Loving the physical keyboard (Blackberry Curve 8310)

Member Name: davomrmac

Product:	Blackberry Curve 8310
Date:	02/04/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great screen, super keyboard, fast email

Disadvantages: No touch screen, no app store (well not as easy)

As a long time Apple fanboy, I had loved my iPhone, but the economy took it away from me. Having to cut back found me yearning for a touch screen. An LG Cookie landed in my pocket and it proved to me that the iPhone did the touch screen thing right and all others were trying, but failing. Then I heard that Orange were doing a new Blackberry tariff. Pay As You Go, an extra £5 per month for unlimited email and internet, bargain. So I searched for a handset, wanting more than their £150 offering. I found an 8310, brand new on ebay for £115, so I bought it.

The handset is quite bulky, but no more hard on the pocket than the iPhone. The screen is gorgeous, very colourful. The controls are great too, with that tiny trackball whizzing around the screen. One thing that I really love is the keyboard, it is small, but so much better than the iPhone's touchscreen keyboard.

Setting up took a while, but doing the email configuration was really easy. You do it online and the settings are then pushed to the handset. Emails are then pushed to the 8310 and it all happens so fast, very impressive.

OK, so I miss the Apple App Store, but I gain a device that is just as useful. Average use eeks out almost a week between charges. I am very happy with what seems like a bargain and has made me forget about the iPhone to a certain degree.

Summary: It has made me forget about the iPhone to a certain degree