretty basic phone. It didn't have all the unnecessary features that most PDA phones have. It never locked up or did I have to turn it off and back on again, like other PDA phones. This is perfect for the regular on the go business professional.
Great PDA... not for the "consumer" oriented market. 
2007-07-13
I got my BlackBerry 8700g just little over a week ago, and all I can say is that it is a great PDA! I've owned a few smartphones before, all of them consumer-oriented (had mp3 capability, camera, video capture, etc. etc. etc.) and although they performed very well, it wasn't until I used the BlackBerry that I found a great, solid device for business use. I had the SE P800, SE P990, Treo 650, Treo 680 and found most of them had so many features, that implied lots of shortcommings when it came to performance (constantly froze-up or rebooted. i.e.).
Interface (GUI) it's basic, simple, minimalist if you may say so, but performance is outstanding. Usually, when you think of a smartphone, you think it MUST have: touchscreen, camera, wifi, bluetooth, video capabilities, expandibility, looks, etc. Well, as I said on the title for my review, the BB is not intended for the day-to-day consumer, for it "lacks" most of the aforementioned features. But think of it for a while: if you want a device specifically for business-related use, you really do not need all those bells and whistles in the first place!
The BB comes with 64mb flash-ram (no expandibility, although none is required), no camera (I really do not need one on my day to day activities), no wifi (with EDGE on the device, I do not really need wifi on my PDA!), no mp3/video capabilities (once again, I use it for work-related chores), it has limited bluetooth (only for handsfree devices, no data transfer capabilities - now this is something I would've liked to have on my PDA!), has a stereo jack to be used with a handsfree (included in package), a mini-usb connection (for charging/sync), a gorgeous screen (320x240 res), nice keyboard layout (although it feels "cheap"; the Treo 680 had better quality, although too small and cumbersome due to the round finish of the keys - but that's an entirely different review), great performance, very intuitive interface, and nice - simple - customisation options.
Once again, BE WARNED, this is a business-oriented device, so do not make the mistake of giving it a bad review, because it "lacks" features found in most phones/pdas now a days. Take my lead on this: I use my BB monday thru friday, and on weekends, I use a SE w710i, which has a smaller factor, has MP3 and video capabilites, I use a 2GB mini Memory Stick (for pics, video and music), a 2MP camera, and has sync capabilities (contacts and calendar), and also allows me to receive e-mail on demand (once again, and entirely different review).
All in all, I give the BB 5 stars when it comes to delivering on the features I look for on a PDA, not to be confused with a swiss army-like device which offers a lot, and delivers little!
