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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!

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In honor of our recent re-launch from StudentBerry to StudentDocket, we’ve decided to start a new series here at StudentDocket.com titled “Back to School”. We know this time of year is pretty stressful for all you students out there (we know, because we’ll be right behind you in the registrations lines!), so we thought we’d do all we can to make a few of your decisions just a little bit more simple.

Should I own a BlackBerry? – Is it really worth it for students?

The short answer – Yes!

I understand a lot of the hesitation students seem to feel when trying to make this decision. After all, the Blackberry is largely advertised as a “business only” kind of device. While it is undoubtedly true that the Blackberry makes for sound corporate performance, what you need to remember is WHY this is the case. The answer is stability, long battery life, and a solid e-mail and communications system, and it makes each and every Blackberry device a suitable phone for students to own as well. Furthermore, with the recent additions to the Blackberry device lineup, the phones have lost their “corporate feel”, and adopted a much more main-stream and media focus. To break this down even further, we’ve gone ahead and created a quick list of reasons why Blackberry phones make a great addition to any student’s arsenal.

1. It’s all about the e-mail. This one should always be at the top of every Blackberry feature list. E-mail management on the Blackberry is e-mail management at its finest. True push e-mail means you’re always on top of your e-mail inbox. I used to have problems keeping up with my e-mails, particularly time critical ones like class cancelations, group meeting changes, etc… But no more, I haven’t opened up an inbox on my computer in months, nor do I plan to. It just isn’t necessary any longer – Checking your e-mail is a thing of the past as all your messages are delivered directly to your phone!
2. Battery Life: This one is a big one for me, and the Blackberry really performs well in this category. I’ve never owned a phone that lasted longer than my Blackberry, which is really saying something seeing as I’ve never owned a phone that did as much as my Blackberry either. At first glance, the screen on these things looks like a real battery drain. To put it simply, they’re gorgeous, rich looking screens that must suck up a ton of power. Even so, I’ve taken this thing on extended-weekend camping trips and had it last the entire time!
3. BlackBerry Messenger: The more friends you have with blackberry’s, the more awesome this little application becomes. It’s not SMS messaging, it’s so much more. Utilizing your device’s data plan, the Blackberry messenger allows you to maintain extended IM conversations with any of your friends. I’m constantly using blackberry messenger to send interesting photos or voice notes, ask simple questions, or just check in on how someone’s life is going. For those friends without Blackberry’s (for shame!), simply install any number of the free IM clients (gtalk, yahoo, msn, etc…) to keep in contact with them as well!
4. FaceBook: I haven’t logged into facebook in months! Not since installing the BlackBerry facebook application that is. The interface is sleek and smooth, and allows access to all of my commonly used facebook tools. There really isn’t much more to say about this application, it does exactly what you’d expect it to do. Best of all, It’s mobile, allowing me to check in on my friends during downtimes (and the occasional class), and not when I should be writing that final essay!
5. Productivity: There’s a reason Blackberry’s have become so popular in spite of the fact that, until recently, they’ve been just short of remarkably ugly. While most “smart phones” allow you to schedule productivity to some degree of success, the Blackberry is the first device that actually allows you to BE productive. Whether I’m scheduling assignments into StudentDocket, shooting out e-mails to professors, friends, and classmates, browsing the internet while riding the bus, or viewing my work schedule in the BlackBerry Calendar, Blackberry phones really ARE all about productivity.
6. Third Party Applications: While the Blackberry device itself is a great addition to any book bag, it’s really the addition of any number of great third party applications that makes the device shine. I can personally recommend viigo, google maps, and beyond 411. While you’re at it, go ahead and give StudentDocket a whirl with our FREE 15-Day Trial!
7. The “Crack” factor: we’ve all heard it before, the crackberry, it’s an addiction. Well I’m here to tell you first hand, it’s true. From the minute you pick this thing up you’re going to understand. No other phone has created as loyal a community as the Blackberry crowd without spending insane amounts on advertising. My 8830 has become an extension of my own arm, and I’m perfectly ok with that.
8. Community: This one’s a little bit of a bonus, as it has nothing to do with the phone itself. From the day you bring home your new Blackberry phone, you become a member of one of the most amazing groups of people on the planet. From quality blogs like BlackBerryCool, BerryReview, RIMarkable, and Crackberry to amazing forums like pinstack and again the Crackberry forums, Blackberry owners really are just a great group of people. I’ve never had a question unanswered or a problem unsolved.

With an ever-increasing lineup of sleek, impressive looking Blackberry devices, there isn’t really a reason I can think of not to give one of these things a shot. Though well known and often considered a no-brainer amongst professionals and career types, this thing seems to be the education markets best kept secret. This is quickly changing, however, as more and more students begin to realize the full potential packed into these little devices. So before you lock yourself into another sadly lacking 2-year engagement with any other device, do yourself a favor and head on over to the Blackberry section.