RIM BlackBerry 7100v

The annoying part comes when performing tasks such as browsing the Web. You can't just click the link onscreen - you have to scroll to it. Then, press down on the jog dial, wait a moment for the menu options to appear (such as Get Link, Home, Go To and History) and click again to get the link. RIM's browser isn't the fastest either; browsing over GPRS on the Treo is far more satisfying.

The Treo also holds a huge advantage when it comes to downloadable apps. Every type of Palm program, no matter how bizarre, can be downloaded from Handango, while the programs for BlackBerrys (and there were none, at the time of publishing, specifically for the 7100 series) are very restricted. What's more, there's just 32MB of RAM onboard and no card slots for adding more.

RIM can largely match the Treo as a personal organiser though. There's full synchronisation with the contacts, calendar and tasks in your choice of PIM (for example, Outlook, ACT! or Lotus Notes), and as the BlackBerry uses Intellisync we found the synchronisation process worked extremely well. During testing, we had no problems with lost information when syncing with Outlook.

The 7100v also ticks the Bluetooth box, but note that only hands-free headsets and car kits are supported: still, that's two more profiles than the Treo. Far more importantly, RIM has put some effort into making this a great phone. Sound quality is up there with the best, and if you want to have a conference call you can even turn on the speakerphone and plonk the 7100v in the middle of the table. World travellers will also appreciate the quad-band support.

As with every smartphone - except the 7230, as it happens - you won't be able to last any more than four days on a single charge if you're using the phone regularly. But it recharges through a USB connection, and there's also a neat travel charger that consists, essentially, of the plug and the USB cable.

The final annoyance we must point out is the 10MB mailbox limit provided by Vodafone (currently the only UK operator offering the 7100v). If someone sends you a couple of large attachments, your space is used up and you won't be able to send or receive until you access your online Vodafone account and start deleting.

So the 7100v isn't without its faults. There are superior phones out there, better personal organisers, and the 7230 is a better emailing device thanks to its full QWERTY keyboard. But if you're looking for a single device to cover all of the above, there's nothing better available.

Author: Tim Danton