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As the second installment of our “Back to School” series, today we’re going to look at which Blackberry device is best for students.

The current Blackberry device lineup consists of all 8xxx phones and can be found on all major carrier networks. Each device packs its own little punch, and it’s really just a matter of selecting which one fits in with your own unique style. Personally, I’ve opted for an 8830 World Edition, as at the time of purchase it was the only Blackberry device offered by Verizon that supported world travel. I’ve never looked back and have no regrets! Andrew, my partner in crime here at StudentDocket, has opted for the newer BlackBerry Curve and couldn’t be happier.

In any case, here’s a quick rundown of what you have to choose from:

83xx Curve:

This phone has recently received quite a bit of love from the Blackberry team, and therefore currently comes in 4 different flavors: 8300, 8310, 8320, and the 8330. All of the devices are pretty similar, with the exception of CDMA Network support and video recording for the 8330. GPS can also only be found on the 8310 and 8330 varieties. Other than that, this device is stable, smaller than its 88xx brethren, and packs a camera to boot (no small feat for a blackberry I don’t mind telling you).

Pros:

• Includes a camera with Video Recording (8330 version Only)
• GPS (check with your carrier to ensure availability)
• Larger screen size makes browsing the internet as enjoyable as possible from a mobile device
• Smaller size than the 8800
• Full QWERTY keyboard makes typing out e-mails a breeze

Cons:

• Still a little on the large size, but not by much
• Sensitive mouth piece often picks up background noise a little too much

Summary:

This, to be honest, seems to be one of the best Blackberry options currently available. Online reviews are nothing but positive, and users seem highly satisfied.  Check out one such review here!

81xx Pearl

The Pearl is the baby in the Blackberry lineup, and seems to be one of the more popular units among the student population. Its smaller form factor pits the Pearl up against all the “regular” sized phones out there, making it an excellent choice for students looking to own a Blackberry without any of the size commitments. Unfortunately, this smaller size comes at the expense of a smaller screen and no full-sized QWERTY keyboard. General consensus seems to be that the keypad still works quite well, but is in no way as convenient as larger Blackberry devices.

Pros:

• Smaller size makes it more comparable to other phones
• Includes a camera
• Though not a full QWERTY keyboard, the keypad is still larger than normal and with practice can become quite an efficient little tool
• Let’s face it, the thing’s just pretty

Cons:

• · Smaller screen size (this may be a plus for some)
• · Not a full size QWERTY Keyboard (this may be a plus for some)

Summary:

The Pearl is definitely worth a look if you’re trying to avoid the larger size of other Blackberry devices. All reviews seem to be positive! Check out a full review here!

88xx (sometimes World Edition):

This was one of the first phones Blackberry released in the 8xxx lineup. As such, it’s considered one of the older offerings. Still not a bad phone though, and worth a look if your provider carries it. The device has no camera, but does include GPS (where allowed by your provider, Verizon customers beware: it has been deactivated).

Pros:

• · Larger Screen size makes browsing the internet as good as it can be on a mobile phone
• · Full QWERTY keyboard makes e-mailing or texting a breeze
• · Great call quality

Cons:

• · Larger size makes carrying it around inconvenient; I have to use the included holster which is often annoying
• · Over-sensitive mouth piece picks up a little too much background noise
• · No camera (this may be a pro for some people though)

Summary:

This is really a great option if you don’t mind the size of the phone. The only issues I’ve ever had are the lack of camera and not being able to keep it in my pocket.

And what about that Bold?

Blackberry has recently announced a new addition to their lineup with the Blackberry Bold. Though the Bold seems to be a rather solid offering, it’s still a few months out. If you’re not yet up for renewal, or don’t mind the wait, however, it may just be worth it. Keep in mind, however, that the Bold will be the largest model of the bunch, and therefore may not be the best choice for some. You can check out early reviews of the Bold over at the Boy Genius Report.

And what about that iPhone

This one’s a toughie, with all the press out there you’d think that this thing was hands-down THE way to go. Unfortunately, it’s not the case, particularly if you happen to be on any network other than ATT. Though the iPhone is without a doubt a great phone, users report several problems with it and should in no way be considered perfect. In the end, it comes down to user preference. Avoid the hype, pick one up, and decide for yourself. Avoid being seduced by lower price tags (over the 2 year contract, the newer iPhone is actually MORE expensive than the original) and an insane advertising budget. We’re hoping to provide a students review of the iPhone in the near future to help you out here!

In the end, it all comes down to which features you’re looking for, and which features you can actually get with your provider. If you don’t mind the size, the Curve is an excellent choice for students. It’s slimmer than the 8830/8820, yet packs more features with the added camera. A Pearl, on the other hand, is an excellent choice if you’d like to keep things more compact. Regardless of which device you choose, I know you won’t be disappointed. One of the few complaints I’ve ever had with my Blackberry was the default task manager it comes with. To put it simply, it just isn’t built for students. That’s why I created StudentDocket; feel free to check out your FREE 15-day trial today!