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View Full Version : Should I get a BlackBerry with a nice rebate, or wait and get an iPhone?


Evan Wiener
11-27-2007, 12:48 PM
My T-Mobile contract is ending in the spring, and I'm eligible for a significant discount on a new cell phone a week before XMas. I have used free, low-featured basic cell phones for a few years now and would like to upgrade to something with a lot more capabilities.

Apparently, I can get a BlackBerry Pearl for $80 after rebate. I've never used a BlackBerry before, and wondering if it's worth getting one (and tacking on $19.99 a month for email/data services) if I don't use it to check my full-time contract job's email, just personal email and freelance work email. It also seems really clunky looking, and the impression I get from BlackBerries is that they're used by corporate types who need to take the office with them everywhere.

Am I better off being patient and waiting until next spring to cancel my T-Mobile service and spend a lot more on an iPhone?

I'm a Mac user now and wanted to know if I can sync my Mac Address Book contacts with a BlackBerry Pearl?
Whip
11-27-2007, 01:03 PM
I'd say get the Blackberry, just because you'll save more money with it.
JBElliott
11-27-2007, 01:14 PM
Get and iPhone. It's worth it.
naclone
11-27-2007, 01:15 PM
I believe the 3G iPhone is due to hit in May, so you might want to wait for that.

I am.
costello
11-27-2007, 01:17 PM
You can still buy a blackberry?

Think of all the practical uses for each one. The one that seems the better buy should be your pick. But if you're planning on going overseas, I'd go blackberry.
Christian Beranek
11-27-2007, 01:25 PM
IPhones are cool, but I wouldn't trade my BlackBerry for anything else. They rule.
Los
11-27-2007, 01:27 PM
Blackberry. Best phone I've ever had.
Ryan Elliott
11-27-2007, 01:34 PM
Even though the Government fascists watch everything you do and every move you make on the iPhone, I'd still get the iPhone.
amy
11-27-2007, 05:26 PM
depends on what you want to use it for.



I
Thomas Mauer
11-27-2007, 05:31 PM
Blackberry now, iPhone when the Blackberry contract runs out. The kinks are worked out on those, and waiting will get you a second generation iPhone down the line without all the hassles that crop up right now or may still crop up.
the_wallcrawler
11-27-2007, 06:21 PM
Blackberrys are best in the corporate world, i.e. syncing with Exchange. If you don't have to do that, go with the iPhone. I have a BB that I have through work and an iPhone for personal use. Being a Mac user makes the iPhone an easier choice because you know it will work with your computer.
Evan Wiener
11-27-2007, 06:26 PM
Blackberrys are best in the corporate world, i.e. syncing with Exchange. If you don't have to do that, go with the iPhone. I have a BB that I have through work and an iPhone for personal use. Being a Mac user makes the iPhone an easier choice because you know it will work with your computer.

Yeah, the BlackBerry just seems like something useful for someone needing to sync up with MS Exchange Servers, which I'm not. It probably doesn't do mobile web very well, and the iPhone does a nice job with photos, videos, and music.
King of Mars
11-27-2007, 06:45 PM
You don't need either of those expensive toys. Give the money to a poor person instead.
amy
11-27-2007, 08:08 PM
Yeah, the BlackBerry just seems like something useful for someone needing to sync up with MS Exchange Servers, which I'm not. It probably doesn't do mobile web very well, and the iPhone does a nice job with photos, videos, and music.


You don't have to have an exchange server to use a BB for personal use, just a BIS account.

The newer Blackberry devices (ie Curve, pearl, 8800 series) can stream music, browse the internet quite well without any problems, as well as MMS and use 3rd party apps.

Decide what you want it for, go to the store and they should have live phones for you to play with.

Nobody can decide what's the right choice for you but you.
Jim T.
11-28-2007, 04:46 AM
You don't have to have an exchange server to use a BB for personal use, just a BIS account.

The newer Blackberry devices (ie Curve, pearl, 8800 series) can stream music, browse the internet quite well without any problems, as well as MMS and use 3rd party apps.

Decide what you want it for, go to the store and they should have live phones for you to play with.

Nobody can decide what's the right choice for you but you.

Unless I'm missing something, my 8830 WE can't stream music or video (although apparently it may after the next software update).
Evan Wiener
11-28-2007, 05:06 AM
You don't need either of those expensive toys. Give the money to a poor person instead.

The computer you used to post this cost you more than either of those devices. You should have given that to the poor instead. :-?
Evan Wiener
11-28-2007, 05:07 AM
You don't have to have an exchange server to use a BB for personal use, just a BIS account.

The newer Blackberry devices (ie Curve, pearl, 8800 series) can stream music, browse the internet quite well without any problems, as well as MMS and use 3rd party apps.

Decide what you want it for, go to the store and they should have live phones for you to play with.

Nobody can decide what's the right choice for you but you.

Ah, but I wasn't aware a Blackberry had those features. That helps.

I think the biggest factor that's different between them is the larger screen and smooth user interface on the iPhone. That thing is alluring, but may still be too expensive for me.