I just got the phone today and I also came from a Hero. I'm loving the phone so far! I'm not exactly packed with knowledge on all the techy (speeds, internal workings, etc..) about this stuff, but from what I'm experiencing right now it's faster than my Hero was. What I like is that it is still an HTC so the layout and interface is pretty much exactly the same which makes it feel like home. This is my first phone with a sliding keyboard and I find it easy to use. The buttons are spaced far enough apart where you don't hit the wrong key every time you try to type. With a case on it the top row becomes slightly more difficult to use but I wouldn't but the label of "difficult" on it. The only other thing would be that the case also makes the actual slide a little stiffer but it's not a big deal and when you consider the protection you're getting from the case, it's well worth it. Like I said earlier, I'm enjoying the phone and I feel like it is an upgrade from my Hero (which I thoroughly enjoyed). Hope that helps some!