9700 is one of most beautifull blackberry on its series. you can't run apps until u have data plan sorry for that , but as i was thinking to take blackberry without data some people told me whats the meaning of having blackberry without data , i said like you did , i have wifi everywhere i dont need data ! but since few month i am using blackberry 9780 with data and now i know what it mean !
i hsve used 9700 for couple of month and there was not any problem like you said !
Guys if u wants crap apps, crap games to waste your time  blackberry is not your phon , but if u text a lot, like emails , file sharing, privacy is big issue for you than blackberry is best phone ever !