I have used a massive range of blackberry products, currently running the Storm (9500) that's another story.

The 8100 once you get past the annoying 'QWERTY' layout on a mobile is actually a very good phone. If you want PUSH email then 'Blackberry' is definately the way to go.

The scroll ball (or pearl) is actually really simple to use and makes browsing the menu systems really easy, once you've got the sensitivity set correctly that is. The camera lets this phone down only 1.3 megapixels and it really doesn't take great (not even good to be honest) pictures. But then again most people won't be buying this for the camera.

For me personally i use my blackberry to write emails so much the pearly annoys me. The 'Semi' QWERTY layout confuses me as it feels like it should be laid out as a mobile is. If you use your bb mainly to read emails and not reply then this is the phone for you, if not try the Curve, Bold or even the new Javalin.