Blackberry Question

[Piobaire]

So I'm still on my search to replace my Motorola Q. I am leaning now towards a Blackberry 8830 (world edition). I have read on a BlackBerry forum that if you enter a new appointment into your handset, it does not sync with the calendar on your desktop. Has anyone had this problem?

Also, with my Q, I am using VZW and a program called PC Monitor. My organization does not have an enterprise solution for mobile email, this program sits on my desktop and syncs my Q with my desktop from behind our Exchange server. Can a BlackBerry do a similar thing? Just sync with one PC's Outlook behind an Exchange server?

Lastly, the phone function is very important to me. It is part of why I landed on the Q; it is a good phone. What is the 8830 phone function like in terms of quality?

Any tech info welcomed and I'm going to keep surfing the BlackBerry forums for insight too.

Thanks

 

[marc237]

I am a blackberry user. I love the ability to instantly access e-mail 24/7 without having to log on the net. All the other features suck comparatively . As a phone, it is only average. It is very hit or miss on synching. There on a lot of user fora for blackberry users - - I strongly recommend reviewing them pre-purchase and I also recommend hitting CNET.

 

[gdl203]

Will this be on an office email server or for personal use?

In 6 years of using bberry, I never ever had a problem with wireless sync of emails or calendar items. There was one glitch this year when the daylight saving time shifted a week but other than that, never an issue

 

[Piobaire]

Thanks for the replies guys.

GDL: Office use but we do not have the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. I understand there is an individual solution through VZW, similar to my current set up with wireless sync on my Q. It is middle ware and basically it syncs with my PC over the 'Net and then forwards to me. It is a little hit and miss and the email is full of quirks, I am hoping the BB would sort that out.

Sync'ing with my Outlook calendar is huge. I am often out of the office and I make appointments while out. It would be best if they updated fast and without a hitch to my office Calendar as my secretary will also put in meetings, etc. for me. If they do not update each other often and problem free, conflicts are sure to develop.

 

[marc237]

We also do not have the Enterprise Server. I am reasonably tech comfortable, but far from a techie. The office tech. person and I have had a heck of a time (even working with BB support) getting the Blackberry to consistently synch with Outlook. However, YMMV. I do not suggest it cannot be done or that others cannot do it more efficiently. Only that my office has found it to be annoyingly problematic.

 

[antirabbit]

Mine works quite well.

I do not use all of the functions. One nice feature is the ability to tether it to use as an internet access point for your laptop. It only cost's $15 more a month for this service.

I pretty much use it for a phone and an e-mail device. You can access most windows files if they are attached to an e-mail as well.

I think if you are looking for more of a mobile computer, the Treo is a better choice, but if you are looking for a communication tool, this is the right choice.

 

[B1FF]

Nothing I've used has approached the Blackberry's performance in this area. Painless and flawless.

 

[globetrotter]

I'm very happy with mine - my boss just switched from a q and she is less happy, but she hasn't really articulated what she liked better in the Q.

I have an organization wide program, so I don't know if that influences the level of my sincing - but I find it to be great, calendar, email and contacts.

 

[Piobaire]

Still reading away...

As we do not use the enterprise solution, I will be using BIS (BB internet service). So there's the rub. Can I sync with my office Outlook behind our Windows Exchange Server. Will my calendar update itself from my PC and vice versa?

As much as I'd like my phone to do absolutely everything, I realize I need to make choices. A good phone function, contacts, and painless Outlook email and calendar syncing is what I need.

From my reading, it looks like to get true push on my Outlook email, I need to forward a copy to my BIS email. That might be a little messy vs. wireless sync'ing. So will I get a BB only to find its best feature, true push, something I do not use?

 

[Piobaire]

Got the BB 8830 world edition. Well, sure did set up my POP3 accounts easily. Call quality is great. Just have to wait until next week to see if I can get stuff installed on my work PC. There's a "redirector" program. I have to say, the email performance I've seen so far is incredible.

 

[Piobaire]

Okay, this is going to be a new favorite toy for a week or so

. I installed mini opera and it web cruises nicely.

 

[eg1]

I have a Blackberry 8700r. I am pretty sure our organization uses the Enterprise server. I have never experienced any syncing problems -- in fact, I never bother to physically sync the device to my computer since it updates wirelessly over the network.

Phone has been no better or worse than any other cell I have used. Web-browsing is pretty damn quick, but it's not a feature I use much. I use it primarily for e-mail, appointments/calendar and phone. Best all-in-one device I've used and I am very happy with it.

 

[JR_Rider]

If you have any additional questions regarding your Blackberry I would recommend that you check out www.pinstack.com. Any and everything you ever wanted to know about a Blackberry is available on that site. I also have a BB 8830 World Edition so if you have any additional questions about this particular phone or are having problems I would be glad to be of some assistance. Enjoy your new phone.

 

[dwjm3]

redacted

 

[Artisan Fan]

I've had a BB for two years, no problems.