This is my first venture into the world of Blackberry and so far, so good. The Pearl seems to be a good compromise between Blackberry functionality and everyday cell phone design. I am not a power user for business (I have other devices for that) and was originally interested in the Pearl for its looks and basic features. I think I fall right in the middle of the market that RIM aimed for by creating the Pearl: the everyday wireless user looking for those extras that the standard handhelds can't provide.Here is my list of pros/cons:Pros...1) Sleek look, perfect size and superb design - The Pearl is the nicest looking thing on the market that can call, email, chat, snap pictures, etc. Most functions are pretty intuitive once you get the application menu up. The device is neither too large, nor too small. You can feel it in your pocket, but you're also not leaning to one side because of it's weight.2) Great sounding calls - I have read complaints about the call sound and volume. I have no qualms with this. The calls are clear and the volume is fine. If you can't hear, turn it up. If it's too loud, turn it down.3) Easy set up - Having never used a Blackberry before, getting all the features working took about an hour. I was receiving emails and instant messages right away. I guess this is what RIM is known for and I can see why. If things did not work in my favor (like connecting to my free Hotmail account), the error message was clear and understandable.4) The Pearl trackball - It's like a mini-mouse right on your phone. This innovation makes scrolling though content a breeze. Whether it's a list of files, a web page, or the day's emails, getting from top to bottom/left to right is no problem.5) Media player - Grab a microSD card and your Pearl turns into a new MP3 player. With the display screen's amazing size and clarity, I can see how watching video wouldn't be so bad.Cons...1) The Pearl trackball - I wonder how long it will hold out. While it doesn't feel fragile, I just get the feeling that one day it won't work. Hopefully the design team at RIM did their homework and put some resources into making this a very durable function. If the trackball fails, the device is useless.2) The headphone jack - It's a 2.5mm jack. I wonder why this decision was made and/or the limitations that forced the decision. A 3.5mm jack would make things much more convenient.3) The tedious stuff - Fingerprints on the screen, no video recorder, lack of initial storage...Overall...This is a great device for what it is: a cell phone that does so much more. There are probably products that do certain things better, but the Pearl seems to have that all-in-one feel that makes it seem like a wise investment. If you are looking for a phone with a few bells and whistles (Blackberry style) or are looking to get rid of that mini-computer attached to your hip (without losing all of its features), the Pearl is the way to go.