The RIM BlackBerry 8703e provides excellent e-mail capabilities along with a high-speed Internet connection and numerous extras. BlackBerry has long been the champion of wireless e-mail devices, and this model is no exception. Because the 8703e supports the EV-DO network, you can upload and download e-mails at DSL speeds and swiftly browse the Internet as well. But perhaps the best feature is that e-mail arrives in real time, automatically.

There is a reason that the e-mail obsessed are devoted to BlackBerry as unswervingly as audiophiles are devoted to iPods. Simply put, BlackBerry devices are incredibly well designed. Crafting e-mails or text messages with the QWERTY keyboard is swift and simple, and the track wheel makes for easy navigation of onscreen features. Meanwhile, the unit itself is lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the 2.5-inch display is exceptionally easy to read and offers very sharp resolution at 320x240 pixels with 65K colors. The screen also automatically dims or brightens, depending on your environment.

Perhaps the only downside of the 8703e is the quality of phone conversations. Incoming sound is occasionally weak, and dropped calls occur on occasion. Otherwise, the phone portion of the device offers a host of features, including speakerphone, conference calling, call forwarding, and numerous types of ringers (polyphonic, MP3, and vibrating). You should be able to get about three hours of talk time from the battery before recharging is required, and around eight week of standby time.

Another handy feature of the BlackBerry 8703e is its potential as a wireless modem. Simply connect your laptop to the device, and you can immediately use cellular networks for an Internet connection. Bluetooth 2.0 is also supported.

If you're using the BlackBerry 8703e for professional purposes, you'll appreciate the attachment viewer that allows you to open Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, and other popular file types. The device also includes time-management programs such as calendar, task list, and memo pad. The address book can store up to 8 numbers per entry, along with addresses (home/work/web) and notes. Overall, this is an excellent device for those who cannot live without e-mail and text messaging.


Pros: EV-DO compatibility, real-time e-mail delivery, screen resolution, ease of use
Cons: call quality

Warranty
1 year