BlackBerry 7100t (T-Mobile)

Our first look at Research In Motion's (RIM) would-be Treo-killer, the BlackBerry 7100t, generated quite a buzz. Hard-core BlackBerry devotees derided the company's foray into more phonelike devices, while others didn't quite understand the QWERTY-esque keyboard. Conversely, some users celebrated the sleek form factor and the bright color screen. Regardless of where you stand on these issues, the fact remains that at $199 (with a T-Mobile service contract) and coupled with the long-awaited (albeit limited) Bluetooth and great e-mail support, the 7100t is poised to bring a new crop of users into the world of the BlackBerry.The RIM BlackBerry 7100t's unique design is the first thing that will strike experienced BlackBerry users. In fact, RIM refers to the 7100t as a BlackBerry phone, stepping away from the more traditional PDA-like design of previous models such as the BlackBerry 7230. Styled in pleasant blue and gray, the 7100t's slim and lightweight dimensions (4.7 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches; 4.3 ounces) give it the ability to fit in most pockets, and it feels comfortable to hold while you're talking. You'll also notice that the 65,536-color, 2.1-inch (diagonal) screen is vivid and well lit, and the icons are easy to discern in the user-friendly menus. In standby mode, the screen shows the main menu in addition to the date, time, battery life, and signal strength. Caller ID (where available) is included, and you can change the font size and style. Our only gripe: The BlackBerry goes completely dark when the backlighting is off, so make sure to adjust it accordingly.