What plan to use for a Blackberry?

[Reg]

I want to get a Blackberry so I can check email as well as do the regular phone call, text messaging, IMming, etc.

All the carriers have different plans, the only difference I can see is the Personal vs. Enterprise plans. I only want to be able to check Yahoo and Gmail - NOT work email - and make calls and do personal stuff.

It looks like you're charged to be able to just connect - tether - your Blackberry to your computer as well? Is that true/legal/legit, can't I just hook up a cable? I want to be able to save text messages (with senders and time stamp info) and files straight to my computer (I have a Mac).

Any help appreciated, and yes, I have looked at many FAQ's I just don't get the difference between the ways you can get to your email and the prices they charge - amount of data doesn't influence me, I'll get unlimited anyway.

Also, I currently have a T-mobile cell phone with a SIM chip, any thoughts on staying with a SIM or moving to a carrier that doesn't use them?

Thanks

[cuse71122]

1. -

2. It depends on your carrier- but you definitely don't need Blackberry Enterprise service.

3. You can't save text messages, but you can sync iPhoto, iTunes etc with a program called Missing Sync for Blackberry.

4. A carrier that doesn't use SIM chips (e.g Verizon) have stronger 3G networks for quicker browsing speeds. Verizon (I have a Blackberry 8300 for Verizon) and Sprint are both SIM-cardless. The first 3G Blackberry for AT&T and T-Mobile will come in the spring, but AT&T's 3G network is not nearly has as large as Verizon's.