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If There's Any Advice You Could Give Me, This Should Be The Area - Blackberry vs. Treo?

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Moline Realty 40022101

RE/MAX agents have recently received a great offer from AT&T to get a Treo 750 or a Blackberry Curve for a fantastic price.  I'm very interested.  I have a Moto Razr V3xx that I never wanted in the first place, which is a total PILE and I hate more than anything.  So I've been kickin' the idea around. 

I like to make informed decisions.  I began by talking to people - mainly two people who I know very well and trust very much.  The first is a mortgage broker (Shawn Gerhardson - I tried to link, but it won't work!) and the other works for AT&T.

Shawn insists on the Treo.  He has Sprint, who he complains about all the time, (he does!  Read his blog!) and has had many poor experiences with them.  He began with a Blackberry, which he hated and always had problems with.  Then he switched to a Treo, which he loves.

My friend from AT&T however, has a different point of view.  She tried the Treo and wasn't impressed.  She is a Blackberry gal, and said that every associate in her store has a Blackberry.  She also said that far more Treos are returned than Blackberrys - and the Blackberrys are easier to use.

I argue that using it for personal/light business use, and living on it, depending on it, and spending most of your day using it are two different things.

So I began to make up a list of the important things I like about each one:

Blackberry

•1. Not touch-screen basedBlackberry Curve

•2. Larger screen

•3. Built in GPS

•4. Comes with headset

•5. Comes with AC charger

•6. Comes with USB data cable

•7. Standby = 17 days

•8. Talk time = 4 hours

•9. Standard headphone jack

•10.          Lighter weight

•11.          Voice activated dialing

•12.          Slightly smaller

•13.          Larger processor

•14.          Trackball navigation  

Treo

•1. Can be used as a Supra keyTreo

•2. 3G Speed

•3. Talk time = 4.5 hours

•4. Standby time = 10 days

•5. 6 way calling

•6. Automatic light balance - photos

•7. Standard headphone jack

•8. Comes with car charger

•9. Comes with AC charger

•10.          Comes with stylus

•11.          Comes with headset

•12.          Comes with USB data cable

•13.          More memory

•14.          Voice command

•15.          Windows OS

So as you can see, I'm not really any further ahead than I was.  I love the idea of having a supra key, because I don't currently have one (no point in Mora, but I'm starting to move south a little further in showings...) but it isn't worth it to me if I'm going to hate the phone forever....

Can anyone help?  What do you have?  Love it or hate it?  Have you tried both?            

Posted by

Joslyn Panka Solomon & Nicholas Solomon - Realtors

Century 21 Moline Realty

Looking for an East Central Minnesota home?  Start your search here and find the perfect property!  www.century21moline.com

Follow me on facebook!  www.facebook.com/joslynsolomon

 

 

Comments (35)

Katie Wethman
Keller Williams - Falls Church, VA
CPA, MBA, Realtor - Northern Virginia & DC Real Estate

I have a Treo 650 that is just over two years old now (time for an upgrade!) and though it has its quirks, like the resetting issue, I still love and will most likely stick with it.  The primary reason I got it over a blackberry originally was because it felt more comfortable in my hand as a phone, frankly.  Since then, I've discovered other features that I don't think I can live out.  There is a TON of third party software out there, much of which is free, that can be downloaded to the treo.  Mileage trackers, expense trackers, etc. for work, and then games for when I'm stuck in a line somewhere (or waiting for a late client).  I also use the video and camera during walkthroughs to document leaking faucets, etc. 

Re: the push email - I know a lot of people prefer the blackberry push vs the treo pull, but it's really not that big a deal.  You just tap one on-screen button to download it and it takes a few seconds.  (At least that's how it works with versamail, but ther eare other apps you can use for email too.)  Sometimes I even prefer it because if I see an email sitting there I can't stop myself from dropping whatever I'm doing to respond to it.  You can also set it to automatically download at certain intervals and then it will give you a notice that email is waiting for you. 

I also bought a TomTom GPS for the treo and it works great!  

Nov 14, 2007 12:52 PM
Mark Savel
Re/max Realtron Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON
I'm from Toronto and on the Rogers network.  I've had the Palm Treo 600 for 2 years and could'nt wait for the day my contract expired.  I'm now using the Blackberry 8800 and don't know what i'd do without it.  Come over to the dark side!
Nov 14, 2007 01:25 PM
Lisa Ryan
Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty - Montgomery, NJ
Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Town
Go for the Blackberry.  Getting my email instantaneously is critical for grabbing leads.  An issue here in my part of NJ with the TReo is no one has been able to get the Supra ability to work, at least no one in my office.
Nov 15, 2007 12:34 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Katie - There are many things about the Treo that I like.  However, the push of e-mail on the Blackberry really appeals to me.  As I branch off and become more competitive in the market, I'm really wanting something that says "JOSLYN YOU HAVE A LEAD RIGHT THIS SECOND!  RIGHT NOW!  READ IT RIGHT NOW!"

