communicator differences: 9780 and 9800
I've read the other posts on the differences between the 2 devices but here are my personal/subjective thoughts coming from a straight "communication" only perspective on .246.
1. Screen res. The 9800 looks great. Not as crisp/clear as the 9700 but surprisingly good. From an email or text/font perspective the 9700 I think still wins although the 9800 is no slouch and workable. I'm using it mostly for emails and writing letters so to me the 9780 wins here but only by a small margin.
2. Screen size. When using the virutal keyboard, the actual viewing area of the screen for emails etc is actually less with the 9800 because the virtual board consumes so much space. I found myself having to do a lot more scrolling up and down to see what I had written. Not a biggie but again, from a straight communication experience I have to wonder why I would ever use the virtual board given it consumes so much real estate. It seems to me the only advantage to the larger screen is for media viewing or straight reading where there is no user input required. If the argument is to just use the physical kb then I would ask why would I want a virtual kb in the first place.
3. Physical keyboard. The 9700 which I assume is going to be identical to the 9780 seems better than the 9800. I would get use the shorter key travel but the 9700 just "feels" more solid than the 9800 if you are going to primarily use the physical kb. The upper lip of the screen also seems to impede typing on the top row of keys but I would assume you would get used to it.
4. Virtual keyboard. I just don't know why I would use this other than to rip off a quick email/txt off and if this is the case then why do I need a virtual kb? I realize the user gets accustomed to the virtual so I may not be fair here but for straight written communications the tactile response of the physical I think would be more accurate. Alternatively, if the goal is to become accomplished using the virtual kb then why not be done with physical and not have any physical kb available i.e. just use the Storm or the 9700 as preference dictates. My understanding is that by having both you get the best of both worlds but i would almost argue that you've got your feet in two different boats i.e.you might just as well get on with life with one or the other. Having 2 kbs just seems to be unnecessary. I realize this is debatable though.
5. Slider. The 9800 was solid and non-wiggley. Still, having to extend the slider when I wanted to send an email/text was a real pain. Again, I realize it would eventually become second nature but it still begs the question above that it likely would be better to either use a Storm or a 9700 and get on with life with either one or the other.
6. Navigation. I think the 9800 wins here in so far the virtual kb allows you to move around a bit better but not having experienced the 9780 with OS6 this may not be accurate and that gap may be closed.
7. Phone. Hard to tell but seem to be about the same although I did seem to have a few more dropped calls on the 9800 although this observation isn't scientific.
8. Call quality. Seems good on the 9800 but the speaker volume seems low compared to the 9700.
9. Battery. Seems to be about the same...maybe a little better on the 9700...not sure what it will be like on the 9780.
10. Weight/size. Not really material to worry about even though the 9800 is heavier. With the slider out though it doesn't really seem to have the right balance in the hand like the 9700 but this is just a personal thing. I think RIM got it pretty right though on the 9800 but just doesn't seem as easy to type on the physical kb.
Conclusion. If I were using it for movies or a lot of surfing then I think I would put up with some of the less-than-perfect communication attributes in comparison to the 9700/9780 just to get the larger screen. Then again, if I was really wanting it for media then I probably would go to some other platform.
The 9800 is a whole lotta fun to play with but because it is trying to be all things to all people I just don't think it is optimal as a straight business tool. I will likely miss the 1" extra screen waiting around in airports etc but this is so infrequent for me I think I will just migrate to the 9780 with OS6, webkit etc as that platform seems near perfect. Probably not much of an upgrade over the 9700 but it is always nice to have a new toy.
Comments would be appreciated.