Keyboard v Keyboard

**inicophone** · 05-07-2012, 09:35 AM

Hi,

I used to have a Bold 9900 which I sold to switch to Android (never, ever, leaving BlackBerry again). And as it so happens, I am now back for good with BlackBerry with my trusted old Tour 9630!

I used to have the Torch 9800 before the 9900 but I never really liked the keyboard. I found it very hard to press, and the Bold 9900 had a nice and soft keyboard. I am wondering what do Torch 9810 owners make of the keyboard? Can you type fast on it? Will it soften over time like the review states?

I really like the form factor of the Torch and I think the bigger screen really will be useful as I spend most of my time on the phone tweeting, BBM, emails, text messages, and maybe very little browsing.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you.

**tfp** · 05-07-2012, 10:05 AM

I've used all of the OS7 lineup and I can easily say that the 9900 is my favourite keyboard. The 9810 is a lot stiffer than the 9800 ever was but, to my experience it hasn't loosened up in just over 2 months of usage on the 9810.

In all honesty, I haven't found myself missing the slightly larger screen of the 9800/9810 as much as I found myself missing the wider keyboard of the 9000/9900. To each his own, I guess.

**newcollector** · 05-07-2012, 10:32 AM

Keyboard preference is such a personal thing. You really need to try out the 9810 to see if you like the keyboard. The specs say that the keyboard is slightly larger than the original 9800 and a l find it more responsive, i.e. a better feel.

Frankly, seeing what you spend the most time doing, I would say you may want to go for the 9900.

**guerllamo7** · 05-07-2012, 10:44 AM

I agree with newcollector on the keyboard being a very personal thing. I would add that you can get used to either keyboard.
I love the Torch 9810. Like you I jumped ship to android (HTC Evo 4G) and was back as soon as the Torch 9800 came out.
Nothing against droids, they are very nice devices and if I left BlackBerry it would be for an android. I'm back with BlackBerry because I like it better for myself but have friends that love their droids so nothing bad to say against droids. I just like BB better.

I will say though that I switched to a Bold 9930 and I really like the keyboard. Loved from the first touch and love it more each day I use a shortcut, speed dial, quiet it with the Q, etc.
I would say the screen on the Torch is better but the screen on the Bold is very nice as well. It comes down to how the keyboard feels to you.

Either way, welcome back and enjoy the device you pick.

**homer1475** · 05-07-2012, 04:05 PM

As everyone else has said "keyboards are a matter of preference".

Of course the class leading keyboard of the 99xx series can't really be compared to the 9810's, but if you don't mind giving up a bit of keyboard space and feel(remember the 9810 is still a RIM keyboard), the screen size more then makes up for it IMO.

I find the 9810 to be a little stiffer then the 9800, but that's not a bad thing. My 9800 keyboard got to be a bit "mushy" after a while and was hard to tell if you pressed a key or not(no tactile feedback?). I've had the 9810 since the day it launched and my keyboard hasn't gotten "mushy" yet, here's to hoping it doesn't.

**dwaynewilliams#WN** · 05-09-2012, 04:10 AM

The 9900 keyboard is truly remarkable. I tmay be slightly better than the 9810, but not as good as the 8330. The keyboard on the 9900 is very responsive and when you get used to the keyboard you will be super fast and accurate with it. The only thing that I don't like about the 9810 keyboard is that you have to slide it ope to use it. For someone who messages a lot, this becomes annoying. I wouldn't want to use the virtual keyboard because it is nowhere near the same experience.

**inicophone** · 05-09-2012, 07:35 AM

Thank you for your replies. I did get a chance to look at both today, and I prefer the keyboard on the 9900 but I prefer having that extra screen space which for my emails, BBM, and twitter would be PERFECT!

I really can't decide and now the store I'd buy from has both phones at the same price!

Regarding the feel of the keyboard on the Torch. I liked it when the keys became soft over time, does this not seem to happen with the 9810? If the keys would soften as from what I saw they were very hard, then I'd probably go for the Torch.

**newcollector** · 05-09-2012, 08:32 AM

I wouldn't say the key press becomes soft, but you get a very clear tactile feel that you have pressed the key. I like the feel of this keyboard better than the 9800 just because of that feel (for lack of a better term I would describe the "feel" as a click). I was a pretty fast typer in the 9800, but I am quicker and more accurate on the 9810. It doesn't get mushy, but in my opinion it either gets a little smoother or my thumbs have gotten stronger.

**doxa sub750T** · 05-09-2012, 03:16 PM

I have owned and used my 9810 since Oct of last year and the keys have yet become softer! For me personally, the only thing I don't like the most about 9810 keys is the loud clicky sound. Try the real things yourself a few times and ask yourself which one fit you the best. Don't forget that 9900 camera lacks of auto focus. Also, 9810 might be slightly better on battery department.

Good luck.

**inicophone** · 05-09-2012, 03:30 PM

I am 50/50 as they both have advantages and disadvantages. I am slightly more to the Torch as I can't see that being a bad keyboard. But then, I love the candybar form factor! Yet still, I prefer the larger screen!

What I am curious about now is whether people are able to type long emails or messages with the Torch 9810 fast and accurate. Or is the keyboard slow to type with?

Thanks for the feedback about the keys not softening! That's interesting!

Surprisingly this is a hard choice to make - I am still waiting for the refund from my Android phone to enter my account and then I am able to order. So a few more days to decide!

**doxa sub750T** · 05-09-2012, 04:21 PM

No issue for me whatsoever when typing long e-mail with respect to speed and accuracy. I do enjoy using virtual keyboard for all short messages, BBM and SMS. The virtual keyboard helps tremendously when I need to type other languages :-) I have to admit that I will miss it dearly should I switch to BB10 with keyboard (hopefully in 2013).

Cheers

**SK122387** · 05-10-2012, 12:41 AM

I have the 9810 and like the keyboard almost as much as I like my 9900's. I can type really fast on it. The keys are not too firm either, but not as "mushy" as I've seen on my friend's 9800. I think you will really like the 9810. Because it has the bigger screen, it has a row of on-screen shortcuts for BBM and messaging, and pictures. It makes attaching files or inserting emoticons really easy. It might not sound like a big deal, but when I switch to my 9900, I really miss the added convenience of them.

Also, the screen is a lot better than the 9800. I've posted a few times about how the 9810 is just so much better than the 9800, even though they pretty much look the same. The screen is very bright with crisp colors, and web browsing on it is as good as on Safari on iOS, in my opinion (from using my ipod touch).

**inicophone** · 05-13-2012, 05:03 AM

Hey! Sorry for not replying, thank you for your replies!

I decided in the end to go for the 9900. I just loved the keyboard and I prefer the form factor. But it was a very close call! Maybe I'll end up buying a Torch 9810 too!

Thank you for all your help

**inicophone** · 05-18-2012, 01:42 PM

Quick update! I had to return my 3rd 9900 as it developed two faults. I am going to try the 9810 as I missed the screen size from when I had my Android phone.

Here's to going for the 9810!