Mark - LOL!  That's good to know!  Thanks!

Lisa - Very interesting.  Luckily, up here in the sticks, you don't use Supra a ton.

Nov 19, 2007 06:20 AM
Tyghre Collentine
Coldwell Banker Burnet - Minneapolis, MN
Great post, I've been wondering the same thing!!!  Shout out to another great Minnesota REALTOR!!!
Nov 19, 2007 02:05 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Tyghre - You ROCK!

You should come to the red side.  We would have loads of fun....

Nov 20, 2007 01:33 AM
Amy Whiffen
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR - Myrtle Beach Real Estate
I love my Treo 680 because of the email and ekey availability.  Haven't had many problems...
Nov 20, 2007 12:03 PM
Joeann Fossland
Advantage Solutions Group - Tucson, AZ
Master Certified Coach to Motivated Agents
I love a TREO! JUst bought the Centro for $99!!! I am using it as my lockbox key, as my modem and synching to Outlook! What's not to like???
Nov 20, 2007 01:54 PM
Scott Smith
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Gloucester, MA
Gloucester & Rockport, Massachusetts
Great information! I am leaning towards a Crackberry, but the Palm has some great attributes. 
Dec 03, 2007 10:08 AM
Shawn Gerhardson
Waterstone Mortgage NMLS#186434 - Cambridge, MN
Top Rated Mortgage Professional

Remember the cost is much less on the Treo per month. Make up your mind already :) lol

Dec 04, 2007 03:17 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Amy - That's good to know. 

Joeann - Nice!  I think you got a pretty good deal!

Scott - I hoped this blog would help others, while helping me!

Shawn - It's doesn't matter for me, remember?  I'm not the goofball on Sprint!

Dec 08, 2007 04:42 AM
Christina Moock
Cutler Real Estate - Canton, OH
REALTOR - Cutler Real Estate
Which phone did you choose?  I've been using a treo, not sure which model.  I like the touchscreen.  I do wish it had the push technology that blackberry does.  I also like that it has a camera and the blackberry doesn't.  Some things that I don't like are the short talk time and that it does have a tendency to freeze up.  It's almost time for me to get a new phone and I'm now debating between a new treo or a blackberry.  My husband (the computer genius) wants me to get a blackberry.  He works for a law firm where they just switched everyone's phones from treos to blackberries. 
Feb 07, 2008 02:37 AM
Deborah Engel
Prudential California Realty - San Diego, CA
San Diego Homes & Property

Ok, I posted awhile ago about how much I dislike my Treo. After continuing to have problems and a handful of replacements later, I finally got a Blackberry and I love it so far!

Feb 21, 2008 03:02 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Christina - I still can't decide!  I tried both in the stores, but I still have debated back and forth.  So I still have my ol' Moto, and I keep meaning to take time out and try them again...

Deborah - Good to know!  That helps a lot and is really reassuring!

Apr 14, 2008 04:58 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty
Hey there Joslyn: I have the treo 700P and I'm on my 2nd one.. not because I like it. I had to replace the 1st one. I have issues with it as well. When doing text messages it seems to lock up and can tak up to 5 min to release. Can't make or recieve calls during this time. We don't have Supra any longer as we went to Sentrilock last year ( Yeah ). I have been concidering the Blackberry as many agents I know are leaving the Treo for the Blackberry.
Apr 14, 2008 05:20 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.
Good to know!  Texting is important to me, and my Moto locks up sometimes, and it's SOOO frustrating...  thanks for the great input!
Apr 14, 2008 05:21 PM
Anonymous
Debbie Wilcox

Hi, I work in the Houston, TX real estate market where I use the Supra as often as I use combo locks. I have a T-Mobil MDA (a mini computer in itself with Windows Excel, PowerPoint, Word). The Supra works fine on it. The phone is now 2 years old and still working fine. I tried a Blackberry back in February, but took it back (Costco) as I couldn't get the Supra key installed on it. For me, that is a must! After spending a lot of time learning how to work the Blackberry, i was very disappointed. I like the more slender design and light weight. They are coming out with a new screen like an I-phone in the fall--I'm wondering if the Supra software will work on it!!!

Jun 04, 2008 02:08 PM
#32
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Debbie - I'm seeing a decline in electronic lock boxes now, though!  I still haven't switched... I can't seem to make a confident enough decision!

Jun 04, 2008 04:10 PM
Joseph D. Federico
MVP Realty - Naples, FL
Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Joslyn-I got the Blackberry a few months ago,My razor was great but the blackberry is so much better. At&T gives a discount for a Re/max agent. I am sure that they offer deals to many other large real estate firms.

-Joe

Jun 07, 2008 12:03 AM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Joe - I'm thinking the Blackberry Curve!  :)  Thanks!

Sep 19, 2008 09:06 AM