Q-Tips #6 – Windows Mobile vs. Blackberry

Often users ask me about purchasing a mobile device that allows them to stay current with work email, calendar and contacts.  For connecting to campus services a device that runs Windows Mobile or at least supports “ActiveSync” is required.  For example, the iPhone and iPod Touch do not run Windows Mobile yet they fully support “ActiveSync”.

So why not Blackberry?  So many reasons, where to start.  I’ll put aside personal opinion on Blackberry and focus on the facts of why NOT to get a Blackberry device.

  1. No support: We do not have expertise on this campus for Blackberry devices.  They are proprietary in nature and we have no training on them or a device available to learn from.
  2. Server compatibility: Our email system natively supports Windows Mobile and ActiveSync enabled devices at NO ADDITIONAL COST!  Blackberry Enterprise Server and Blackberry Professional Server have a great deal of expense in hardware (server) and software.  There is also a cost with having anothe product to plan, install, troubleshoot, and maintain (patches).
  3. Device limitations: A Windows Mobile device is capable of creating, viewing and editing Word, Excel & PowerPoint files.  Blackberry is only capable of viewing such devices at this point.
  4. Email limitations:  Windows Mobile and ActiveSync enabled devices are capable of accessing the campus address list for sending email.  Blackberry has no such access.
  5. Calendar/Contact limitations:  Changes made to the calendar or contacts are synced immediately with Windows Mobile and ActiveSync enabled devices.  Blackberry is good at one thing, email.  Period.  They can handle calendar and contacts however changes can take minutes to hours to sync.
  6. Task support:  Windows Mobile and ActiveSync enabled devices support synchronization of tasks.  Blackberry’s do not have no such support.
  7. Touch screen:  Many Windows Mobile and ActiveSync enabled devices (not Smart phones) have a touch screen to them making navigation quick and easy with a Windows-like feel (or Mac like for iPhone or iPod Touch), something very familiar to users.  Other than the new Blackberry Storm, there is no touch screen.  The Blackberry interface is again proprietary and there is a learning curve.

In Computer Services and at the Help Desk we do NOT support Blackberry devices.  Purchasing discourages users from getting Blackberry’s as well.  For more information, leave a comment or send a suggestion/question via the about screen.

December 18 2008 11:18 am | General and Hardware and Q-Tips

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