WM5 vs. Blackberry: Which is better?

02-01-08, 01:29 PM

Hey everyone,

I have a quick question for everyone. How does a Blackberry hold up against a Dell Axim w/WM5? Does the Blackberry out perform WM5 or is it the opposite? I ask b/c I am currently separating from the military and have accepted a new job. The new job requires that I keep a blackberry with me at all times. I have never owned a blackberry nor have I had any exposure to them. I have only used a palm (back before Windows Mobile) and Windows mobile devices. Will I find myself hating the Blackberry after being exposed to WM5 and reaching for my Axim frequently or will my Axim be left out to pasture? Any tips on how to use a Blackberry are most welcome as well. I will need all the help I can get with this device, lol.

Thank you for any help,
Chris

psionandy · 02-01-08, 02:49 PM

Its a difficult one... and you need to define 'Better'

Actually you can ignore that bit if you can ask the similar question.. which best fits my needs. Blackberrys are excellent email devices, with an incredibly high pickup and just do it factor. If I had to roll out mobile email to several non technical users (ie at work) then I'd go for blackberrys.

If I wanted to surf the net nicely, play movies, blog, run calculators and emulators, and play podcasts (which I do) then I'd go for windows mobile.

If I had to carry one of our company blackberrys then i'd have that in one pocket, and my WM pocket pc in the other

02-01-08, 04:15 PM

lol that sounds like something I would do carry both, b/c I work on computers, routers, and switches. I would fall under the advanced user category :) I am required by my new job to carry a blackberry b/c I am on call 24/7. They want to be able to send me emails and phone me at a moments notice. I tried to convince them to let me do a windows mobile powered phone, but they wouldn't go for it :( I believe they have a contract and can only use Blackberrys. Anybody have any tips for using a Blackberry?

psionandy · 02-01-08, 05:21 PM

For sending emails and outlook appointments, the blackberry's really are fantastic simple to use and all the information lives on the company servers, so if you lose it or it gets stolen the data is safe and secure... you can get 3rd party apps and web browsers for them, and they really extend the company system into your pocket.

At work we use them and things only really seem to get complicated if you try and sync a copy of outlook as well as to the exchane server.

The biggest tip is to remember to turn it off when you want to go to sleep!!!

02-01-08, 05:38 PM

What happens if you don't turn it off?

Box · 02-01-08, 05:47 PM

You have everyone who has no concept of time zones, calling or sending you emails or messages at all hours of the day and night.

02-01-08, 07:18 PM

Hmm sounds like a feature to add to the Blackberry. Make it be silent for everything except for the contacts you chose to hear from. I know that is going to be an issue for me b/c I am on call 24/7 and I have to leave it on if we have a network outage and I have to fix it

02-23-08, 02:05 PM

I have just recently started using a Pearl 8130. My Axim is now a dedicated GPS in my car. I love the Pearl, even the Suretype, which I thought I would hate. One of the reasons I switched is because I was having so many problems with ActiveSync. The blackberry sync's my calendar and contacts perfectly.

I get 1300 contacts in my blackberry. I can give people their own ringtones, and there is a voice call feature which works like a champ. I say call "john doe" and damned if it doesn't do just that. I can use the video camera as a flashlight in emergencies (big drain on the battery, but when you have to find your keys...) I can use it as a mp3 player, and get up to 8 gigs on the micro sd card. It is my perfect phone.

I even have a Today screen version, so it looks like a mini Axim with a funky keyboard.

It isn't the Axim I am junking it is Active Sync.

02-25-08, 08:03 AM

I can't really add more to what my friend Andy has posted. I have both and use both and both do what I am asking them to do. I probably rely more on my BB than my Ax, but that's because the BB is a phone. The Ax has become more of an entertainment device.

I can't speak to the capabilities of a WM phone. But give the stability problems of WM on phones that I have seen on this and other boards, the BB has been more stable.

As far as customability, it all depends on which BB you get. an 8xxx series will be more user friendly than an older model.

tmn72 · 03-20-08, 01:09 AM

I'm in the same boat. I have a WM5 and a Blackberry.

I use the Blackberry for e-mail, PIM, phone, and work. My WM5 device is now mostly fun. It is my GPS, eReader, Games. Then I pack the iPod for music and movies. It really bites because if I could have a nice HTC I could have it all in one. Still waiting for that elusive "single device" utopia.

**hyedipin** · 03-20-08, 12:03 PM

Blackberry is good for nothing but e-mails at this point.
Sure you can listen to music, use it as GPS (if you have the one with internal gps and not on Verizon), take pictures, etc.. Blackberry's main purpose is to grab and send e-mails, that's about it. No matter what everyone says, I love the fact that BB gets e-mails even before I see them on my desktop and I can delete them from device with option to delete from server as well, and not see them on my laptop later on. But its phone features, and multimedia options just does not catch up to regular phones or WM phones.

So, if e-mail is your main purpose, by any means get a blackberry, it is great, fast and very easy to use. But if you don't want to deal with quirky phone features, slow and bloated operating system, lack of free 3rd party apps.... don't get it. Stay with WM5. But it sounds like you are required to have it, so just get a Curve and call it a day. :)

If we could have true Blackberry Connect on a WM6 device, with the Blackberry e-mail interface and features, and the better addressbook features of BB, that would be the ultimate device for me.