[Alaska Jarhead]

Hey, I don't have a Blackberry yet, but am interested in getting one. I just need a little help figuring out a few things before I plop down the money.

First of all, I don't need the latest and greatest phone on the market. I am not interested in a touch screen at all and would like the QWERTY keyboard. I am also interested in getting a phone with WIFI. I am locked into my wireless provider so am looking at buying an unlocked BB. Could somebody please tell me how the WIFI works on one of these phones? Will I be able to tap into any wireless network without buying the dataplan? How does the e-mail work on these phones? I am looking at the 8320.

Also, I have a Mac; can I sync a BB with a Mac?

Thanks!

[akosnitzky]

Wirelessly posted (Verizon 8830)

8320 is a good phone. Nonetheless, a bigger issue is carrier. How is the network in your area? That's the key.

[Alaska Jarhead]

Thanks for the quick response!

Quite honestly, the network sucks compared to what any community of respectable size experiences in the lower 48. But nonetheless, it is what it is. I am using GCI, which is an Alaskan based company. They lease the towers from AT&T, so it is a GSM-based system. (I hope that answers your question).

Could you explain how the WIFI works on one of these phones? Would I have to use Blackberry e-mail, for example? Could I use something like Gmail or Yahoo?

[ezrunner]

you can absolutely use gmail or yahoo. you will need BB data plan to do so

you can use wifi to use internet to check email but I find that very cumbersome

[Alaska Jarhead]

Semper Fi, ezrunner! I spent some time in Virginia Beach; we did some CQB training in Chesapeake (Primary MOS: 0351, secondary: 8152).

Anything special I should know about buying on the secondary market? Is the technology on the 8320 new enough that this is a good phone to get, or is it going to be a dinosaur next week?

Thanks again for the help

[ezrunner]

8320 is a very good device.

here is a good link on buying in secondary market
Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

SEMPER FI Alaska

[Guitarded]

When using a blackberry for browsing over wifi, you just need to change the browser settings to set it to the proper browser type. Otherwise it will default to trying to use your service providers data plan. It is easy to do and anyone here can show you what to do when the time comes.

As far as the E-mail goes, if you want integrated E-mail you MUST have a data plan on these devices. most providers have a blackberry specific rate plan. When you subscribe to the correct data plan, you can integrate pretty much any type of e-mail account.

8320 is a great phone, it is elegant and easy to use. There are some devices which are newer and DO have a bit more memory. I know it sounds like a cliche statement, but the extra device memory helps to prevent some memory issues that people have when they have alot of contacts, messages, and or calendar appointments. Just keep that in mind, but I'm sure it would be a great device for you.

What do you want to do mostly with your device?

[Guitarded]

Oh, and PS. Welcome N00b.

[Alaska Jarhead]

Originally Posted by Guitarded

What do you want to do mostly with your device?

Play!

I am primarly looking for a PIM. I would like to send and receive some e-mail, as well as doing some text messaging. I would also like to be able to surf some web, but I am wondering if a lot of that couldn't be done over WIFI, since I have a network set up at home and at work. Between the two of those places I spend 90% of my time. Again, I would like a full QWERTY keyboard. Although I have never tried it, the Pearl seems awfully tiny to me. I don't like touch screens either.

The more I look at this the more confused I am getting and the more weary I am of buying on the secondary market. Looks like it is way too easy to get screwed. By the time you get an Ebay seller to answer all those questions the auction will be over.

[ezrunner]

you can also check out the Buy sell trade section here on BBF

[Guitarded]

Yeah, as far as web browsing you can definately do that over wi-fi once you setup the browser properly. You do have to toggle it between wifi and EDGE if you are going to use the phone network though.

From what I know however, you will not be able to setup the E-mail to work over wifi unless you have an actual data plan because it still needs to connect to the RIM servers to store the E-mail information and associate it to your device. In order to have access to those servers you have to be a blackberry subscriber.

So the main gist is, you will definately be able to do all of what you want to do over wifi, but I just want you to be aware that you'll still most likely want to subscriber to a data plan with your carrier.