[Stogies]

I just dug my 8900 out of the drawer to charge it and check some things on the OS. I didn't realize until now just how bad the keypad on the 9700 sucks. I have always had a problem with trying to press one key and getting the one next to it instead but I just assumed it was my fat fingers. After playing with the 8900 a while, I realize my 9700 issues come from the stupid key shape, flat with a raised edge. I MUCH prefer the 8900 pad (or the 8310 that preceded that one). Anybody know of a replacement pad that has actual raised keys like the older BB's did?

Now, lets see how many ppl respond by telling me how much they like the 9700 keypad

[Pi Guy 3.14]

I have the 9700 and I hate the keyboard. I love the phone, just hate the keyboard. One of the worst keyboards on a bb I ever felt. And I don't care if people disagree with that, cause its my opinion.

[WolfmanRobby]

I like the shape of the keys on the 9700, but miss the size of my 9000 keyboard.... I don't have big hands, I have small, Kodiak bear paws!

[cabletow]

Just use the 8900

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Totalimmortal363]

It cramps my hand after awhile. My 9000 is back as my main BB device when I use one.

[Stogies]

Just use the 8900

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I would, except I just hate that trackball....
From the day I got it, it has been a pain to click. You have to press it at a bit of an "up" angle before it will register the click. A push directly in, no matter how hard doesn't get seen. I don't know if this is common or a fluke with my particular device. Either way, the 9700 is here to stay and the 8900 is a backup device.

[Pi Guy 3.14]

I don't think you can change to a different keypad other than the oem one. You can change the keypad yes, but not the form or size of it.

[Newfangled Gizmo]

I never thought I would get accustomed to the 9700 keypad, but I have. It's still a bit difficult to type accurately in low light conditions. However, that amazing trackpad makes up for that shortcoming in a big way!

[vanesserstation]

9700 keyboard takes some time to get used to. I'm still getting use to it.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Pete6]

I picked up Mrs. Pete6's 8310 today and was amazed at how easy it was to type on after the 8900 and the 9700.

I agree with you guys. RIM is going backwards with its keyboards.

[youagain]

Coming from an 8520 it felt weird at first but adjusted quickly. Feels good to me. The only problem is the damn frets keep on breaking making the BB look fugly. Dont like the idea of constantly having to replace it and I am OCD enough to do something like that.

[GG1]

I like the 9700 keypad,but I would choose the 8900 keypad over this one also.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Asperse]

I personally love the keyboard, and I don't see why would have a problem with people who disagree with you.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[anon(1458)]

I love the 9700 keyboard as well. To each their own I suppose

[hellriser180]

so far im loving the 9700 keyboard alot better then the 8520's but i can admit but the easiest keyboard for me to type on is my 8320

[K Bear]

8120 keypad is 10 times better than the 9700 keypad.

[Stogies]

I personally love the keyboard, and I don't see why would have a problem with people who disagree with you.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I have absolutely no problem with people who disagree with my feelings about the 9700 keypad. I was honestly looking for info about a replacement and I have spent enough time on enough different forums that I knew there would be more post saying "I don't know why you don't like this keypad, *I* love it" than there would ever be with answers to my actual question of is there a replacement available?

I don't mean in the slightest that my opinion is the only one that matters, or the right one, it's just mine

[Pete6]

Keyboards are entirely a matter of personal preference. However people do seem to prefer the keyboard that they first started out with. In my case that was the 7230 and 7290. These were huge button keyborads and very easy to use for one such as myslef who has a bunch of bananas for fingers. The 8100 which I got next also had big keys but there were not enough of them and so I ditched that fo an 8310 which also had big keys.

From tehre it was, for me, downhill to the 8900 keyboard (talking keyboards only here) and then onto the 9700 which I reckon is the worst RIM has ever made.

Hpwever it's like I said, personal preference only. After all, I can use the 9700 fine. I just thought that the bigger keys were nice for me.

[ceruleanceladon]

I already got used to it. So it doesn't really matter, I love it anyway.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[DougG_ATL]

I like the 9700 keyboard. It's what allows the phone to be as compact as it is. The 9000 is still too damn wide. I don't find the 9700 any more difficult than the Curve 8310 I had before it.

[xs11e]

investigate buying a replacement keyboard, you might find one that works better for you if you don't get an OEM one.

[DanDryer]

I also think there is a big different between both keyboards, 8900 vs 9700. after using the 9700 for a while i tried my old 8900 and was surprised how good it felt to write with. i will use it more often in the future :-)

8900:
- a bit harder
- more crispy
- feels cheaper
- you can type much faster
- it doent look so nice

9700:
- better quality
- softer keys
- no gaps
- harder to type with
- it looks very very cool compared to the 8900!

[carol73]

YES! YES! YES!, THE 8900 IS A MUCH WAY BETTER KEYBOARD THAN THE 8900.. IM USE TO MY 9700 NOW, BUT LOVE TO GO BACK TO 8900 JUST TO MESS AROUND THE BUTTONS.. MAYBE THE NEW 8910 HAS THE SAME KEYPAD AS THE 8900...i THINK IT HAS THE TRACKBALL RIGHT?

[WolfmanRobby]

The only tip I can have as someone who finds the 9700 keyboard awkward, use the TIPS of your thumbs to type. Almost like you are going to use your thumbnails. In other words, make the last section of your thumb almost perfectly strait up and down (90* angle) the the keyboard and let it slide (Lightly) along the tops of the ridges.

It sounds weird, and, even feels weird at first. But, a friend gave me this advice a couple of weeks ago when I moved from the 9000 to the 9700. Those little ridges really POP up there when you do it this way and you wind up typing on the raised edges, not the yeas themselves.

I'm still not up to speed to where I was on the 9000, but, I give it another couple of weeks and I should be good to go.

[fallenangellic]

the keypad on 9700 is perfect..... i jus love it....... it may be a little dodgy to begin with but once u get the hang of it its the best thing in the world....

besides the trackpad in 9700 is something i cannot live without..... give it time fellas and your hands will learn to love it.... as mine have