I am looking to purchase a new blackberry.
I am able to purchase the 6710 for $100 or the 6230 for $149 after rebates.
Are the new "blue" models that much better?

Any advice would be great...
thanks

There are several differences:

The 6710 is a dual-band GSM/GPRS device; it operates on 900 MHz (outside of North America) and 1900 MHz (North America). The 6230 is a tri-band GSM/GPRS devices, with the additional 1800 MHz frequency which is also used outside of the US.

The 6230 has a smaller screen (as do all of the blue cased BlackBerrys).

The 6230 runs a newer version of the software (3.7), while the 6710 runs 3.6 - there are significant difference in the phone functionality.

I had a 6210 (the predecesor of the 6230) before my current 7230 (a color 6230).

For the $49, I would get the 6230.

The 6710 is available from a variety of carriers, while the 6230 is from T-Mobile only (AT&T and Cingular sell the 6280, which uses different frequencies again).

Gope that helps!